With great sorrow and a heavy heart, I must share the news of the passing of WB Jerry Brown. Jerry was a dedicated Freemason for 55 years, most of which he spent serving right here in the Verde Valley. He truly embodied the Masonic principles in all aspects of his life and was a source of inspiration to many, including younger masons like myself.
Jerry passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026. His son, Mr. Bob Brown, kindly reached out to inform us. Bob shared that Brother Jerry specifically requested a Masonic service. Most Worshipful Brother Earl Wunder, our funeral team director, and I will be conducting the service. We will be seeking volunteers to assist with the stewards and deacon parts. The family has requested that the Masonic funeral service be held at the lodge at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026. I ask that all members of the funeral team and anyone joining us for the service arrive at the lodge by 6:00 PM so we can open the lodge before the service begins.
Brethren, it is never easy to lose a brother; the loss is always deeply felt. I hope as many as possible can attend the service to show Brother Jerry’s family how much he meant to us. If you need anything or would like a message conveyed to Jerry’s family, please feel free to email or call me. Thank you all for your support.
Sincerely & Fraternally
Bro. Christopher Hurtt
Master 2026
Education on the Prayer of Circumambulation Psalms 133:1 - 133:3
John Welsch, Past Master Arizona F&AM
133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!!
What a beautiful first paragraph! Expressing a hope and prayer that all Brethren can enjoy the pleasantness of peace and unity. What great things could those Brethren accomplish without the specter of war and strife hanging over their heads!!As Masons we are taught the three principle tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, and if those tenets do not represent this first paragraph of Psalm 133, I do not know what would. During our circumambulation, we read this very powerful statement and we have it reinforced throughout our initiation, and the lecture that follows. Truly a Psalm of unity, the Living God, in whom we have put our trust, can expect nothing less of a Brother, no matter his position, length of tenure, or social status. At the altar, we have sworn to obey the tenets of Freemasonry, and as we are all looking toward that spiritual dwelling not made by hands, we must consider the joy of dwelling together in peace and unity while in our mortal state. After all, in God’s sight, isn’t it appropriate that we all promote the goodness and peace represented in these wonderful words? God’s people must dwell together in peaceful unity for true light to be found! Godly unity promotes joy because it overcomes the sorrow of self-seeking and fulfills the true love of outgoing concerns for others. Charity is the everlasting goodness that we promote and celebrate, thereby allowing all Brothers to dwell together in unity!!133:2 - It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;!Why is a precious ointment or oil placed upon the head an important consideration to Masons? In today’s world, the thought of someone pouring oil on our head of any quantity, not to mention enough to run down to the skirts of our garments, is less than desirable! However, when considered in the broader context of unity, especially when applied to the High Priest of the Temple, this becomes less objectionable and promotes a far different image. David, by choosing the representation of Aaron’s anointing in this Psalm, is promoting the idea that through our adherence to God’s plan, we may enjoy the manifold comforts and blessings which surround us, including the peace of unity. This reliance upon the Supreme Architect of the Universe’s divine providence further promotes the aforementioned peace and light that is gained by the avoidance of war and hatred. Brotherly Love ensures unity, and by applying Brotherly Love in the copious quantities necessary to run from our heads down onto our “beards” and thence down to the skirts of our “garments”, we cannot help but live in unity and peace. Furthermore, in the time of David, precious ointments were heavily scented with precious balms and other fragrances. By anointing a High Priest during a ceremony, all who were present would enjoy these remarkable scents and would be constantly reminded afterwards of the ceremony and the meanings associated with it. As Mason’s, we must constantly remind ourselves of our initiation and the pleasantness of our enlightenment. Through our own “anointing” through our initiation, we also remind our Brethren in attendance of their own.
beautiful memories regarding their initiation, and our trust in God and Brotherhood is refreshed and reinstated.!133:3 - As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. If taken literally, a meteorologist would very happily announce that the dew of Hermon (located far north of the mountains of Zion) could never reach that far south, but we as Free and Accepted Masons must instead visit this verse in its relationship to the preceding paragraphs and look far deeper. In an esoteric sense, we must consider the position that moisture and dew are blessings from the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and that water is the basic building block of life, and all things living require this most precious commodity. It is indeed a blessing “even for life evermore”, but our focus remains on God’s love of humanity and His wish for peace, unity, and love of each other. Our own tenets reinforce this!!The phrase “descended upon the mountains of Zion” shows us that the LORD’S blessings flow down upon the church from that great spiritual Lodge on high, and while our Lodge is not a church, it is a place of peace and unity that resembles a refuge from the evils that may surround us in society, and reiterates the wishes of peaceful unity found in the first paragraph.
While our civil laws, own Masonic Constitution and Statutes, and Lodge By-Laws outline our behavior in the Lodge and out, and as the Master of the Lodge directs us as Masons, the Supreme Architect of the Universe “commanded the blessing, even life forever more”, and our spiritual guidance arises from HIS commands, which are laid down in our spiritual, moral, and Masonic trestleboard, which is the Holy Bible. Through the Light found within that trestleboard, a Mason may find life forever more and may look toward his own immortality through an adherence to our tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, and the four cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. As a Mason, can you look at your own life and agree it follows the beautiful descriptions found in Psalm 133? Do you still “smell” the precious ointment found within your Lodge meetings and renew your obligation mentally as you first did when you knelt at the altar? Does the “dew” of unity still flow down from you as the precious ointment once did upon Aaron’s beard? More importantly, can you live the first paragraph of this beautiful Psalm that so accurately represents Freemasonry:!“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
*** Special Note from WM Hurtt ***
I have been diving into historical stuff from the 3 lodges that formed Central AZ Masonic Lodge 14. I have found so many cool things, including a lot of old pictures from Sedona Red Rock 63. I found a book of old petitions dating from 1917, when they were UD, until the 40’s, from Clarkdale 25, along with all the old minutes from Verde 14 dating back to 1902. I am still working on a Historical book and display case, and if anyone has pictures or stories they would like to share, I would be happy to include them.
534 S 12th St
Cottonwood AZ (928) 339-0188
I am pleased to announce that Brother Jake Kowalski has been initiated as Central Az Lodge 14's newly obligated Entered Apprentice on February 19, 2026. As Worshipful Master, I wish to commend the lodge and our officer line for their dedication, having successfully conducted five degrees in the past two months as well as stated meetings. Your commitment and diligence are greatly appreciated. Brother Jake, welcome to the fraternity. We look forward to your journey within Masonry and anticipate your future contributions. WM CH
Masonic History March
March 6, 1775 – Prince Hall, was made a Master Mason in Irish Constitution Military Lodge No. 441
March 17, 1856 – Grand Lodge of Kansas established, Wyandotte County, Kansas
March 18, 1919 – Order of DeMolay founded in Kansas City, Missouri, later to become DeMolay International
March 25, 1882 – Grand Lodge of Arizona was established in Tucson.
From Labor to Refreshment
The Warden Columns
By Sr Warden Ed Arico
In Freemasonry the Senior Warden's Column represents the pillar Jachin while the Junior Warden's Column represents the pillar Boaz. The Senior Warden's Column is in an erect position and the Junior Warden's placed horizontally during labor; these positions being reversed during refreshment.
In the early days of Freemasonry, the Wardens performed duties comparable to those of the Deacons of today. Like all other officers and members of the lodge they stood during the ceremonies, having no pedestals, desks, or seats. The first reference to their association with columns dates as far back as 1760 when there was evidence that they carried their columns as emblems of their office. When they acquired seats in the lodge they carried their columns with them. These columns, as is explained in our ritual, represent the two pillars at the porchway or entrance of King Solomon's Temple. Indeed, before 1810, the two Wardens were situated at the entrance of the lodge, which was at the west, each before his pillar, the Senior Warden before the Boaz Pillar and the Junior Warden before the Jachin pillar. The names of the pillars and their signification originate in the Holy Bible, in the first book of the Kings (verses 15-22) of the Old Testament: "And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple : and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin : and he set up the left pillar and called the name thereof Boaz" The literal translation of Jachin, which is the abbreviation of Jehoiakim, is 'God establishes' and of Boaz 'strength' or 'energy'.
In 1810 it officially became the practice of the Modern Lodges to seat the Wardens in the South and the West and the Master in the East. In moving to their seats, the Wardens took their columns with them. A Mason's Lodge however is supported by three pillars representing Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. Reference for this is found in the old lectures of the Ancients: "Who does the Pillar of Wisdom represent? The Master in the East, because he gives instructions to the Craft, to carry on the work with good order and harmony. Who does the Pillar of Strength represent? The Senior Warden in the West, because he pays the Laborers their wages, which is the strength and support of the business, and dismisses from their work that they may go home and take their natural rest and pray for the light of the ensuing day. Who does the Pillar of Beauty represent? The Junior Warden in the South, because he stands in the South to observe the sun approaching its highest meridian which is the Beauty of the day, ‘to call the brethren from labor to refreshment and to bring them again to their work after the sun has passed its highest meridian, that the Master may have pleasure and profit thereby.’
Arizona Grand Master
Most Worshipful Leigh Creighton
Scottish Rite Eastern Star Rainbow GIrls Shriners International York RIte DeMolay for Boys Job's Daughters
Brethren, let us extend a warm welcome to our newly obligated Brother, Joshua Aaron Hastings, who was initiated on February 4, 2026. I am extremely proud of my officer line; over the past few months, they have truly stepped up and made all these degrees possible—thank you all! Josh, welcome, Brother—tonight marks the beginning of your journey with this craft. WM CH
Central Arizona Masonic Lodge #14
Worshipful Master
Chris Hurtt
Central Arizona Masonic Lodge © 2013 All Rights Reserved