Use the Donate button to pay by credit card or pay pal or write a check and mail it to: Chev. Michael Burke, CPA, SMOTJ GAO SMOTJ Haitian Relief Effort P.O. Box 83926 Gaithersburg, MD 20883

1. Antibiotics, Oral and IV,
2. Analgesics;
3. Anesthetics (i.e. lidocaine, etc.);
4. Antiseptics (i.e. Betadine);
5. IV Fluids; and
6. Surgical Gloves.

What is Advent? - The word Advent means “coming" or "arrival.”  The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.  Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000-year-old event in history.  It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.  That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate.

Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.  In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live “between the times” and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people.

So, as the church celebrates God’s breaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which “all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption,” it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Amen!

Peace and Many Blessings,

+ Bp Seraphim

Chaplain, SKCTM

Chaplain@smotj-skctm.org

Alexandria, VA: The Knights and Dames of the Richmond Virginia Area have petitioned the Grand Prior to establish themselves as a Commandery effective 21 November 2009.  With the transfer of existing Knights and Dames from other Priories, they have more than met the minimum number of members required to establish a Commandery.  Furthermore, they have nominated an exceptional slate of new officers and laid out a sound plan for reaching Priory status in the near future.  The Grand Prior, Col Wayne J. McGrath, has approved their request for becoming a Commandery effective this date.  As part of their proposal to become a Commandery, these Knights and Dames petitioned the Grand Prior to grant them the high honor of naming their new Commandery in honor of the most spiritual site in Scotland: Commandery of The Holy Isle.

The proposed officers for the new Commandery of The Holy Isle are as follows:

For Commander:  CAPT Oliver W. Hamilton II

For Commandery Chancellor:  Robert M. Davis III

For Commandery Inspector:  Wilmot H. Phillips

For Commandery Secretary:  Rita F. Hamilton

For Commandery Treasurer:  Joyce A. White

"Dear Heavenly Father,

In every age, You call certain persons to defend the human family from oppression, tyranny, and evil.  Since our founding as a nation "conceived in liberty," countless American men and women have stepped forward to defend our country and many others from aggressors, and to liberate those held captive.

Today we revere all our veterans:  those who rest in honored glory, those who still suffer from the wounds of war, and those who, with us, enjoy the blessing of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O God, thank You for the selfless sacrifice of these veterans and of their families.  Help us to remember them, to pray for them, and to care for them.  Please bring all our departed veterans into Your Kingdom, and console their families with Your unfailing love.  Please heal our wounded veterans through the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give to all our veterans the satisfaction of having served You even as they have served us.

Thank You for Your gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  May we fight to keep these rights available to all.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen."

Text reproduced from anonymous post on a Christian blog citing a prayer e-mailed from Autom, a Catholic church supplies business.

Washington, DC:  (article by Chev. Maj. Cyrus R. Harrington, Jr., KTJ)  On November 4, 2009, Mr. Vann H. Van Diepen, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State, presented the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award to Major Mark G. Hartell of the U.S. Army "in recognition of Major Hartell's outstanding achievements as Head of Delegation for the Australia Group Technical Experts negotiations on nonproliferation export control policy."  "The 'Australia Group' is an informal forum of 40 countries which, through the harmonization of export controls, seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.  Coordination of national export control measures assists 'Australia Group' participants to fulfill their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention to the fullest extent possible."

Chev. Maj. Mark G. Hartell is a knight in the Saint King Charles the Martyr Priory of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, and he is active in veterans and charitable organizations.  He is the Historian-General of the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States and the webmaster for that organization's website.  His outstanding work at the Department of State on behalf of our country and the associated nations involved in export controls to prevent unauthorized development of chemical and biological weapons has made a significant contribution to the welfare of humanity, and he is truly deserving of receipt of the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award.

Alexandria, VA:  Our Priory Secretary, retired USAF Colonel Chev. Robert D. Pollock, KCTJ, was awarded the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service for exceptionally distinguished service and accomplishments having significant Air Force-wide scope and impact.  The Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service is the highest award granted by the United States Secretary of the Air Force to civilian personnel.  It consists of a medal, lapel button, and citation certificate.

Between September 2008 and May 2009, Col. (ret.) Robert D. Pollock implemented more true change in Air Force acquisition than all the “reformers” have accomplished in the past 5 years.  His efforts have resulted in significant improvements in how contracts are awarded; increases in the quantity and quality of the acquisition workforce; restraining of uncontrolled requirements growth; and implementing realistic program budgets.

Prayer for Unity

“O GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of peace, give us grace seriously to lay to heart, the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions.  Take away all hatred and prejudice and whatever else may hinder us from godly union, that as there is but one body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all; so we may henceforth be all of one heart and one soul, united in the holy bond of truth, of faith and charity; and may with one mind and one mouth, glorify thee through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”

From “The Soldiers Prayer Book,” Reproduced from 1861.

Announcement:  It is with regret that we inform the Priory of the passing of John W. Tower, KTJ.  John was a member within our Priory since 1995.  He is now at peace with our Lord Jesus Christ and all of the Saints and Martyrs.

Prayer for Comfort & Healing

“Dear Lord God,

Hold me up above these circumstances, Lord.  I ask You to hide me under the shadow of Your wings and in Your high tower.  You are El Shaddai, the All-sufficient One.  Father, Your Word tells those who suffer to commit themselves and their souls to You.  Even Jesus from the cross committed His spirit, soul, mind, and body into Your hands.  You alone are God.  You alone can heal me.  You are the resurrection and the Life.  If any man believe in You, Jesus, though He were dead yet shall he live … and any man that lives and believes in You shall never die.  I trust You to be my healer, comforter, and strength, and ask for it in Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

From “Battlefield Prayers,” Word Productions, 2006.

Prayer for the Troops

“Dear Lord,

Please hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them, Father, as they protect us.  When they are tired, give them strength and rest.  If they are wounded, Father, give them comfort.  When they are lonely, may they feel you near them.  Grant them strength, courage, and wisdom for their tasks.  And, Lord, uplift and strengthen the families and loved ones who wait for their return.  Please, Father, bring a quick end to all this conflict.  I pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.  Amen.”

Originally written on www.beliefnet.com by member “tngrandma” and re-printed in “Prayers for Our Armed Forces,” compiled by Paul Pennick & Joseph Nonnenkamp, Liguori Publications, 2005.

Washington, DC:  On Tuesday, May 12th, four Knights of our Order attended a meeting with the Rev. Canon Andrew White in Washington DC.  Canon White is the Vicar of St. George’s Church in Baghdad which is the only Anglican Church in Iraq.  He is also President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME) and a Member of the SMOTJ Order of Merit.  He has been awarded the SMOTJ Cross of Valor for putting his life at risk to rescue a British reporter who was being held hostage in Iraq.

The purpose of the meeting was to learn first hand of the plight of Christians in Iraq and the work that St. George’s and the adjoining Dental and Medical Clinics (4 dentists and 3 doctors) is doing within the Christian community.  At the conclusion of the meeting an SMOTJ check for $10,000 was presented to his organization to help continue this work on behalf the Order.

The meeting proved to be a truly memorable experience for those present to learn firsthand about the terrible plight of the Christians in Iraq and the wonderful work that Canon White and his team are doing. It dovetails very nicely with the release of the Robert Marcareli video which documents the plight of the Christians in Iraq which will be shown in St. Louis and made available to all Priories.

Announcement:  It is with regret that we inform the Priory of the passing of Rev. Frank MacDonald Spindler, PhD, GCTJ, GMTJ.  Father Spindler was a member within our Priory since 1986.   He is now at peace with our Lord Jesus Christ and all of the Saints and Martyrs.

Register now using discount code GPUSA to get the best price before January 15, 2009.

before Jan 15

Registration: $180

Banquet: $60

Total: $240

before Mar 15

Registration: $190

Banquet: $65

Total: $255

before Apr 30

Registration: $205

Banquet: $75

Total: $280

after Apr 30

Registration: $240

Banquet: $85

Total: $325

We wish all our members of Priory of Saint King Charles The Martyr (SKCTM), brothers and sisters of our Order and friends in Christ a very Happy New Year. Thanks for your kind support and interest in our Website and quarterly magazine Knightly News. We are looking forward to an interesting 2009, and we are counting on your participation. Happy wishes from Jalle, Mark and Fernando.

In Memoriam, Donald Alford Weadon, Jr. LCDR, USN, September 15, 1945 ~ March 23, 2008

“Almighty God,

We commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad.  Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”

From “Prayers for Our Armed Forces,” compiled by Paul Pennick & Joseph Nonnenkamp, Liguori Publications, 2005.

Announcement:  It is with regret that we inform the Priory of the passing of Col. Edward Vernon Badolato, KCTJ.  Edward was a member within our Priory since 1992.   He is now at peace with our Lord Jesus Christ and all of the Saints and Martyrs.  Flowers can be delivered to Murphy Funeral Home or, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to:  Edward V. Badolato Distinguished Speaker Series Fund, c/o Towson University Foundation Inc., 8000 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21252.

 Semper Fidelis

12 December 2008

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, President of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land, will become an Honorary Marine on 12 December 2008.  The honor will be conferred by order of General James T. Conway, 34^th Commandant of the US Marine Corps at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Since the beginning of his ministry in the Holy Land some 24 years ago, Father Vasko has served as the volunteer Chaplain for 18 successive Marine Security Guard Detachments at the US diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, in the Holy Land.  He is also a holder of the Order of the Holy Spirit both as a chaplain for US Marines and as a Templar Chaplain, in addition to being Provisional Commander, of the Commandery of the Holy Land, of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem.

A fundraising walk for the Pancreatic Cancer Network in memory of Tom Cleland who died August 22.

Pancreatic cancer is a horrible diesease and we all felt so helpless during the last couple of months. In honor of his memory, and in hopes that other families will have a better chance than we did, we've set a goal of raising $5,000 for pancreatic cancer research.  Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet it receives less funding per patient than other leading cancer killers.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a non-profit organization working to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The organization funds research grants, provides information and resources to patients and their families at no cost, pushes for increased federal research funding and educates the public about this disease.

If you are in the Philadelphia area, we would love for you to join our team and walk with us on November 1.  If you're far away but would like to support our efforts, we would greatly appreciate any donation that you can make to the cause.

Please visit my personal page. Thank you for your support!

Alexandria, VA: We had a good turnout on the St. King Charles the Martyr Summer Social. Close to 60 Knights, Dames, Guests and Postulants came to enjoy the food and the company at Joe Theismann's Restaurant. Among notables was Prior VI Stuart McCarthy, Prior X Richard Flahavan, Prior XIV Michael Ching, Prior XV Craig Carlson and Chancellor David Schorn. Members showed their generosity buying SMOTJ Mite Coins and printed issues of Knightly News. Chancellor Schorn called for volunteers, when he now starts the process of setting up the next slate of officers.

JERUSALEM: Recently, Knights of the Commandery of the Holy Land put their personal offerings together to purchase condiments of food to distribute to the needy Christian families in the Old City of Jerusalem. Due to the varying schedules,not every Knight was able to participate in this event. The Jerusalem Commandery is planning for the future and would like to start up a 'food pantry' for the poor in Jerusalem. Funding is needed but with God's help and through our fellow brother and sister Knights from around the globe, this 'food pantry' will become a permanent reality. Depending on what funding we receive we would like to give food out every other month, if not every month, to the poor.

The Commandery also discussed other ways of assisting others in need such as providing baby baskets to the mothers of newly born infants, of providing blankets and heaters for next winter and of assisting those in need by renovating or cleaning residences of the poor and needy. Needless to say, the Jerusalem Commandery is beginning 'to put our hands to the plough'. Needless to say we are very grateful to our brother protectorate, the Priory of St. King Charles the Martyr whose generosity is helping us to make these challenges a reality.

Yet every day, more and more Christian families are coming to us for help. We know in faith that God will provide and we ask your prayers for our continued success in helping others in the Holy Land. Any help is welcomed. Please contact Webmaster@smotj-skctm.org for more information.

Alexandria, VA: Our quarterly magazine Knightly News is sought after by our on-line users. The download statistics so far:

Issue #1, King Charles I, 73 downloads (ds)
Issue #2, Mo Carlson, 113 ds
Issue #3, MG Roberts, 150 ds
Issue #4, COL Rob Pollock, 116 ds
Issue #5, Adrian Cronauer, 223 ds
Issue #6, Arlene Carey, 232 ds
Issue #7, Doug Warner, 83 ds

Alexandria, VA: St. King Charles the Martyr Officer Meeting, 01 PM Saturday, August 09, 2008 at Joe Theismann’s. Purpose of the meeting was to review last minute details for the upcoming events, Fall Social in September and Convent & Investiture in October. The other major topic was suitable charities for our Priory, and which charities to focus our resources on. More information about this will be released on the website. We finished the meeting with "any other questions" and a nice luncheon. If you have any questions or need to discuss anything, then contact our Chancellor David M Schorn.

Prayer for the People of this Country

“Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to You in the name of Jesus, asking Your blessing, love, and compassion on the people of this country.  Touch the lives of the men, women, and children by Your Holy Spirit.  Please provide for their every need.  Help us to do all we can to be a blessing and help to this country in every possible way.  Heal any hurt or pain they may have suffered.  Touch their minds, hearts, and souls according to Your divine will and purpose and restore peace and comfort to each of them.  Cause all of us to have love and understanding for one another and grant us peace in God.  Help me and my brothers and sisters to have a deep and compassionate understanding for them, their culture, and country, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

From “Battlefield Prayers,” Word Productions, 2006.

Alexandria, VA: We wish a happy journey to all that are going on the GPUSA Grand Council Meeting, Grand Convent and Investiture CRUISE, June 5 - 9. Please remember to bring your camera. Send photographs and text snippets to webmaster@smotj-skctm.org, for eventual publication on this website, the Knightly News and Templar Times.

Alexandria, VA: Chev. Rob Hartwell KTJ is our 2008 golfing champion. Here he is making the approach on the 12th hole on Pohick Bay Golf Course.

Prayer for Our Armed Forces

“Dear Heavenly Father,

I commend to thy gracious care and keeping all the men and women in our armed forces at home and abroad.  Defend them day by day with thy heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that beset them and help them to know that no one can pluck out of thy hand those who put their trust in thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”

From “Prayers for Iron Soldiers,”

First Armored Division “Old Ironsides” Chaplain’s Office.

Alexandria, VA: We can now summarize the first year of operation for our website. The growth is fantastic. We ended the year with 2,361 visits (average of 78 per day) for the month of April. Our hits have been over the top, with a high of 71,227 hits for the month of March. Thank you all for showing such an interest in our website, and thanks to the patrons that support the website with various types of resources. If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions for us, then please don't hesitate to send an email to webmaster@smotj-skctm.org.

Virginia: All, I am very proud of all of you for the most outstanding work and execution of our April 26 investiture and banquet.  We seem to be on a roll and on target with our charity work, treasury, bringing in worthy knights and dames, and becoming more and more efficient. Dave Schorn has pulled a tremendous amount of weight. Major THANK YOU to Dave. Adrian’s presence and participation really gives the service a special quality. I appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity. Several people complimented me on the service, the tone, the delivery, the readings from the congregation, the church, the visual effect, music, and the smoothness with which we executed it.  Kent, as usual, got the line up accomplished. Bill truly added a visual and spiritual quality to the service that we needed. Most of all, I appreciate the willingness of our officers to put their shoulder to the wheel… and their winning attitude.  We are blessed with a great team.

Well done!!!
Blessings, nnDnn, Craig

Boston, MA: New England Templar members now have their own Priory. They were elevated to this status by Grand Prior Disney at the C&I in Boston on April 5, 2008. Seven postulants were invested at this first-ever event in New England at the historic King’s Chapel, which was erected in 1686. Our Grand Editeur, Marston Watson, was installed as the first Prior and was elevated to the rank of Grand Officier. Details of this event will be reported in the summer issue of the Beauséant.

Alexandria, VA: St. King Charles the Martyr Officer Meeting, 11 AM Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Joe Theismann’s. Purpose of the meeting is to review last minute details for the April 26^th Investiture and Banquet.  This will remain a working business meeting and you are encouraged to order lunch. We will be finished by 1 PM. Regret the short notice; however, this is a great opportunity to sort through several items and Prior Craig’s schedule makes this date work!  Casual working attire.  This is especially critical for key Investiture and Banquet participants and major SKCTM officers to attend if at all possible. If you have any specific items to discuss, let me know so I can make sure they are covered either before the meeting or on Saturday.  If you have any questions or need to discuss anything, then contact me. //David M Schorn, Chancellor

ANNOUNCEMENT: It is with regret that we inform the Priory of the passing of LCDR Chevalier Donald Alford Weadon, Jr., Esquire, Former Grand Councillor, Grand Croix, Grand Commandeur Order of Merit.  Donald was the husband of Dame Suzanne Hayden Cameron Weadon and a member within our Priory since 1991.  He is now at peace with our Lord Jesus Christ and all of the Saints and Martyrs.

Vadstena, Sweden: SKCTM member Jarl S Magnusson attended Saturday March 15, 2008, the first C&I on Swedish soil for the new Commandery of Sweden. We extend our warmest congratulations to Grand Prior Stein Tennebo, Commander Johan Adolfsson, two postulants and awardees. More information at http://www.osmth.se/

Alexandria, VA: Chev. Hamish H.A. Stewart-Treviranus, died on Friday, February 29, 2008.  Hamish was 89 years old, had been a long time member of SKCTM prior to changing his affiliation to the Priory of St. Patrick.  A memorial service honoring Hamish's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008, Georgetown Presbyterian Church http://www.gtownpres.org/, 3115 P St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Alexandria, VA: The GPUSA Templar Times have been revived, and will be sent out to all GPUSA members (email only). The newsletter can be downloaded from the www.smotj.org website (login section).

Info from the Grand Editor: The 24-page winter publication of the Beauséant is now sent to the printer. It is the largest and most comprehensive issue ever produced by our Order, and is very special for its coverage of the Holy Land Pilgrimage of 2007, Priory News and many more special articles of interest to all our Templar members. The photographs of the pilgrimage are spectacular. Our Grand Prior and I are hopeful that you will be moved to make a donation to our Order to cover the extra cost of publishing and mailing this Journal. Contact Marston Watson for more info or if you have any questions.

Alexandria, VA: We had a good turnout on the first activity of the year - the St. King Charles the Martyr Winter Social. Close to 70 Knights, Dames, Guests and Postulants came to enjoy the food and the company. Among notables was Grand Master Jim Carey, Prior Craig Carlson and Chancellor David Schorn. Members showed their generosity by raising money through the The Charity raffle.

IMPORTANT: This is a notification to all SKCTM members - if you have changed, updated or begun using an email address, then please remember to notify David Schorn, Robert Pollock or Jarl S Magnusson. The Priory is already today sending out much more information over email, than through paper-based "snail-mail". If you don't have an email address, and would like to have some support, then contact Jarl S Magnusson.

From a Silent Knight: Yesterday, my wife returned from Los Angeles early afternoon. Having a long flight and nothing to eat, we went to a local steak house for a late lunch when she arrived at home. About half way through lunch my wife noticed an elderly lady (appeared to be about 70) a few booths away. She was alone and looked like something was weighing heavy on her mind. She mentioned to me this lady didn’t have on a wedding ring. Julie mentioned something seemed to be troubling her and asked if maybe a Knight might be willing to pick up the ticket. When our waiter came back by the table, we discreetly asked him to help us with this. After explaining that I belong to a Christian Order of Knights and the purpose behind our Order, with quite a surprised look on his face, agreed to help us. He brought her ticket to us and we paid hers with ours. Later I saw him at her table and I could hear him speaking to her. The only thing I could hear was “Knight” and “your meal has been taken care of”. Our waiter came by our table and crouched beside me to tell me the outcome. She had asked him why she didn’t have a ticket yet and he explained that a Christian Knight had paid for her meal. He said her eyes welled with tears and she told him she just came from a local cancer treatment center. She said how much it meant to her that somewhere she had a “Knight in Shining Armor”, and that she wasn’t aware there actually were any more Knights around. My waiter had tears in his eyes as he told us and he said it was all he could do to maintain his composure as she spoke to him. He said he saw her face light up with probably the only good news she heard that day. I had to look away from him and had to fight back the emotion, least she see me and give away our anonymity. He said thanks for allowing him to be a part of this and wanted to know more about it. I wrote the Silent Knight Website address on the ticket and encouraged him to check it out. We may have another Silent Knight in the making...

ANNOUNCEMENT: It is with regret that we inform the Priory of the passing of Chvse Margaret Evelyn Austin Webber DCTJ, on Thursday January 17th. Margaret was the wife of CAPT Chev Kent Shepard Webber GOTJ and an active member within our Priory. She is now at peace with our Lord Jesus Christ and all of the Saints and Martyrs. nnDnn Craig Carlson

Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, And teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children,
And the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen!

Author-Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

The Priory of Saint King Charles The Martyr is now responsible for the Provisional Commandery of the Holy Land. See more information here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! We hope you will have a great Thanksgiving holiday, fine weather, lot's of food and surrounded by loved family and friends. Our prayers are with you and all Christians living in or traveling to the Holy Land. We are thankful for our members in the Priory and those who worked to make this year a success. The Priory of Saint King Charles The Martyr have grown in 2007. We have added 22 new members. Two were invested in Williamsburg, we had another 5 new Knights invested in June, in November nine new members and now in Jerusalem six new members, which will be organized into a Provisional Commandery. Our Priory are not only growing in membership, but also engaged and enthusiastic support to our Charities. We are also happy to note that four SKCTM members joined the inaugural GPUSA Pilgrimage that took place in November.

Alexandria, VA: St. King Charles the Martyr Priory held our 2007 Fall Convent & Investiture on Saturday, the third of November at Historic Christ Church in Alexandria, followed by a Gala Banquet at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria. Chancellor David Schorn presided over the C&I, since Prior Craig Carlson was in Iraq. A full report will be given in coming issue of the Knightly News. We had over 80 members and guests participating. A very special welcome was presented by His Excellency Rear Admiral James J. Carey, International Grand Master OSMTH, Past Grand Prior of the United States and His Excellency David W.M. Morehead, Deputy Grand Prior of the United States of America – Region II.

Those that attended enjoyed the special Investiture ceremony and an evening of good food and companionship.Thank you to all those Knights and Dames that helped make this event a most memorable one, especially to your Priory Officers who spent countless hours of preparation to ensure everything went smoothly.

Alexandria, VA - SKCTM Officer met at Joe Theismann’s Saturday at 1 PM, October 27, 2007. The purpose of the meeting was to review and prepare for the November 3^rd Investiture and Banquet, discuss communication strategy and upcoming events.

Chicago,Il-USA—The only association of modern Templars that is recognized by the United Nations, OSMTH-Knights Templar International, met in Brussels, Belgium concluding on October 13^th, 2007 to commemorate the 700^th anniversary of the arrest of the medieval Templars.

During their meeting, the thirteen member Grand Priories representing over twenty Nations unanimously agreed upon the Brussels Declaration, setting out the vision, commitment and humanitarian action policy of today’s Templars. In existence since 1804, the modern Templar Order has not made a declaration of this kind since Paris in 1841.

Brigadier General Patrick Rea, chairman of the meeting said: “With public interest in Templars higher than ever, and with increasing calls on our members’ time, talents and generosity by the United Nations and other international civil society organizations with which we cooperate, the international council of OSMTH—Knights Templar International  felt it was time to give a clear explanation of who we are and what we do.”

OSMTH—Knights Templar International has over 5,000 members around the globe. In 2006/07, the Templar Order provided over 100 delegates to United Nations meetings and conferences in New York, Geneva, Vienna and at UN conference centers in the Middle East, Africa and South America. Through other memberships to include the International Peace Bureau the Templars voiced their support for peace, international understanding and economic progress for all the peoples of the world. Over the past ten years these modern Templars have funded over $5 million USD or 3.4 million euros for charitable causes from an emergency medical clinic in Thailand following a tsunami to a current year around medical and public health teaching facility in the Cameroon.

News from VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2007 - On October 25 in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall, the presentation will take place of the "Processus contra Templarios," a book published by the Vatican Secret Archives on the subject of the Knights Templar, the medieval military-religious order founded in Jerusalem in 1118 and suppressed by Pope Clement V (1305-1314). According to a communique made public yesterday afternoon, the new volume is "a previously unpublished and exclusive edition of the complete acts of the original hearing against the Knights Templar." The book, unique of its kind, will have a print run "rigorously limited to 799 copies" and contains the "faithful reproduction of the original parchments conserved in the Vatican Secret Archives." The project, the communique concludes, "is part of the series of 'Exemplaria Praetiosa,' ... the most elaborate and important publication yet undertaken by the Pontifical Archives." The new volume will be presented by Archbishop Raffaele Farina S.D.B., archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church; Bishop Sergio Pagano, prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, and experts such as the historian Franco Cardini and the archaeologist and author Valerio Massimo Manfredi." Reference http://212.77.1.245/news_services/press/vis/dinamiche/b1_en.htm

CANCELLATION - The St. King Charles the Martyr Casino Royale Night social and charity event that was planned for Saturday, September 15th at 6:30 PM is cancelled. Further information and questions please contact CAPT Chev. Dave Schorn at schornttpm@aol.com or phone 703-878-4622.

INFO FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Photo: OSMTH Delegation to the Fall 2007 Opening of the UN General Assembly and the final session of the UN Conference on Global Warming. From the left, Mr. Ahsan Rizvi, Pakistan, Count Alexander zu Reventlow, Germany & Denmark, Mr. Thomas Alexander, Israeli & American, Mr. Randy Tietz, American, Major David Waters, American and Count Ennio R. Senese, Italian. The photo was taken this past Wednesday, September 5^th in the United Nations Receptions Hall at the New York Headquarters of the UN. One can see the skyline of New York behind the Reception Hall.

Again this year OSMTH was blessed with an extraordinary delegation. Last year our delegation was able to visit with senior leaders of the UN to include the Secretary General and the year before that we started to truly set our high standards with great members from Europe and North America. In every case the UN officials have responded with expanded requests for OSMTH involvement. Under separate cover I have written the Grand Priors requesting that they nominate delegates for the important UN-NGO Conference in Geneva from the 5-7^th of December of 2007. The Secretary General has requested that we send as many young delegates as possible and I have welcomed at least one delegate (young or older) from each Grand Priory or national Commandry. We must forward our delegates and registration to the UN by November 1^st.

.The 2007 Spring Convent and Investiture were held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Alexandria, VA. Chev. Almost 90 Dames, Knights and Guests witnessed when Jess Iverson KTJ, Chev. Mark Williams KTJ, Rev. Chev. Wollom A. Jensen KTJ and BG Chev. Bob Felderman KTJ was invested as our new Knights. Chev. Jarl S Magnusson KTJ, and CAPT Chev. Kent S. Webber GOTJ received the Commendation Medal. COL Chev. Robert Bowen KTJ and Dame ?? received the Achievement Medal. There was also a change of Prior in a beautiful flag ceremony, Prior XVI H. E. LTC Chev. R. Michael Ching GCTJ CMTJ passed on the gavel to the new Prior XVII - H. E. COL Chev. Craig L Carlson GCTJ, GMTJ, CSE, KSG. With the Prior was also a new slate of Officers installed. Cocktails and gala dinner was served at the historic Mount Vernon Inn. We learned from Grand Prior Disney that the Pilgrimage in November 2007 and the Grand Convent 2008 Cruise will require interested participants to sign up as-soon-as-possible. Grand Master RADM Carey promoted a “Signature Charity” for our Order, and that will be “Saving Kids Life” with focus on treating Dysentery. For a sum of $6 we can give a kid the whole treatment to let them survive. The Grand Master also informed us that the Order will now seek a “Templar Home”, we will do an investment in brick-and-mortar. Our Prior COL Carlson will put together an event September 15, with the goal to raise $3000 to help hospitalized veterans

If you are interested in contributing to this WebSite and/or the Knightly News, then contact Jarl S. Magnusson, webmaster@smotj-skctm.org. Our strategy is to slowly merge the website with the newsletter, so we will have one clear way to communicate and reach all our members. But, that will take some time to implement. Until then, we are learning and using whatever means of communication we can handle, in order to reach our members. Your contribution is important. You will help us reaching out to our members.

Voting Results - St. King Charles the Martyr Slate for 2007-2009

RADM James J. Carey, Grand Master and Chairman of the Nominations Committee, and LTC R. Michael Ching, Prior, St. King Charles the Martyr Priory, by separate and independent count of all votes cast, have determined that the Proposed Slate of Officers for 2007-2009 is hereby approved unanimously.  COL Chev. Craig L. Carlson, Prior-Elect, and his officers, will be invested on 2 June 2007.