69th General Assembly

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of traveling to Des Moines, Iowa, for the 69th General Assembly of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. As with so many gatherings in Masonry, the weekend was about much more than meetings and honors. It was an opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, and enjoy the fellowship that binds our fraternity together.

Des Moines is certainly not unfamiliar territory for me. I have visited the city a number of times over the years for work, so after arriving, I had the opportunity to take some friends out to the Iowa Taproom (if you like beer, I highly recommend it). Good food, good beer, and, most importantly, good company made for an excellent beginning to the weekend. Some of the best moments at any Masonic gathering happen away from the formal meetings, when Brothers and Companions have the opportunity to sit together, share stories, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.

The following day was largely spent roaming around the hotel as Companion Knights arrived and registered for the General Assembly. It gave me plenty of opportunities to stop, talk, shake hands, and catch up with friends. That evening, a few of us ventured out again, this time to a local martini bar and restaurant, where the fellowship continued over dinner and drinks.

Saturday brought the more formal events of the General Assembly. I had the particular pleasure of attending the outgoing meeting of Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother Bryce Hildreth. I have known Bryce for 13 years, which made being present for the conclusion of his term especially meaningful. One of the privileges of remaining active in Masonry over many years is watching friends and Brothers progress through leadership, serve the Craft and its various bodies, and eventually complete important chapters in their own Masonic journeys.

I also had the opportunity to witness a new class receive the Order of the Purple Cross and become Associate Regents. The Purple Cross is among the highest honors conferred by the York Rite Sovereign College, recognizing distinguished service to York Rite Masonry. Watching another class receive that distinction was an impressive reminder of the dedication that so many Companion Knights have given to the fraternity.

The weekend also marked the beginning of a new chapter for another friend, Stan Brown, as I had the pleasure of watching him be installed as Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. Seeing a friend assume such an important responsibility is always a special occasion.

The General Assembly also brought an unexpected personal honor. I was installed as a Grand Herald of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, an office I will have the privilege of holding for the next two years. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Sovereign College and look forward to doing my part during the coming biennium.

I even had an opportunity for another reunion over the weekend. I briefly spoke with the Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, with whom I traveled to Israel in 2022. It had been some time since we had seen one another, and although our conversation was brief, it was good to reconnect and remember another journey shared through the bonds of the fraternity.