ABF 85 (1)

January 2020

Editor: RWBro

Steve Kennard

Volume 85: No. 1

From Around the World

Masonic Harmony

A reflection by David Hughes

Looking back over the last thirty-one years of my masonic career I have realised that my early years in the lodge gave me a sanctuary, an oasis of peace and tran-quillity from the busy and hectic life as a construction director of a national company. The lodge room is where one can put aside the strife of life and enter an atmosphere where all is quiet and orderly, where each officer has his prescribed duty and each brother works together with perfect ease and confidence. in the lodge our members meet and get to know one another and to share common hopes and ideals. It is this philosophy of life that Freemasonry has given me and others that has governed our attitudes and actions in life. I was initiated into York Lodge, No 326, and was partic-ularly struck by the individual attention and friendship

given to me on that night. That impression has never left me. The early years are perhaps the most important for this is the time when the character of a mason is formed. My belief is that the time between progressing through the three Craft degrees is of great significance. This is when the principles and concepts of Freemasonry should be explained and developed by the candidate’s mentor. All too often candidates are rushed thorough the degrees by a lodge in order to fulfil the perceived need to per-form ceremonies. The majority of candidates cannot totally comprehend what the ritual or the ceremony means without some general explanation - and this requires time. We have in our province a list of orators who are charged with delivering lectures on request to our lodges, a number of interesting masonic subjects that can stimulate discussion and debate; we should be utiliz-ing them more often. I am sure that we have all the experienced new mem-bers leaving the Craft for differing reasons; primarily, I dare say, because they were neglected in the early stages. Due to the changes that were initiated by the Past Pro Grand Master, the Marquess of Northampton, anyone now entering Freemasonry is better equipped to understand this unique organisation and to more readily accept its practices and settle into a regular attendance of his lodge than when I joined in 1980. Continued on page 2

Editorial

Brethren, welcome to the next decade of the

Alberta Freemason.

As I reflect on the years of this millennium, I

see many well respected brethren who have lead

our gentle craft to where we find ourselves to-

day.

Continued on page 3

ABF 85 (1) 2

Continued from page 1 The principles of Freemasonry can be interpreted differently by each mason although we all have to confirm to Grand Lodge but it is in the private lodge that the individual is influenced. Here we meet and embrace a common goal and find that as the years pass by we have achieved a richness and fulfilment of life. Freemasonry shapes character. I have this unshake-able belief that Freemasonry is good for the soul; it gives to all of its members, whatever their profession or talents, something that will make their lives more interesting and successful. It operates on each of us individually but to see Brethren develop in confi-dence and understanding is a joy to behold. As we progress through the ranks and eventually become a Master we are individually developing our various interests in this great institution. It must be said that not every mason will become a Master and should not be pressurised into doing so, but should be respected for his decision. We all serve our lodge in differing ways, some devoting their whole masonic career to their lodge office, ritual or lectures. Others become involved in administration as Provincial or Grand Lodge officers and perhaps pursue one or more of these interests. Those that have decided that they do not want to progress to the office of Master should not be disbarred form achieving pro-vincial rank. Whichever career we chose to follow, we all meet as friends and work together for the ad-vancement of our personal understanding of what it takes to be a good Freemason. Outsiders who are not members of our order will continue to question Freemasonry. Those of us who embrace the philosophy and principles of masonry have a duty to prove to them that men can meet in friendship and unity for the good of all. David Hughes is the Curator of the library and muse-um of York Lodge No. 236 UGLE. This article was

Provided to Freemasons of Alberta and the Northwest

Territories west of the 4th Meridian who are members of

The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. & A.M.

Ste 210 2816 11 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7S7

Tel 403-262-1140

www.freemasons.ab.ca

Grand Master MWBro Ken Cheel

Deputy Grand Master RWBro Reg Karbonik

Senior Grand Warden RWBro Terry Murray

Junior Grand Warden RWBro Chris Uchman

Grand Secretary RWBro Bill Kostenuk

published in Freemasonry Today Number 10 Spring 2010, and is published in the AFM with the consent of the Edi-tor of Freemasonry Today. Ed. We would all do well to read this article again and again whenever a new Freemason is initiated. I will never forget the evening of my initiation, it stays with me and keeps me grounded as a Freemason and a man (this year will mark the 30th anniversary or that event)

NEWS FROM THE GRAND

ORIENT OF THE NETHERLANDS

RW. Bro. Bert van Helden

Membership in Freemasonry in the Netherlands is on

the decline with currently a little over 5500 members

with 142 Lodges and roughly 50 Lodge buildings. In 1968

there were over 6300 members. (NB: Holland has cur-

rently a population of roughly 17 million).

The Grand Lodge of the Netherlands is of course very

concerned about this downward trend.

Under the auspices of the Grand Lodge, a study has

been conducted to identify the reasons for the drop in

membership numbers, focusing on problems in already

weak Lodges. This study was published in a small booklet

distributed to all members in the Netherlands. The

authors concluded that quarrels between Brethren in the

Lodge are not always properly addressed and result in

demits of one or several members, which could be

disastrous.

Also, the formation of new Lodges is not always consid-

ered a good idea as members from poorly functioning

Published each month except July and August by

The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. & A.M.

Editor: RWBro Steve Kennard 5355 Lakeview Dr SW, Calgary, AB T3E 5S1

Tel 403-701-4071

e-mail: editor@freemasons.ab.ca

The Alberta Freemason

Editor: RWBro Steve Kennard

Design & Production:

Submissions and photos for publication from all

Brethren are welcome.

Deadline for copy is the 15th day of the month

prior to the month of issue.

The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject and

re-write material submitted for publication.

Republication rights are granted to other Masonic

Jurisdictions, but acknowledgement is requested.

ABF 85 (1) 3

Lodges may wish to join these new Lodge hoping for a

better masonic environment, further draining mem-

bership numbers in weak Lodges.

The authors conclude that the lack of good leader-

ship in the Lodge is often the cause for demits.

Although there is interest in joining the Craft,

especially among relatively younger men, demits have

a significant impact of the total number of member-

ship.

For the last several years a “Day of Freemasonry”

has been held on a Saturday in September. All Lodge

buildings in the country are opened to the public and

a special issue of the Magazine “FM” (formerly called

“Freemasonry”) is handed out to prospective candi-

dates. Several aspects of the Craft are presented in

that issue (for instance: “What does God mean to

you?”, “Why did I become a Freemason?” and: “what

Freemasons consider the most important reasons to

belong to the Craft”). These Open Houses result in

prospective candidates applying for membership.

The “Day of Freemasonry” in Holland coincides with

a national “Monuments Day” when most historic

buildings are open to the public.

Continued from page 1.

As we move into this new decade we should

remember the past and use that experience to

ensure that we make decisions that will bring

credit to the Craft in general and our Lodges in

particular.

Within each lodge let us use the experience

of our senior brethren and blend this with the

expectations of our younger and yet -to-

become brethren. They are our future. As a

young Master back in 97, some of my ideas

were seen as ‘outside the box’. Today I must

ensure that I am open to hear and contem-

plate new ideas that are put forward in the

same way that mine received fair considera-

tion back then.

When you walk into your lodge for the first

time this year, I ask you to look at it as if you

were entering for the very first t ime. What do

you see?

Does the entrance portray Freemasonry as

you see it?

Do you feel welcome?

Do all the rooms shout “brotherly love, relief

and truth”?

Am I happy to invite my family and friends

into the building?

As we enter this next decade, why not begin

with; what can I do to help? The members of your

Temple Board spend tireless hours providing you

with a masonic home, ask them what you can do

to help.

Freemasons throughout history have been the

movers and shakers of society. Let’s work on our

buildings and Lodges to make them ready to

receive the next generation. Support those

movers and shakers we already have, that they

are better enabled to do their work in society.

Be proud of the buildings we call our masonic

home.

Steve, Editor AFM

editor@freemasons.ab.ca

Alberta Education

The Alberta Masonic Medal of Merit Brethren, at this time we are reminded to look forward to

the blossoming of a new year with all that comes along

with that. But likewise it is incumbent on us to look back

with respect and understanding. To this end, I need to

remind you that now is the time to look around the breth-

ren of your Lodge. MWBro Shaver and his committee are

ready to receive the applications for this prestigious

award. Start working on this now brethren-all applica-

tions must be received by February 28th.

Grand Lodge of Alberta Masonic Medal of Merits, are

presented each year to the annual communication.

Since the first presentations in 1993, there have been

92 recipients, from 54 lodges, worthy of this prestigious

recognition. Continued on page 4

ABF 85 (1) 4

Continued from page 3

Based on the same it would appear there are

many potential Brethren representing other lodges

that would qualify for and be deserving of this

award.

The primary point of consideration is for those

brethren who fully portray all the genuine tenants of

an ideal Freemason, as outlined in the General

Charge.

Specially, all brethren who have not been

installed as a WM at time of nomination are eligible.

All nominations submitted for consideration in

the current Masonic year need to be received by

February 28, 2020.

Nomination forms (182.2 & 182.3) can be locat-

ed on the Grand Lodge web site.

Other details are available from various sources,

including the DDGM’s.

Should anyone require specific information or assis-tance, they can contact the committee chairman Bro. Calvin D. Shaver, PGM - at calvinshav-er@cciwireless.ca.

Masonic Complaints

In the last few years, there have been a rash of Ma-

sonic complaints that, on examination, have been

found to be without sufficient merit to warrant a

Masonic Charge. A great many hours of Grand Lodge

Officer’s time has been wasted and the harmony of

several Lodges has been disrupted. Brethren, please

take a few minutes to read the Constitution and

Regulations, and understand what actually consti-

tutes a Masonic Offense, and what does not.

According to I.1.U - Article 21 of the Constitution, a

Brother has committed a Masonic Offense if he has

encouraged atheism, belittled someone’s sincere

religious beliefs, broken the law by committing

Assault (physical or verbal), Fraud, Theft, or Sexual

Misconduct, or acted contrary to the Constitution

and Regulations of Grand Lodge or the By-laws of his

own Lodge. In order to proceed from a Masonic Complaint

to a Masonic Charge, Grand Lodge has to be satisfied that

a good case can be made to convict a Brother. The rules of

evidence are the same as for a criminal trial.

Now let’s look at what a Masonic Offense is not. Just

because a Brother says or does something with which you

don’t agree, that is not sufficient reason to lay a complaint.

Even if a Brother says something that you find offensive,

you are very unlikely to have grounds for a Masonic

Charge. If you have not approached your Brother and at

least attempted to resolve your differences, registering a

Masonic Complaint is premature. If the leaders of your

Lodge, your District, or even Grand Lodge make a decision

that you think is incorrect, even if the later results prove

you right, this is not a cause for a Masonic Complaint.

Masonic Complaints should never be used as a weapon to

try and enforce your position on a Brother or any Masonic

body.

Brethren, before we even think about making a Masonic

Complaint, let us always remember the words of the

General Charge: “May kindness and brotherly love

distinguish your conduct as men and as Masons.”

VWBro Chuck Rose

Ed. The subject of masonic charges has been on my mind

for some time and I thank VWBro Chuck for his candid

review of this matter. Brethren, I can only say conduct

yourselves accordingly.

Around the Province

Charlie Dyson The oldest Shriner in North America at 104

years young

We congratulate Charlie Dyson on re-ceiving his 70 - year bar and being the oldest Shriner in North America at 104 years young. On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, a small group of admirers and followers gathered at Prince of Peace

Continued on page 5

ABF 85 (1) 5

Retirement Lodge to honor and celebrate Mr. Ashlar (Noble Charlie Dyson) receiving his 70 year bar. Our Grand Master of Alberta MWBro Ken Cheel, our DDGM for Alpha District RWBro Trez McCaskil and fourteen supporters and admirers, were in attendance.

Freemasonry and Shrinedom run deep and long in the Dyson family. One hundred years ago, Charlie’s father became a Freemason, followed by Charlie, and Char-lie’s brother on September 23, 1949. Charlie was raised to a Master Mason on November 24, 1949 and over the years made a full commitment to his Lodge and Freemasonry in general, Charlie was:

Installed as Worshipful Master of Ashlar Lodge #28 on November 28, 1957

Elected DDGM of District #1 on November 4, 1972 and installed into the office at the Grand Lodge Communication on June 9, 1973.

An Honorary Life member of Perfection Lodge #9. Appointed Grand Representative for The Grand

Lodge of Peru in 1970. Received his 32nd Degree in Southalta Consisto-

ry, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite on Novem-ber 14, 1981.

Initiated as a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in 2003. Raised two sons and one grandson into Freema-

sonry (Paul, David and Kevin) and all three into the Masters Chair.

Charlie has been recognised as a knowledgeable and supportive member of the Craft. It was not uncommon to see his support (often at the last moment) to fill a chair or give a lecture, which he always performed to perfection. In 2003, at the ripe age of 91, Charlie trav-elled across the Hot Sands in support of son David who became Potentate of Al Azhar in 2005. He became a member of the Patrol Arabs Social wing and remained active until age 98. Not many people can say they have had three Imperial Potentate’s visit them in the past years.

On behalf of Ashlar Lodge 328, the Al Azhar Shriners, all Masonic Brothers and Shriners, we wish RWBro Charlie Dyson and the Dyson family many more miles in their ma-sonic travels. Sincerely, Crawford Caswell

Jerry W. Kopp

Grand Secretary Emeritus It is already three years since Jerry

W. Kopp left as Grand Secretary of

the Grand Lodge of Alberta. The

Grand Lodge bestowed “Grand Sec-

retary Emeritus” on Jerry which al-

lows to him to continue as a current

Grand Lodge Officer.

As many of you know the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of

Alberta presented Jerry with an Alaskan Cruise from An-

chorage, Alaska to Vancouver, BC. He speaks of this cruise

quite often. What made this trip even more exciting was

his lady, Marie, advanced the cruise with a motorhome

vacation through Alaska and into Dawson City, Yukon.

While in Dawson city on the long weekend, in September

2016, he had the luxury of attending a Lodge installation,

with visitors from Alaska, Washington and British Colum-

bia. And wouldn’t you know it, he ran into a Brother from

Alberta; Very Worshipful Brother Ken Wigmore from Eu-

reka Lodge #10 at Lacombe, Alberta. What a surprise.

What makes it interesting is that this Yukon Lodge #45 is

Ken’s mother Lodge. It’s amazing what you learn or who

you run into during your travels.

What is Jerry up to now? Well nothing has really

changed; he is still a Secretary, only now he is the Grand

Recorder for the Cryptic Rite Masons of Western Canada

since the spring of 2016, which brings him great joy. But

hold it!! That’s not where it stops. In the Spring of 2018

Right Worshipful Brother Marvyn Rogers, Grand Scribe E

of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alberta

passed to the Grand Lodge Above. So the hunt was on to

find a replacement Grand Scribe E. The story has it that

Jerry was approached. He said; “No, you need to look

elsewhere, but if you can’t find a replacement I would

then consider it.” Jerry became very suspicious when a

ABF 85 (1) 6

ceptor for the Lodge Preceptory of Knights Templars –

Acre Preceptory #66. He has been told that he will be in

that position for two years. Ho no! How does he do it?

There is a silver lining to this story. Last summer, Jerry

travelled to Chicago to receive the “Order of the Purple

Cross.” No not the Purple Cross US Military get for injuries

(maybe he should get that too?). It is the Order of the Pur-

ple Cross with the York Rite Sovereign College of North

America which he received with his good friend Brother

Neil White from Edmonton. Then to make it extra special

for him, Right Worshipful Brother John Maloney from

Brooks Lodge #73 was invested as the Grand Governor of

Alberta, with Right Worshipful Brother Gerry Tetzloff in-

vested as Deputy Governor of Alberta. Just a minute,

that’s not all! A good friend of Jerry’s Brother Howard Ad-

ams from Oakville, Ontario also received his Order of the

Purple Cross. Okay, what’s the connection? Well John,

Gerry, Howard and our Jerry are all retired Royal Canadi-

an Mounted Police having all served in Alberta.

So that’s the story on Jerry; the rest is history.

Oh, yes, and now he takes holidays.

RWBro Jerry Kopp

Ed, thanks for the update

Jerry. For those brethren who

are not involved past Craft

Masonry, it is good to know

you are well, busy and happy.

Have a great New Year and

beyond.

January Book Review

Letters from an Astrophysicist

Written by Neil deGrasse Tyson. It is in his own words a book containing letters sent to him during his career and his response.

Back in early November I heard Neil interviewed about the book on a late night radio program. Then I found myself off to a Mexican resort for my son’s wedding I picked up a copy for my time spent around the pool.

I was not disappointed. I found it a very interesting and enlightening read. deGrasse Tyson covers many sub-jects some light and some not. There is no plot, just short letters and responses. But for someone like me who has scant time to sit and read, it has kept me go-ing back again and again.

I picked my copy up in Chapters. I am sure it is availa-ble online if that works better for you.

ISBN 978-1-324-00331-1 Published by W.W. Norton & Company Inc.

Steve Kennard Editor AFM

Grand Masters January itinerary

Visit the following link to see the Grand Masters Schedule:

https://freemasons.ab.ca/index.php/grand-masters-schedule/

Whenever a new invitation has been accepted by the

Grand Master it will automatically be updated.

few days later he was approached. Just how many

Companions this committee approached we will never

know. That’s what “secrets” are all about. “Dammit in

All,” he said to them, “well, yes, I’ll do the job, but….,

but…., but … for only a couple of years.” In the spring

of 2019, he was officially invested as the Grand Scribe

E, but he had already a year under his belt learning the

ropes. It wasn’t easy to step into the big shoes of

Marvyn Rogers who, after all, had sixteen years on the

job.

Is that all Jerry is doing? Oh, no! He’s Secretary for the

Calgary Chinook City Red Cross Conclave #29 and just

last summer, not having enough to do, he was invested

as the Grand Intendant General for the Grand Imperial

Conclave of Canada. The position is the equivalent of

District Deputy Grand Master, but he covers the Prov-

ince of Alberta, which has three Conclaves: Lethbridge,

Edmonton and Calgary.

Is that all he does? Sorrrry…… I know what you are

about to say, is the guy ready for the looney-bin? Oh!

the next is a just a small job; he is the Presiding Pre-