Greetings Sir Knights,

It has been a long year dealing with the pandemic and all that has been canceled or rescheduled.  Some good news is that Commandries can now meet in person under certain guidelines.  In fact, our Commandery has met at regular meeting days in the month of March.  An email was sent to all email addresses that I have but, if anyone didn’t receive an email please get in touch with me to update your email address.

Some of the guidelines are wearing a mask, social distancing, signing in at the table at the dining room entrance, arrival no sooner that 10 minutes prior to meeting and leaving within 10 minutes after and no refreshments.  Meetings are in green jackets, conducted in short form.

Our inspection for this year was rescheduled several times.  A review of the records was all that was required this year.  No other ceremony was required because I’m a repeating Commander.

April 14th meeting will be the Easter observance conducted by our Excellent Prelate.  Meeting time is the same 7:30PM.

At this time, drill teams can meet but because of social distancing they cannot practice.  Hopefully it will be announced later that there will be drill competition at the State Conclave in October.  Drill competition has been cancelled for the Grand Encampment Triennial this August.

May is the month for election of officers.  Sir Knights, please consider serving as an officer in our Commandery.  We have several Knights that have served many years in the office line out of Honor and a sense of Duty.  I’m sure they would welcome any Knight that would like to join the officer line of this fine Commandery.

So looking forward to seeing everyone.  The more that participate the better the Commandery.

Sincerely,
Tom DeFrieze

​Blessings and Peace!

Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage UPDATE.
We are significantly encouraged by the availability of several vaccines for Covid-19 and the global distribution that is unfolding.  While the November 2020 Senior Pilgrimage and the 2021 February minister’s pilgrimages were necessarily cancelled, we are moving ahead with confident and complete plans for November 2021 and February 2022.

Please be encouraged to share the information with anyone you think might be interested.  As a former participant in this pilgrimage program, you know the value of this experience.  We are committed to continue to make these opportunities well into the future.

I have attached information on the November 2021 “In the Footsteps of Jesus Pilgrimage” and the 2022 Pilgrimages for Christian Ministers.

Yours in Christ’s service,

Duane A. Kemerley

Greetings Sir Knights,

Hopefully all had a Merry Christmas and are looking to a better year.

The Grand Encampment was shut down the last of October.  The State Conclave was due to open in December but was shut down until further notice because of COVID-19.

Our Commandery did conduct a virtual meeting to include our Christmas Observance on December 9th.  We will continue to conduct virtual meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month until we are allowed to meet in person.  I will email invitations the Monday prior.

All Full form Opening reviews have been canceled for this year.  There is an abbreviated Order of the Temple that was to be conducted but, all of January inspections has been cancelled awaiting notice when the inspection season will resume.

This virus has caused many disruptions in all our lives.  Hopefully we can resume to normalcy very soon.  Please stay in touch through social media outlets, emails, text messaging or calling by phone.  We can help each other get past this.

Sincerely,
Tom DeFrieze

​Addendum for Ohio to Grand Encampment of Knights Templar Reopening 2021 Safety Protocols”
With an effective date of December 1, 2020, permitting Commanderies within the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Ohio to open for in-person Conclaves in “Phase 1” is hereby rescinded.  Grand and Constituent Commanderies in this jurisdiction will remain in Phase Zero, as defined by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar Reopening Templary 2021 Phased Opening Criteria, (this document was provided to Eminent Commanders and Recorders of Constituent Commanderies on November 6, 2020, via electronic mail) and remains in effect until further notice , with applications as follows:
Limited to virtual conclaves and conference calls only, virtual conclaves by means of teleconference call and/or video conferencing (Zoom, etc).
In-person conclaves at any location are PROHIBITED.
Any type of ritual work associated with the conferral of any of the Commandery orders on candidates is PROHIBITED.
Given under my hand and seal of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of the State of Ohio, on the 24th day of November 2020, Anno Ordinis 902.

​Greetings Sir Knights,

We are still following Article 12 issued by the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment.  There has been no updates when this may change.  I will post any changes by means of Findlay Masonic Body web and Facebook page, group text, or by personal contact. 

Here’s a couple of dates to keep in mind if things change.  Dec. 9 2020 is Full Form Opening review conducted at a stated meeting.  Jan. 30, 2021 Order of the Temple inspection. 

Yours Truly,
Tom DeFrieze

​Greetings Sir Knights, 
 
The Grand Master for the State of Ohio is allowing in lodge meetings, but does not include the Commanderies.  On May 4, 2020, The Grand Master of the Grand Encampment issued General Order #12 not allowing in-person conclaves.  This order is still in effect until further notice.

Hopefully by September, Conclaves can resume.  I will post any news on Findlay’s facebok page website or any other way I can get the word out.

We can look forward to conducting the Orders of the Commandery on 2 petitioners.  Also, the full form Opening will be conducted on December 8, 2020 and Inspection of The Order of the Temple on Jan. 30, 2021.

This is also the time we elect officers.  All current officers are staying in those positions for 2021.  We do need to fill the position of Warder.  If anyone is interested please contact me.

The 178 Annual Conclave for Ohio is scheduled for Oct. 9&10, 2020 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio.  Information can be found on the Ohio Knights Templar website.

I hope this message finds you well.  It’s been a long, crazy and historic time,. God be with you Sir Knights. 
   
 
Yours Truly,  
Tom DeFrieze

​Greetings Sir Knights, 
  
I hope all are in good health during this worldwide health crisis.  Please adhere to the guidelines given by our leaders of the Country, State, County and our heads of Bodies.

As every Mason knows, all activities are cancelled or postponed until May 10th or possibly longer.  We are and will use our lines of communication meaning Facebook, group texts and emails, and person to person phone calls to advise members of important information.

I have received several phone calls and messages checking up on me. Thanks to all.  I encourage all of us to check on each other and help if you can without subjecting yourself to serious injury. My phone is usually handy.  Please call or text for any reason even just to talk. 
 
BE SAFE 
 
Yours Truly,
Tom DeFrieze

​OFFICE OF THE RIGHT EMINENT GRAND COMMANDER GRAND COMMANDERY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF OHIO
GENERAL ORDER NO. 14
CANCELLATION OF STATED CONCLAVES AND INSPECTIONS
March 14, 2020
To all Sir Knights, officers and members of Constituent Commanderies and to all present and past Officers of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio:
Greetings:
The number of cases of persons infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to rise in Ohio, our nation and the world. Our state government and the Grand Lodge of Ohio have begun to implement measures to limit nonessential travel and to set limitations on gatherings to prevent community transmission of the virus. A large number of Commandery members fall in the “at risk” population, that is to say, over the age of 60, preexisting medical conditions and other factors. The health and well-being of every one of our Sir Knights is our most important concern.
Accordingly, by authority of Nelson General Order #11, I hereby order all stated conclaves to
th
be cancelled through April 25 , 2020.
Furthermore, I order all Inspections scheduled to occur through April 25th to be cancelled, under the following conditions:
1. The full administrative review, as detailed in the Supplemental Instructions to the General Orders, Section 2.i.(1) shall still be conducted by the Deputy Division Commander, Division Commander or by a Grand Commandery Officer or Past Grand Commander.
2. First-time Commanders whose inspections are cancelled, and who have never been inspected in the Order of the Temple will have the opportunity to prove their proficiency and receive their Past Commander certificate by performing all Five Libations (Ritual pp. 126-133, 141-142), and the Knighting (Ritual, pg. 145) in the presence of the Division Commander, Deputy Division Commander, Past Grand Commander or other Grand Commandery Officer in a satisfactory manner, prior to May 31, 2020.

Given under my hand and seal of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio, on this 14th day of March, Anno Domini 2020, Anno Ordonis 902.
Robert C. Hager, KCT
Right Eminent Grand Commander
Attest: Alfred T. Johnson, KCT, HPGC Eminent Grand Recorder

​Greetings Sir Knights,

It’s with a heavy heart to report the passing of 4 Sir Knight within the last 2 months.  They are SK J. Avery Evinger, Past Eminent Commander and KYCH; SK Merle L. Wittenmyer a 54 year mason; SK Walter G. Metcalf a 51 year mason and a mentor for many on the bagpipes and SK Frank W. Crane, Past Eminent Commander, Past Right Eminent Commander, KYCH,KYGCH and a 33 Degree of the Toledo Valley AASR.
To the tune of “Taps” “Frater, good night, Must thou go
When the day and the night
Need thee so?
All is well,
Speedeth all to their rest.”
Thanks to all Sir Knights for their help with the funeral services.  The families expressed their great appreciation for a job well done.

Sir Knights have been taught that we are born to die.  So, let each  of us make preparations for our death spiritually, legally, and Masonically.  The Grand Lodge of Ohio has provided a form called Masonic Last Rights Request Form.  It is located in the Grand Lodge Website, freemason.com, in the members portal within the Grandview system under Resources contained in the Resources/Form tab.  This form will aid your families with the Masonic service of your wishes.  If  you need help locating this form, our Secretaries, Recorders and Heads of Bodies can assist you.

The Inspection for the Order of the Temple will be conducted January 18. 2020.  Dinner will be at 12:00 noon.  The menu is salad, Baked Chicken breast, mashed potatoes/gravy, traditional green beans and dessert.

Please contact our Recorder or myself with your reservations, ladies are welcome.  The Order of the Temple starts at 1:30.  There is a ladies program where they will create yard art.  Please plan on attending in uniform if you have one, suit if not.

Other inspections and events throughout the new Northwestern Division, which is the merger of the 1st and 6th divisions plus others on the following page.  To all who have read this, please consider the Masonic Last Rite Request Form.  To all Sir Knights, thanks again for your help through difficult times, for your attendance at our conclaves and for posting the Colors at many
Events.

Yours Truly, 
Tom DeFrieze

​It is with deep Masonic sorrow that we report the passing of SK Frank Warren Crane on 12/11/19.  
SK Frank was a valued member of Sycamore Lodge 520 in Deshler, Findlay York Rite Bodies, and a Past Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, among others.

VISITATION AND FUNERAL DETAILS:
Monday, January 16, 2019   
Visitation 4p-7p
Hufford Family Funeral Home
1500 Manor Hill Drive, Findlay OH.
Findlay Commandery #49 will coordinate an honor guard for the visitation hours.  
Sycamore Lodge 520 will conduct a Masonic Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m.
Contact EC Tom DeFrieze (567-208-7691 or tgd6999@yahoo.com) to indicate your availability as an honor guard.

Tuesday, January 17, 2019

Visitation 9:30-10:30a 
Funeral 10:30a 
Hufford Family Funeral Home    
1500 Manor Hill Drive, Findlay OH

Rick Eakin