Masters Newsletter 4/12/2021

Dear Brethren,

Last Tuesday we held our monthly Stated Meeting.  We continue to see very nice turnouts for our meetings and it is a very encouraging sign but we still have plenty of room for others to come join us.  One thing missing from our Stated Meetings is the reading of new petitions and reports from Investigating Committees.  Spreading the word about Masonry and growing our Lodge membership comes down to all of us a whole.  We really encourage you all to talk to family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. about Masonry and tell them how it has helped you in your life.  Invite them on a Tuesday for dinner to meet some of the Brothers and to get a tour of our historic building.  You could also invite them the OES Breakfast held on the first Saturday of each month (except July and August).  I am usually there as are several other Brothers.  I would also be more than happy to meet with them on any other given night as well to show them the building and talk with them about Masonry.

Coming up this week we will be having a Master Mason Degree for Brother Horlston.  This being the pinnacle of a Brother’s Blue Lodge experience, I hope we have a record turnout for this Degree night.  Come on out and help make this experience a memorable one for this Brother.  I have had a few people mention they would like to get back to Lodge but that “it has been awhile and I forget what to do”.  That is ok, come to Lodge anyhow.  Anyone would be willing to work with you and help you out.  I can say if you have not been in Lodge in a while though, it is a good idea to bring your Dues card with you as our Tyler may not know who you are and that is the fastest way to show you are a Mason.  Also, if you would like to attend Lodge but can’t because you are not comfortable driving or are just unable to drive now, please reach out to me and let me know.  We will work to find you transportation to and from the Lodge.

Last year because of Covid-19 we suspended the delivery of flowers to our Masonic widows out of safety for them and us, however we are back at it again this year and are in need of Brothers to step up and volunteer for this very important task.  You could even say it is part of your Masonic obligation to look after our widows.  You don’t have to worry about going alone if you do not wish, as you can be teamed up with another Brother.  At most it will take just 1-2 hours of your time and will help bring smiles and joy to the widows who are the recipients.  To add to this, here is a message from the Chairmen of our Family, Widows and Orphans Committee, David Clingan.  “The flowers will be available for pick up at the lodge on Tuesday, May 4th.  Brothers will be provided with the widow’s contact information and they should call the widow to set up a time for the drop off.  You are encouraged to take another brother along with you for the deliveries.  Many of our brothers have been doing these deliveries for many years and the widows always look forward to it.  As always, we need some new brothers to help with this very special project.  If you would like to volunteer this year, please contact David Clingan at dwclingan@gmail.com or 317-730-6545”.

One way we as a Lodge want to get our name out to the community is by being more involved with the local community around us.  WB Ron Featherston is working to change our normal Fish Fry into a Community Day event instead with vendors, kid’s activities, fish fry, etc.  We also would like to help with cleanup events in the community which focus a lot on the Fall Creek Trail that runs through the Millersville Community.  This cleanup happens on the third Saturday of every month but the big spring cleanup is this month on April 17th.  It is only a few hours from 10:00am until noon and there is free coffee and donuts as well as gloves and trash bags provided.  I would suggest bringing a grabber stick of you have one to avoid having to bend over so much.  There is an office building next to the Starbucks on Emerson and 56th which is the meeting point.  I really hope we can get some Lodge Brothers to show up for that.  I know it is competing with the shotgun shoot at Sugar Creek as well.  I myself will not be able to attend this event as I am taking my brother in for surgery on the Friday before so will be out of town for that.

I have spoken with the Eastern Star and we have agreed to our Lodge Building and grounds cleanup to take place on May 1st, 2021 after the OES Breakfast.  Come on out that day to support your OES and having breakfast with your fellow Lodge Brothers.  We will then head outside to clean up around the Lodge building.  Please bring rakes, shovels, gloves, etc for cleaning up of the grounds around the Lodge.  Start time will be approximately 10:30am for those who can’t attend the breakfast but would still like to help with the cleanup.

We have had a few Brothers step up and state their interest in the officer line but we are always looking for more.  Some have asked what are the requirements we are looking for so here are just the beginning steps.  Be active in Craft Guild as well as start learning the CrossFires and volunteer with the Junior Warden to do one during an actual degree.  We really need to see that you can get over the “stage fright” and are willing to put the time in to learn and rehearse with the officers.

As everyone will recall, this year’s Master Mason class is dedicated to the memory of WB Mark Griffin.  The rocks glasses commissioned to honor the memory of WB Mark Griffin are in and can be purchased from your officers.  These glasses look incredible and are American made!  The price for a single glass will be $10.00, two for $18.00 and a set of 4 will be $35.00.    Make sure to get your glass(es) early to remember the life of such a dedicated Mason and Veteran.

Last but not least, calling all sportsmen; there is a fundraiser shotgun shoot being held at Sugar Creek on Saturday, April 17th.  This is open to anyone; they do not have to be a Mason and it is a good opportunity to bring someone who may be interested in Masonry.  Contact WB Michael Kinder if you are interested in this event and/or are in need of a team.

Quote of the Week:

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”

Edmund Burke
Philosopher

Edmund Burke was thought to be a member of Jerusalem Lodge No. 44, Clerkenwell, London which was sometimes referred to as “Burke’s Lodge”.  It is now Jerusalem Lodge No. 197.  If all of us were to do nothing or to not take part in some way simply because we didn’t think we could contribute much, then nothing would ever get done.  It doesn’t matter if you can do a lot or a little, we each have a part to play in some way, shape or form and it is all of us coming together, each doing our little part, that makes us all succeed in the end.  It doesn’t matter how much or little you can do, it matters that you just do what you can.  Sometimes your just being there and offering your support and words of encouragement is that little or small part we need to accomplish our goal.

Millersville 126 News / Dates:

Apr. 13 – MM Degree (Horlston Jean Francois)

  • Dinner 6:00pm
  • Lodge 7:00pm

Apr. 17 – Great Millersville Community Cleanup

  • 10:00am – Noon (Meet at Office BLDG next to Starbucks)
  • Free Donuts and Coffee
  • Garbage Bag and Gloves Provided (Bring your own Grabber stick if you have one)

Apr. 20 – Social Evening

  • Dinner 6:00pm
  • After dinner, head to the parlor for some Euchre or a game of Backgammon or just simply hangout and catch up with your Brothers. Or head up to the top floor for a game of pool or to peruse the Library

Apr. 27 – Masonic Education/Craft Guild

  • Dinner 6:00pm
  • Masonic Education 6:30pm (Forget-Me-Not, Brent Williamson)
  • Craft Guild 7:00pm

May 1 – OES Community Breakfast

  • 8:00am – 10:30am
  • Lodge Cleanup Day (After Breakfast)

This Week’s Birthdays

Randy Snyder (4/12), Kenneth Smith (4/13), Justin Hunter, Sr (4/15), Deshane Caldwell (4/16), Robert Stephens (4/16), Martin McAfee (4/17), Michael Gasser (4/18)

This Week’s Raisings

William Guffey (4/12), Evan Smith (4/12), Rodney Mann (4/15), Eric Brown (4/15), Samuel Massaley, II (4/15), Roy Williams (4/16), Mahougbe Sagbo (4/17), Mark Roberts (4/18)

Master’s Travels

If anyone is planning to travel or visit another Lodge or has been asked to come assist with a degree, please reach out to me and let me know so we can get a few more Brothers to go and make a visit out of it.  Below is the travel opportunities site I go to.  If you see anything there that interests you make sure to let me know.  This is also a great opportunity for Mentors to take their mentees to see some extra degree work to aid in their learning.

We are sitting at 7 different Lodges visited for a total of 477 round trip miles.  We need at least 3 more visits to Lodges we haven’t already been too as well as 23 more miles.  Excellent progress in travel through the first quarter of the year.

http://masoniccalendar.blogspot.com/

Brian Bates

Worshipful Master

Millersville Lodge #126

Mobile: 260-615-8013

Email: tazmanfw@gmail.com