Rite Notes – March 2026
Recruiting Christian Masons For York Rite and Templary
Companions and Sir Knights,
In order to be successful in recruiting Christian Masons to York Rite and Templary, we must be completely “SOLD” on Chivalric Masonry ourselves. Only then, will we be able to generate the proper amount of enthusiasm for our cause. Everyone who takes part in a membership campaign should know as much as possible about the organization he belongs to. Too many recruiters forget the old rule: “Know your product!”
We may not think of obtaining a petition for membership in terms of “selling,” but that is exactly what it amounts to. It may be true that we are not in commercial business, and we are not out to make a profit- but the knack of “selling York Rite” is based upon the same art of persuasion that governs everything else in the business world.
“Selling” York Rite is still the art of convincing the other fellow that we have something he needs. We may not have a “Sales Department” but each one of our York Rite should consider to be part of the Sales Force. We should be able to persuade every Christian Mason that we are on the right track, and that he belongs with us. Before we start on our selling job, each of us should be able to answer the question: “What does York Rite and Templary stand for?”
Let us answer this question with all the enthusiasm we possess. York Rite and Templary stand for the highest ideals of Christianity. It represents the best and noblest in humanity. It encourages right thinking and right living. It reveals Christianity in action.
Let us assure each Christian Mason how much his enlistment under the banner of Templary will mean in stimulating the good impulses and the forces of righteousness in which he himself believes. Let us tell him how much he needs us! Let us convince him of our enthusiasm for the cause and sincerity of our appeal that we are most serious when we tell him, to come with us.
No Mason can fully appreciate the depth of the work of Masonry until he has participated in the work of the Orders of Knighthood! No seeker of truth will ever be able to experience anything more impressive and inspiring than the Orders of the Temple. Every Christian Mason owes it to himself to put the “Cap Stone” over his York Rite Masonry.
- The York Rite offers you a grand opportunity to improve in every walk of life through the study and work in the progressively expanding of light of pure Freemasonry.
- It is the mightiest non-theological Christian organization in the world. It stands for the noblest principles in individual life and the highest standards of good government.
- It is founded and draws its inspiration from the Christian Religion and the faithful practice of Christian Virtues.
- As a vigorous Christian command, we wage war unceasingly in the defense of innocent maidens, destitute widows, helpless orphans and the Christian Religion.
- It teaches and assists you to “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”.
- Its work presents an advance and liberal education to all mankind designed to bring forth their finest character and works to be shared without limit with one another.
- It gives you the richest of fraternal fellowship, peaceful freedom of mind and a deep understanding of character enabling you to live in harmony with God and with benefit of your Country.
- It bases all its teachings upon the fundamental truth, thereby adding greatly to your understanding of the symbolic significance of the first three degrees of Freemasonry.
- In mastering the exalted lessons of Knights Templar you learn by taking a full active part in the beautiful work of each Order of Knighthood. Templary has no special class for the portrayal of its truths.
- Templary extends to you the privilege of sharing its priceless heritage from the past as Defenders of the Faith and ennobles your life through participation with the Sir Knights in the work of Freemasonry’s greatest Order.
We cannot wish away our declining membership; we must be individually accountable for growing our business. Don’t wait for someone else to do what you can do now.
Note: If any York Rite Bodies plan weekend festivals, Short of Time or Slow Classes, please let me know, with the date, time, location and contact person, for the Spring of 2026 and I will put it in the upcoming newsletter, and on the website. Remember, Membership and Retention is everyone=s business.
Remember, equip, train and send out the troops, and they will come back with results!
EXCERPTS FROM THE GRAND CHAPTER OF FLORIDA
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN—FORMS AND CEREMONIES
37.01 Deviation Forbidden.
a. No deviation shall be permitted from the work outlined in the Ritual adopted by this Grand Chapter .
b. Ceremony for Ancient Craft Table Chapters.
The Ritualistic Ceremony of an Ancient Craft Table Chapter Convocation of Royal Arch Masons is the officially adopted form and order for Tyled Convocation of Royal Arch Masons at the feast or festive board. The Committee of Work is charged to include this ritual in the programs for Schools of Instruction. The Grand Secretary will make this Ritualistic Ceremony available to the Constituent Chapters upon request for a nominal cost (1993). .
37.02 Inscriptions on Ark.
All Chapters of this Grand Jurisdiction are required to adapt and conform to the lettering on the sides of the ark as shown in Appendix D.
37.03 Royal Arch Apron.
The Royal Arch Apron is white with a scarlet border, and is worn on the outside of the coat.
37.04 Workmen in the Degrees.
a. Workmen in Royal Arch Degrees shall be furnished with plain, white aprons to be worn as appropriate to the Ceremonies. When any degree is opened for work or conferral of the degree, any member not wearing robes shall be properly clothed with the Royal Arch Apron.
b. When any degree is opened for Work or Conferral of the Degree, and member not wearing robes shall be properly clothed in the Royal Arch Apron. (Grand High Priest ruling.1997)
37.05 Degrees Authorized.
The Masonic Degrees authorized to be conferred under a Charter of this Grand Chapter shall be: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Mason, and no other.
37.06 Registration of Marks.
Each Mark Master Mason shall be required to choose for himself a mark and have the same recorder in the Book of Marks to be kept by the Secretary of each Chapter. The Degree of Royal Arch Mason shall not be conferred until this requirement shall have been complied with.
37.07 Degree of Past Master.
The Degree of Past Master (Virtual) is conferred in a Chapter only for the purpose of qualifying the candidate to receive the Degree of Royal Arch.
37.08 Restrictions upon the Past Master Degree.
No Royal Arch Mason, nor any member of such, shall attempt to confer the Degree of Past Master (Virtual) upon any Master-elect of a Symbolic Lodge, unless said Master-elect has been elected in a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons to receive this Degree and then only after he has had the Degree of Mark Master conferred upon him.
37.09 Memorials and Markers.
Memorials and Markers for the purpose of marking the place of internment of Past Grand Officers shall be provided in the report as adopted in the Proceedings of 1961, page 20, or as may be hereafter established by Resolution of this Grand chapter. The adopted Grand Royal Arch symbol for Memorial Markers is as illustrated in Appendix C hereto with name, title and year of service inscribed on the Marker. (1990)
Membership by Chapter for 2026:
|
DIST |
LOCATION |
# |
DIST |
LOCATION |
# |
|
1 |
Palm Beach (Boca-Delray) |
|
6 |
Cocoa |
|
|
Ft Lauderdale |
|
Melbourne |
|
||
|
Miami |
|
Fort Pierce |
|
||
|
2 |
Manatee/Bradenton/ Trinity |
|
7 |
Jacksonville |
6 |
|
Sarasota/Venice/ Fort Myers |
2 |
Fernandina |
|
||
|
Ft Myers |
4 |
Palatka |
1 |
||
|
3 |
Tampa (Ivanhoe) |
5 |
8 |
Lake City |
|
|
St Peters burg (Sunshine) |
|
Middleburg |
|
||
|
Clearwater (Springtime) |
4 |
Gainesville |
1 |
||
|
4 |
Lakeland |
|
9 |
Tallahassee |
1 |
|
Plant City |
1 |
Marianna |
|
||
|
Sebring (Highlands) |
|
Panama City |
|
||
|
5 |
Daytona (Halifax) |
|
10 |
Fort Walton Beach |
|
|
Lake Sumter |
|
Crestview |
|
||
|
Sanford |
|
Pensacola |
|
||
|
Orlando |
4
|
|
|
REMINDER: MASONIC MEMBERSHIP SOLUTIONS (MMS) RULES STATE THAT NEW COMPANIONS AND SIR KNIGHTS NEED TO BE PLACED IN MMS WITHIN 15 DAYS. If this is not done, the magazine will not be sent automatically. The Secretary will have to contact Grand Encampment.
New Membership by York Rite District 2026:
|
DIST |
DATE |
LOCATION |
KNIGHTED |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
7 &14 Mar 3 & 10 Oct
|
Tampa(5), Ft Myers (4), Clearwater (4), Sarasota (2), Plant City (1) Tampa |
16 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
18 Feb, 11 Mar
|
Orlando (4), Chapter Degrees: MM, PM, MEM
|
|
|
6 |
10-11 Apr |
Ft Pierce |
|
|
7 |
21 Feb & 14 Mar |
Jacksonville(6), Gainesville (1), Palatka (1), Tallahassee(1) |
9 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
10-11 April |
Pensacola |
|
|
TOTAL 2026 KNIGHTINGS |
25 |
||
|
TOTAL 2025 KNIGHTINGS |
117 |
||
Also, as soon as your area determines the dates for any Chapter or District scheduling a Fall or Spring Festival, PLEASE let me know so they may be included.
Fraternally,
Henry A. Adams
HENRY A. ADAMS, KYGCH
