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.
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