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The official bimonthly publication of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois Vol. IV, No. 1 August 2010 ~ August 2360 A.I. ~ áS 5770

Hiram Words New Officers Elected, Appointed, and Installed David A. Miley, GWM

On Friday, 30 July 2010, the Grand Chapter assembled in Springfield for our 161st annual convocation. In addition to receiving the reports of the various officers and committees; holding the Keystone Quest championship; and enjoying good fellowship; those in attendance elected our new leadership for the 2010-2011 capitular year.

Charles R. “Chuck” Horwitz was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest. The closest election in anyone’s memory was held for Grand Royal Arch Captain, and was won by Patrick B. Jones.

The assembled companions unanimously approved a motion by MEPGHP Frank Welter to posthumously confer the rank of HonMEPGHP upon last year’s REDGHP Ronald K. Blue.

In the afternoon, Chuck took his oath of office on the Bible formerly owned by famous Brother Harry Houdini. å

Charles R. “Chuck” Horwitz Most Ex. Grand High Priest

Dale P. Cyrier R. Ex. Dep. Grand High Priest

Robert H. “Bob” Wright Right Excellent Grand King

Alan M. Hubble Right Excellent Grand Scribe

Bruce W. Rhinehart MEPGHP Right Ex. Grand Treasurer

Richard E “Dick” Yena MEPGHP Right Ex. Grand Secretary

William J. “Bill” Hussey, Jr. Ex. Grand Captain of the Host

Sean P. McBride Ex. Grand Principal Sojourner

Patrick B. “Pat” Jones Ex. Grand Royal Arch Captain

The Body, the Temple part 3 Companion Jeff Day, PHP

Perhaps, like the High Priest, we may invoke the True Word (not the Royal Arch word, but that which it represents), and summon the äðéëù (transliterated Shekhinah; the Divine Presence) to appear in our Holy of Holies to give us direction. This direction is not identical to our own thoughts, but is added unto them, mixing with them. Neither is it identical to that wisdom which descended to rest upon Solomon in the Past Master or 5° (as represented by King Solomon’s crown or the top hat of the master). But before we can hope to hear the ìå÷ úáÌ (transliterated Bat Kol; the heavenly voice of G-d), we must ensure that the building is completed, that the keystone is set into the principal arch of the Temple, that the Ark is safely seated, and that there is a fire burning upon the altar of our heart. Remember, the fire upon the altar of our heart should be continually burning, and the incense should be offered both day and night, but the Shekhinah is only manifest when invoked by use of the great and sacred name.

So, what do the keystone and the principal arch represent in our bodily temple? How can we prepare our inner temple for this event? And, why must this event transpire before we are permitted to travel into foreign countries, or to go into that undiscovered country from whose borne no traveller returns (this being the privilege finally bestowed upon the craftsmen at the dedication of the Temple)? å Companion Day is a Past High Priest of Reames Chapter No. 28 in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is a periodic contributor to Hiram Words

Ron Blue an MEHonPGHP David A. Miley, GWM

Five years ago, then-incoming MEGHP Frank H. Welter appointed Companion Ronald K. Blue to be Excellent Grand Master of the Third Veil. A vacancy some months later caused Ron’s elevation to Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain. He continued his rise thereafter in the customary fashion, serving a year in each of the next four positions, and was elected Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest in 2009. It was in that office that he succumbed to lymphoma on 22 December.

Ron’s service to Freemasonry in general, and the Grand Chapter in particular, are too numerous to list here. The creation and nurturing of Hiram Words, and shepherding the Grand Chapter back into the fold of the General Grand Chapter International are but only among the last of his countless accomplishments for us.

At the Grand Chapter’s annual convocation on 30 July 2010, Companion Welter introduced a motion from the floor to posthumously create Companion Blue a Most Excellent Honorary Past Grand High Priest. The motion was passed with enthusiastic unanimity. Ron’s widow, Janet, attended the installation in the afternoon and expressed her appreciation on Ron’s behalf. å

Page 2 Hiram Words Vol. IV, No. 1

Secretary of the Year Richard E. Yena, MEPGHP, REGSec

James J. Brown was nominated Secretary of the Year by Right Excellent Grand Secretary, Richard E. Yena, MEPGHP, and confirmed by outgoing Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Joseph H. Santisteban. The award was presented to him at the Annual Grand Convocation on 30 July 2010.

Companion Brown’s outstanding record-keeping and communication diligence serve the companions of West Suburban Chapter No. 207 in Downers Grove. Among his accomplishments this year was the efficient and thorough merging of the voluminous data from the former Three Pillars Chapter No. 280 into West Suburban’s books. å

Arch of Excellence Awarded John H. Brandenburg, PHP, Chairman

DeKalb Chapter No. 52 and West Suburban Chapter No. 207 tied as champions of the Arch of Excellence, each posting a perfect score of twenty out of twenty criteria.

For the reported period, five chapters submitted applications for the Arch of Excellence. Each chapter completed at least ten of the twenty requirements to qualify for the award, and each was awarded a certificate at the Grand Chapter’s annual convocation on 30 July 2010.

Above: MEPGHP Joe Santisteban presents the Arch of Excellence certificates to DeKalb and West Suburban Chapters Nos. 52 and 207.

Below are the complete results for all five participating chapters:

Participating Chapters Requirements DeKalb Chapter No. 52 20/20 West Suburban Chapter No. 207 20/20 Euclid Chapter No. 13 13/20 Bloomington Chapter No. 26 10/20 Evanston Chapter No. 144 10/20

å

West Suburban are Chapter of the Year David A. Miley, GWM

West Suburban Chapter No. 207 once again recognised as Chapter of the Year for their singularly outstanding ritual, activities, and growth. å

Vol. IV, No. 1 Hiram Words Page 3

High Priest’s Leadership Award Robert H. Wright, REGK

Thomas W. Trenkler of West Suburban Chapter No. 207 in Downers Grove was first place finisher in the High Priest Leadership Award for 2009-2010, having earned 380 points.

Points are awarded for eleven criteria. The chapter is awarded ten points each for the High Priest opening the chapter without ritual books, the rest of the officers collectively doing so, and receiving the District Deputy Grand High Priest without ritual books. Ten more points are awarded for each social activity the chapter hosts during the year, having a public installation of officers, their secretary completing and submitting all monthly reports, their secretary sending all exaltation cards, and their Secretary submitting their annual report and per capita payment on time. Each top-line petition nomination earns the chapter five points. Fifteen points are awarded for receiving grand officers without the use of ritual books, and twenty-five points are awarded for each degree exemplification.

Chapters should confirm that their District Deputies submit their 2010-2011 High Priest Leadership Award nomination reports to Companion Alan Hubble, Right Excellent Grand Scribe. å

Henry Godeke Chapter Three-peats as Capitular Champions Paul A. Scheeler, PHP

The three Omnific Champions squared off on 30 July at the Grand Convocation in Springfield in the third round of the 2010 Keystone Quest, with Henry Godeke Chapter No. 38 posting a perfect 27-point score in a time of 1:45, the third year in a row they have clinched the top award.

Albion Chapter No. 237 finished second with a score of 27 and time of 2:08. DeKalb Chapter No. 52 took third place with a score of 21 in 1:58. The third round is a “lightning round” featuring nine different questions for each chapter with three points per correctly answered question within a maximum time of three minutes. Starting this year, chapters were required to read each question and answer in its entirety over the PA system, resulting in closer times.

The 2010 third round questions were based on entries under the letter “I” in the Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences by Albert G. Mackey. For the 2010-2011 competition, first round questions feature entries under the letter “J,” second round the letter “K,” and third round the letter “L.” First round packets were given to members attending the Grand Convocation, and remaining packets were sent to the chapter

secretary’s mailing address on file with the Grand Secretary. The

Above: Paul Scheeler congratulates the victorious companions of Henry Godeke Chapter No. 38. Jayson Kinsolving, DDGHP, holds the Rabboni travelling trophy.

postmark deadline for returning completed materials is 31 December 2010. Chapters participating in the first round qualify for one of the requirements in the Arch of Excellence programme.

M.E. Grand High Priest Charles R. Horwitz said: “Now in its sixth year, the Keystone Quest is a fun and educational programme in which we hope all chapters will participate. Even smaller chapters have a good chance of taking home the impressive state championship trophy.”

Results, rules and instructions are posted to the Keystone Quest page of the Grand Chapter website, www.RAM-IL.org. For more information or to obtain replacement materials for a lost or undelivered first round packet, contact Paul Scheeler, Keystone Quest Chairman, at either 630-408-1158 or KeystoneQuest@MSN.com. å

Page 4 Hiram Words Vol. IV, No. 1

Leadership Charles R. Horwitz, MEGHP

Most of us in our Masonic careers have had the opportunity of becoming leaders. At that moment in time, we probably ask the question,” Am I a leader?” Or maybe, you ask yourself, why did they ask me to lead? You then looked around the room and saw what you consider many more qualified men than you.

In the scheme are of things, you have had some minor role on a committee or guided a successful programme, or had an office in one of the Masonic lines. In your mind, this certainly does not give you the qualifications to assume a major leadership role. It is at this point you regressed back to a time when you were first asked to join a lodge of Masons. When you finally made that decision, you had a vague idea of what the fraternity was all about. You had done some minimal research and decided whether or not this research gave you the impetus to ask to join.

Having been elected as your Most Excellent Grand High Priest, I too find myself in the same position as that new officer being appointed for the first time to a position of importance and responsibility.

I now have a truly universal question, what do I bring to the table to qualify me as your leader? This is a question, that is a pivotal point, upcoming leaders should ask themselves, (I certainly do) for it is here we will find, we will be calling upon not only our experiences in the past, but will realise that one cannot be a leader and lead by himself.

From an entered apprentice to that of becoming a grand officer, I have had the opportunity of leadership in many of our Masonic bodies. As I have progressed, I have the good fortune of having mentors guide me along the way. These mentors were brothers and friends who, in their own experience and wisdom, took the time to guide me.

I have reached my eightieth year and still seek out mentors to assure and teach me that I am attaining the proper goals and to reassure me of attaining my level of leadership required of my position.

As you read this, you will realise it is a continuation of my previous article on mentoring. We all must be cognisant of the fact we are never too old to learn or to ask advice. It is so important that we all take an aggressive role in recognizing our potential roles as mentors.

Having been elected and installed, I have proceeded to reach out to all of the officers of the grand line, the District Deputy Grand High Priests, as well as the companions as a whole to be my mentors. We are, or should become a team of

Mentors to each other. This concept will help instruct, and guide our new members as well as our chapters, and assure a strong cadre of leaders at all levels.

My phone and my e-mail are always available to you for constructive criticism or ideas.

Together, let us have a great year! å

Above: Charles R. Horwitz takes the oath of office as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Illinois on 30 July 2010, on the Houdini Bible.

Vol. IV, No. 1 Hiram Words Page 5

Jim Tome Decorated with the Lyle R. Melvin Distinguished Service Award

Outgoing Most Excellent Grand High Priest Joe Santisteban presented the 2010 Lyle R. Melvin Distinguished Service Award to Excellent Grand Steward (now Excellent Grand Master of the Second Veil) James M. “Jim” Tome. The photograph above shows Joe displaying the medal on Jim’s chest.

As Joe noted at the annual convocation, the Melvin Award is presented to a Royal Arch Mason who has demonstrated his commitment and gone the extra mile for not only the chapter, but the York Rite in general and Freemasonry as a whole. “Jim’s work with, and support of, the York Rite bodies of DeKalb, his symbolic lodge, and other bodies in northern Illinois reflect great credit upon himself and are what this award recognises,” noted Joe to the assembled companions.

Jim’s work with the DeKalb Masonic bodies’ website, blogs, social networking, email groups, and telephone autodialing has modernised and significantly multiplied the communication with the brethren and with prospective Masons. As has been oft noted, modern communications and ready availability of information are both vital for gaining and keeping younger, vital members who are needed in order to perpetuate our fraternity.

As DeKalb Chapter’s recent Excellent High Priest, Jim spearheaded DeKalb Chapter’s capitular festivals, the promotion of the Capitular Standard Club’s ritual training at DeKalb, and his temple’s events such as the chilli cook-off. He is currently the Thrice Illustrious Master of the newly re-dispensed DeKalb Council, and the Illustrious Deputy Master of James C. Loving Council in Geneva and Generalissimo of Sycamore Commandery No. 15 in DeKalb. å

First GGC Distinguished Service Medal Since 1981 Goes to Johnathan Horvath

Most Excellent General Grand High Priest Emory “Smokey” Ferguson presented the General Grand Chapter’s Distinguished Service Medal to District Deputy Grand High Priest Johnathan Horvath at the annual convocation on 30 June 2010. Johnathan is holding the medal in the photograph above.

The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded each year by the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International to one companion from each member grand chapter. No DSM was awarded to an Illinois companion after the

Grand Chapter of Illinois withdrew from the General Grand Chapter in 1981. At the 2009

annual convocation, the assembled companions voted to re-join the General Grand

Chapter, and eligibility for the award was thus restored.

Johnathan’s work with Cary-Grove Chapter No. 36, as a District Deputy Grand High Priest, as a ritualist, and as

a member of numerous Grand Chapter committees over the years have revealed his

remarkable dedication to our fraternity and provided immeasurable service. He also the Thrice Illustrious Master of the new Collegium Alchemicum Council of Research UD.

General Grand High Priest Ferguson remarked not only on Companion Horvath’s accomplishments, but his own joy in being able to recognise such excellence in Illinois for the first time in thirty years.

In the photograph above are (left to right) Companions Johnathan Horvath, DDGHP; Joseph Santisteban, MEGHP; and Emory Ferguson, MEGGHP. å

Page 6 Hiram Words Vol. IV, No. 1

Logan Chapter Has Best Newsletter

The 2010 publications award went to Logan Chapter No. 196 for their outstanding newsletter. Does your chapter publish a newsletter? Submit it for consideration; maybe you can win. å

Most Improved Chapter (Ritualistically) Alan M. Hubble, REGS

West Suburban Chapter No. 207 kept racking up the wins at the Grand Chapter’s annual convocation. They were recognised as having the most improved ritual over the course of the 2009-2010 capitular year. The chapter’s companions are also getting themselves certified as ritualists at an impressive rate.

This is an award that any chapter can win; simply improve your ritual skills from where they are currently. å

Vol. IV, No. 1 Hiram Words Page 7

Five More First-Level Certified Ritualists Robert H. Wright, REGK

Companions Dale Cyrier, William Hussey, Jr., Sean McBride, Jayson Kinsolving, and David Simon-Toledo successfully completed the First Level ritual examination held at Champaign Chapter No. 50 on 13 June 2010. å

Above are Dale, Bill, Sean and Jayson with examiners Bob Wright and MEHonPGHP Perry Foltz. David had to leave in order to get to work before the pictures were taken.

General Grand Chapter Sweethearts

General Grand High Priest Emory J. “Smokey” Ferguson presented the General Grand Chapter’s Sweetheart Jewel to

Janet Blue, widow of REDGHP Ron Blue; and Kathy Welch, consort of then-outgoing MEGHP Joe Santisteban.

The Sweetheart Award was developed for the General Grand Chapter

by the MEGGHP Ferguson for the ladies of our companions. It is available to Holy Royal Arch

Masons as a way to show their appreciation for the support and encouragement their ladies have given them throughout the years.

The award consists of a jewel and certificate. The award is available

to any Holy Royal Arch Mason for the very modest sum of US$100.00. See

http://yorkrite.com/chapter/awards/ å

Dinner & Book-Signing at Pekin John B. “Jack” Hall, MEPGHP, EGO Pekin Royal Arch Chapter No. 25 presented its second annual dinner & book signing on 10 July 2010. This year, the event featured Companion Todd Creason who presented a programme on his books, with a special guest: Bro. George Washington.

Above: Comp. Todd Creason holds the flag, whilst Comp. Bob Blacketer portrays Bro. Washington.

Dinner was, par usual, prepared by Comp. Charles “the Ballet Chef” Robinson, an instructor of Culinary Arts on the faculty of Illinois Central College. Decorations were provided and installed by Mrs. Margarete Hall. å

Page 8 Hiram Words Vol. IV, No. 1

The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois

DICK YENA GRAND SECRETARY PO BOX 1180 LAGRANGE PARK IL 60526-9280

office telephone: 708-482-0312 office telefacsimile: TBA email: GrSecy@ATT.net

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Support the charities of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter

Sharing Our Surplus David A. Miley, GWM

In January, several grand officers attended a Prince Hall capitular festival in Chicago. Owing to the PH chapters’ small size, most of the work is performed by their Grand Chapter at these festivals, and the individual chapters do not have their own degree props and furnishings.

We learned that much of their Grand Chapter’s materiel had been consumed by fire several years ago and they have been getting by with rudimentary stand-ins. With our archives relocated to LaGrange and inventoried, we found that we had extras of many of the items they lacked, and MEGHP Santisteban offered to transfer the items to our sister grand chapter. In May, grateful representatives of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter arrived at our archives and loaded an architrave & pillars, kneeling pads, some banner rods, and a couple of other items used in the journey from captivity in the Holy Royal Arch degree.

Both then-MEGHP Melvin Crawford and their newly installed MEGHP Carl Richardson have expressed their thanks to our Grand Chapter for this expression of brotherly love and charity. å

News From Around the State David A. Miley, GWM

Let us know what your chapter is doing. Submit articles and photographs to GrandWebmaster@RAM-IL.org

There is a reason why so much of the past few issues’ content was written by so few: they are the ones who submitted material.

Are you knowledgeable about Masonic history and/or symbolism? How about the Tanakh êÀ"ðÇúÇÌ (the Old Testament)? Do you and/or your chapter have some interesting memorabilia, regalia and/or architecture? What have you been doing? Have you hosted a capitular standard club? Do you have thoughts on how to improve chapters’ attendance and performance?

Share that with your companions across the state by contributing to Hiram Words. å

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