Order of the Thistle
Fort Worth Scottish Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
| Stated Meetings - Third Thursday |
OFFICERS FOR 2012
Elected
Steven L. Maxwell - Venerable Master
Frederick M. Brown - Senior Warden
Bobby G. Evans - Junior Warden
Ervin L. Richards - Secretary
Amarnath S. Murthy - Treasurer
Appointed
Jason N. Wiggs - Senior Deacon
Garrick B. West - Junior Deacon
Ronald J. Baker - Sentinel
Carl J. Ewald - Chaplain
Donald C. Brown - Orator
Warren A. Carin - Photographer
Why Should I Join the Order of the Thistle?
The Order of the Thistle in Fort Worth was patterned after the Knights of Saint
Andrew in Guthrie, OK and the Order of the Thistle in Santa Fe, NM. There are
several states who have a chapter of one or the other of these organizations active.
Oklahoma has chapters of KSA at Guthrie, Tulsa, and McAlester. California,
Minnesota, South Carolina, and Kansas have chapters of KSA. New Mexico has a
chapter of the Order of the Thistle in Santa Fe. In Texas, there are Chapters of the
Order of the Thistle or the Knights of Saint Andrew in Fort Worth, Austin,
Dallas, and Waco with other Valleys planning to start Chapters when feasible.
Our Chapter was chartered in May of 2001 and the 32 Charter Members began work
in earnest immediately. Our purpose is two-fold: first and foremost, to serve the
Valley by stepping in and doing whatever work that needs to be done so far as we
are able; second and just as important, we train the 32º Mason in the structure and
philosophy of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Bodies. We especially want to enlist the
new member as soon as possible and provide work opportunities to him. We like to
expose him to as many different types of work opportunities as we can as quickly
as we can so he can choose what appeals to him as the area where he wants to
concentrate his efforts. We have helped new members get positions in several
degree teams, in the sound and lighting committee, the stage committee, the
Scottish Rite Foundation charity fund raising committees, and so forth.
But it will not be all work. We are also planning some family-style social outings
because we have found that the new, younger Scottish Rite Mason wants to involve
his family as well as himself. This has the added benefit of helping us to become a
unit instead of just a bunch of guys. When you are “one of us,” you are much more
likely to retain your membership and keep active.
The only limitation is that only 32º Masons who are members of the Fort Worth
Valley may join. When a member receives KCCH honors, he must become Emeritus
and can no longer hold office or chair one of our committees. He retains his
membership, but as an Emeritus Member. We are not attached to one of the
bodies, but fall under the direct supervision of the General Secretary. This provides
the Secretary with another tool to get the work done and helps the Chapter to focus
their efforts where they can accomplish the most results. We feel everybody needs
to be involved in something to whatever extent is appropriate for their needs and
abilities. The educated Scottish Rite Mason is an active and happy Scottish Rite
Mason.
We meet at least at each Reunion. We have other stated meetings whenever
necessary. Some of our meetings are formal, but others may be simply declared
open in order to hold a quick meeting to handle some important item of business in
a timely fashion. All of our Initiation Ceremonies, which are based on the Scottish
Rite 29th Degree, are open to the public because we want the Candidate’s family to
observe and take part in his Initiation. All of our meetings, whether Stated or Called,
are open to any Scottish Rite Mason. Only Active Members of the Chapter are
allowed to hold office, speak at the meetings, or vote, but any Scottish Rite Mason is
welcome to attend as a visitor. We believe the Order of the Thistle offers a unique
opportunity to any Valley to revitalize their 32nd Degree members and restore a little
health and enthusiasm to their Valley.
Elected
Steven L. Maxwell - Venerable Master
Frederick M. Brown - Senior Warden
Bobby G. Evans - Junior Warden
Ervin L. Richards - Secretary
Amarnath S. Murthy - Treasurer
Appointed
Jason N. Wiggs - Senior Deacon
Garrick B. West - Junior Deacon
Ronald J. Baker - Sentinel
Carl J. Ewald - Chaplain
Donald C. Brown - Orator
Warren A. Carin - Photographer
Why Should I Join the Order of the Thistle?
The Order of the Thistle in Fort Worth was patterned after the Knights of Saint
Andrew in Guthrie, OK and the Order of the Thistle in Santa Fe, NM. There are
several states who have a chapter of one or the other of these organizations active.
Oklahoma has chapters of KSA at Guthrie, Tulsa, and McAlester. California,
Minnesota, South Carolina, and Kansas have chapters of KSA. New Mexico has a
chapter of the Order of the Thistle in Santa Fe. In Texas, there are Chapters of the
Order of the Thistle or the Knights of Saint Andrew in Fort Worth, Austin,
Dallas, and Waco with other Valleys planning to start Chapters when feasible.
Our Chapter was chartered in May of 2001 and the 32 Charter Members began work
in earnest immediately. Our purpose is two-fold: first and foremost, to serve the
Valley by stepping in and doing whatever work that needs to be done so far as we
are able; second and just as important, we train the 32º Mason in the structure and
philosophy of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Bodies. We especially want to enlist the
new member as soon as possible and provide work opportunities to him. We like to
expose him to as many different types of work opportunities as we can as quickly
as we can so he can choose what appeals to him as the area where he wants to
concentrate his efforts. We have helped new members get positions in several
degree teams, in the sound and lighting committee, the stage committee, the
Scottish Rite Foundation charity fund raising committees, and so forth.
But it will not be all work. We are also planning some family-style social outings
because we have found that the new, younger Scottish Rite Mason wants to involve
his family as well as himself. This has the added benefit of helping us to become a
unit instead of just a bunch of guys. When you are “one of us,” you are much more
likely to retain your membership and keep active.
The only limitation is that only 32º Masons who are members of the Fort Worth
Valley may join. When a member receives KCCH honors, he must become Emeritus
and can no longer hold office or chair one of our committees. He retains his
membership, but as an Emeritus Member. We are not attached to one of the
bodies, but fall under the direct supervision of the General Secretary. This provides
the Secretary with another tool to get the work done and helps the Chapter to focus
their efforts where they can accomplish the most results. We feel everybody needs
to be involved in something to whatever extent is appropriate for their needs and
abilities. The educated Scottish Rite Mason is an active and happy Scottish Rite
Mason.
We meet at least at each Reunion. We have other stated meetings whenever
necessary. Some of our meetings are formal, but others may be simply declared
open in order to hold a quick meeting to handle some important item of business in
a timely fashion. All of our Initiation Ceremonies, which are based on the Scottish
Rite 29th Degree, are open to the public because we want the Candidate’s family to
observe and take part in his Initiation. All of our meetings, whether Stated or Called,
are open to any Scottish Rite Mason. Only Active Members of the Chapter are
allowed to hold office, speak at the meetings, or vote, but any Scottish Rite Mason is
welcome to attend as a visitor. We believe the Order of the Thistle offers a unique
opportunity to any Valley to revitalize their 32nd Degree members and restore a little
health and enthusiasm to their Valley.
