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As Masons, we are deeply and profoundly committed to living a values-based life—one devoted to Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth. And if you are one of the more than 6,000 members of the Maine Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, your membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or  relationship, and you hold a similar belief in God, and a desire to engage in self-improvement and to acquire additional  knowledge. 

So how should your values impact your relationships with women? Why do those values require treating women respectfully? In a nutshell, it is because women were created by God just as you were, and because the women in your life—your mother, grandmother, wife, girlfriend, sister, friend—will deepen and enrich your life as only a woman can if you know how to nurture and respect her. Let’s take a moment to look at 5 specifics of treating women with respect …

Get Good at “Active Listening”

As we mentioned in a recent blog, engaging in “active listening” is one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate respect for others. This goes doubly for your relationships with women. Quite simply, treating women with respect starts with listening to her—listening with your ears, heart, and mind. This is particularly critical if she is being vulnerable with you, or sharing something particularly important to her.

Value Her Opinions

Paying special attention to—and factoring in—what your wife, girlfriend, sister, etc., says about small and large things in your life is another powerful means of treating women with respect. By making a conscious effort to value her opinions, you’ll make her feel “seen and heard.” That, in turn, shows that you value and respect her.

Make Her Feel Secure

Do your best to make women feel emotionally and physically secure around you. Don’t ever lapse into disrespectful “mind games” or into doing such things as flirting with other women just to make your wife or girlfriend feel jealous. By treating a woman respectfully, you make it much easier for her to give all she has to your relationship.

Be Honest with Her

No matter what type of relationship you have with a woman, you should always bring honesty to the table. By being scrupulously honest with her, you are demonstrating to her that you understand she deserves to be treated with integrity and respect. And this will go both ways: She’ll also respect YOU more.  

Always Speak Respectfully

At all times, be mindful of your choice of words. This will be especially important if you’re having a disagreement with a woman. You have, of course, every right to voice your opinion, but that should NEVER include using demeaning words directed at the woman. In fact, try to rid yourself of those problematic words irrespective of whether you are arguing or not. You’ll find that treating women with respect becomes noticeably easier when you free yourself of the kind of regressive and/or misogynistic thinking that those words spring from.

 

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

 As Masons, we are crystal-clear—and deeply passionate—about our moral values. Go to our Valley of Portland website and you’ll see it plainly laid out: “We believe in teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth.” And though we often don’t think specifically about listening skills in this connection, the fact is that listening skills are a powerful pathway to embodying those values. Let’s take a moment to see why …

The Incredible Power of “Active Listening”

To begin, look at those values again—Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth. Now think of your listening skills in terms of their impact on others. When someone feels LISTENED TO, they feel more loved, understood, and cared about. They feel that their emotions and thoughts are validated, and this opens the door to you being able to more deeply understand and connect with them. It’s not difficult to see how your own brotherly love, tolerance, charity, and search for truth are directly empowered by listening skills.

But what KIND of listening skills are we talking about? How do we truly listen well, and in the most VALUES-CENTERED way? First, we need to understand that there is a distinct difference between “hearing” and “listening.” Hearing is the process that involves simply perceiving sound, but listening requires that you perceive this sound with deliberate intention. In its best form, this is known as “active listening.”

From Passive Hearing to Active Listening

When you are an “active listener,” you make a sincere effort to truly take in what the other person is saying. You put distractions such as your phone away, and offer full attention to the speaker. With your posture and facial expressions, you communicate that you care enough about the person to focus on what he or she is saying.

Active listening does NOT mean remaining completely silent. In fact, it’s important to offer the speaker feedback—such as saying “uh, huhs,” or by nodding, or by asking clarifying questions—to show you are paying attention and are not just passive in the discussion.

 Spiritual Teaching and Masonic Values

Though “active listening” may have a modern ring to it, the role listening skills play in Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth has been known for centuries. Proverbs 18:2 says, “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” This scripture emphasizes the importance of putting yourself aside in order to fully understand the views of others. And in the Book of James (1:19) we read: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

As Masons, we seek to manifest the kind of masculine power, strength, and grace that comes from building one’s life on the bedrock of moral values. As we’ve seen, developing active listening skills is one of the most powerful tools you can use in that journey.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

Today, young men are often described as being “in crisis.” During the past 50 years, at exactly the same time when women have made massive advancements, young men have been falling behind. This is true not because women’s success comes at young men’s expense, but because young men are facing new and very serious challenges. What are these challenges? And why does mentoring young men through programs such as DeMolay and in other ways point to a powerful solution? Let’s take a couple of minutes to explore this crucial topic.

Statistics Paint a Challenging Picture

If we review statistics and trends pertaining to young men in education, relationships, the workplace, etc. right now, a shadowy picture comes into focus. Today, the top 10 percent of America’s best students are 2/3 female; the bottom 10 percent are 2/3 male. Boys are far more likely to fail to graduate from high school. More than 60 percent are single. Nearly 75 percent of “deaths of despair”—suicides or overdoses—occur among men, many of them heartbreakingly young.

Seeds of Despair … Flowers of Hope

Why is this happening—and happening now? Though the causes are complex, many sociologists, writers, and political leaders identify a breakdown of the family and the resulting absence of positive male role models for young men as a key destructive force. A blog post by Pediatric Associates spotlighted the critical impact of having a positive role model for a young man versus not having one: “Boys will seek approval from their fathers from a very young age. As human beings, we grow up by imitating the behavior of those around us; that’s how we learn to function in the world. If a father is caring and treats people with respect, the young boy will grow up much the same. When a father is absent, young boys look to other male figures to set the ‘rules’ for how to behave and survive in the world.” It’s therefore critical—in a world where so many fathers are absent from young men’s lives—that these “other male figures” have a positive effect on a young man’s growth. That’s where mentoring young men—through formal organizations such as DeMolay Maine and in less structured settings—comes in.  

An Impact That Lasts a Lifetime … or More

Put very simply, our young men don’t need more TikTok videos … or bad habits … or dead-end pathways set before them. They need a positive male mentor who can identify with their experience, be their friend, and provide an example to look up to. They need someone who will help them navigate through negative experiences and empower them for future challenges. They need someone who will help them build self-confidence and deepen their sense of purpose and ethical conduct in life.

Statistics from mentoring.org show that mentored young people are 90 percent more likely to become a mentor themselves. Given the serious new challenges they face, isn’t mentoring young men a great way to pass the torch and create a brighter future for our young brothers?

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Just how amazing is the Portland Masonic Event & Wedding Venue? Pretty darn amazing! In fact, the Portland Press Herald hailed it as “some of the most magnificent interior spaces in Maine.” Let’s take a couple of minutes to walk through Fascinating Facts pertaining to the “Portland Masonic” as we take a guided tour through some of what this wonderful venue offers!

The Reading Room

Fascinating Fact:  During World War II, the Scottish Rite Reading Room served as an Armed Forces Recreation Area, sponsored by the USO.

If you’re a certified Mainer, you’re very familiar with common Maine surnames such as Deering, Preble, Allen, and Drummond. Well, The Scottish Rite Reading Room is dedicated to Scottish Rite Masons in those venerable Maine families, as well as other Masonic families throughout Maine history. Featuring a majestic fireplace and an antique conference table, the Reading Room also includes original pool and snooker tables.

The Armory

Fascinating Fact:  The Armory displays the first American flag ever flown by a Masonic Commandery in the United States of America.

Home to hundreds of lockers where York Rite Masons store their uniforms and personal effects, the Armory features a gorgeous Tiffany stained glass portrait of the Knight’s Templar (a large organization of devout Christians during the medieval era). During World War II, the Armory’s floor was replaced so it could be turned into a beautiful parquet dance floor for USO dances, so our soldiers could be sent off in style—dancing the night away—before going off to war.

Corinthian Hall

Fascinating Fact:  Corinthian Hall is home to one of the largest working pipe organs in Maine, rivaled only by the one in the Merrill Auditorium next door.

One of Maine’s most majestic halls, Corinthian Hall—named after its architectural style—features striking Corinthian pillars that adorn the area’s two stories. The north side of the hall features a memorial to Augustus G. Schlotterbeck, a merchant and Mason whose will left the Portland Masonic the $1 million necessary to pay off the mortgage. Two eye-catching Tiffany stained glass portraits flank the Schlotterbeck memorial.

The Drummond Auditorium

Fascinating Fact:  The Drummond Auditorium has—until now—featured resplendent plays only attended and enjoyed by Masons. But that could change. (See below.)

Between its terrace and the balcony, the Josiah H. Drummond Auditorium can comfortably accommodate up to 400 audience members. The scene of countless Masonic plays over the years, the stage features striking, hand-painted canvas scenery pieces, antique props, and costumes. The auditorium boasts a full pipe organ, a balcony for the orchestral ensemble, and a fully functioning light and sound system.

The Masonic Temple Foundation is raising funds needed to open the Drummond Auditorium to the general public. They need your help! To donate, please visit here.

Photos courtesy of Portland Masonic Gallery

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Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Although Freemasonry is not a religion, Masons are a very “God-centered” brotherhood. If you go to the Mission Statement on the Valley of Portland’s website, you’ll see that Masons ground their lives by passionately embracing “dedication to God, family, and country.” What does this Masonic dedication to God “look like”?  What impact does it have? Let’s take a few minutes to explore this.

An Inclusive Brotherhood

While it is true that Freemasonry embraces core religious principles in a Creed, it is welcoming and tolerant in its admission of men of many religious faiths. To become a Mason requires that you believe in (a.) God, the Creator of all things, who is recognized as the Grand Architect of the Universe and, (b.) eternal life, to which our present life is a preparation.

Let’s take a look at each of those two articles of faith, one at a time.

God, the Creator of All Things

For a Mason, the supremacy of God as Creator calls us to love God’s Creation deeply and ACTIVELY. As the saying goes, “Love is a verb.” And, for a Mason, that means that loving Creation means loving your fellow men and women, being a good role model for children, helping those in need, and more. That’s why, for example, the Valley of Portland’s Mission Statement calls for “teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love.” And that’s why the Valley of Portland so ardently supports such efforts as the Blue Envelope Appeal, which allows Masons and members of the community to donate funds in a high-impact way that changes countless lives for the better. Through this crucial annual effort, we (a.) assist distressed Master Masons, their widows, and their orphans financially and physically through the Grand Almoner’s Fund, (b.) equip children with dyslexia with the skills they need to approach learning with eagerness and without fear, (c.) provide financial support to hundreds of students each year to help with the high cost of college, and more.

All of this comes directly out of Masonic dedication to God. All of it is about ACTIVELY loving and supporting God’s Creation, particularly those most in need of love and support.

What Eternal Life Asks of Each of Us

The Masons’ second article of faith—a belief in eternal life—is not just a belief, but a calling. Masons believe that scriptures from various religions can offer profound truths, one of which is found in the story offered in Mark 10:17 of the Christian Bible, when a young man asks Jesus of Nazareth, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Masons observe that Jesus’ answer stressed how crucial it is to ACTIVELY help the poor and those less fortunate.  

So what does Masonic dedication to God look like? Here at the Valley of Portland, we strive each day to make it look like a dedication centered on SERVICE—to our brothers, the local community, and to the profound spirit of “In God We Trust.”  

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Here at the Valley of Portland, we strive every day to “walk the talk” regarding our Scottish Rite values. Because Service to Humanity is one of those core values, we Masons are givers and doers—continually donating our time, talent, and resources to help others. This values-driven mission helps Scottish Rite Masons positively impact thousands of lives each year.

Why Donate to the Blue Envelope Appeal?

Each year, the Blue Envelope Appeal offers you the chance to donate funds in a high-impact way that changes countless lives for the better. Your donation—pooled with those of your Masonic brothers—empowers and enhances your community by:

• Assisting distressed Master Masons, their widows, and their orphans financially and physically through the Grand Almoner’s Fund; 
• Equipping children with dyslexia with the skills they need to approach learning with eagerness and without fear; 
• Providing financial support to hundreds of students each year to help with the high cost of college;
• Allowing visitors to experience the home of our new Masonic Hall of Fame, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, as it works to restore, preserve, and share one of the largest collections of Masonic memorabilia and fraternal artifacts in the world.

Compete in a Kind-Hearted Contest

Each year we turn our Blue Envelope Appeal into a fun, kind-hearted contest to generate maximum participation. This year will be no different! Your donation to the Blue Envelope Appeal will help the Valley of Portland compete with the rest of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in a service-to-humanity contest in which we will recognize the Top 3 Valleys in the following categories:

• Total dollars donated by members to the Blue Envelope Appeal;
• Total number of members donating to the Blue Envelope Appeal;
•  Highest percentage of members donating to the Blue Envelope Appeal.

The winning Valley in each category will be highlighted in our 2023 Impact Report and receive widespread recognition on social media. And here’s another huge incentive: Donors from the three winning Valleys will be entered in a drawing to win a shopping spree to The Masonic Marketplace.

Living Our Values Today and Tomorrow

You should have received your Blue Envelope Appeal information in the mail in October. If you did not and/or have any questions about the effort, please contact the Valley of Portland here.

If you have already mailed your donation, THANK YOU! If not, we urge you to mail your donation soon. Join your fellow Scottish Rite Masons in helping to make the world a better place!

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Here at the Valley of Portland, we enjoy the comradery of brotherhood while maintaining a deep devotion to our core Scottish Rite values. One of the most important is Service to Humanity. We uphold this value by seeking—each day of the year—to enhance our local Maine communities by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth.

To powerfully and effectively “walk this talk,” we proudly partner with the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation.

Uplifting Mainers and Maine Communities

With its high-impact focus on assisting local individuals, families, and communities in need, the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation performs the life-changing work of building strong, inclusive communities that enrich the lives of all Maine residents.

What impact has this had so far? Just this past year, the Foundation issued 390 grants in partnership with the Lodges, which provided more than $750,000 to local community nonprofits, towns, and organizations across the state. In so doing, the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation continued to be a powerful force for good in efforts such as supporting suicide prevention, improving literacy in children and adults, reducing food insecurity, and reducing violence.

Initiatives that Transform Lives

In partnership with the Valley of Portland and 176 other Masonic Lodges across Maine, the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation engaged in a wide number of local community-empowering initiatives. Among the life-enhancing programs supported are:

•  The Bikes for Books Program … which encourages young students to read and receive a chance to win a bicycle. Thanks to this Masonic program, librarians, school teachers, and administrators across Maine have seen a dramatic, positive impact on youngsters’ reading habits;
•  Nonprofit Maine Healthcare Organizations …  including NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), which provides suicide prevention training in Maine communities, along with the sponsorship of Bike MS®: Great Maine Getaway, which raised more than $400,000 for MS research in 2021;
•  Unified Champion Clubs … a multi-year partnership with the Alfond Youth & Community Center and Special Olympics Maine. These clubs foster a community of inclusion through sports competition;
•  Maine Boys to Men … multi-year grants helping to further the organization’s training capabilities to reach communities across Maine, including work with the Wabanaki People.

For more information about the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, visit their website or email Susan Scacchi, Executive Director.