High Priest Message
Companions,
I am honored to be elected High Priest of Oxford Chapter for a second year. I want to thank the companions who have faithfully served the chapter this past year and continue to serve the chapter by filling any and all vacancies in the line.
This year I’m doing double duty. Not only am I your High Priest but I’m also your Assistant Grand Lecturer. Most officers are in new positions this year and I am confident that you will be proficient by the time I’m officially installed at Grand Chapter.
Our long tradition of excellence is continuing. We have the Holy Royal Arch scheduled for the first two convocations of the new year. This will keep the 8th Capitular district stocked with companions that themselves are well on their way to become examples for all Royal Arch Masons in the State of New York.
To keep things interesting, we will be doing a chapter walk about and other educational programs throughout the year. We may even do a festive board to generate interest in our Royal craft.
Again, I want to thank you for putting your faith in me by allowing me to serve you as High Priest this coming year.
With continued fervency and zeal,
E:. John P Murray
High Priest 2020
SCHEDULE 2020
Opening at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted.
See District Events at 8thCapitular. Educational Minute: Captain of the Host:
He was an officer in the Hebrew army. Host is synonymous with the word army. Hence, this officer may be regarded as a General; if in civil work or service, he may have been the superintendent of the guards, priests, and Levites who kept watch day and night over the Temple. In Royal Arch Masonry, he constitutes one of the principal officers, especially in the ceremonies; he superintends the craft, guards against the admittance of the unworthy and ineligible, and obligates those who have been found to be worthy. Contributed by Richard Eades, from Ray V. Dedslow’s - Royal Arch Encyclopedia“Share The Light”
I call on you to help me promote Royal Arch Masonry and Masonry in general as we look to share the light. On my pin and coin, I have an Ancient searching with a lantern with an upturned basket at his feet. We are not to hide the Light of Royal Arch Masonry under the basket, nor are we to hide each of our own rights of friendship and brotherly love. We are to search for those who would benefit from increased Light and Masonry by having additional friends and Companions. We are to search for those in the profane world who would welcome the benefit of Masonic Light, and real friendship and brotherly love.From the Inaugural Address of M:. E:. Paul G. Huck, Grand High Priest |
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner March 16, 2020 with “Wives” and “Guests” Oxford Chapter #254 27 Main St., Oxford, NY 13778 6:30 pm Dinner Compliments of Oxford #254 Reservations by March 9, 2020 to: James W. Hemstrought Jr. 607-843-6305 or E-mail: hemstroj at stny.rr.com | |||||||||||||||||||||
2020 OFFICERS
| E∴ John P. Murray | High Priest | 387 Clock Hill Road, Burlington Flats, NY 13315 914-419-6088 Loganj54 at yahoo.com |
| E∴ Raymond L. Sullivan | King | 26 No. Chenango St., Apt. 1, Greene, NY 13778 607-656-5702 |
| E∴ James E. Dann | Scribe | 13 Chenango Ave., Sherburne, NY 13460 607-674-2363 |
| R∴E∴ Hugh R. Price | Treasurer | PO Box 138, Oxford, NY 13830-0138 607-843-9680 |
| M∴ E∴ James W. Hemstrought Jr. | Secretary | PO Box 257, Oxford, NY 13830-0257 607-843-6305 hemstroj at stny.rr.com |
| Comp. Richard P. Freeman | Captain of the Host | |
| R∴E∴ Robert N. Rogers | Principal Sojourner | |
| Comp. Issac S. Spencer | Royal Arch Captain | |
| E∴ Daniel P. Kwasnik | Master of of the Third Veil | |
| Comp. Arthur N. Carlson | Master the Second Veil | |
| R∴E∴ Steven R. Shearer | Master of the First Veil | |
| E∴ James A. Meek | Chaplain | |
| E∴ Richard D. Howard | Sentinel | |
| R∴E∴ Francis K. Wilcox | Musician | |
| E∴ James A. Meek | Trustee 3 years | |
| E∴ Homer A. Burch | Trustee 2 years | |
| E∴ Richard D. Howard | Trustee 1 year | |
HONORARY MEMBERS
M∴E∴ Edmund D. Harrison, Grand High Priest 2002
M∴E∴ Walter J. Hilsenbeck, Grand High Priest 2005
M∴E∴ Michael T. Dunn, Grand High Priest 2012
FROM THE SECRETARY
Are You Concerned?
The Companions of Oxford Chapter #254 should be very proud of the fact that they can confer all the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry and have
repeatedly done so for other Chapters throughout the district and State. There is, however, a reason to be concerned. Only one companion has joined Oxford Chapter #254 since June 2013. We did have two companions affiliate with us, one in 2013 and one in 2014.
Over the years, our active companions have come from Oxford Lodge #175. Unfortunately, the occupations of the newer brothers have prevented them from being active or joining Royal Arch Masonry. Members of Oxford Lodge know the situation and I am confident things will change, hopefully sooner rather than later. We are fortunate to have membership from Sherburne, New Berlin, Edmeston, Hamilton, Eaton and Greene.
This prompts me to call on those Oxford Chapter companions, who have membership in other Lodges, to promote and encourage their brothers to join Royal Arch Masonry here in Oxford. We have a lot to offer them at the present time, but things can change rapidly if we don't begin to bring in new members. We also need to take on ritual duties currently being done by our older companions. Please ask yourself, when was
the last time I brought in a member to Oxford Chapter or learned a new part for a degree?
Obviously candidates are out there or we wouldn't be conferring all these degrees for other Chapters. We all have a stake in this matter, both in Lodge and Chapter. If you need a petition I have them or you can download one from the Grand Chapter website (www.ny-royal-arch.org).