From the East
Brethren,
Greetings from the East! We are making progress on our work towards the requirements for the Lion and Pillar Lodge of Excellence (http://grandlodge-nc.org/center-for-members/lion-and-pillar-lodge-of-excellence).
On April 24th, our lodge hosted a district wide Entered Apprentice Degree with three candidates and almost 60 brethren from around the district.
Brethren, as I stood in the East, I watched as the brothers lined up four deep, in the North and South, to assist in bringing these men from darkness to Masonic Light. How I wish that every degree could have this kind of turnout.
With that in mind, on May 29th, we will be holding an appreciation dinner for our lodge families and widows as well as presenting Service Awards for 25, 50, and 60 year members. Brethren, put this on your calendars and bring your families.
In June we will be hosting a Master Mason degree to be performed mainly by Certified Lecturers. Brethren, these are our brothers that have put in the time and effort, not only to learn but also, to demonstrate that they know their stuff. I am looking forward to seeing how our experts do it.
Finally, the easy part of our work in the lodge has been done. The initial effort to paint the lodge room and update the lighting is done. Now comes the hard part – the follow through. We are not done, we have only begun. If you have a skill that would be useful in updating our lodge, or if you are willing to contribute some elbow grease, please let me know. We still have painting and sheetrock work that needs to be done. We may also have tile work and cabinetry work that we will be interested in doing.
It is, and continues to be, a great year.
Fraternally,
Bill Stout – Worshipful Master, PM
From the South
Greetings from the South!
Brother, what do you do in your time away from the lodge? What talents do you have that others can be helped with ?
Making use of the talents, skills and knowledge we have been given (some might say on loan to us to use during our lifetime) are made stronger when shared. It is one thing to know a skill, another to practice it and quite different to teach another to learn that skill. It is like the proverbial story of teaching a man to fish instead of just giving him a fish to eat. One meal or a lifetime of fish?
Providing a mastery of your craft is enhanced when you take the extra steps and make preparations for imparting that to another. Be Prepared is the Boy Scout Motto and is a simple saying – preparing others is a gift that you can give to others to help them construct their own set of skills.
Giving another an opportunity to learn from you can spark a lifelong journey for them or a new or different vocation.
Exposure to something new and different could be a new challenge, help them cope with an obstacle or be able to share and pass along the skill they have learned from you to another. Opening their mind to a different perspective or way of thinking may be just what they need at that time.
There is a saying, alternately attributed to Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Shakyamuni and the Theosophists, that goes: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Be an inspiring teacher, impart a skill or a willing student there is much to share.
Brother, I look forward to seeing you both in lodge and out of lodge soon and learning what skills and talents you have to teach me.
Fraternally,
Chris Lueck, JW
From the Secretary
Brothers,
We’ve certainly had a busy spring, and there are exciting opportunities moving forward as well. The Master has mentioned many of these: Service Awards/Family Night, anticipated lodge work days and there’s also the June District 32 Certified Lecturers Master Mason Degree.
Fraternally,
Mike Hamrick, PM
Secretary