Firstly, I would like to congratulate Worshipful Brother Michael Rotert and the members of Denver 5 on making Honor Lodge! WB. Rotert worked very hard last year on bringing D5 back to in-person meetings after all the covid lockdowns. Secondly, it was so great to see so many brothers and their partners at the annual “Burns Night Supper.” This event was canceled last year because of Covid, and it was heartwarming to see all the brethren dwelling together in unity again…and of course, the haggis was delicious!! (Chef kiss)

For our first stated communication this month (Feb. 3rd) we will be taking care of the unfinished business of installing the remaining officers in their places. MWB. Claud Dutro has something from Grand Lodge he would like to present to the Lodge and because of an unforeseen situation I was unable to have my talk on the “Northeast Corner.” so I’m bringing that into this first meeting. If you’re planning on attending dinner, please RSVP here.

Our second communication of the month (Feb. 17th) we will be raising 2 brothers to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. We are going to be opening early on the 3rd Degree this night. So D5 officers, please be there by 5:45 pm to open. I will be getting the cast sheet put together soon and there will be at least one practice before the degree happens. Please RSVP here for dinner.

Big things are in the works this year. Denver 5 is helping sponsor the first annual Clays for a Cause Scottish Rite Sporting Clays Classic on May 27th. This is promising to be a fun event that will help support a great cause. You can register and sign up for sponsorship at scottishritesportingclays.com. Also, the 2022 Polar Plunge is in the works and will be happening soon in the spring. For some reason, it’s always a lot of fun running into that frigid water! Contact WB Tom Shotts to participate. Come on out to both events if you can!

Fraternally yours,
James Bechtel

Greetings from the East!

I hope everyone has had a fantastic holiday season with full bellies and full hearts. I know this month I’m going to be dusting off that gym equipment in my basement to work off all the holiday treats that magically seem to show up on my plate.

We’re going to start the new year off with a bang! For our first meeting on Jan. 6th, we’re going to be initiating a new brother into the fraternity. Be on the lookout for an email from Bro. Josh Ruegsegger JW with the cast list. There will be a practice on Wednesday, Jan. 5th at the Welton Temple. I highly recommend those on the list be in attendance for the practice. If you plan on attending dinner please RSVP.

At our second meeting, January 20th,  we’re going to open on the EA but step up the MM degree to hear some proficiencies. Then we’ll step back down to the EA to have a quick, open forum discussion on “The Northeast Corner. Please RSVP for dinner.

The Knights of St. Andrew are hosting their annual “Burns Night Supper” on Saturday, January 29th at the Denver Consistory. If you have never attended one of these dinners, this is an incredibly fun event full of bagpipe music, poetry, and of course…haggis! Spouses/significant others are welcome to attend and if you would like to join in the fun please RSVP with WB Pablo Colomban to get you on the list.

We are honored to help sponsor the 2022 Clays for a Cause Scottish Rite Sporting Clays Classic on May 27th! This is a great cause and promises to be a fun event. You can register and sign up for sponsorship at scottishritesportingclays.com

Fraternally yours,

James Bechtel

Greetings from the East,

The Holiday season is in full swing.  I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and are preparing for more festivities in December.  Since it appears that it doesn’t snow in Colorado anymore, hopefully, some of the plans get you outside to enjoy the weather.  

On Thursday, December 2nd, we will be having our annual election of officers.  We will also be hearing from the committees with their annual report.  Please plan on attending so you can place your vote to decide on the future of Denver 5.  Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm, with Lodge opening at 7:30. Please RSVP here.

The last meeting of the year will be held on Thursday, December 16th.  This will be our Annual Agape Dinner.  The dinner is open to Masons only and will start at 6:30 pm.  It is crucial that you RSVP to the event at the link below to ensure we have enough food and drink for everyone.  Start working on your toasts Brethren and get ready to celebrate the Craft! Please RSVP here.

Our last event of the year will be our Installation of Officers.  This will take place on Saturday, December 18th with dinner at 6:30 pm, with the Installation to follow.  This is an open Lodge event and is open to the public.  Again, it is crucial that you RSVP to this event at the link below.

Installation RSVP Link

Please note, the Scottish Rite Children’s Christmas party has been canceled. We had planned on having the Denver 5 Child ID kit set up but regretfully, that won’t be happening. Hopefully, we will be able to do this next year as it is a fun event.

It has been a fun year and I have truly enjoyed my year in the East.  I appreciate all of the help and guidance I have received from my Brothers while on this journey.  I think we have accomplished a lot and have done a lot for Freemasonry in Colorado.  All of the PMs kept telling me that the year would go fast and they weren’t kidding.  I look forward to seeing all of the newly installed officers in their new stations and places in January!

Fraternally yours,

Michael Rotert

Greetings from the East!

I’m sure most of you are in the same mindset I am this time of year.  If I’m not at work or a Lodge event, I’ve been outside raking leaves.  The weather has made this annual chore much more tolerable this year.  I’m still struggling with it still being dark at 7am, but we only have one more week of that and then it’ll be dark at 4:30pm.  Not sure which is worse.

Denver 5 has been very busy over the last few weeks! On October 21st, we Raised Brothers Vincent Naranjo and Mitchell Jouse to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.  The degree teams did excellent work and they were great degrees.  Congratulations to the Brothers!

Denver 5 opened a Lodge on October 27th to hear some proficiencies and practice for receiving the Grand Lodge Officers.  When we arrived, there were different Lodges using every Lodge room in the Welton Temple.  There were degrees being put on in the 4th floor Lodge room, another Lodge was practicing degree work and then we had the last 5th floor Lodge room.  It was so great to see so many Lodges and Brothers doing their work.  It is so great to see that Masonry is alive and well in Denver!

November is a special month for Denver 5.  Our Lodge was established in November of 1859 and November is the month that we celebrate our annual Heritage Night.  This year Heritage Night is being held on November 4th.  We will be receiving the Grand Master of all Masons in Colorado along with members of the Grand Line.  This is an open meeting, which means you are welcome to bring your significant other and your kids.  It’s a great opportunity for them to see the Welton Temple and meet your Brothers and their families.  It is very important that you RSVP for this event to ensure that we have enough food for dinner.  Dinner will be served at 6:30pm with the open Lodge starting at 7:30pm. You can RSVP here.

Another tradition at Denver 5 is our Heritage Raising.  The Heritage Raising differs from our normal Raising as we attempt to recreate what it might have been like to be Raised in 1859.  The Heritage Raising will take place on Thursday, November 11th.  Dinner will be served at 6:30pm, with the Lodge opening at 7:30pm to Raise two Brothers.  I have personally been looking forward to this all year.  This event is only open to Master Masons.  Again, it is important that you RSVP for this event.  You can RSVP here. 

Our last meeting in November is on Thursday, November 18th.  This is going to be a quick meeting as it coincides with the Scottish Rite Reunion.  A number of us who help with the Reunion or are taking part in the Reunion will be at the Consistory all day long and I’ve worked the Brothers of the Officer Line hard enough the last couple of months, so we’ll just have a quick business meeting and head over to a local bar to enjoy a beer and some fellowship. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm with the open Lodge starting at 7:30pm. You can RSVP here.

I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming events and hope everyone has an excellent Thanksgiving holiday!

Michael Rotert W.M.