Thistle

Order of the Thistle

Fort Worth Scottish Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

Stated Meetings - Third Thursday

OFFICERS FOR 2010
Elected
Stephen C. Jones - Venerable Master
TBA - Senior Warden
TBA - Junior Warden
Fred Brown - Secretary/Treasurer

Appointed
TBA - Senior Deacon
TBA - Junior Deacon
TBA - Chaplain
TBA - Sentinel

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.