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York Rite Crusader

Spring, 2021

Governor General’s Message

Dear Distinguished Brethren & Companion Knights, Before I get into my article, I think we need to acknowledge that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, regarding one of the most difficult times our country has had in years, Covid-19. Because of the vaccines and all the proper precautions that were taken, things are starting to open up again and I really believe we will all be together, in person, at

out next General Assembly. During my first year my travels have not been many, but I would like to thank those who were there to greet me and who gave me Grand Honors and treated me to great masonic fellowship! As life does move on, it saddens me to announce that the Sovereign College Family has lost another member Rev. Ronald E. Wood, Jr. a Regent from Missouri and our long time serving Associate Primate General. Please keep him, his Lady Betty and their family in your thoughts and prayers. I would also like to remind everyone that our York Rite Charitable Fund US and the Charitable Foundation of Canada need your support in order to support the established Masonic Charities in their respective countries. Please consider giving a donation to these great Charites, donations are tax exempt. As everyone is aware that the 64th General Assembly has been changed to Virtual Meeting of the Board of Directors, Regents, Regents Ex-Officio along with the Companion Knights. This year as well we will add the Order of the Purple Cross Class for the year 2021 which is named for Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother James W. Patton, Past Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. All the Candidates from the years 2019 and 2020 will be in attendance. We have sent out emails to all our candidates and all our Regents, Grand Governors and Deputy Grand Governors asking to confirm their correct emails, so that when the 64th General

Assembly Registration is ready to be emailed, we are ready with the correct email addresses. So, if you have not confirmed your email address, please do it immediately to the address of yrscalicia@gmail.com I want to be sure to let all our members and ladies know to mark your calendars for next year. You all are invited to Kansas City, Missouri, July 29- August 1 for our 65th General Assembly. The host hotel is the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center Hotel, please mark your calendars and be sure to come and make new friendships and renew old ones! Also, for this year, please ensure that you include the list of names that participated in the conference call for the Meeting to nominate the Candidates for the Order of the Purple Cross for 2022 for your college. Without that list, your nomination will not go through, these are the signatures on the form. I, along with our Sovereign College Officers, look forward to welcoming you at the Virtual 64th General Assembly. Thank you all for your support of York Rite Freemasonry, especially the York Rite Sovereign College of North America.

God Bless you all, and please stay safe in your communities. Sincerely and fraternally, W. Berry Rigdon KCPC, KGCY Governor General

The York Rite Sovereign College of North America

Is pleased to announce that the 2021 Order of the Purple Cross Class

is named in honor of:

Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother James W. Patton,

Past Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College

of North America

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Attention Grand Governors And Secretaries

Please ensure that all Order of the Purple Cross Nominations are submitted on the correct form (dated at the bottom 10/17). Any nominations received on the previous forms will be returned to the Grand Governor. OPC Nominations will not be considered without an Annual Report. All OPC Nomination Forms, Service Award Nominations as well as the Annual Returns are due in the Denton Office by July 1, 2021, there will be no exceptions made. Please ensure that your completed Annual Return contains not only the required paperwork, but it must include all monies due for per capita and new member fees.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sovereign College Office.

York Rite Sovereign College of North America

PO Box 368, Denton, NC 27239-0368 Tel: (336) 859-YRSC (9772) Fax (336) 859-0454

Email: yrsc1957@windstream.net Website www.yrscna.org

Officers 2020-2021

W. Berry Rigdon .................................. Governor General

J. William Riggs ...................... Deputy Governor General

Bryce B. Hildreth ............................... Chancellor General

Reese L. Harrison, Jr. ......................... Treasurer General

D. Allen Surratt ................................... Secretary General

Rev. Steven G. Tiner.............................. Primate General

William L. Dill ........................ Associate Primate General

Dean D. Rein ...................................... Preceptor General

Raymond E. Hassell. .......................... Seneschal General

Richard A. Rodibaugh ........................... Marshal General

J. David Cashion .................................... Sentinel General

John Donohoo........................... Grand Standard Bearer

Jay Pearson ............................................. Herald General

Russel E. Bridges ........................................ Grand Herald

Leland L. Burlison. ...................................... Grand Herald

James E. McGee ......................................... Grand Herald

Steven C. Monrotus ................................ Grand Organist

MANHATTAN COLLEGE No. 210 New York, New York

On May 19, 2021 an Awards Presentation was held at the Church of the Incarnation, Manhattan, New York.

(Pictured L to R) Diamond Award presented to Rev. Adrian Danhauser, priest in Charge of the Church of the Incarnation, Manhattan, NYC, and a leader in the Episcopal Church Fight against Sex Trafficking in the City of New York; Companion Knight Edmund D. Harrison, OPC, PG; receiving the Gold Honour Award for support of the York Rite, Rev. J. Douglas Ousley, former Rector at Church of the Incarnation, who supported the program to confer the Order of the Temple in the Church; and Companion Knight Chas. O. Cowing, Governor of Manhattan College No. 210. These two members of the clergy have supported the annual presentation of the Order of the Temple by Morton Commandery #4 in the Church which makes for an extraordinary experience fore the candidates. These awards were announced in January 2020, but due to the pandemic, presentation was only just made. A previous presentation was made to Elvia van Geuns, widow of Right Excellent Jean Rene van Geuns, deceased, who served as Grand Sentinel of the Grand Chapter of the State of New York Royal Arch Masons. The presentation of an additional Gold Honour Award will be made soon to Right Worshipful Joseph S. Goldbloom. We await his recovery from illness.

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York Rite Sovereign College

Of North America P.O. Box 368 – Denton, NC 27239-0368

Tel: 336-859-9772 * EMAIL: yrsc1957@windstream.net W. Berry Rigdon D. Allen Surratt GOVERNOR GENERAL 2020-2021 SECRETARY GENERAL 124 Rigdon Ln. Waynesville, NC 28786 Cell: (828) 778-1928 Email: wberryrigdon@gmail.com

Date: April 8, 2021

To: Officers; Regents, Grand Governors, Deputy Grand Governors and Committee Chairmen

From: D. Allen Surratt, Secretary General

Re: 64th General Assembly

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Distinguished Brethren,

The Governor General and Board of Directors have looked at the updated data, opinions of public health experts and community officials concerning the Coronavirus during the time of our General Assembly, July 29 - August 1, 2021. Based on the projections of the virus, and in order to give enough time for the vaccines to work, we are having to make the following changes to the 64 th General Assembly of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America.

The 64th General Assembly will be a Virtual Meeting.

The 2021 conferral of the Order of the Purple Cross will be a virtual conferral. All candidates for the years 2019 and 2020 will be part of the Virtual Class of 2021 which will be named for Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother James W. Patton, Past Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. This class will be known to be located in Denton, North Carolina and will take place on Saturday, July

31, 2021 at the 64th General Assembly.

The 64th General Assembly has been turned into three separate virtual meetings. The Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 1:00 PM EST with the Joint meeting of the Board of Directors and the US Charitable Fund immediately afterwards. Regents and Regents Ex-Officio will meet on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST, immediately following this portion of the meeting all attending Companion Knights will then be admitted, the US Charitable Fund Meeting will follow directly after the business session of the General Assembly. At 3:00 PM EST we will have the Virtual Conferral of the Order of the Purple Cross. Closer to the meetings, all necessary documentation of items to be considered during the virtual meetings and the access information will be sent to you well in advance of these meetings. Please ensure that the Sovereign College office has your correct email address. Also, please acknowledge receipt of the information upon receipt. Anyone who may experience difficultly in joining the meetings will be furnished a telephone number to obtain assistance. All Committee Reports are to be filed with the office no later than June 1st . Grand Governors, please ensure that your candidates are ready to receive the Order and that they have the necessary paperwork into the office. A letter will be sent to them explaining the Virtual Conferral and what is needed. Constituent Colleges may use virtual meetings for the purpose of conducting the Installation of Officers and if necessary, they can use an abbreviated service. However, if your Grand Lodge does not allow this type of meeting or service, you cannot use this format. Based on the information provided by public health professionals and in order to give time for the vaccines to work, the York Rite Sovereign College of North America determined that the safety of the attendees, their families and the communities could not be reasonably provided on or before the start of the 64th General Assembly in Kansas City, Missouri and therefore made these changes to the Assembly, due to the hazards of safely hosting it. Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother Berry and his First Lady Roseanna, are extremely sorry that they will not be able to personally welcome you to Kansas City, Missouri this year to renew old friendships and to make new ones. Again, we apologize for this great inconvenience, but we will meet in Kansas City, Missouri in 2022, when it is safe for everyone involved! Please stay safe in your community and may God Bless each of you and your families. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

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2021 CHARITABLE MEETINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.S. Charitable Fund

A virtual Joint Meeting between the Sovereign College Board of Directors and the U.S. Charitable Fund Trustees will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at a Zoom Platform immediately following the Board of Directors Meeting, information will be emailed to all Officers and Trustees prior to the meeting.

The U.S. Charitable Fund will hold a virtual meeting immediately following the Regents Meeting on Saturday, July 31 2021 at a Zoom Platform. We would like to remind everyone that all USA Associate Regents are entitled to vote. Officers and Trustees will be emailed meeting information, all other USA Associate Regents wishing to attend the meeting, please contact the following email for meeting information yrscalicia@gmail.com.

2021 Annual General Meeting and “Governor General’s Virtual Luncheon”

Greetings. The Board of Directors of the York Rite

The York Rite Sovereign College Charitable Foundation of Canada 2021 Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern. This virtual meeting will be held as a “ZOOM” Webinar, all Canadian OPC’s are entitled to vote.

To register to participate, please email the Host/Administrator Distinguished Brother Terry D. Gould at terrydgould@gmail.com. The appropriate meeting information will be emailed to you by August 12th.

With your continued support, and that of Companion

Cryptic Rite Charitable Foundation Inc $3,000.00 Knights Templar Charitable Foundation of Canada $2,500.00 Grand Imperial Conclave Charitable Foundation $2,500.00

Total: $8,000.00

A Cast of Distinguished Brothers of Banks of the Wabash College No. 72 in Terre Haute, Indiana and visiting Guests conferred the Order of the Purple Cross on Donald Olvey and Marvin Williams on January 9, 2021.

Following the Social Distancing and Mask guidelines required by the State of Indiana, the directions issued by the Grand Lodge F & AM of Indiana and the directives of Governor General W. Berry Rigdon the ceremony was delivered with the dignity and decorum exemplified during a conferral at the General Assembly.

The ceremonial was made especially memorable by the attendance and participation by Deputy Governor General J. William Riggs who congratulated the new Distinguished Brothers and brought greetings on behalf of W. Berry Rigdon, Governor General, and mentioned future activities of the Sovereign College.

Those assisting in the conferral are: Seated L to R: Marvin Williams and Donald Olvey Row One L to R: V.E.D. William Nevels Deputy Grand Governor; Harry Cartwright OPC; R.E.D. J. William Riggs Deputy Governor General KCPC; R.E.D. Martin Evens Grand Governor; Dennis Schraeder Sr. OPC; V.E.D. Carl Froedge Deputy Grand Governor Row Two L to R: R.E.D. Philip Fowler Regent; Michael Stoner OPC; R.E.D. W. Kris Phillips; Larry Huffman OPC; Matthew Lowe OPC.

Following the ceremonial refreshments and fellowship was enjoyed in the dining room for the attendees and their ladies. Summitted by Martin Evens Grand Governor for Indiana

All Regents, Grand Governors, Deputy Grand Governors, Committee Chairman, Associate Regents and Secretaries please ensure that the York Rite Sovereign College Office has a

correct email address for you.

BANKS OF THE WABASH No. 72 Terre Haute, Indiana

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IOWA COLLEGE No. 37 Ames, Iowa

If you are interested in the Sovereign College’s Education Program entitled

Companion Adept of the Temple, Please note that complete information and the

enrollment form can now be found on our website at www.yrscna.org

Or you can contact the Sovereign College Office at yrsc1957@windstream.net or Telephone (336) 859-9772

MARVIN L. ISLEY No. 129 Fairland, Indiana

Friday evening on February 5, 2021, Marvin L. Isley York Rite College 129 Companion Knights assembled for a Called Assembly in Franklin, Indiana, to conduct business with the election of officers for 2021-2022 before our Annual Assembly on March 6th. We were pleasantly surprised with a visitation of Right Eminently Distinguished Brother J. William Riggs, Deputy Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America and his entourages of James King, Grand Governor of Kentucky, Robert Stanford, Deputy Grand Governor of Kentucky and Greg Raque, Grand Chapter Scribe RAM of Kentucky. After a researched presentation of our name sake, Marvin L. Isley by Companion Knight Randal Ellington, Bill Riggs assisted in presenting Ellington the York Rite Sovereign College’s Gold Honour Award, for his contributions in York Rite Masonry. Pictured Left to Right: J. William Riggs, Randal Ellington and Preeminent Governor Mark L. Baker. Knight Ellington was appointed to the station of Noble Sentinel tonight due to a vacancy.

Photo submitted by David C. Willoughby, OPC, Secretary

Iowa York Rite College No. 37 held it’s Annual Assembly on May 1st. We were pleased to confer the Order Knight of York on five new Companion Knights.

Following the Order, Regent David Dryer and Grand Governor Wade Sheeler installed Knight Brian Truex as the new Governor of the College along with his officers.

To plant a Garden Is to believe in Tomorrow!

Audrey Hepburn

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MARVIN L. ISLEY YORK RITE COLLEGE NO. 129 Fairland, Indiana

Marvin L. Isley York Rite College No. 129 had a very successful Annual Assembly on March 6, 2021, after 1 year of Covid pandemic scare.. J. William Riggs, Deputy Governor General paid us another visit and assisted in the Installation of Officers, we also inducted three new Companion Knights into the College. Group officer Photo: Marvin L. Isley York Rite College No. 129 was able to resume its assemblies after losing two of the assemblies from the Covid 19 Pandemic shut down. J. William Riggs, Deputy Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America assisted in the installation of officers for 2021-2022 at the Annual Assembly March 6, 2021. The Order Knight of York was conferred in full form on three worthy Companion Knights.

Pictured Left to Right Front Row: Martin Evens, IN. Grand Governor, James Castor, Treasurer, Jack Sandler, Governor, David Willoughby, Secretary, J. William Riggs, Deputy Governor General. Second Row: Carl Froedge, IN. Deputy GG, Randal Ellington, Marshal, Bruce Frazer, Deputy Governor, James Cantania, Chancellor, James Fairchild, Preceptor. Back Row: Phil Whisner, Seneschal, and Joe Allen, Sentinel.

Presentation Photo: Robert Frazer, Junior Past Grand Governor with Martin Evens, IN Grand Governor & J. William Riggs, Deputy Governor General of York Rite Sovereign College presented an Honorary Past Governor designation to David C. Willoughby, OPC, Secretary for his many years of dedicated service to his college.

Candidates Photo: Left to Right: Martin Evens, IN. Grand Governor, Brent Arnold, Brian Hooten, Graig Huber, and Mark Baker Governor.

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On May 15, 2021 Trinity College No. 154 of Fort Worth, Texas held its Installation of Officers for the 2021-2022 year. The installing team was Most Preeminently Distinguished Past Governor General Reese L. Harrison, Jr. as Governor General, and Right Eminently Distinguished Past Grand Governor H. Bart Henderson as Marshal General.

At the open installation, incoming Preeminent Governor Don Paul Payton was also presented with his Knight York Grand Cross of Honour with a purple quadrant by Past Governor Reese L. Harrison, Jr. Companion Knight Payton served as the Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas in 2020.

Above pictured L to R: 1st Row: Reese L. Harrison, Jr. (Past Governor General), Brent C. Casiglio (Primate), Don Paul Payton (Governor), Howard Hubbard (Marshal), H. Bart Henderson (Past Grand Governor) 2nd Row: Gabriel Jagush (Deputy Governor), Kurt Joye (Seneschal), Jerry Hudson (Organist), Corey Haris (Herald) 3rd Row: Ken Cooley (Deputy Grand Governor), Jim Manley, Zachary Haston (Chancellor), Bob Brunk (Treasurer), Rex Salade (Sentinel), Billy Hamilton (Secretary) With fraternal regards, Billy Hamilton, Eminent Secretary

Photos courtesy of H. Bart Henderson

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA No. 78 Charlotte, North Carolina

On Friday, May 21, 2021, Western North Carolina College No. 78 had its Annual Meeting and installed the Officers for the ensuing year. Governor General W. Berry Rigdon, Secretary General D. Allen Surratt, and Grand Governor for North Carolina Phil Presley were in attendance.

Pictured L to R: Right Eminently Distinguished Brother D. Allen Surratt, Secretary General of the York Rite Sovereign College and Installing Marshal; Robert Mullis; Garry Gallimore, Treasurer; Bill Poteat; Chris Hall; Brandon Penley, Governor; James Howell, Secretary; Tom Bridges; Ron Whitener; Matthew Peeler; Phil Presley, Grand Governor of North Carolina and Installing Chaplin; Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother W. Berry Rigdon, Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College and Installing Officer.

Governors! Keep in mind that if your College would like

to nominate your College Secretary for the Secretary of the Year Award, please request the nomination form from the Sovereign College Office or visit the website. All nominations forms are due back in the Sovereign College Office by July 01, 2021.

Should your College Secretary become sick, or otherwise disabled, please delegate the responsibility to a pro-tem appointment to ENSURE compliance with Section 110 (A) page 33 “Every York Rite College shall submit concurrently to the Secretary General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America and to the Colleges Grand Governor its Annual Returns, Financial Report, Activities Report, and such other reports as may be required from time to time, in and on the forms specified, to be received in the Sovereign College Office no later than July 1 of each year.” and Section 6 (I) page 18 “A nominee to receive the Order of the Purple Cross of York shall not have his nomination approved by the Board of Directors if the Annual Return and Financial obligation of the College of which he is a member are not received at the Office of the Secretary General by July 1 of that year. Failure to comply nullifies your OPC nominations. "Please ensure that your college complies with all the above.

TRINITY No. 154 Fort Worth, Texas

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NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 3367 Detroit, MI

YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE

PO BOX 368

DENTON, NC 27239

FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF THE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE

2021 ... July 29-31 ............................................................ Virtual

2022 ... ..................................................... Kansas City, Missouri

2023 ... .............................................. Charlotte, North Carolina

If you are interested in hosting the General Assembly of the York Rite Sovereign College, please contact the Denton Office for more details.

A FEW REMINDERS FOR ALL COLLEGE SECRETARIES & GOVERNORS...

If your college receives any type of notice from the IRS, please send it directly to the Sovereign College Office. The Auditor for the York Rite Sovereign College prepares the 990 for all the Constituent Colleges - PLEASE DO NOT FILE A 990 FOR YOUR COLLEGE.

When submitting an article or photo for the Crusader, this can be done thru email or regular mail. Do not submit photos which have been reproduced on a copy machine or send photos via fax. The picture is distorted and will not print correctly.

Orders can be sent to the Sovereign College thru email, fax, or regular mail. We ask that members contact the Secretary of your college to place an order. Please remember, due to the preparation for the General Assembly, all orders and Gold Honour Award Nominations will be filled in date order, if time permits, between June 1 - August 31, 2021.

All By-law amendments, must be submitted on the proper forms and include the signature (approval) of the Grand Governor of the Jurisdiction. If the amendment is not on the proper form and does not have the approval of the Grand Governor it will be returned to the college.

IMPORTANT MEMO TO ALL GRAND GOVERNORS

Please ensure that you have filled out and sent a copy of your Grand Governor Visitation Report on each College in your jurisdiction and forwarded it directly to the Secretary General D. Allen Surratt, PO Box 368, Denton, NC 27239, along with your written Annual Report, which will be printed in the proceedings. IT IS OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE to all of us that your report be completed and submitted to the York Rite Sovereign College office on or before June 1st.

Nominations for the Order of the Purple Cross Class to be voted upon at the 2021 General Assembly in the virtual meeting, as well as the Secretary General’s Award and the Sovereign College Service Award must be in the Denton Office by July 1, 2021. Accompanied with complete justification for all nominations. Don’t forget the list of names that participated in the conference call for the Meeting to nominate the candidates for the Order of the Purple Cross for each college. Without that list, the nomination will not go through, these are considered to be the signatures on the form.

Please remember no exceptions will be made.

Please review Section 6 of the Regulations for the Government of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in its entirety (pages 16, 17 & 18). ALSO, instruct your College Secretaries to forward you a copy of their annual returns, financial report and activities report at the same time they send it to the Denton office (Section 110, page 33). This will eliminate incomplete, late or missing reports and avoid disappointment of a deserving Companion Knight.

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