ISSUE 01- JULY 2016

THE YORK RITE

NEWSLETTER

York Rite Houses initiate

four distinguished Army
Servicemen into
York Rite Masonry Most Excellent Grand High Priest
Victor B. Pettus, KYGCH

Several members of the York Rite Bodies assembled

to witness the arching, greeting, and creating and
dubbing.

O n Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Red-

stone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL
under the leadership of Grand Master
Corey Hawkins Sr., Esq. of the Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge
of Alabama the York Rite Houses
were able to initiate four distinguished
Army Servicemen into York Rite Ma-
sonry. The process of the initiation
was set-up and organized by PHP
Dwight Coleman. General Dennis L.
Via, CSM James K. Sims, LTC Court-
ney L. Abraham, and Col. David Wil-
son was arched into the W.H. Mack
Grand Chapter, greeted into the W.H.
Mack Grand Council, and created and
dubbed into the Hendley-Mack Grand
Commandery. There were several
members of the York Rite Bodies there
to witness the arching, greeting, and
creating and dubbing. Grand Master
Corey Hawkins Sr., Esq., Grand High
Priest Victor Pettus, Grand Thrice Il-
lustrious Master Robert Glenn, Grand
Commander Charles Motley, Grand
King A. Derek Bowman, Deputy Grand
Commander Freddie Armstead, Sir.
Knight Woodie Pugh, Sir. Knight
Dwight Coleman, Sir. Knight Erick
Kennedy, and Sir. Knight Willie Keller.
Greeting and Salutation to all the
companions of the W. H. Mack
Grand Chapter.
The capitulars degrees entail the
Mark Master, Past Master, Most
Excellent Master, and Royal Arch.
The Holy Royal Arch is also re-
ferred to as the Red House. The
Royal Arch meets as a Chapter.
The members refer to themselves
as a companion which is closer than
a brother.

PRINCE
JULY 2016HALL AFFILIATED JURISDICTION OF ALABAMA JULY 20161
 United We Serve
Ed Turner Commandary #49
Lifes most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lincolnite Board member con-
tacted E.C. Cad Ford, Jr. for assis-
tance with the outside appearance
of Lincoln School Museum and
Park.
This location is the former site
for what is now Alabama State
University in Montgomery, the
school was founded in 1867 by
freed slaves for their children.
Coretta Scott King was an alum-
nae of Lincoln.
The museum houses artifacts,
historical documents, memora-
bilia, videos, photos and news-
papers relating to the legacy of
Lincoln School. Its also a huge
tourism attraction for the city, visi-
tors and citizens. Members of the
Ed Turner Commandary #49 lo-
cated in the Historic Marion, Ala-
bama observed Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday by turning out
I would like to take this
opportunity to welcome all
companions to the W. H. Mack
Grand Council. The cryptic
degrees of Masons form the
center body of the York Rite of
Freemasonry. A Master Mason
may join a Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons and receive the
four degrees of that organiza-
tion. After which he may seek
further knowledge in Freema-
sonry and join a Council of
Cryptic Masons. The three
degrees are the Royal Master,
2 PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED JURISDICTION OF ALABAMA
Saturday morning, January 16,
2016 to spruce up Lincoln School
Memorial Museum and Park; de-
spite the prediction of threatening
weather.
They picked up litter, collected
twigs, raked leaves and recycled
plant debris for composting.
The Commandary was proud
Select Master, and Super
Excellent Master, which consist
of the cryptic degrees.
Most Illustrious Thrice Illustrious
Master Robert W. Glenn KYGCH
to honor the life, vision and service
of Dr. King by volunteering their
time, resources, and sweat equity
to beautify this historic location.
the first Christian Roman emper-
Constantine Day Celebration
He saw with his own eyes in the heavens a trophy of the cross rising from the light of
the sun carrying the message In Hoc Signo Vinces which means in this sign, you will
conquer.
On Sunday, November 8, 2015 of a slanted letter X with the top in this sign, you will conquer. In
at First Baptist Church Eastlake in of its head bent round, he marked Eusebiuss account, Constantine
Birmingham, Alabama, the Hen- Christ on their shields. Eusebius had a dream the following night,
dley-Mack Grand Commandery describes another version while in which Christ appeared with the
celebrated Constantine Day. The marching at midday. He saw with same heavenly sign and told him
speaker of the day was Rev. Henry his own eyes in the heavens a tro- to make a standard, the labarum,
Carson of Persia Commandery #2. phy of the cross rising from the light for his army in that form.
The celebration was well attended of the sun carrying the message In
by Sir Knights and Cyrene Cru- Hoc Signo Vinces which means
saders across the state. Constan-
tine Day comes from Constantine
I who is also known a Constantine
The Great and Saint Constantine.
Constantine was a Roman Em-
peror in 306 B.C. and was the sole
holder of that office from 324 B.C.
until his death in 337B.C. Con-
stantine is best known for being
or. Constantine was visited by a
dream the night before the battle,
wherein he was advised to mark
the heavenly sign of God on the
shields of his soldiers by means
Grand Masters Corner
I would like to welcome
all brothers to the Most Worship-
ful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Alabama. Ancient Craft Masonry
which is also referred to as Blue
Lodge, the Symbolic Degrees,
or Ancient Craft Masonry, is com-
prised of three degrees: Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and
Master Mason.
M. W. Corey D. Hawkins, Sr., Esq., KYGCH-K.C.T., 33
Grand Master of Alabama
JULY 2016 3
 Companions from Gardners Success provided lunch for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham, AL.
The Anniston York Rite Bodies | Burning Bush Holy Royal Arch Chapter #5 | Reuel Jethro Council #9
J.T. Howze Commandery #29

Ronald McDonald House 2015

2016 York Rite Workshop
By Thalmus Mahand | December 26, 2015
Birmingham, Alabama

O On December 26, 2015, the

Companions of Gardners Suc-
core values: Focusing on the critical
needs of children.

W in Anniston
cess provided lunch for the families
e would like to thank Outback
staying at the Ronald McDonald
Steakhouse in Fultondale
House in Birmingham, AL.
for providing the lunches that were

T he mission of Ronald McDonald

House is to create, find and sup-
port programs that directly improve
provided to the families at Ronald
McDonald House.
Below: Companions from Gardners Success
the health and well-being of children. provided lunch for the families staying at the
Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham, AL.
Guiding us in our mission are our
I would like to welcome the
Sir. Knights to the Hendley-Mack
Grand Commandery. The chival-
ric orders consist of three orders
opposed to masonic degrees. The
Chivalric Order is the last body in
the York Rite of Freemansonry. The
three orders are the Illustrious Or-
der of the Red Cross, Order of Mal-
ta, and Order of the Temple, which
is often called Knights Templar.
Right Eminent Grand Commander
Charles L. Motley KYCH
4 PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED JURISDICTION OF ALABAMA
On Saturday April 2, 2016, the
companions of Burning Bush
Chapter #54, companions of
Ruel-Jethro Council #9, and the
Sir Knights of J.T. Howze # 29
under the leadership of High
Priest Michael Sims hosted their
first York Rite Workshop at 10:00
a.m. at the South Highland Com-
munity Center in Anniston, AL.
High Priest Michael Sims arranged
an array of presenters to speak on
various degrees and orders in the
York Rite body. The presenters
discussed the Mark Master degree
through the Order of the Temple.
The presenters included H.P. Mi-
JULY 2016
chael Sims, P.H.P. Marcus Tillman,
Comp. Charles Snell, Comp. Carlos
Jones, P.H.P. Greg Rice, Comp. Lee
McNeil, Comp. Carlton Kerley, and
P.E.C. Willie Keller. The workshop
was performed and illustrated by
the officers and members of the
Anniston York Rite bodies. The
workshop was a great success. In
attendance at the workshop were
the Most Excellent Grand High
Priest Victor B. Pettus, Curtis
Nelson, and William Garrett. The
Knights Templar Right Eminent
Grand Commander Charles Mot-
ley and District Deputy Courtney
Williams also attended the work-
shop. The companions of the An-
niston York Rite Bodies would like
to thank all the Companions and
Sir Knights for a successful work-
shop. A special recognition goes
to our newly appointed Grand
District Deputy of the North East-
ern Jurisdiction Holy Royal Arch
Masons Michael Sims for his role
as facilitator of the workshop.
5
 York Rite Workshop in
Demopolis, AL
On June 13, 2016 Very Emi-
nent Deputy Grand Commander
Freddie Armstead organized an
workshop was well attended with tended by Grand High Priest Vic-
approximately 45 various York Rite tor Pettus, Grand Thrice Illustrious
Masons from Central Alabama Master Robert Glenn, and Grand

The Companions of educational workshop for York

Rite Masons in Demopolis, AL.
and South Alabama. The com-
panions and Sir Knights enjoyed
Eminent Commander Charles
Motley. It is the goal of the York

Omega #65 (HRAM)

(Pictured EHP Griffin, Comp. Gard-
ner with Brothers and Sisters)
The Companions of Omega #65
(HRAM), has continually pro-
vided charitable contributions to
organizations and families.
Every year, the Companions
and Brothers of Triume #430,
come together to grant their time
to Ronald McDonald House.
On some occasions, the Com-
panions will provide and serve
on Pizza Saturdays, which al-
lows all of the families to get a
chance to meet the Companions
and understand the purpose.
The presenters were High Priest an interesting dialogue on the vari- Rite to continue to educate com-
William Garrett and Thrice Illustri- ous lectures and stories within the panions and Sir Knights through-
ous Master Curtis Nelson. The York Rite. The workshop was at- out the Jurisdiction of Alabama.
The pictures illustrate how ev-
eryone is committed to being a
servant to others, regardless of
the temperature going below 35
degrees.

(Pictured EHP Griffin, Comp. Myricks and Comp. Gardner with students)

The Companions of Omega #65 (HRAM) use a variety of ideas to raise funds, which allows the
Companions to help the community on a more constant basis. The Companions donated backpacks
and school supplies to the kids of Hudson K8 (Bham City School) at the start of the school year. The
students were overly excited and put their new supplies to good use right away.

6 PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED JURISDICTION OF ALABAMA JULY 2016 7

 Zerubbabel Day Celebration
The date is generally thought to have been between 538 and 520 BC. Zerubbabel also
laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem soon after.

On Sunday, February 28,
2016 at First United Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in America
(UCPC), Bakers Beauty #51
along with various Royal Arch
Chapters in the Jefferson County
District hosted a Zerubbabel Day
Celebration. The High Priest of
the Day was High Priest Jerome
Kirk of Bakers Beauty #51. The
speaker was Companion (El- the Babylonian captivity in the first
der) Antoine Head of Zerubbabel year of Cyrus,
Chapter #3. Zerubbabel Day is an King of Persia.
annual celebration of Royal Arch The date is gen-
Masons. Zerubbabel was a gover- erally thought to
nor of the Persian Province of Ye- have been be-
hud Medinata and the grandson of tween 538 and
Jehoiachin, penultimate king of Ju- 520 BC. Zerubbabel also laid the
dah. Zerubbabel led the first group foundation of the Second Temple
of Jews, numbering 42,360, from in Jerusalem soon after.

2016 York Rite Day in Birmingham

On April 16, 2016, Zerbubbe-
al Chapter #3, Hurst Chapter
#58, J.W. Hudson Council #
10, and Persia Commandery
#2 hosted a York Rite Day.
The York Rite Day was orga-
nized by High Priest William
Garrett. The various chapters,
councils, and commanderies
initiated 23 brothers through
the Royal Arch, Royal & Select
Masters, and Knights Templar.
The York Rite Day gives
8 PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED JURISDICTION OF ALABAMA
brothers an opportunity to ad-
vance in masonry through vari-
ous ceremonies and lectures to
understand York Rite Masonry.
The York Rite is broken down
into three different masonic
houses. The brothers that join
the various masonic houses
improve their masonic knowl-
edge and relationship with other
members of the York Rite. There
were several members from
Zerbubbeal Chapter #3, Hurst
Chapter #58, Hudson Beauty
Chapter #29, Garden Success
Chapter #UD Mt. Horeb Chap-
ter #48, J.W. Hudson Council
#10, Adoniram Council #4,
Persia Commandery #2, De-
Molay Commandery #42, and
Godfrey Commandery #4 to
arch, greet, and create and
dub the brothers into the York
Rite.