From the East
Brethren,
Your lodge is still very busy with degree work, which is a huge blessing. This month we raised Bro. Sam Ludwig to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Congratulations to Sam for all his hard work and time through the degrees and to WB Glenn Sigmon, WB Clayton Wright and WB Scott Zwemer for their time coaching Sam, and others, through the degrees. We will also be conducting an Entered Apprentice degree for 1 to 3 candidates on Thursday, November 17th at the York Rite Masonic Center, dinner at 6:30pm and Lodge at 7:30pm, come join us.
Phalanx Lodge coins are here! A coin is free to all Phalanx brothers in good standing as a thank you for your commitment to the Lodge and in celebration of Phalanx Lodge No. 31’s 225th birthday next month. If you do not attend lodge and want a coin, feel free to contact WB Mike Hamrick and he will mail you one. Additional coins are $10.00 each.
This Month in Freemasonry –
Nov 1, 1922 – the cornerstone of the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia was laid using WB George Washington’s trowel (his trowel, among many other George Washington Masonic relics, are on display at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. My favorite is his Master’s chair donated at his death and sealed in an airtight clear cube.
Nov 2, 1795 – Bro. James K. Polk, future member of Columbia Lodge No. 31 in Columbia, TN and future President of the United States, was born in a log cabin near present day Pineville in Mecklenburg Co., NC.
Nov 2, 1895 – Bro. Warren G. Harding, future member of Marion Lodge No. 70 in Marion, Ohio and future President of the United States, was born in Corsica, OH.
Nov 4, 1752 – WB George Washington, 20 years old, was initiated in Fredericksburg Lodge in Fredericksburg, VA.
Nov 4, 1850 – WB Albert Pike, 41 years old, was raised in Western Star Lodge No. 2 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Nov 9, 1920 – Bro. J. Edgar Hoover, 25 years old, was raised in Federal Lodge No. 1 in Washington, DC.
Nov 11, 1975 – Bro. Buzz Aldrin (member of Montclair Lodge 144 in Montclair, NJ) launched on his final flight with Gemini 12, space walking for 5.5 hours.
Nov 16, 1865 – The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite assembled in Charleston, SC to resume labors after the end of the Civil War.
Nov 30, 1874 – Bro. Winston Churchill was born at his family’s estate, Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, England.
Fraternally,
Nick Voelker – Master
From the West
Brethren,
November is a time to be thankful for all the blessings and comforts in our lives. As Worshipful Master Voelker said in his remarks, we at Phalanx Lodge have been blessed with a lot of degree work over the last few months. I’m sure we are all thankful for our new Master Masons and they are thankful to be members of this great fraternity.
I’m also thankful for the opportunity to participate in the degree work and in the ritual practices in preparation for the degrees. I’ve been coming to Masonic practices for over 25 years in four different lodges, and I still learn something new with each practice.
Masonic ritual is very deep, “veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols”. The symbols have been chosen “to imprint upon the mind wise and serious truths”.
Allegory and symbolism are subject to interpretation. We all come to the lodge with different backgrounds and experiences. Accordingly, we all view and interpret Masonic allegory and symbolism from different perspectives. We often discuss various sections of the ritual during practices, and I greatly appreciate the Masons who participate in these practice sessions, and I gain new Masonic insights from each of them.
If you haven’t attended a practice lately, I encourage you to start coming out on Thursdays at 7:00pm for ritual practice and rehearsal and fellowship. I think you’ll find these gatherings rewarding and fun.
Happy Thanksgiving,
John Hulla, SW pro tem
From the Secretary
Brothers,
This is a busy time of the year. Our November 10th Stated Communication will include the election of our 2023 officers, as well as a discussion regarding members who have not yet paid 2022 dues.
And specific to dues, those 2023 notices are now out, and due by December 31, 2020.
Please join us on the 10th if you are willing and able, or contact me should you need transportation assistance.
Mike Hamrick, PM
Secretary