Union City York Rite Communication of October 2021

This newsletter is to keep the brothers, families and friends of Union City York Rite Bodies in Union City California, up to date on the interesting and informative events of our extended Masonic family. Contact us at the Union City York Rite Secretary's office: (510) 493-8805, 34400 Mission Blvd., Union City, CA 94587-3604.

Our October cover is one to remind you of our continuing Masonic Family virtue of "Harmony".

As of this publication date all are still via Zoom until further notice. Check our website for the latest schedules Union City York Rite .

Read the decisions from the Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California and the Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of California on virtual balloting. Both Siminoff Daylight Chapter No. 183 RA and Sword and Trowel Council No. 85 CM successfully balloted at their September 18th virtual meeting.

Included in this issue are articles contributed by Brothers we know.

Take note of the Fall 2021 York Rite Festival dates.

Note the Ritual Book on the calendar - the Fourth Monday of the month to remind you to review that ritual.

Fraternally,

Bruce Rick, Editor and Publisher

SAT NOVEMBER 6 KNIGHT TEMPLAR COMMANDERY ORDERS - 9:00 am - San Bernardino York Rite Masonic Temple

SAT DECEMBER 11 UNION CITY YORK RITE STATED MEETINGS - CHAPTER , COUNCIL, COMMANDERY - Chapter 9:00 am - Other times and Location TBD

SUN DECEMBER 12 SIMINOFF COUNICL AMD No. 485 - 11:00 am - Location TBD

2022

SAT-THU MAY 14-18 2022 GRAND YORK RITE SESSIONS
- 9:00 am Visalia

Our "Grand" Brothers

Grand Lodge of California
Jeff Wilkins Deputy Grand Master
Jordan Yelinek Assistant Grand Secretary

Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of California
Phil Hardiman, Grand Secretary
Thomas Chavez, Grand Captain of the Host
Marty Cusing, Grand Orator

Grand Council of Cryptic Masons
of California
Phil Hardiman, Grand Recorder
   Mark Harris, Grand Director of Ritual
Michael Ramos, Grand Chaplain (North)
Jonathan Prestage, Grand Orator
Chris Trueblood, Grand Marshal (North)

Grand Commandery Knights Templar of California
Phil Hardiman, Grand Recorder Jordan Yelinek, Grand Captain General
Efren Prado, Grand Sentinel
Jim Baum, Grand Inspector General

Luis Lacayo 10/06
Johnathan Prestage 10/25
Jose Larin 10/27
Jim Baum 10/28

"Harmony"
By Bob Sachs

Harmony – a word we use so often in our Masonic meetings and conversations. It is often preceded by the word “peace.”

This implies that peace and harmony are distinct, but interdependent. Furthermore, both have internal (i.e. personal) and external (i.e. inter-personal) dimensions.

External peace is inextricably linked to inner peace. It could be argued that if there is no inner peace on the part of those on opposing sides of an issue or conflict, the peace achieved is merely the absence of conflict or war. In some circumstances, where differences are seemingly intractable, perhaps this is as good as it gets. An example in the real time of today is when Israelis and Palestinians are not lobbing bombs at each other. In an interview I have had with a well-known promoter of meditation and mindfulness who teaches programs both for Israelis and Palestinians in their respective territories, peace is not even considered viable or realistic. In this situation, security is the closest opposing sides come to peace. Harmony? Seemingly inconceivable.

Harmony is a deeper, more heart-felt matter that requires a sincere commitment to engender. Harmony is where various dimensions of thought, being, or expression blend to create a well-integrated, living peacefulness which – in turn – is reflected in our inner attitudes towards ourselves and others, as well as expression or responses externally.

Imagine, if you will, a number of circles, in which each of us is in our respective center. As Masons, this symbolizes how we strive to keep our passions within due bounds. These passions can be our desires, but also includes our more negative emotional states and reactions. Our Masonic lessons are intended to support and further this noble inner cause – a smoothing of the ashlar.

None of these efforts, however, happen within a vacuum. Imagine that while within our own circle, doing our inner work, we are moving around, doing things with or involve others. Our circles, thus, bump into each other and at times, overlap. As social beings, these interactions are important to our overall sense of belonging and community. Yet ever so often the noble ideals and intentions and how we should express them as envisioned in our own minds within our own circle, yet untested, bump into and interact with others who may have the same ideals, intentions, even moral perspectives, but different ideas on whatever it was you came together to do. Welcome to the age-old philosophical conundrums of ultimate or absolute reality versus conditioned or relative reality, where the devil is ALWAYS in the details. Thus, while we may agree in principle, we may bitterly disagree in practice. Our seemingly lightly touching circles then resemble a competitive clash of bumper cars!

To get passed this logjam, if we really want to engage in peace AND harmony, there are three principle steps which we as Masons and men should learn, two of which we find in the allegories our noble Fraternity offers and encourages. First, we need to take to heart and live according to an on-the-level perspective. In a framework where equality and equity are foundational, we then need to develop the skill of active listening; pay attention to the content and context in which another offers comment, etc.. Then, there is the practice and skill of civility.

In any harmonious interaction, civility is a key attribute – so much so that America’s most famous Mason, President George Washington, made a lifelong study and practice of civil discourse and applying civility to every decision, wherever he conceived it to be possible. Similarly, Brother Albert Pike, in studying Eastern as well as Western philosophy commented in his Morals and Dogma that the historical Buddha was one of our world’s first Masonic judges, despite him never being a Mason - that we know of! For the Buddha was more of a philosopher and psychologist who devoted many of his teachings to social, communal, and civil matters, offering all a path of civility as the best course for all to practice.

From my own studies of the Buddha’s teachings, I have extrapolated a model of civility that is very much in keeping with our Founding Father. What I present here is what I term Five Steps of Wise Action. I offer these here as a remedy to bring about peace and harmony within a Lodge or community venture or effort.

These are…
1) Step back. If opportunity permits, one of the smartest steps forward after invoking the blessing of Deity for our forthcoming actions is to step back. Get some perspective on the situation.
2) Assess. Use your critical thinking skills to see with clarity and surmise what needs to be done.
3) Reflect. What’s your part in this situation? How does your way of thinking impact your response? What skills do you have to offer?
4) Engage. After all these steps which could be defined as internal – you as the dot within your own circle – it is time to reach out to others or join them in the venture or task to be done. Having circumscribed your desires and kept them within due bounds with the mindfulness of Steps One through Three, you engage others on-the-level and are more primed to be an active listener.
5) Enact. With Steps One through Four, accomplished and in the state of harmony these encourage, you are now more prepared to get on with the task, job, or action for which the force of a collective is needed for success.

In all prospect investigations I have participated in, every man to the last expressed a desire to do something good for their community. This is the altruistic spirit I encountered when I first went to an “On-the-Level” open house at the Lodge of which I am now a proud member. At that time, I also witnessed men who had a similar pride along with their original desire to get things done for the benefit of their Lodge and community. What this means is that – and I venture to speculate here - all Lodges are populated with men of ideas and action. And thus, while we all go through the degrees to further us becoming better men, the peace and harmony we seek in our Lodges to do our inner and outer work, requires a commitment in thought, being, and expression which – I assert – is best served by taking to heart the five-step process I have outlined above.

Furthermore, if we do engage each other in such a manner – on-the-level, listening actively, applying the Five Steps of Wise Action, the civility these steps naturally engender will make our work go more smoothly and be more effective. In other words, we shall have created a spirit of harmony – which is contagious, in the best possible way.

"THE BROACHED THURNEL"
EARLY MASONIC RITUAL CONTAINS A MYSTERIOUS JEWEL
By John Cooper III

Within Freemasonry, the term “jewel” – though it does not connote an item of great material value – commands special respect. Our Masonic jewels assume a variety of forms. The jewels of a Fellow Craft Mason include “… the attentive ear [which] receives the sound from the instructive tongue… [so that] the mysteries of Masonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.”

Within the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree, the candidate is introduced to the jewels of the lodge. The Grand Lodge of California Monitor states:

The Jewels of a Lodge are six: three immovable, and three movable… The Immovable Jewels are the Square, the Level, and the Plumb; and they are termed immovable because they are the jewels of the three principal officers of the Lodge… The Square denotes morality, the Level equality, and the Plumb the rectitude of life.

The Movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle Board. The Rough Ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state. The Perfect Ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the workman, to be adjusted by the working tools of the Fellow Craft. The Trestle Board is for the Master Workman to draw his designs upon.

The definitions above are familiar to most Masons, and reflect our understanding of these jewels and working tools today. But interestingly, the categories of immovable and movable jewels were originally reversed – and they remain so in Masonic ritual throughout many parts of the world.

A CASUALTY OF THE TIMES
In 1826, New York Masons were blamed for the disappearance and presumed death of William Morgan, a man who had posed as a Mason in an effort to write an exposé on Masonic ritual. Following this incident, dubbed “the Morgan Affair,” American grand lodges sought to defend themselves from other would-be imposters. One strategy was by reversing the categories of the immovable and movable jewels so that non-Masons would have a more difficult time posing as members based on knowledge gained from reading exposés. This original order is reflected in one of the earliest exposés, Samuel Prichard’s 1730 “Masonry Dissected”:

Q. What are the Immoveable Jewels?
A. Trasel Board, Rough Ashlar, and Broach’d Thurnel.

Q. What are their Uses?
A. Trasel Board for the Master to draw his Designs upon, Rough Ashlar for the Fellow-Craft to try their Jewels upon, and the Broach’d Thurnel for the Enter’d ‘Prentice to learn to work upon.

This definition of the rough ashlar is easy enough. It fits nicely with the perfect ashlar in our current ritual, which demonstrates one’s growth in Masonic knowledge, as well as shaping our lives in accordance with the principles of Freemasonry. The reference to the Trestleboard, although it is spelled a bit oddly, is also easy enough. But what is the “broached thurnel”?

ANOTHER TYPE OF ASHLAR
By referring to early lodge tracing boards, we find that the broached thurnel is a smooth stone with three equilateral sides and one topped with a pyramid. In the 1730 ritual, this symbol was assigned to the Entered Apprentice and the rough ashlar was assigned to the Fellow Craft. But shouldn’t this be reversed? According to the symbolism we follow today, the Entered Apprentice would begin with a rough ashlar, while the form of a perfect ashlar would be assigned to a more advanced Mason. This dichotomy has puzzled Masonic scholars for many years. But I believe that there is an answer, and it is based on how we should perceive these two important symbols.

Our current ritual defines the rough ashlar as a stone “taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state,” presumably by the Entered Apprentice who is expected to perform simpler tasks as a beginner Mason. The perfect ashlar has been “adjusted by the working tools of the Fellow Craft,” the square, level, and plumb. But, our ritual includes an assumption: that the Entered Apprentice Mason has a clear understanding of the perfect ashlar he is striving to create.

The original ritual does away with this assumption, proposing an interesting direction. If we begin a journey without a set destination, any path will lead us to its end – but perhaps this journey will not merit our time or efforts. Likewise, if, as Masons, we strive to shape our rough ashlar without a vision of the finished stone, any adjustments will seem like progress – even if they are actually setbacks. It is only by understanding the finished product that we can work to achieve it, rather than wasting time – or wasting stone.

The beautiful broached thurnel was diagrammed on the master’s Trestleboard so that the Entered Apprentice would understand his goal. When we work to shape our minds “as living stones for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,” we must also follow an example of how to live. It all now makes sense. We changed this symbol in our ritual, and the metaphors of this updated ritual hold meaning for us. But it is interesting to contemplate how our Masonic experiences might have been different had we been given the broached thurnel as an example of a perfect ashlar before beginning our journeys within the craft.

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From the Union City York Rite Secretary

Union City York Rite Secretary Bob McCain
Telephone at (510) 493-8805 or email
"Bob McCain" bjm262@gmail.com

Notes from the Secretary

We are still in a holding pattern regarding in person meetings. Nothing has changed and it is now possible to predict when it will change. With that in mind, continue to keep up to speed on your memory work and in due time we be back to whatever normal is going to be.

We do have some good news. Grand Chapter and Grand Council have both issued directives to allow Chapters and Councils to ballot on candidates via Zoom. The applications being held by the Secretary/Recorder office have now been balloted upon. To avoid any further delay, all our candidates awaiting degree work have been scheduled for the East Bay Fall Pilgrimage. Christopher Ray Boggess was exalted to the Degree of Royal Arch Mason September 25, 2021 and is our first new member since the beginning of the pandemic.

If you know of a Master Mason who could be interested in becoming a York Rite Mason, let the Secretary/Recorder know so that we can get them an application.

Bobby J. Mc Cain KYCH
Secretary/Recorder
Union City York Rite Bodies

"The Absence of Harmony in a Royal Arch Chapter"
by Bruce Rick PHP

Companions we are obligated to maintain harmony in our Chapters and if we do not, there is a severe impact from our failure to keep harmony.

In our "Constitution of The Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California" it is clearly stated as to the dear payment required of now maintaining harmony in our Chapters.
§126. Revocation of Charter.
The Charter of a Chapter may be revoked…
Regulations: (a) Where there is no hope for harmony, the Chapter should cease to exist.

I encourage all Companions to heed this admonition and do strive to maintain harmony in our Chapters.

Contact Information

SIMINOFF DAYLIGHT CHAPTER NO. 163 ROYAL ARCH MASONS

H. P.: Lyman Penning (510) 441-3901 lymanpenning@gmail.com

Sec.: Bob McCain (510) 493-8805 bjm262@gmail.com

High Priest Lyman Penning

I would like to welcome Chris Boggess into Siminoff Daylight Chapter #163. Chris took the degrees in Royal Arch Chapter at the Alameda Masonic Center on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

There were a total of 32 candidates in the East Bay Class along with the presiding officers in the Grand York Rite. I even had an active part as Junior Deacon in the Most Excellent Master Degree. It was a long day (we finished around 4:30 PM), but it was very productive.

The Council Degrees will be held in Alameda on Saturday, October 2, 2021 and the Commandery Orders on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Both events will start at 8:30 AM.
.
The next Chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 9:00 AM. One of our business issues for this meeting is to get our officers for 2022 elected . Another matter that members will need to take care of is to get our 2022 Dues paid. Bob McCain, our Secretary, will give us more details on our dues.

Again, we are still waiting for word as to when we can resume in-person meetings. All I can say is "Stand By For The Latest And Greatest".

Finally, October is the month for Harmony as our theme. We hear the word Harmony in our ritual and to me, this means that we want to be able to get along and work together in order to have results that everyone can be proud of.

Take care and stay safe everyone.

Kind regards,

Lyman C. Penning
High Priest
Siminoff Daylight Chapter #163
lymanpenning@gmail.com
510-441-3901

Click on the Grand Council Emblem
to Go to the Grand Council of California Website

"Harmony in our Councils"
By Bruce Rick

Rob McClure, of the Harmony Helper, defines musical harmony as “the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect”.

So musical harmony doesn’t mean that every musician is sounding the same note at the same time. But harmony means that different musicians play different notes and yet produce a pleasing end result when all the notes are played together. In effect, each musician must understand what the other musicians are doing if the group is to play in harmony.

In our Councils, harmony isn’t the state of full agreement by all parties on every detail. As Freemasons, we are taught to strive for harmony in all things. We are to work together to produce a pleasing end result.

But harmony doesn’t mean we are to stay silent about important issues for fear of offending someone, nor does it mean that maintaining harmony requires us to stay silent when someone says or does something we believe is detrimental to the Council, to another Companion, or to the speaker himself. In fact, as Freemasons we are required to speak up in those situations.

With deference to our great Grand Soloists (read Right Illustrious Companion Floyd Griffin) and Organists, harmony is the ability to speak, to listen, and to disagree without being disagreeable.

When we speak, let's try to temper our words as much as possible. Let's be be clear in our speech, avoiding inflammatory language. When we listen let's pay attention to the content of the speech, and do our best to ignore harsh words. It is better to ask for clarification than to assume ill intent.

Companions, let us stop and think, and measure the situation and the intent before we stop and think, and then measure our response.

This way, like the musicians, we can speak and act in harmony in our Councils in our lives.

Sword and Trowel No. 65

Officers

Illustrious Master Michael Ramos
Deputy Master Dinesh Chhabra
Principal Conductor of the Work
Marty Cusing
Treasurer Charles Grech KYCH
Recorder Bobby McCain KYCH
Chaplain Christopher Trueblood IPM
Captain of the Guard Bruce Rick
Conductor of the Council Robert Pinkerton
Steward Michael Solomon
Sentinel Jonathan Prestage

Inspector Marion Rogers KYCH

Contact Information

SWORD AND TROWEL CHAPTER NO. 65 CRYPTIC MASONS

I. M.: Michael Ramos (5110) 287-6366 mjr.pm863@gmail.com
Rec.: Bob McCain (510) 493-8805 bjm262@gmail.com

Illustrious Master
Michael Ramos

Companions and Friends,

I hope I hope with the passing of last month’s presentation that all who had the opportunity to attend enjoyed our year’s speaker series. I wish to thank Adam Kendall, Jonathan Prestage, and Ben Williams for their contributions, and especially Bobby McCain and Bruce Rick for their aid in promoting the series.

I am very proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of masonic units who were capable of creatively collaborating to aid our membership during the down time of the past year.

And on a note of education, I cannot promote enough the annual publication of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, it’s Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, of which you can become a member of the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle and subscribe to receive said publication at the following link:
https://www.mymagazinesub.co.uk/qccc/

Be well and stay safe!

Warmest Fraternal Regards,

Mike Ramos
Illustrious Master
Sword and Trowel R&SM Council No. 65

Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80

Officers

Eminent Commander Austin Ashmore
Generalissimo Jonathan Prestage
Captain General Michael Ramos
Sr. Warden Robert Pinkerton
Jr. Warden Michael Solomon
Treasurer Chris Trueblood PC
Recorder Bobby McCain KYCH
Prelate Charles Grech KYCH
Standard Bearer Bruce Rick PC
Sword Bearer Dinesh Chhabra
Warder Marty Cusing PC
Sentinel

Dept. Commander Jordan Yelinek KYCH Adjutant Marty Cusing PC Inspector Bill Bermudez PC

Contact Information

MORRIS SIMINOFF COMANDERY NO. 80 KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

EC.: Austin Ashmore (925) 997-3880 aashmore@comcast.net

Sec.: Bob McCain (510) 493-8805 bjm262@gmail.com

Eminent Commander
W. Austin Ashmore

The theme of this month’s newsletter is Harmony. Besides musical chords, harmony also means forming a pleasing or consistent whole, or agreement and concord. These last two definitions are applicable to Masonry. In opening the three Blue Lodge degrees the Sr. Warden explains that that harmony is essential in all societies, but it is especially important in Masonry.

When the Master explains the working tools in the Second Degree, he says that we are united into “one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist but that noble contention, or rather emulation of who best can work and best agree.” That is the definition of Masonic harmony.

Harmony is no less important is our York Rite bodies. Harmony is a kind of gestalt state where together the unified whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We are Brothers first, then Companions and Sir Knights. In every instance we need to work harmoniously with all members of our great fraternity, thereby making it even greater.

-------------------------------

I would like to remind everyone of the East Bay York Rite Pilgrimage. The Commandery Orders will be conferred on October 23rd in Alameda. There will be many candidates. If you do not have a part in the festival, show your support by being in attendance.

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

Austin Ashmore, Commander
Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80

Knights Templar - Two Edged Blade

Sir Knights,

All Knights Templar swords have a two edged blade.

The two edged blade represents the dualistic principles of the positive and negative sides of life or the good and the bad. It stands for the balance arrived at through continual study where a Sir Knight searches out harmony by cutting forward and backward with his sword thus negating the swings of the pendulum of life.

He is then one living in harmony and holding the material universe in check.

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

Sir Knight Bruce A. Rick, PC

A Templar Ritualist is one has successfully completed the Templar Education and Devel as the Templar education course. See the course information HERE.

East Bay York Rite MASON
Published By
EAST BAY YORK RITE ASSOCIATION
Meets 2nd Monday at 7:30 pm
925 Moraga Road, Lafayette CA 94589

Ted Wisse, 2021 President

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Contact Information

SIMINOFF COUNCIL NO. 465

Sec.: Michael Ramos (510) 287-6366 mjr.pm863@gmail.com

Contact Information

CLANNA RUID RUIDE COUNCIL NO. 58

Columbus Day!
October 11th

Did you know...

We have been celebrating Columbus Day since 1792. That year, New York City held the first Columbus Day celebration commemorating the 500th anniversary of Columbus landing in 1492.
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937.

Dictionary Day!
October 16th

Did you know...

This day is named in honor of Noah Webster, considered the Father of the American Dictionary.
Noah Webster was born on October 16, 1758.
The objective of this day is to emphasize the importance of dictionary skills, and seeks to improve vocabulary.
Webster began to write his dictionary at the age of 43. It took him 27 years to finish it!
In addition to traditional English vocabulary, it contained uniquely American words.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Spanish-English) is the current the best seller in the USA.

Halloween!
October 31st

Did you know...
About 9 out of 10 parents admit to sneaking a treat from their kids treat bag.

to go to the General Grand Sites

Sharing What We're Doing

Did You Know This...

Sec.: Bruce Rick (510) 476-6355 bruce.rickmh@gmail.com