If you haven’t heard about the change in becoming a Shriner here it is: effective as of the close of the Shrine Imperial Session in July, 2000, membership in either the Scottish Rite or York Rite bodies is no longer a prerequisite to join the Shrine of North America. However, Shrine membership still requires the brother to be in good standing as a Third Degree Master Mason. There has been a push for several years to lower the membership requirements to join the Shrine, and it was only a matter of time before it passed. Enough on that!
We have had a very busy summer at Arcana, and we just raised a new Master Mason, Robert Johnson. Welcome Brother Robert. I know we will see you at lodge meetings soon and often.
The officers have scheduled another set of degrees for several candidates. The Entered Apprentice Degree is scheduled for October 2nd, and the Fellow Craft is October 30th. The Master Mason Degree will be a Past Masters Degree and is scheduled for November 18th. If you would like to take a part for this large class of candidates please call me at 763-785-1975, or ask me at a lodge meeting. Even if you’re not able to help with degree work, please mark your calendar for each of these dates.
The officers of your lodge think that planning a pancake breakfast fundraiser this fall is preferable to raising membership dues. I know that no one wants to see the lodge in a financial pinch, and that we all realize our need to maintain the building not only for ourselves but also for our renters. So watch your mailbox for information on the upcoming event, and please be supportive with your contributions.
Brethren, my term as Master of the Lodge has been both challenging and fulfilling. I want to take this time to thank all of you for the past two years. It seems like only yesterday that I took the office in the East, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Believe me when I tell you that being in line is a big commitment! But, the rewards of this experience are much more than the effort you put in. Remember we still need to support the up coming Master and his line of officers. I understand that there are still some open spots in his line, so be supportive, and take that big step toward gaining even more light in Masonry by becoming a line officer. So please take notice, look to the East, and govern yourself so as to help your lodge stay on course.
Fraternally yours,
Dave Sibben, Master
On June 28, 1901, Warren G. Harding was Initiated in Marion Lodge No. 70, Marion, Ohio, but he was not Raised until 19 years later.
He was Passed on August 13, 1920, and Raised on August 27, 1920. On May 4, 1921, he was made an Honorary member of Albert Pike Lodge Number 36 of Washington; made Honorary member of Washington Centennial Lodge No. 14, Washington, on February 16, 1922; and Honorary member of America Lodge No. 3368, London, England, in 1922.
He was a member of Marion Chapter No. 63, R.A.M. and received his degrees January 11 and 13, 1921, and made Honorary member of Columbia Commandery No.2, K.T., in Washington, March 4, 1921. Hardings' address upon being Knighted was memorable.
He had been elected to receive the degrees in Marion Council No.22, R.&.S.M., but died before they could be conferred.
In the Scottish Rite, he received the 32nd degree at Columbus, Ohio, January 5, 1921 and was elected to receive the 33 degree on September 22, 1921, but died before receiving it. He was a member of Aladdin Shrine Temple in Columbus, Ohio.
He was an Honorary member of Almas Temple of Washington on March 21, 1921. He was Associate Honorary member of the Imperial Council of the Shrine in June, 1923. Kallipolis Grotto MOVPER conferred the degrees on him at the White House of May 11, 1921, and made him a life member.
Washington Chapter No. 3, National Sojourners, made him a member at the White House on May 28, 1921. He stated, "No man ever took the oaths and subscribed to the obligations with greater watchfulness and care than I have exercised in receiving the various Rites of Masonry, and I say it with deliberation and without fear of breaking faith, I have never encountered a lesson, never witnessed an example, never heard an obligation uttered which could be proclaimed to the world."
At the cornerstone laying in Birmingham, Alabama, he said, "I have been a better citizen for being a Mason. There is nothing in Masonry that a Free Religious and just American could not be proud to subscribe to, and be a better citizen for so doing."
When he received the Royal Arch degrees, he inscribed the Bible of a friend with the following: "With grateful and happy remembrance of the occasion when this Holy Book was employed in revealing the exalting impressions of Royal Arch Masonry."
He was scheduled to deliver an address on August 2, 1923, in Hollywood, California, to Hollywood Commandery No. 56 K.T. on the occasion of the presentation to them by his own Commandery, Marion No. 36, of the International Traveling Beauseant. He was on death's doorstep, and his secretary, Sir Knight George B. Christian, delivered the address. This was his last address to the American people. He died August 2, 1923, and on August 8th, the body was conducted from the White House to the Capitol with the six Commanderies of Knights Templar of Washington, D.C. being in the Funeral Cortege. The Asphalt container in which his body was placed was the gift of Boumi Shrine Temple of Baltimore, MD.
Arcana has scheduled a set of blue lodge degrees to be held at Arcana Lodge which will facilitate those interested in participating in the Membership 2000 One-Day-Class for the Scottish Rite and/or Shrine.
| Entered Apprentice Degree | Monday, October 2, 2000, 7:00 PM |
| Fellow Craft Degree | Monday, October 30, 2000, 7:00 PM |
| Master Mason Degree | Saturday, November 18, 2000, 4:00 PM |
| Membership 2000 Scottish Rite Degrees and Shrine Ceremonial | Saturday, December 9, 2000, 7:00 AM |
Pumpkin
Give-Away and 
KIDS ID Program at Arcana
| Date and Time: | Saturday,
October 28, 2000 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Sponsor: | Arcana Masonic Lodge #187 AF & AM |
| Location: | 920
Lowry Avenue NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 (612) 789-2280 |
On Saturday, October 28th, 2000 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Arcana Masonic Lodge Open House and Pumpkin Give-Away we will also provide the KIDS Program for parents and children in our community.