Masonry Does Not Stop

Brothers, 
It hasn’t come down from Grand Lodge as of yet, however, we need to protect our membership as it comprises some of the high-risk populations (the elderly and those with underlying health issues), and given the uncertainty surrounding of those who contracted the virus and have yet to be diagnosed, I feel that out of an abundance of caution we should cancel Lodge communications until the second Tuesday of April (4/28/2020). This can be re-assessed as events unfold, this is a prudent course of action. Many other Lodges and concordant bodies have canceled meetings and gatherings due to this outbreak. The W:.M:. of Palmer Lodge emailed me and said the Grand Lodge of Canada has suspended all Masonic activities indefinitely. There is a list of cancellations in the Erie district newsletter.

The M:.W:. Grand Master has sent out many communications concerning the virus and measures to be taken to help curtail the spread of this. I have attached some of his guidance.: “Does this affect Masonry? While it may affect some of our assembly’s, Masonry still continues. Common sense must prevail with Hand Washing, Cough/Sneeze in sleeve/tissue, etc. We are all aware of the preventative measures each of us must take which will enhance our ability to work through this situation.

I am in constant contact with those in your Grand Line who possess the expertise needed in this particular situation. As of this communication, all Lodges are given the option of hand contact or no hand contact at our meetings. Initiation Hand Contact should be followed by Hand Sanitizing. “No Handshake” environments should be encouraged.” My apologies go out to Bro. Dolgos as he has been extremely patient and was awaiting his second degree. He will be an excellent Master Mason. 

Steak

Our next communication on Tuesday, April 28th is our annual steak bake and trash to treasure auction. Our Treasurer, Secretary, and Trustees will present their annual reports. Additionally, we have a petitioner to be balloted on.  All Brothers are welcome to join us. Please let us know if you are coming so we can have enough food to go around.

This event will put a lot of strain on charitable organizations such as food pantries and community outreach programs. Brothers of the Bread will suffer also. With no out of date bread or any bread for that matter in stores, there will be none collected from stores for redistribution. I don’t know if the bakeries will help out at this time or if they have the capacity.  In times like this, we as Masons need to ensure our Brothers are ok and have what they need. It is part of our obligation.  If any Brother needs something please reach out to the Brotherhood and we will do what we can to help accommodate.  No one is exempt from this. I hope everyone has what they need and are safe and comfortable.  

“Masonry does not stop. Sometimes meetings are postponed. But Masonry does not stop.” M;.W. William Sardone.

W:. Capron

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Attending Lodge, Most Worshipful, & “Open Mic”

Brothers, 
Sometimes a Brother may not attend Lodge because he isn’t familiar with the signs or rituals, but this should never keep you out of the Lodge. I have made this statement before and I myself did a bad job with the opening of Lodge this past communication. But we also had a very special guest that I put to much pressure on myself to try and perform to the best of my abilities and that fell flat. But I am only human like all of us and kept going even though it would have been better to crawl under a rock and hide. LOL, I can even laugh at myself now. We go on! So never not attend, we help each other through it. 

At our last communication, we had the Most Worshipful Jeffery M. Williamson Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York (2016-2018).  He put on a compelling presentation. He spoke of his time as the Grand Master, he also broke down with excellent explanation the Master Mason bible verses of Ecclesiastes 12 verses 1-7. This is something we all should review and reflect upon as Masons. This was a communication that should have not been missed. Bro. Aaron received a commemorative 150th-anniversary coin from a Lodge in Michigan. They were impressed with his customer service to them during the super bowl, he works for Spectrum, and while they couldn’t get into a lot of details due to no way to perform a lawful inspection the conversation about Masonry, in general, was well-received between them. W:. Bro. Mann sat in the South, dusted off the ritual and did an amazing job as Jr. Warden.  And W:. Bro. Markus sat in the West. All senior Brothers are valuable resources to the Lodge and they are always a resource for wise council. Dinner of pork roast, roasted new potatoes, salad, and garlic rolls started the evening and was well received. My lady Betty put this on and she did a fantastic job. We ended the evening with a mixed berry pie.  

Grand Lodge is collecting model train paraphernalia, engines, cars, track, and anything model train related of any scale for the M:.W:. ‘s new initiative at the Masonic Care Community to be used by its residents and guests. If you have anything you would like to donate please either bring it by the lodge or contact me or the secretary and we will get it picked up. 

Our next communication is set for March 10, 2020, and is an “Open Mic” night. Any Brother with a subject they are passionate about, Masonic or not is invited to present this to the Lodge. Please keep presentations to 10 minutes unless only a few are presented then there would be more time if need be. Hope to see you there. A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet, so don’t be a stranger, be a friend and Brother. Come on out and hope to see all who can attend the next communication.

W:. Capron


Do you need a ride? We have Masons ready and willing to pick you up and take you home. Contact Us and we will make every effort to get you to Lodge and back home safely.

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Guest Speaker: MW:. Jeffrey M. Williamson

A Lifetime in Masonry, Ritual, Observations and the Book of Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

By Jeffrey M. Williamson, PGM

Please join us on February 25, 2020, for a presentation by the MW:. Jeffrey M. Williamson, Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York. MW:. Williamson will present; “A Lifetime in Masonry, Ritual, Observations and the Book of Ecclesiastes 12:1-7”.  This is a presentation every Mason should attend. MW:. Williamson is an awesome speaker and has years of Masonic knowledge, some of which he will pass along this evening. Please RSVP if you wish to attend. All Entered Apprentices, Fellowcraft, and Master Masons are welcome to join us for this exciting event.

Fellowship begins at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30 pm, and we will open Lodge at 7:30 pm sharp with Fellowship continuing after Lodge closing. If you are attending or possibly bringing along some Brothers for the dinner and presentation please RSVP to ensure there will be enough for all.


Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 King James Version (KJV)
12 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years
draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after
the rain:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, 
and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise 
up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond 
tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth 
to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the
fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

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