Grand Councilor’s Message

Winter 2015

Greetings Friends, Sorores and Fratres!

Before I get started with my message for this quarter’s edition of the Regional Newsletter, I wanted to share a little something. One of the interesting aspects of writing these is that they are done at least a month before they are published. So I write this Thanksgiving weekend, but have to project my thoughts for what will be come January 1st which is approximately when this will be published. With that said…

I hope that all have had a pleasant holiday season, whether it be Halloween/Samhain, Thanksgiving, Bodhi Day, Saturnalia, Solistice, Christmas, and/or New Years Eve, you have had the opportunity to spend it with loved ones. However, I am going to turn to a subject that is not often discussed among Rosicrucians - teen suicide.

At this time, residents of Frederick, Colorado are facing a significant number of teen suicides. I spoke with a co-worker that has lived in Frederick for several years and has teens that attend the high school there. Upon speaking with him it became apparent that kids are under a significant amount of unfair pressure these days. As a parent I am aware of this in my boys lives, but for some the amount of pressure is extreme. It is reminiscent of when I was in high school back in the North Dallas area back in the early 80s. It was not uncommon to have two to four students commit suicide each year in my high school. Shortly after graduation, a town north had so many students take their own life that it was deemed an epidemic.

As parents we want the best for our children. I know I do! However, we can neither control nor dictate what is “best” for them. Being a parent, and especially a parent that is a Rosicrucian, means that we work to make them as capable as possible to evolve on their own. We take on a role of not only working towards our own Mastery of Life, but also surveying potentials so that our children may do the same. This is not done by either laying every cobblestone, nor telling them to get busy laying stones with no guidance. We teach them how to lay the cobblestones on their life’s path by first learning how to lay our own - so they can learn from example, by not being afraid of letting them see our potholes (mistakes), and to teach them which rocks make good cobblestones and which rocks do not. I am sure that cobblestone layers would tell me there is much more to making a fine road than this, but I think you get the gist - we have to let them make their own paths in life.

If you are a new parent, grandparent or even great-grandparent, be sure to share with them your Rosicrucian perspective and teachings. Have group meditations with them. Teach them to visualize. Show them that respect for all is possible. Listen to them as you listen to the Master Within.

Being a parent has been one of the most challenging responsibilities in my life, and I am blessed to see how wonderful my children are. If you are a parent, be thankful they are in your life, even if they are a pain in the neck sometimes! Give them a call or a hug to let them know you care and you are there for them.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Brian Mitchell

Grand Councilor - Colorado Region

Rocky Mountain Lodge Historian’s Corner

Winter 2015

By David Schloegel

75 Years ago – January, Februrary, March 1940

• Imperator – Ralph Maxwell Lewis
• Grand Master – Thor Kihmaleto
• Master – Oscar D. Pleasant
• Meeting location – Y.M.C.A. building - 16th and Tremont
• Visit by Imperator Ralph M. Lewis – 2/4/40
• 1st Neophyte and 6th Degree review classes being held
• Membership roster – 52 members
• Membership dues - 25¢ per month
• Meeting room rent - $2.00 per meeting
• Each meeting included the lesson and an experiment

50 Years ago – January, Februrary, March 1965

• Imperator – Ralph M. Lewis
• Grand Master – Rodman R. Clayson
• Master – Johnson Turner
• Meeting location – Wilda Building – 1441 Welton
• Begin keeping the quarters open to the public a second night each week for conversation/library browsing/social activities/etc. in September
• Membership roster – 41 members
• Degree forums continue to be held

25 Years ago – January, Februrary, March 1990

• Imperator – Gary Stewart
• Grand Master – Donna O’Neill
• Master – Betty Ross
• Meeting location – Edgewater Masonic building – 5700 West 25th Ave.
• Special program – “The Dynamics of Money” by Joice French Fairchild – 1/27/90
• Ice Skating Party at Evergreen lake – 2/25/90
• Membership roster – 56 members
• Held ongoing Artisan classes with Artisan Master Farrell North
• TMO Master Hanna Hayes conducting ongoing TMO classes