MASTER’S MESSAGEforestcity388.com/files/2014Fall.pdf · Elliott Gross, who acted most capably as...
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Fall 2014 Website: www.forestcity388.com Lyndhurst, Ohio MASTER’S MESSAGE With Labor Day in our collective rear-view mirror, the balmy days of summer are quickly coming to an end as we resume our labors at Forest City Lodge. As the weather was not too oppressively hot this past season, it made for some wonderful outdoor time for Mary and me. We had a chance to visit with both of our children and to see our third grandchild, Estelle Mercedes Galindo, born on June 8, 2014 in Newport, Rhode Island, for the very first time. Estelle is quite a charmer with her large brown eyes and those chubby little cheeks. During our visit with our son Thom in Tennessee, who is also a Forest City Lodge member raised in April, 2013, we had a chance to visit his “Lodge away from Lodge” in Johnson City. Since some Lodges meet year-round, I was able to attend a meeting of Johnson City Lodge #486 on Tuesday, August 5th, and meet an old friend of the 22nd District. Along with their Worshipful Master Randy Ramsey, Senior Warden Chris Charles, and Junior Warden George Kraus, we were greeted by Johnson City Lodge’s Treasurer W.B. Buck Henry, formerly of East Shore Lodge. He sends greetings to MWB Bradford A. Goebel and his wife Kathy, RWB Robert J. Hibjan and his wife Kathy, to WB Hob Miller and his wife Birdie, and to any other Masons from the Northeast Ohio area who might remember him. As Thom and I listened to the ceremonies and business of Johnson City Lodge, we noticed several differences from Ohio traditions. The overall structure and order of events was similar, but the words and movements of the officers were distinctly different. After the Master welcomed me at the Altar, giving me a Johnson City Lodge pin in the shape of the state of Tennessee, I presented to him, and to everyone in the room, a Forest City Lodge “Pride in Brotherhood” pin as a souvenir of our encounter that day. Recently, the Forest City Lodge Steak Roast at Horseshoe Lake was a rousing success, which was surprising given the major downpour earlier that afternoon. As Mary and I were driving toward Shaker Heights at about 3:00 P.M., the sky let loose, and even with double-speed wipers, we could hardly see road signs. When we arrived, W.B. Alan Rothman, Bev, Brother Michael, Elizabeth and W.B. Burt Task were all sitting in their cars on water-saturated grass waiting for the rain to stop. Luckily, the torrent stopped just after 4:00 P.M., we were able to unload and set up the desserts and drinks and light the fires, and by 5:30, Brother Seth Task and I were able to start serving steaks and chicken, with Brother Cary Sears dishing out the potatoes, corn, mushrooms and onions. Thanks to all who helped and enjoyed the fine food on a most unusual evening. The month of September brings us closer to the end of the Masonic year, but there are still a couple of events left before elections and the installation of a (hopefully...I’m keeping my fingers crossed...I’ve enjoyed this, and have been greatly honored and humbled, but two terms is quite enough, thank you) new Worshipful Master. Our annual Memorial Night and Mason of the Year ceremony was scheduled for the evening of September 3rd, and we have another stated meeting honoring August and September birthdays on Wednesday, September 17th with degree work, Lodge education, and an Early Bird dinner preceding. We have been contacted by the brethren of Mosaic Lodge #559 in Thornhill (Toronto), Ontario, Canada to attend their Annual Installation on Wednesday, September 17th, coincident with our stated meeting night. If you would like to attend this event, please contact RWB Mitch Alperin as soon as possible. Wednesday, October 1st is our Annual Past Masters’ Night, where we honor our Worshipful (and Right Worshipful) Brethren and raise one candidate to the sublime degree of Master Mason. This Masons-only event has a dinner at 6:30 P.M. of either fish or chicken for $12, so please call me for reservations. After our second stated meeting of October on the 15th, Grand Lodge will be convened on Friday and Saturday, October 17th-18th in Cincinnati, OH as Most Worshipful Brother Norman J. Mick finishes his year as Grand Master and a new lineup of Grand Officers is elected and/or appointed. Our stated meeting on November 5th brings elections, degree work and birthday celebrations for our brethren born in October and November, and the 19th is Installation Night. Please contact me for any dinner reservations through the end of the year at (216) 289-2682 (home), (216) 789-2483 (Cell), or [email protected]. I’ll finish this column by saying a big “Thank You!” to Brother Elliott Gross, who acted most capably as Master in my stead during much of 2014 while I was scheduled to teach on Wednesday evenings. Brother Gross has recently moved to Florida with his wife Shari so that she might pursue her new career. I hope that we will see Brother Gross again soon at Forest City, and I trust that we all wish him the best of health and success in his new Florida home. W.B. Jackie F. Woldering, P.M.
Transcript of MASTER’S MESSAGEforestcity388.com/files/2014Fall.pdf · Elliott Gross, who acted most capably as...
Fall 2014 Website: www.forestcity388.com Lyndhurst, Ohio
MASTER’S MESSAGEWith Labor Day in our
collective rear-view mirror, the balmy days of summer are quickly coming to an end as we resume our labors at Forest City Lodge. As the weather was not too oppressively hot this past season, it made for some wonderful outdoor time for Mary and me. We had a chance to visit with both of our children and to see our third grandchild, Estelle Mercedes Galindo, born on June 8, 2014 in Newport, Rhode Island, for
the very first time. Estelle is quite a charmer with her large brown eyes and those chubby little cheeks.
During our visit with our son Thom in Tennessee, who is also a Forest City Lodge member raised in April, 2013, we had a chance to visit his “Lodge away from Lodge” in Johnson City. Since some Lodges meet year-round, I was able to attend a meeting of Johnson City Lodge #486 on Tuesday, August 5th, and meet an old friend of the 22nd District. Along with their Worshipful Master Randy Ramsey, Senior Warden Chris Charles, and Junior Warden George Kraus, we were greeted by Johnson City Lodge’s Treasurer W.B. Buck Henry, formerly of East Shore Lodge. He sends greetings to MWB Bradford A. Goebel and his wife Kathy, RWB Robert J. Hibjan and his wife Kathy, to WB Hob Miller and his wife Birdie, and to any other Masons from the Northeast Ohio area who might remember him.
As Thom and I listened to the ceremonies and business of Johnson City Lodge, we noticed several differences from Ohio traditions. The overall structure and order of events was similar, but the words and movements of the officers were distinctly different. After the Master welcomed me at the Altar, giving me a Johnson City Lodge pin in the shape of the state of Tennessee, I presented to him, and to everyone in the room, a Forest City Lodge “Pride in Brotherhood” pin as a souvenir of our encounter that day.
Recently, the Forest City Lodge Steak Roast at Horseshoe Lake was a rousing success, which was surprising given the major downpour earlier that afternoon. As Mary and I were driving toward Shaker Heights at about 3:00 P.M., the sky let loose, and even with double-speed wipers, we could hardly see road signs. When we arrived, W.B. Alan Rothman, Bev, Brother Michael, Elizabeth and W.B. Burt Task were all sitting in their cars on water-saturated grass waiting for the rain to stop. Luckily, the torrent stopped just after 4:00 P.M., we were able to unload and set up the desserts and drinks
and light the fires, and by 5:30, Brother Seth Task and I were able to start serving steaks and chicken, with Brother Cary Sears dishing out the potatoes, corn, mushrooms and onions. Thanks to all who helped and enjoyed the fine food on a most unusual evening.
The month of September brings us closer to the end of the Masonic year, but there are still a couple of events left before elections and the installation of a (hopefully...I’m keeping my fingers crossed...I’ve enjoyed this, and have been greatly honored and humbled, but two terms is quite enough, thank you) new Worshipful Master. Our annual Memorial Night and Mason of the Year ceremony was scheduled for the evening of September 3rd, and we have another stated meeting honoring August and September birthdays on Wednesday, September 17th with degree work, Lodge education, and an Early Bird dinner preceding.
We have been contacted by the brethren of Mosaic Lodge #559 in Thornhill (Toronto), Ontario, Canada to attend their Annual Installation on Wednesday, September 17th, coincident with our stated meeting night. If you would like to attend this event, please contact RWB Mitch Alperin as soon as possible.
Wednesday, October 1st is our Annual Past Masters’ Night, where we honor our Worshipful (and Right Worshipful) Brethren and raise one candidate to the sublime degree of Master Mason. This Masons-only event has a dinner at 6:30 P.M. of either fish or chicken for $12, so please call me for reservations.
After our second stated meeting of October on the 15th, Grand Lodge will be convened on Friday and Saturday, October 17th-18th in Cincinnati, OH as Most Worshipful Brother Norman J. Mick finishes his year as Grand Master and a new lineup of Grand Officers is elected and/or appointed. Our stated meeting on November 5th brings elections, degree work and birthday celebrations for our brethren born in October and November, and the 19th is Installation Night. Please contact me for any dinner reservations through the end of the year at (216) 289-2682 (home), (216) 789-2483 (Cell), or [email protected].
I’ll finish this column by saying a big “Thank You!” to Brother Elliott Gross, who acted most capably as Master in my stead during much of 2014 while I was scheduled to teach on Wednesday evenings. Brother Gross has recently moved to Florida with his wife Shari so that she might pursue her new career. I hope that we will see Brother Gross again soon at Forest City, and I trust that we all wish him the best of health and success in his new Florida home.
W.B. Jackie F. Woldering, P.M.
Worshipful MasterJackie F. Woldering, P.M. .................................... (216) 289-2682 (H)297 East 270th Street .......................................... (216) 523-7224 (W)Euclid, OH 44132-1601 ....................................... (216) 789-2483 (C)
Senior WardenScott M. Muharsky............................................... (440) 352-4288 (H)833 North St. Clair Avenue ................................. (440) 346-2139 (W)Painesville, OH 44077-4208 ................................ (440) 346-0097 (C)
Junior WardenDaniel N. Cohen .................................................... (216) 321-0824 (H)3061 Lincoln Boulevard ...................................... (216) 965-6279 (C)Cleveland Hts., OH 44018-2033 ........... [email protected]
TreasurerJerome S. Kustin, P.M. ........................................ (216) 292-4943 (H)26300 Village Lane, Apt. #105Beachwood, OH 44122 ....................................... [email protected]
Associate TreasurerWilliam Hoon ....................................................... (937) 935-3572 (H) 4957 Swetland Blvd. ............................................ (440) 460-1518 (W)Richmond Heights, OH 44143-1416 ......... [email protected]
SecretaryAlan H. Rothman, P.M. ........................................ (216) 410-6919 (C)1436 Grenleigh Road ......................................... (216) 359-3002 (W)Lyndhurst, OH 44124-2315 ... Email: [email protected]
Secretary EmeritusFrank Orlove, P.M. ............................................... (216) 591-1174 (H)Myers Apartments - #23127200 Cedar RoadBeachwood, OH 44122
Secretary EmeritusMorton S. Negin, 33º ..................................... (440) 942-1144 (H) (F)9205 Idlewood Drive ........................................... (216) 559-5104 (C)Mentor, OH 44060-6433 ..................................... [email protected]
ChaplainBurt Task, P.M. ..................................................... (216) 297-0150 (H)4059 Eastway Road .............................................. (216) 926-6990 (C)South Euclid, OH 44121 ................................... [email protected]
Associate ChaplainRonald Jacobs, P.M. ............................................. (216) 321-4362 (H)3393 Ormond Road .............................................. (216) 371-3898 (W)Cleveland Hts., OH 44118-3417 ............................. [email protected]
Senior DeaconAlex Meske ......................................................... (330) 467-8852 (H)592 Valley Brooke Lane ........................ (440) 498-4414 Ext. 232 (W)Macedonia, OH 44056 ......................................... (440) 539-5137 (C)
[email protected] (H) / [email protected] (W)
Junior DeaconElliott A. Gross ..................................................... (216) 870-6020 (C)60 Commodore Drive, Apt. 310Plantation, FL 33325 .................................... [email protected]
Senior StewardTimothy Cline ...................................................... (740) 507-2524 (C)12285 Country Oaks TrailChardon, OH 44024 ......................................... [email protected]
Junior StewardCary Sears ....................................................................(216) 272-83202596 Warrensville Center RoadUniversity Heights, OH 44118 ........................ [email protected]
MarshalWilliam Zeligson .................................................. (440) 212-3084 (H)34500 Pettibone RoadSolon, OH 44139 ............................................. [email protected] (H)
TylerMichael S. Rothman ............................................. (216) 262-6921 (C)13464 Judy Ave. N.W. Uniontown, OH 44685 .................................. [email protected]
Assistant TylerLeonard W. Clark ................................................ (216) 595-8295 (H)24896 Tunbridge Lane ......................................... (440) 567-0690 (C)Beachwood, OH 44122-1641 ........................ [email protected]
Lodge Education OfficerMitchell L. Alperin, P.D.D.G.M. .......................... (216) 461-1174 (H)2741 Shakercrest Blvd. ........................................ (216) 849-7372 (C)Beachwood, OH 44122-2323 ............................... (216) 464-7015 (W)
Associate Lodge Education OfficerBarry J. Siegel, P.M., K.Y.C.H. ........................... (216) 932-4094 (H)2599 Laurelhurst Road ........................................ (216) 662-5555 (W)Lyndhurst, OH 44124-2315 ................................. (216) 392-5638 (C)
Sunshine Committee ChairmanJohn Szucs .................................................................. (216) 932-7118
Bulletin EditorCary Sears ....................................................................(216) 272-83202596 Warrensville Center RoadUniversity Heights, OH 44118 ........................ [email protected]
Bulletin Co-Editor Alex Meske ......................................................... (330) 467-8852 (H)592 Valley Brooke Lane ........................ (440) 498-4414 Ext. 232 (W)Macedonia, OH 44056 ......................................... (440) 539-5137 (C)
[email protected] (H) / [email protected] (W)
Forest City Lodge Web Addresswww.forestcity388.com and email the Webmaster at [email protected]
FOREST CITY LODGE #388OFFICERS 2014
– TRESTLEBOARDBrethren – please check our website at
www.forestcity388.com for further information and updates about future
Lodge events – things do change over time…
FROM THE SECRETARY’S QUILL
SEPTEMBER
Wednesday 3rd 6:30 P.M. - Dinner - Chicken or Fish - $12/person 7:30 P.M. - Stated Meeting “Memorial Night” and “Mason of the Year”
Dinner and activities after Stated Meeting open to all
Wednesday 17th 6:30 P.M. - Early Bird Dinner - $6/person 7:30 P.M. - Stated Meeting - Degree Work and Lodge Education Birthday Night - August and September
OCTOBER
Wednesday 1st 5:30 P.M. - First section of Master Mason Degree 6:30 P.M. - Dinner - Chicken or Fish - $12/person 7:30 P.M. - Stated Meeting - Past Masters’ Night Second section of Master Mason Degree
Wednesday 15th 6:30 P.M. - Early Bird Dinner - $6/person 7:30 P.M. - Stated Meeting - Degree Work and Lodge Education
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th Grand Lodge in Cincinnati, Ohio
NOVEMBER
Wednesday 5th 6:30 P.M. - Early Bird Dinner - $6/person 7:30 P.M. - Stated Meeting - Annual Election of Officers Degree Work and Lodge Education Birthday Night - October and November
Wednesday 19th 6:30 P.M. - Dinner - Menu and Price TBD 7:30 P.M. - Stated Meeting - Annual Installation of Officers
Dinner and activities after Stated Meeting open to all
Hello: once again it’s time to think about our upcoming Masonic year. The present Masonic year has been very historic for Forest City Lodge #388 for a variety of reasons. For example even though many people thought it could never be done, we received a Grand Lodge edit proclaiming Brother Elliott Gross as Senior Warden in order to perform an act of Brotherly Love and kindness which has always been a trademark of Forest City Lodge. This edit was effective on June 9th, 2014, and on June 21st I was informed that Brother Gross could not carry out these intentions and we therefore reverted back to the way the line was prior to the edit.
Brother Muharsky has many new and exciting ideas for the 2014-2015 Masonic year. Please consider becoming a part of history by attending these exciting events.
Now on to current issues facing our Lodge. This year we have only raised two Master Masons and we have another one in the works. Our annual memorial night paid homage to the ten brethren who were called from work to eternal rest. (Please see attached list)
Our annual dues increase has been understood and accepted by almost everyone and I want to thank you for your support and taking part in the future of our lodge. So far to date I have only heard from two brethren expressing concerns over the increase. Please try to keep things in perspective and remember that the last time we had a dues increase postage was only 19 cents, whereas now it is over two and a half times that. Its a good thing we don’t model our dues increases after postage rates.
While we are on the subject of postage rates, several years ago we conducted a survey to see if you would like to receive this bulletin by email. The response at that time was extremely low. Please consider receiving this bulletin by email. Please let your lodge know how you feel about this by emailing your secretary at [email protected]
Now I want to tell you a story of something that recently happened to me. I was invited to picnic of a patient of mine who just happens to be a Mason from Virginia. While sitting in his back yard I met a man named Jim who happened to see my Masonic ring and asked about me being a Mason. I told him I was a Mason and told him a little bit about Masonic endeavors. He then said he was a Mason many years ago, however, he had decided to drop out. He said “I never went to meetings, so why bother continuing”. In his next breath he said “I regret doing that.” He went on to say that as he got older and the kids were away and his wife passed away he wished he had the opportunity to meet with like minded individuals to talk about life and pass the time with. I told him about the process of becoming reinstated and he said he would think about it.
My brethren, don’t look back years from now and feel like Jim. Your lodge many be close to your home or many miles away but you have brothers waiting to greet you when you arrive. There are no strangers in lodge only friends that you have never met.
Thank you for your time and may God Bless You.
Alan H. Rothman, P.M. Secretary
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE REPORT
FOREST CITY LODGESUNSHINE COMMITTEE 2014
ChairmanJohn Szucs .................................(440) 565-7725(Ester) ......................... [email protected]
Dan Lash ................................. (216) 531-2668(Rosie) ................................... [email protected]
Chairman EmeritusHoward Marx ...........................................(440) 542-1889(Shirley) ........................................ (440) 463-1889 (Cell)
W.B. Burt Task .........................................(216) 297-0150(Jeanne) ........................................... [email protected]
Paul Fine ..................................................(440) 446-9615(Maxine) ........................................ (216) 408-7305 (Cell)
W.B. Burt Siebert .....................................(216) 371-4178(Harriet) ....................................... [email protected]
Marvin Smith ...........................................(440) 442-5380(Barbara) ........................................(216) 513-0411 (Cell)
Larry Simon .............................................(216) 342-4870(Marcia) marlarsimon@aol.com...........................................................................................Dan Zeligson ............................................(216) 765-1010(Judy) ............................................... [email protected]
Don Samuels ............................................ (216) 382-1133........................................................... [email protected]
Neil Cantor ...............................................(440) 473-0274(Dee) .................................. [email protected]
Larry Lettofsky ........................................(440) 442-0515(Reeva) [email protected]
Members who have passedto the Celestial Lodge Above
W.B. Frank Orlove, P.D.E.O., Raised 1948.He served as Secretary of Forest City Lodge from 1961-1986.
Deceased relationsof our Brethren and their family
Mollie Bayer, wife of Bro. Ronald Bayer.
Mary Bernzweig, mother of Bro. Mel Bernzweig.
Linda Savransky, wife of Bro. Jerome Savransky.
Shirley S. Silver, mother of Bro. Michael Silver.
Hospitalized or recuperatingeither at Home or in a Facility
Bro. Marvin Feldman is recovering from surgery.
Bro. Burt Kaplansky is healing from an injury.
Shirley Marx, wife of Bro. Howard Marx, is currently undergoing care.
Members of Forest City Lodge #388 that have passed away from September 18, 2013 until September 3, 2014
Name Initiated Passed Raised Died Years
Harold I. Berson June 8, 1949 June 22, 1949 July 20, 1949 October 25, 2013 63
Arthur Max Stern January 27, 1946 January 27, 1946 January 27, 1946 October 27, 2013 67
Arnold “Buddy” Axel December 10, 1952 January 14, 1953 February 4, 1953 June 15, 2013 60
Herbert Bressman February 8, 1954 April 12, 1954 June 28, 1954 January 18, 2014 59
Maurice W. Terkel January 10, 1949 February 14, 1949 February 28, 1949 November 19, 2013 64
Harry Friedman May 23, 1973 May 30, 1973 June 13, 1973 February 15, 2014 40
Leonard B. Kahn January 12, 1953 March 23, 1953 May 18, 1953 April 29, 2014 60
Melvin Baker December 12, 1952 February 4, 1953 May 8, 1953 May 24, 2014 61
Howard Irwin Littman November 30, 1964 February 8, 1965 May 10, 1965 June 12, 2014 49
Maurice Gladstone May 18, 1949 June 22, 1949 July 6, 1949 July 12, 2014 64
JOHNSON CITY LODGE #486TENNESSEE
JUNIOR WARDEN’S MESSAGE
Brethren,
It was very nice to see many of you at our Annual Steak Roast a few weeks ago. After the summer break, which always goes by so quickly, it was refreshing to see so many familiar faces. Thank you so much to all of those who volunteered their time and talents to help our Lodge enjoy the event. With so many pressures of daily life including family, a career (or two), domestic and world news, and the responsibilities that come with it, a few hours in the sunlight enjoying fellowship is just what the doctor ordered. This upcoming Masonic Season will be a very exciting one. There is a core group of young officers who are being mentored by our prestigious Past Masters. Please attend a stated meeting if you have not been to the Lyndhurst Masonic Center in a while. It is your input that will help guide us younger members on a path that will lead to a glorious future for FCL #388.
Do you want to be more involved? Do you have ideas about what you would like to see our Lodge doing as far as events or outreach programs? Please let us know. You can email the Secretary or better yet, drop by in person the first or third Wednesday of the month and share your ideas with us. Remember, we build upon the solid foundation laid by our Past Masters. But what we build upon this foundation will be new. It is new. A stronger, better Lodge for all of our Brethren to enjoy – together. I have had a sneak peek at the upcoming events for the new season, and my heart is filled with joy and anticipation. How refreshing it is to know that we are all working for a common goal. We are all learning and growing together. We cannot do it alone. Every person has the ability to make a difference in our lodge. We all meet on the level. I have been recently reminded how short life is, how precious a gift for us to be together on this celestial plane. I think about the fact that those who have come before us have cut a path for us should we choose to follow it. It is our task to continue forging ahead, and be sure that those who come after us will find their way. There is always more to learn, more to do, people who need help, and things that should be said. Don’t wait, because before you know it, another year will be behind you. It is my belief that it is better to regret something you have done, as opposed to something you have not done.
Another season. Another officer corps to be named. Another wonderful calendar full of fellowship. I would like to thank W.M. Jackie Woldering for his continued service to the lodge. I would like to thank Bro. Elliot Gross for all of the hard work and dedication that helped us over the past several months. I would like to thank all of the Past Masters who have contributed their time, energy, and knowledge over the past year. And a special thank you to everyone who volunteered in any way at all to help our lodge. Whether helping during set up, picking up and dropping off Brethren who no longer drive, helping in the kitchen, or just coming to lodge to help engage in our discourse – your presence is vital. We thank you. It is a special time where we can look over our shoulder and see the past year while looking ahead at the wonderful year we will have ahead of us. It is time to get back on the path – and move forward, together, as Brethren.
Brother Daniel CohenJunior Warden
Brother Chris Charles, S.W. on the left, Brother Thom Woldering, W.B. Randy Ramsey, W.M. and Brother George Kraus, J.W. on the right
Mary Woldering, W.B. Buck Henry, Treasurer and W.M. Jackie Woldering, P.M.
ATTENTION!Don't lose contact with your Brothers!
It is time to update the Forest City Masonic Lodge #388 DirectoryPlease submit the following information to:
Worshipful Master Jackie F. Woldering, P.M. By mail: 297 East 270th Street, Euclid, Ohio 44132-1601
or email: [email protected]
Full Name: _____________________________________________________Spouse/Significant Other ____________________ Year Raised: ___________Permanent Address: ______________________________________________Winter Address if applicable: _______________________________________Home Phone: ___________________________________________________ Winter Phone if applicable: ________________________________________Work Phone: ___________________Cell Phone: _______________________ Permanent Email Address: _________________________________________
Preferred Contact Email Address:____________________________________
It is important for you to provide this information so that you may continue to receive important information from your masonic lodge!
Brother,
I hope that this email finds you doing well and enjoying your summer. I wanted to share some thoughts around the current state of the Craft.
Many, if not all of you, have been told of the dwindling number of Masons in your jurisdiction. Membership is down. Lodge attendance is down. Retention is down. You have heard from Masons at all levels of the causes of these trends. In today’s society, it is difficult to capture a man’s attention. People are busier today than they were in the past, right? All fraternal organizations and civic groups are facing these issues right now, right? Or maybe you have heard the other line of thought. Meetings are too boring. We need more education. We need to be more involved in the community. We need to open up more and be less secretive. We need to start recruiting without actually recruiting. Among the myriad of problem statements, and even among the myriad of proposed solutions, there are some promising ideas….some laudable ideas that could truly lead to improvement within the Craft. However, I would submit that in our current state of existence, very few of these solutions are being applied to very few of these problems.
I would ask you to sit for a moment and think about when the last time you were told of the dwindling numbers within the Craft and how it could be fixed. Can you remember? I would make a sweeping assumption that it was most likely in the Lodge at a meeting, or perhaps some other Masonic event at the district level, or even the state level. Am I right? Now take that a step further…who was sitting next to you at that meeting? Another sweeping assumption on my part would be that it was probably one of the same guys who shows up at every Stated Meeting…participates in every Lodge event…and has been through the Progressive Line at least once within the first 5-7 years of being a Brother. Why is that important? It is important, my Brother, because in my opinion we are simply preaching to the choir. We are not reaching the very men that we spend so much time discussing.
Let me digress a bit. I was once told by a good friend and Brother that Brother George Washington attended less than ten Masonic functions in his entire life. Yet he was able to spread the Light of Masonry into every corner of the United States. Arguably, to this day, Brother Washington continues to inspire not only those who are already members of our Gentle Craft, but inspires those seeking to be more like him! Why do I share this? Because, as a Craft, we seem to give up on those who have already joined our ranks so that we can seek out those who have not. My limited experience would suggest that most Lodges have an average attendance of 10-15% of their membership. How many of us have taken the time to reach out to the other 85-90% of our Brothers? Not just to collect dues, or to lecture them on why they should be attending Lodge, but to extend a hand of Brotherly Love….perhaps to check in to see if they need anything, or perhaps just to share some Masonic wisdom? The point, Brother, is that we have within our ranks many just and upright men who are doing their best to carry the Light of Masonry every day….yet they are forced to keep this Light burning on their own. They find support only when physically sitting in Lodge, and only after having to make amends for their
continued absence.
I would propose the following. Reach out to those members who you haven’t seen in Lodge for years, if ever. There are many ways to do this, some more personal than others, but they are available and easily utilized. I would suggest that the most effective, and yet most underutilized communication tool we have access to is email. While many would argue that with our aging membership, email is not an effective tool to communicate, I would say the following. You have an email address. I am sending this email to 500+ Brothers with the click of a button. Many of you have not been to Lodge in sometime. Many of you have perhaps not even thought about Lodge in sometime….and yet you are still my Brother. You are still entitled to the wages of a Master Mason. Perhaps you are unable due to work or familial obligations to actually attend Lodge. Perhaps you are not a social person and simply seek the wisdom that can be gleaned from our ritual. Perhaps you simply feel as if you have been forgotten. I assure you, that this is not the case! We are a Brotherhood that exists not only while in Lodge, but also when abroad in the world….Imagine the feeling of connectedness a Brother, even one who checks his email only every few weeks, would experience if he were to open up his email after a few weeks of time has passed to find a genuine greeting from a Brother Mason. Not an email asking for dues. Not an email complaining about lack of attendance. Simply a greeting to let them know that they are not forgotten. Perhaps some Masonic Education that he can apply in his everyday life that will allow him to improve society in his own way, and in doing so, spread the Light of Masonry!
Many organizations communicate very effectively through email to large groups….and the reality is that the Brother who never has the time to sit down and read the monthly Trestle Board, or the Grand Lodge publications most likely has a smart phone in his pocket. In those few seconds that he glances down at his phone, we as a Craft have the ability to completely change how he will conduct himself as a member of society! Yet it does not stop there…we can make phone calls….personal visits…HAND written letters…and soon, perhaps that Brother…the one who has been nothing more than a talking point during discussions on how to improve retention or grow the rolls….that Brother will begin to realize that he is a part of a true Brotherhood…and who knows…he may even find his way back into the Lodge….But, in my opinion, and even that of our beloved Brother George Washington, attending Lodge is not what makes you a Mason….it is the manner in which you conduct yourself that makes you a Mason….we need to encourage that conduct to ALL of our Brothers…not just those sitting next to us at the Stated Meeting….
With that, I would ask that you reach out to a Brother today…perhaps someone you have never met, but have heard many times in Lodge when discussing low attendance….reach out to them and offer them the hand of Brotherly Love….after all….no matter how badly we want to see capacity crowds sitting in Lodge…these men are still our Brothers…and still deserving of the wages of a Master Mason. Your Brother, Jason Eddy
PAYING A MASTER HIS WAGES
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Permit No. 1
Ten Master Masons, happy, doing fine;One listened to a rumor, then there were nine.Nine Master Masons, faithful, never late;One didn’t like the “Master,” then there were eight.Eight Master Masons, on their way to heaven;One joined too many clubs, then there were seven.Seven Master Masons, life dealt some hard licks; One grew discouraged, then there were six.Six Master Masons, all very much alive;One lost his interest, then there were five.Five Master Masons, wishing there were more;Got into a great dispute, then there were four.Four Master Masons, busy as could be;One didn’t like the programs, then there were three.Three Master Masons, was one of them you?One grew tired of all the work, then there were two.Two Master Masons with so much to be done;One said “What’s the use,” then there was one.
One Master Mason, found a brother -- true!Brought him to the Lodge, then there were two.Two Master Masons didn’t find work a bore;Each brought another, then there were four.Four Master Masons saved their Lodges fate;By showing others kindness, then there were eight.Eight Master Masons, loving their Lodges bright sheen; Talked so much about it, they soon counted sixteen.
Sixteen Master Masons, to their obligations true; Were pleased when their number went to thirty-two.So we can’t put our troubles at the Lodges door;It’s our fault for harming the Lodge we adore.
Don’t fuss about the programs or the “Master” in the East; Keep your obligation by serving even the very least.
-Author Unknown
Submitted by Brother Elliott Gross
