From the East
February 4th, 2009Brethren,
We are now moving into our second month of the year and there is a lot going on. Lets see if we can’t get a better turnout for our February meeting, as opposed to what we had in January. A Fellow Craft degree is coming up on February 23rd. This is for our two candidates in waiting that have completed the EA degree in December. The 23rd is a Monday so this degree work will be held as an emergent meeting. There will be a District Lodge of Instruction at Trenton Cyrus 5 on February 4 (a Wednesday). We need to get more of the lodge officers out for this. If you are an officer, let me know if you are going to make it. Some car pooling resources are available.
On the 5th of March (Thursday) WE, US, YOU of Amwell #12 will be hosting the District lodge of instruction. All officers MUST be in attendance for this. If you are not an officer, come in and watch. We will be practicing opening, closing, balloting, and the EA degree.
The Kilties
I have made progress on the MM degree being done with the Kilties at our lodge. This effort is in anticipation of our 2 candidates completing their Fellow Craft Degrees. The date for MM degree has been shifted back to April 6. This was due to a request from the Kilties to give them some breather space with respect to another Lodge’s request for their services. We are tentatively talking now about doing 5 candidates, 2 from our lodge, 2 from Stockton, and 1 from Frenchtown. It should be a busy and fun night for everyone.
Recreation Room
Lets also get behind Brother Rivera, and help him get the recreational room painted. This is a project that we can keep the costs down with volunteerism. Contact Brother Rivera about the time and date he wants to do this.
Research
If we have time at the February meeting, Brother Eissing will be giving a 5 minute history lesson on Brother George Washington’s inauguration as President of the United States and the role a Masonic Lodge Bible played in that event.
Business Meeting Dinner
Several Lodge members have asked me to give everyone a “heads up” on our dinner menus for each monthly meeting.
So, for February’s dinner we are going to have meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Green string beans will also be provided as a vegetable. There will be some kind of yummy desert as always.
New Membership Activity
One key item we want to get out of the way in our February meeting is to vote on the “election or rejection” of Mr. E. M. D. for membership in Amwell #12. I have checked with his petition committee and the results are favorable.
I have also heard rumblings of other men interested in join us at Amwell #12. Let’s get the Petitions out there for them to fill out. I know several of you chuckled about my goal of 12 new members this year. Hey! it could happen!
Taking Care of Our Own
One forum I would like to open up at the February meeting is how we can do a better job of keeping track of our older members, which for various reasons can’t make the monthly meetings. For example, Brother Horton and I (along with my wife Joni) went to see Brother Everett May in the NJ Masonic Home on February 17. Our objective was to give Brother May his 25-year pin (which we did). Brother May is facing so real challenges. He still has difficulty speaking due to the stroke he had years ago, and he has also lost one leg and that has confined him to a wheel chair. While he wife (who is very dedicated to him) visits often, it was easy to see that Brother May could use some further companionship and Masonic support once in a while.
Brother Bacon took the time out to check on G. J. one of our widows. Brother Bacon states: “I visited with G. and I’m happy to report all is well. She is 86 partially paralyzed on the right side and lives alone on a seven-acre farm. She has trouble speaking and walking. Her son lives close by and visits regularly handling all financial matters.” It was great that Brother Bacon took time to do this. Lets all start checking to see if maybe other elderly members or their widows could use some support and attention from us.
The Four Cardinal Virtues of a Freemason
Remember, we are all Freemason’s and are subject to the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance, and Justice. These are not just words, but actions we must persevere to achieve.
God bless all of you
