A letter to NH Scottish Rite Members
June 10, 2020
Members and Officers of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in New Hampshire:
Dear Brethren,
The seriousness of the Coronavirus COVID-19 has had a dramatic effect on our society ... in New Hampshire, in the United States of America, and around the world. Out of extreme caution and in concert with other Masonic bodies including the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, in-person Scottish Rite meetings were suspended. It gave me no pleasure to issue the directive in my letter of March 16, 2020 to suspend all in-person meetings. I, and others, thought it best to exercise an abundance of caution.
You responded with true Brotherly Love and Affection. You followed the State of New Hampshire Governor's Executive Orders and the edict of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. You found new ways to meet online via Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex, Skype, or Brother to Brother telephone calls. I am extremely proud of all of you for putting into action our Scottish Rite Vision to care for our members, that is, to care for each other.
Today, the Most Worshipful Grand Master Kenneth A. Clay, Jr. issued a letter stating his in-person meeting re-entry plan. In keeping with the spirit of re-entry and applying the same model as reasonably similar as possible to the Grand Lodge plan, I hereby rescind my directive of March 16, 2020, which suspended all in-person gatherings, with the condition that State of New Hampshire Governor, Public Health, and Grand Lodge guidelines are followed.
My Brothers, the Corona virus COVID-19, while depriving us of physical in-person practicing of our fraternal relations, provided us with great opportunity. First, an opportunity to be reminded what Freemasonry and Scottish Rite Freemasonry mean to us. Second, the opportunity to connect with each other through technologies which can continue, occasionally as may be required. Third, to take joy in re-uniting with our Brethren person to person.
I hope you are all well and ready to reunite in Brotherhood.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Mark C. Roth
Deputy for New Hampshire
Members and Officers of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in New Hampshire:
Dear Brethren,
The seriousness of the Coronavirus COVID-19 has had a dramatic effect on our society ... in New Hampshire, in the United States of America, and around the world. Out of extreme caution and in concert with other Masonic bodies including the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, in-person Scottish Rite meetings were suspended. It gave me no pleasure to issue the directive in my letter of March 16, 2020 to suspend all in-person meetings. I, and others, thought it best to exercise an abundance of caution.
You responded with true Brotherly Love and Affection. You followed the State of New Hampshire Governor's Executive Orders and the edict of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. You found new ways to meet online via Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex, Skype, or Brother to Brother telephone calls. I am extremely proud of all of you for putting into action our Scottish Rite Vision to care for our members, that is, to care for each other.
Today, the Most Worshipful Grand Master Kenneth A. Clay, Jr. issued a letter stating his in-person meeting re-entry plan. In keeping with the spirit of re-entry and applying the same model as reasonably similar as possible to the Grand Lodge plan, I hereby rescind my directive of March 16, 2020, which suspended all in-person gatherings, with the condition that State of New Hampshire Governor, Public Health, and Grand Lodge guidelines are followed.
My Brothers, the Corona virus COVID-19, while depriving us of physical in-person practicing of our fraternal relations, provided us with great opportunity. First, an opportunity to be reminded what Freemasonry and Scottish Rite Freemasonry mean to us. Second, the opportunity to connect with each other through technologies which can continue, occasionally as may be required. Third, to take joy in re-uniting with our Brethren person to person.
I hope you are all well and ready to reunite in Brotherhood.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Mark C. Roth
Deputy for New Hampshire
