Greeting Sir Knights,

As we approach the conclusion of this Templar Year, I urge you to answer the ever present and future call to serve Christ by being of service to our fellow man, our community and to Templary. We read in Galatians 6:1-5: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”

Galatians 6 expands on Paul's teaching about living in God's Spirit. It describes how Christians who live in God's Spirit should use His power to treat each other. To begin with, Paul shows that when a brother or sister in Christ gets caught by sin, other Christians should step in instead of looking away. As Christians, we should help to restore the one caught by sin with gentleness and humility. This is one of the ways those in Christ can help us to carry each other's burdens. When the load one of us is hauling around becomes too heavy, others should step in to help that person get through that difficulty. In other words, life in Christ by the power of God's Spirit is not meant to be lived alone. Having said that, Paul encourages Christians to take careful stock of the work they do in the Spirit without comparing themselves to each other. We should be honest with ourselves and take full responsibility to do what is ours to do in following Christ. One of those responsibilities is to share the good things God gives to us with our fellowmen.

In my travels throughout our two-state jurisdiction during this Templar year, I have witnessed many good things happening in our Commanderies. There is a spirit of cooperation among our fraters that is rarely seen in other organizations. When the call for assistance is made, Sir Knights from far and wide answer it with the most precious gift of their time. Our Templars have taken Paul’s words and have put them into action. It is my sincere hope that you will continue to help, aid, and assist one another whenever the need arises.

I am so proud of everyone who faithfully labors for the cause of Templary in our Commanderies and in our Grand Commandery. You all have an important role to play in the success and prosperity of our beloved Order. Much progress has been made but there is much more to do and accomplish in the years to come. I hope and pray that you will give your full support and cooperation to the leaders in your Commanderies and to our Grand Officers. All of these dedicated Sir Knights work very hard to provide you with a most inspirational Templar experience.

If you enjoy being a Christian Knight, share your knowledge and experience with your Masonic brethren and invite them to seal their faith by becoming a Knight Templar. If you enjoy being a Christian Knight, support our Masonic youth, especially the young men of the Order of DeMolay, encourage them follow in the footsteps of Jacques DeMolay. Were it not for my exposure to the teachings of DeMolay-loyalty, toleration, brotherhood-I probably would not have had the opportunity to enjoy Masonry, and most especially Templary.

It has been a pleasure and a great honor to serve as your Grand Commander this year and I look forward to what the future has in store for our beloved Order under the leadership of Sir Knight Ogilvie and our Grand Commandery Officers.

In His Knightly Service,

Eugene B. Nichols

Grand Commander