One Voice

Over the years I have had several brothers ask why they should attend the annual session of Grand Lodge. Many times I have gone with the answer that it is their duty or some similar reason. I may talk about the different sessions and information that is presented. I may even discuss the friendships that are formed. Yet there is one reason that I over looked, One Voice. The One Voice that can change the world.

This past weekend I saw first hand how one voice from the floor can let an entire Grand Lodge start a new direction. I have heard of this happening in other jurisdiction. The Grand Lodge of Connecticut 20 years ago voted to recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodge because of a motion from the floor, one voice had the strength to stand up for what he believed to be right. On Saturday from the floor came a motion that may have far reaching impact at least for on jurisdiction. Below is the motion that was overwhelmingly approve by the body because a few brothers had the strength of conviction to stand up for what they felt was right.

"Whereas the Grand Lodge of West Virginia has arbitrarily and recklessly ignored the will of their brethren, expelling a Past Grand Master without trial or redress, violating the ancient and accepted customs and tenets of our Fraternity and bring shame and disrepute on all Masons and Freemasonry, and

Whereas they have been named in a civil suit further bringing the Craft into public disrepute and scorn,

Therefore be it resolved that the Grand Lodge of Minnesota expresses its concern over these actions and will consider suspending recognition of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia upon the recommendation of our External Relations Committee at our next Annual Communication in 2010 if there is not correction of these actions and a renewed willingness by the Grand Lodge of West Virginia to enter into the modern fraternity of Freemasonry."

The next time I am asked why a brother should attend Grand Lodge, I now have a better answer: "Because one voice can change the world."

Are you Sharing your Knowledge

How long have you been a Mason? Has it been five or fifty years since you first knelt at the altar and took your obligation? In the years since, have there been brothers who took you under their wing and helped you become a better man and Mason? As our Lodges start to see a re-birth, who and where are the men taking our newest Masons under their wing? Our newest members don't receive Masonic knowledge simply by being brought to further light.

In the 90's we were told it takes a village to raise a child. This is something that our brethren have always known, for we are taught to labor to instruct and inform. Some Lodges naturally do this, it is part of their culture. Yet, in too many Lodges this tradition has been lost. Every Mason, regardless of age, deserves a Brother or group of Brothers that he can turn to during his lifelong journey for more light.

In my travels I have met a lot of Brothers and been in more Lodges than I can count. I can always tell the Lodges that have a culture of mentoring, whether it is formal or not. They are the Lodges that have full sidelines, great turnout for events, and where the Brothers truly care for each other. Thanks to all the men who have taken the time and made the effort to take a Brother under their wing. You truly are what keeps the Light of Masonry shining as the next generation starts to labor in the quarries.

Who has helped you on your journey, who have you helped? It is how we help our Brothers that the greatest impression of Masonry is presented.

Calling all SE Area Lodge Leaders

Brothers,

I have been asked by RWB Tom Hendrickson, Jr Grand Warden, to invite all Masters, Wardens and other Lodge leaders to attend Lodge in Owatonna on Monday, February 9th. After the stated communication RWB Tom would like to have a discussion with the SE Area Lodge leaders about Masonry in SE Minnesota. This is a nice opportunity prior to Grand Lodge, at the end of March, to talk to one of our Grand Lodge leaders.

Please let me know if you plan on attending.

A Cold Winter Night

Last night several Lodges from the Southeast Area came together for a School of Instruction on the Degree Lectures. The weather outside was cold and windy yet inside was warm with brotherhood. We had around 30 brothers present from 10 different Lodges and several of the lectures were put on by Brothers that are spending time learing the work for the first time. All of the work was done with great care and every brother left having learned some new piece of the ritual whether it was a pronunciation, the meaning of a word, or part of why we use a certain word here in Minnesota. A great thanks goes out to the brothers of Evergreen Lodge for hosting the school and making sure the heat was turned on, and to WB Brian Beerman and WB Don Olson for taking time to drive down from the metro to instruct the school. Our next school will be held in March in Rochester.

A Scary and Sad Feeling

Last night I was in a Lodge that was doing the first degree for six candidates. The Lodge room was filled with 30+ brothers present. The degree work was great and the hard work of the brothers really showed. The first section of the lecture was presented by two brothers that had just been raised in December and they knocked it out of the park. It was great to see two new brothers step up and do such a great job.

The second section was presented by me. I have presented this lecture at least twice a year since I was first raised in 2001 so I am pretty comfortable with it. I got to "neiter naked or clad" and drew my first blank, with a prompt I was back on track until I got to the "altar" at which point it was totatlly gone. While I only needed a word here or there it was a very scary feeling standing in front of that many brothers and start drawing complete blanks. I felt that I had let my brothers and our new candidates down. I know many brothers who are very self-critical of the work they do (I am one of them), just remember we do the work for our new brothers and I have yet to meet one that doesn't appreciate the time and effort.

Thankfully, on Thursday 1/29 we will be having an Southeast Area School of Instruction for the lectures in Clyde. I know that I will be there listening and asking questions trying to learning new parts of the lectures. If you are working on learing a lecture for your Lodge's spring degree work this will be a great chance to get some help.

A Gentle and Friendly Reminder

Yesterday I received an email from a brother that I greatly respect. This email was whispering good council into the ear of a brother. He was looking at this blog and noticed that it has not been kept current. His reminder was that if you are going to do something DO IT and do it to the best of your ability. To the Old Past Master thank you for the reminder and with that I will put more effort into keeping this blog up to date.

School of instruction 10/30

Brother James asked me to post a note about the 4th school of instruction held in Rushford on Oct.30. It was another good turn out. There were 33 brothers . Most were from dist29 but there were brothers from Rochester and Albert Lea. WB Greg Lane was the custodian and did a great job(as DR I really want to thank Greg for making the trip.
The next scheduled schools are:
Jan 29,2009 at Clyde , lectures.
Mar 30 Monday, Rochester, 1st school
Fraternally, Paul Himmler