Historic Master Mason Degree

On Saturday, March 8, Masons from across Iowa and beyond gathered at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masonic Center for a historic raising of a Master Mason.

Most Worshipful Eddie N. Sauls, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Iowa and Jurisdiction F. & A.M., and Most Worshipful Eric A. Rozeboom, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. & A.M. jointly presided over the this historic occasion, only the second of such to have been held in Iowa.

Grand officers from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Iowa and Jurisdiction F. & A.M. opened the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Iowa and Jurisdiction F. & A.M. in their due in proper form, and then conferred the first section of the Master Mason degree upon Brother Charles.  The officers of the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. & A.M. then conferred the second section, and closed in their due and proper form.

Following this historic occasion, a banquet was held where there brothers from the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. & A.M. were made honorary members of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Iowa and Jurisdiction F. & A.M.

U of FM: Knights Templar and the Crusades

Pete Taggart, 32° KCCH and professor of history at Simpson College have a thought provoking presentation on the Crusades and the Knights Templar.  Beginning with a background sketch on the historical environment that led to the Crusades (the four 'official' Crusades), Bro. Taggart then gave a brief account of events in the Crusades.  Taggart's research into the founding of the Knights Templar turned conspiracy theories on their head, bringing historical context into the discussion.

With many of the knights on crusade being lower nobility, they had little to return to in Europe after conquering the land the French termed 'Outremer' (meaning 'overseas').  Thus, when the fighting against the Seljuk Turks ended, many knights found themselves begging in the streets of Jerusalem.  After 19 years, eight knights had finally had enough of life as beggars, and approached the King Baldwin of Jerusalem, and thus formed the Poor Fellow Soldiery of the Temple, or the Knights Templar.  Their founding was more out of pity, than out of conspiracy.

The Templars later gained favor of the Pope, and were made a holy order.  Thus, donations to the Templars started pouring in, inadvertently leading to the decline of the crusades.  One could much easier make donations to their local Templar preceptory instead of either going on crusade or donating to the Church to fund the crusades, the decline of crusades began.

After Saladin retook Outremer from the europeans, and the power and wealth of the Templars was at its height, the Templars became the target of jealousy.  King Philip IV of France, being deeply in debt to the Templars, and jealous of their wealth, saw an opportunity to usurp it.  On Friday 13, 1307, the Templars in France were arrested.  Many confessed to heretical acts under torture, and suffered the consequences.  The Templar Grand Master, Jacques deMolay, recanted his testimony of heresy in front of a crowd gathered in front of the fames Notre Dame cathedral in the middle of the River Seine in Paris, and was then burned at the stake.

Taggart's research put a new light on the story of the Templars, looking at history through the lens of what else was happening at the time, while bringing humor to the preposterousness of many conspiracy theories surrounding them.

A very enlightening presentation to the many assembled.

Blue Lodge Breakfast and 3rd Degree

The Council of Kadosh hosted the 14th Annual Blue Lodge Breakfast on Saturday, January 18 at the Des Moines Scottish Rite. Masons from around Iowa attended the event and enjoyed a delicious, free breakfast, courtesy of the Des Moines Scottish Rite, Master of Kadosh Steve Jacobsen, and the officers of the Council of Kadosh Bryce Hildreth, Greg Spooner, and Mike Miller.

After breakfast, 2014 Master of Kadosh Steve Jacobsen welcomed honored guests and thanked all of the Masons in attendance. Shane Harshbarger, Secretary/Registrar, then introduced a short program on Freemasonry featuring a video clip from CBS This Morning. Masons were invited to attend a 3rd degree in the Scottish Rite Auditorium after the program concluded. The degree was presented in full form and in costume.

Membership Kickoff and Awards Dinner

25th Degree:
Knight of the Brazen Serpent

The Officers and Members of the Des Moines Scottish Rite Bodies invite you to a special awards night and dinner on July 25th.

It is open to all Masons and Prospective members for Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shrine.

• There will be a special program on Freemasonry and what it means to be a

Mason for Prospective Members

• See Scottish Rite Masons recognized for their accomplishments in front of their Lodge Brothers and friends.

• Share your enthusiasm for Freemasonry with others

• Enjoy a great dinner of Sirloin Steak. Grimes Sweet Corn, Salad, and a Baked Potato

• Grow and Build our Fraternity for Future Generations

• Meet Masons from throughout Central Iowa

• Learn more about Scottish Rite and our first ever portrayal of the

25th Degree "Knight of the Brazen Serpent". This degree is part of the Ancient Mysteries and is set in Persia. It gives an introduction to Islam and the challenge of searching for light and truth in the proper place and frame of mind. Kevin Smith, 32° KCCH is the Degree Master.

• Wear a Scottish Rite or Masonic shirt to show your pride in membership

The Details:

WHO: You and your friends

WHAT: Program & Awards

WHEN: July 25- 6:15pm

WHERE: Scottish Rite- 519 Park St. Des Moines

WHY: To grow and build Masonry and to recognize accomplishments

COST: Free with a reservation
HOW: rsvp@dmscottishrite.org or 515-288-8927 by July 19.
(KMH)

A different wedding guest

Our beloved building plays host to a number of joyous occasions  with guest from around the globe.  However, this past Saturday, there was one four-legged guest that came crashing in uninvited.

Herbert M. Smith 33 Class Reunion Recap

What an amazing couple of weekends!  The members of the Herbert M. Smith, 33 Memorial Class experienced some of the best work and hospitality of the Des Moines Scottish Rite.

After spending nearly two full weekends drinking from the fire hose that is the Scottish Rite work, participating in 27 of the 29 degrees of the Southern Jurisdiction, the members of the class escaped to the islands.

As snow fell outside, members of the class donned their Hawaiian shirts, and joined their ladies and guests in the Grand Banquet room that had been transformed into a tropical paradise, complete with live fish on the tables, and palm trees adorning the room.

Upon enjoying a meal that was straight from the islands (pineapple, mango, sweet potatoes  macadamia nut ice cream, and more) the program began with the usual Masonic introductions, and then the officers of the Herbert M. Smith, 33 Memorial Class shared their reactions to they had just experienced.  Class President Dylan W. Rasmussen, 32 having just served as the active candidate in the 32nd degree, shared his thoughts, then introduced class Secretary/Treasurer Lee Roy W. Porter, Jr, 32 who presented a gift on behalf of the class to the Valley to assist in the building improvement endeavors.  David E. Funk, 32 as the class Orator gave an excellent talk on his reactions to the work, and the applicability of its lesson in the world at large.

Then the music started, and nearly everyone present found themselves on the dance floor at some point in the evening, as music provided by Absolute Music DJ kept everyone enjoying the evening.

An absolutely perfect finish to a great reunion!  Welcome members of the Herbert M. Smith  33 Memorial Class to your Scottish Rite!

(KMH)

Iowa Research Lodge at the Scottish Rite Center

2012 Semi-annual Meeting

Iowa Research Lodge No. 2

Friday, January 18, 2013

Scottish Rite Masonic Center • 6th & Park Sts • Des Moines, IA

• Open Lodge 5:30 p.m. - Business Mtg Masons Only

• Research Semi-Annual Dinner

• Ladies Invited 6:15 p.m. $20 per person

Send Reservations by Mon., January 14 to

IRL 2 • P. O. Box 13048 • Des Moines, IA 50310

or call 515-255-7600 for reservations/email masmedia@dwx.com

Give a 2013 Membership - $30.00 + 4.25 postage

New Members Receive 3 Books from our library plus the 2013 Book a $45.00 Value

Program

"European Freemasonry"

Dr. Natalie Bayers, Assistant Professor, Drake University

Scottish Rite Masonic Center • 6th & Park Sts • Des Moines, IA

A native of Russia, Natalie Bayer graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in modern European history. In 2000 she moved to the US to pursue her education. She received her Ph.D. in European intellectual history from Rice University in 2007, writing her doctorate thesis on interactions between European and Russian Masonic lodges during the eighteenth century. 

After teaching at Trinity University in San Antonio as a Visiting Assistant Professor between 2007-2009, Dr. Bayer was selected as the inaugural post-doctoral fellow for the study of Freemasonry and Fraternalism at the History Department of UCLA, sponsored by the Grand Lodge of California.

Working with Professor Margaret Jacob, Dr. Bayer was responsible for creating and teaching an innovative course on Freemasonry and Fraternalism in European History. Bayer taught the course at UCLA and at the Grand Lodge of California. 

In August 2010 she took up the tenure-tracked position of Assistant Professor at Drake University in Des Moines, where she now teaches coursesin European and Russian history and the history of Freemasonry.

Dr. Bayer has published extensively on the subject of eighteenth-century Freemasonry in English, Russian, French and Spanish, and actively participates in national and international conferences. Her keynote speeches on Masonic-related topics include papers delivered at the Centre for the Research of Freemasonry and Fraternalism at the University of Sheffield (UK), the Canonbury Conference in London (UK) and the symposium on “Expressions of Freemasonry” at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands.

In addition to her teaching and research, Bayer is currently a member of the editorial board of the Journal for Research into Freemasonry and Fraternalism  ); a member of the academic committee of the International Conference on the History of Freemasonry and a member of the standards and practices of Masonic research committee for the Quarry Project.

You are Invited

Library Social -

Wednesday - August 5
4:30 - 7:30 PM
Library

A chance to meet and visit with your Scottish Rite Brothers. Prospects and ladies are welcome.

Scottish Rite Meet & Greet (May 6)

Our next “meet and greet” is Wednesday, May 6th. These events are a chance to stop in after work and share in the fellowship of Scottish Rite. We will have snacks and drinks available. It is also a time to bring prospective members so they can see some of what the Scottish Rite has to offer. If you know someone who would be a good addition to the fraternity, feel free to invite him. Stop in anytime from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on May 6th.
We will be meeting in the Consistory Library on 2nd Floor.

Happy New Year -

Consistro Bistro (Ladies Night)

Consistro Bistro (Ladies Night)

Our Master of Kadosh Brian Pappaducas and his lady Michelle
invite you to join us on February 1st at the Consistro Bistro. A taste of Italy is on the menu with an antipasto, a selection of pastas featuring red and white sauces, salad, garlic bread, and dessert.

Our M of K has visited a number of our area restaurants to select a menu we think you will enjoy.

Following dinner, there will be live music by Mark Christensen. Mark plays guitar and sings a variety of music from Jimmy Buffet to Tim McGraw.

This is your chance to invite your lady to a Scottish Rite event where she is the guest of honor. It will also provide a great opportunity for fellowship as well. Your non-Masonic friends and family are invited to attend.

The dinner is $10, but we ask that you please make reservations by calling the Scottish Rite office at 515-288-8927 or sharshbarger@dmscottishrite.org

Membership Kick off

October 4 - Fall Membership Kick-off

Coming up soon is the annual Fall Membership dinner. This event is designed to build enthusiasm for the upcoming Fall Reunion and as a chance to invite potential SR Masons to a fun event to meet other Scottish Rite Members. There will be a special program introducing the Scottish Rite as well as building tours. Cost is $10 for SR Masons. However, SR candidates are free. If you bring a candidate with a signed/paid petition, your dinner is free as well. There will be a social hour at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm, program at 7:45 pm. This event is for men only.

If you plan to attend please contact the office by calling 515-288-8927 or email sharshbarger@dmscottishrite.org.



October 19/20 & November 2/3 - Fall Reunion

The Fall reunion is just around the corner. Now is the time to brush up on your ritual, attend your degree practices, recruit your candidates, volunteer to be on a committee, etc