Well, it's official I'm a three-time has been, that's right I was able to survive my third go-round as Worshipful Master. Please keep in mind that I say this with tongue firmly implanted in cheek.
It was indeed an honor to serve as Worshipful Master of Mt.Morris Lodge #535. This was my third time to serve in this capacity. My first term was at the ripe old age of 29 in Fellowship Lodge #490 back in 1990. After about a nine year hiatus I finally returned to lodge and went through the chairs, again, and served as Worshipful for Fellowship Lodge #490 in 2005.
Back to this year. The night I was installed my youngest son was supposed to present me with a gavel, but because of his then newly discovered illness he was unable to attend and I was not able to enjoy my installation to the fullest. It was a great installation, in my opinion and tempered the remainder of my term as Worshipful Master of Mt.Morris Lodge.
Our lodge had many successes to be proud of. We started the year off by having a few "poker-nights" which are fund raising events. What a great time at those events, great fellowship and camaraderie, and even some studying and quizzing of the ritual. There were some key players in these events with a host of casual helpers to make the whole thing a success.
We continued on with our monthly Country Breakfast fund raiser with a few charity breakfasts thrown in for good measure. Also, when the chips were down and many of the regular workers were absent because of Grand Lodge, one of the charities we help (through hosting a breakfast fund-raiser for them) came to our rescue and provided some workers to fill those vacancies. What a great display of good old-fashioned human kindness.
During the year we were able to raise 7 brothers to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Along the way we took one candidate to Bay City for Joppa's Annual Fellowcraft Boat Degree, the boat was packed and it was hot! A great time was had by all.
We also did an unprecedented Master Mason degree on a Saturday following one of our Country Breakfasts. So, if the brothers wanted they could come and enjoy breakfast, a Master Mason degree and a fine tube-steak lunch afterwards.
Obviously we had a variety of degrees throughout the year. One of our last candidates of the year happened to be the son of WB Loren Bearup who took the east on all three degrees, which didn't hurt my feelings at all. What a tremendous thing to witness, a father bringing his son into the fraternity.
One of my favorite achievements this year was to rekindle an interest in Masonry for a brother who I was the top-line signer for some 25 years ago; while at a fish dinner in Grand Blanc I saw this brother and merely suggested that since I was in the east again, he should come out and have some laughs. Well, he did come out and since that time has done quite a bit of traveling and also took an office in his own lodge. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to say, hey why don't you come back to lodge....everyone would love to see you.
I wish it was always that easy. I've made many phone calls throughout the year and have encouraged, invited, and nearly begged brothers to come out, unfortunately without much success. We do have one brother who came back from a several year hiatus and is thoroughly enjoying his Masonic journey.....enjoying it so much that he resumed his place in line and was installed as Senior Warden. It's a great pleasure to have Billy T back in the swing of things with such enthusiasm.
Sometimes it's the small victories that mean the most. The ones which too often we take for granted. The small victories often pay really big dividends. We did have one major victory....a new metal roof. The JW remarked that at least fifty years from now the brothers of Mt.Morris lodge won't be cussing us out for taking the cheap way out on the roof. This project was a collective effort over a few years time and some great leadership from the Temple Board and it's leadership. Also, they installed storm windows over all of the windows of the lodge and had some old unruly shrubs removed and dirt hauled in to back fill and there are plans to landscape and beautify the front of the building.
It's been said too many times but communication can make or break the success of any lodge. We've learned first hand that when communications go wrong usually the activity or event goes wrong also. In reality it's amazing that the communication is as good as it is. With all the tools of modern technology it seems harder now to contact someone than ever before.
One evening our candidate was nearly late for his degree. When asked about it he said that he helps a friend who is partially disabled to clean an office building so she can earn extra money. He goes to do the heavy lifting for her which allows her to keep the job and the extra money she earns in the process. Little did we know that he was already practicing some of the tenets of our profession before taking his degrees.
Another event was an anniversary, past masters, awards night which
included families and honorary members and their families. This was a
great evening and a lot of good fellowship, something which I hope
continues in the future.
To sum things up, my son is in a much better condition than a year ago. Our lodge facilities are in a much better condition than they were a year ago. Our lodge membership is in better condition than it was a year ago. Our fellowship, commitment, and camaraderie is in better condition than a year ago. What a great year in Masonry at Mt.Morris Lodge #535.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
'Tis the Season for Installations
It most certainly is the season for the Installation of Officers throughout our great state of Michigan.
Each time I attend an installation I am reminded of something from my DeMolay days. Long, long ago while in DeMolay one of our many duties was to pull chairs for the Masonic Installations. We are talking the winding down of the glory years in Masonry.
I joined DeMolay in 1974 and remember vividly working the installations. My chapter was in the Flint Masonic Temple where there were 5 Masonic Lodges, 3 OES chapters, 2 Jobs Bethels, DeMolay, York Rite including Chapter, Council, and an enormous Commadery and many other affiliated bodies.
It was December of 1976 and WB Howard Durbin was being installed as Worshipful Master of Fellowship #490 for the upcoming year of 1977. We were at our post ready to pull chairs out of the Blue Room after each officer was installed.
My DeMolay brother Rickey Malone motioned for me to come over where he was. He told me to go into the Blue room before the installation started and to look at all the people. He said, " When you get in there pretend you are looking for someone, so you can check out all the people." So, obligingly I did exactly that and came back out after a minute or so.
I asked Rickey why he had me do that. He responded, " I wanted you to take a look at all the people in there, over 400 in fact. You will never see that many people at another Masonic Installation. I don't care how many you go to over the years, you will never see that again."
That scene plays out in my mind every year as we enter into the installation season. Rickey was right, I've never seen that again. In fact sometimes there is more like 40 not 400. Now I will be the first to admit that WB Howard Durbin was a legend in his own time when it came to Masonry. He also had tons of non masonic friends which may have contributed to the huge turn out at his installation.
It was not uncommon in those days to have 200 show up for an installation. The officers being installed were most generally being installed in that office for the first time and their families were there. The installing officers usually had their wife or companion with them. It was a rare thing to hear " I'm traveling alone this evening." Now it is rare to hear someone introduce a wife or family member or friend whatever the case may be.
How is it that we have arrived at where we are today. Many things have changed in the last 40 years or as my mom says a lot of water has went under the bridge. One thing which has changed is the attitude toward our installation. Years ago it was a celebration, something to look forward to and to share a slice of Masonry with our relatives and friends. Now it has become more of a necessary task which needs to be performed.
Another thing is the closed installation. This was very rarely heard of or used back in the day because chances were that the Worshipful Master was being installed for the first time. I joined Masonry in 1983 and served as steward for 2 years then on through the chairs not skipping positions. When I finally did make it to the East it was a big deal not only for me but for my family because they were aware that it took 6 years to get there.
I understand that in the age of the recycled Master that an open installation is not necessary but there may be other officers who are being installed for the first time, and we miss out on a chance to "shine" in a situation that the public at large can witness.
A contributing factor to the relatively small attendance at installations these days is that as the population of the county has decreased severely so has the population of our Masonic Lodges in the county decreased. The attendance numbers are spread out among some 16 lodges in the county. On the same thought those lodges were in existence years ago and they had some very large turn outs as far as attendance goes......but there is no denying the fact that Genesee County's population has shrank considerably.
Taking that into account, then perhaps the 16 some lodges still being open and functioning says something positive about the situation, that they are still able to assemble a corps of officers.
When it comes to the attendance at the installations I suppose one thing that can be surmised is that the installation of officers is not that important to the officers and their families. Things which are important seem to always have time made for them. It's funny how society in general has changed over the years. Other events such as funeral home visitations brings into question the dress of those visiting. My mom's friend passed away and the attire of her family was less than fitting for a funeral, in my mind it was very disrespectful to a wonderful woman. I think it is just a sign of how things have become less important to people over the years.
A brother who had been away from the craft for a number of years with a little encouragement has been attending some events lately. His comment was that he can't believe the dress of those attending lodge.
My response was that yes a lot of things had changed over the years and dress requirements was one of them.
Somehow we have to instill in our new members the importance of this Fraternity. That really is our job to sell them on the benefits to them socially and morally. In addition to that we have to have some activities beyond meetings and degree work. We need to be more socially active with each other. We learn in our lectures that man was created for the social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God.
Looking back on the glory days, the fraternity was a huge social outlet.....and it was important to the men who participated and by it being important to those men....their families recognized that it was important and supported them in their endeavors. We have to lead the way and encourage our new brothers to involve their family and friends in their Masonic journey......and along with that we need to get our families and friends more involved by demonstrating to them the importance of the Fraternity and ensuring that we solicit their support in our endeavors.
Brothers, I've rambled on for long enough.....but take notice at the next installation you attend.....you may be surprised at where we are and find it hard to believe we were ever where we were only 40 years ago.
Each time I attend an installation I am reminded of something from my DeMolay days. Long, long ago while in DeMolay one of our many duties was to pull chairs for the Masonic Installations. We are talking the winding down of the glory years in Masonry.
I joined DeMolay in 1974 and remember vividly working the installations. My chapter was in the Flint Masonic Temple where there were 5 Masonic Lodges, 3 OES chapters, 2 Jobs Bethels, DeMolay, York Rite including Chapter, Council, and an enormous Commadery and many other affiliated bodies.
It was December of 1976 and WB Howard Durbin was being installed as Worshipful Master of Fellowship #490 for the upcoming year of 1977. We were at our post ready to pull chairs out of the Blue Room after each officer was installed.
My DeMolay brother Rickey Malone motioned for me to come over where he was. He told me to go into the Blue room before the installation started and to look at all the people. He said, " When you get in there pretend you are looking for someone, so you can check out all the people." So, obligingly I did exactly that and came back out after a minute or so.
I asked Rickey why he had me do that. He responded, " I wanted you to take a look at all the people in there, over 400 in fact. You will never see that many people at another Masonic Installation. I don't care how many you go to over the years, you will never see that again."
That scene plays out in my mind every year as we enter into the installation season. Rickey was right, I've never seen that again. In fact sometimes there is more like 40 not 400. Now I will be the first to admit that WB Howard Durbin was a legend in his own time when it came to Masonry. He also had tons of non masonic friends which may have contributed to the huge turn out at his installation.
It was not uncommon in those days to have 200 show up for an installation. The officers being installed were most generally being installed in that office for the first time and their families were there. The installing officers usually had their wife or companion with them. It was a rare thing to hear " I'm traveling alone this evening." Now it is rare to hear someone introduce a wife or family member or friend whatever the case may be.
How is it that we have arrived at where we are today. Many things have changed in the last 40 years or as my mom says a lot of water has went under the bridge. One thing which has changed is the attitude toward our installation. Years ago it was a celebration, something to look forward to and to share a slice of Masonry with our relatives and friends. Now it has become more of a necessary task which needs to be performed.
Another thing is the closed installation. This was very rarely heard of or used back in the day because chances were that the Worshipful Master was being installed for the first time. I joined Masonry in 1983 and served as steward for 2 years then on through the chairs not skipping positions. When I finally did make it to the East it was a big deal not only for me but for my family because they were aware that it took 6 years to get there.
I understand that in the age of the recycled Master that an open installation is not necessary but there may be other officers who are being installed for the first time, and we miss out on a chance to "shine" in a situation that the public at large can witness.
A contributing factor to the relatively small attendance at installations these days is that as the population of the county has decreased severely so has the population of our Masonic Lodges in the county decreased. The attendance numbers are spread out among some 16 lodges in the county. On the same thought those lodges were in existence years ago and they had some very large turn outs as far as attendance goes......but there is no denying the fact that Genesee County's population has shrank considerably.
Taking that into account, then perhaps the 16 some lodges still being open and functioning says something positive about the situation, that they are still able to assemble a corps of officers.
When it comes to the attendance at the installations I suppose one thing that can be surmised is that the installation of officers is not that important to the officers and their families. Things which are important seem to always have time made for them. It's funny how society in general has changed over the years. Other events such as funeral home visitations brings into question the dress of those visiting. My mom's friend passed away and the attire of her family was less than fitting for a funeral, in my mind it was very disrespectful to a wonderful woman. I think it is just a sign of how things have become less important to people over the years.
A brother who had been away from the craft for a number of years with a little encouragement has been attending some events lately. His comment was that he can't believe the dress of those attending lodge.
My response was that yes a lot of things had changed over the years and dress requirements was one of them.
Somehow we have to instill in our new members the importance of this Fraternity. That really is our job to sell them on the benefits to them socially and morally. In addition to that we have to have some activities beyond meetings and degree work. We need to be more socially active with each other. We learn in our lectures that man was created for the social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God.
Looking back on the glory days, the fraternity was a huge social outlet.....and it was important to the men who participated and by it being important to those men....their families recognized that it was important and supported them in their endeavors. We have to lead the way and encourage our new brothers to involve their family and friends in their Masonic journey......and along with that we need to get our families and friends more involved by demonstrating to them the importance of the Fraternity and ensuring that we solicit their support in our endeavors.
Brothers, I've rambled on for long enough.....but take notice at the next installation you attend.....you may be surprised at where we are and find it hard to believe we were ever where we were only 40 years ago.
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