November 2004 Plumbline, Walden Lodge No. 274
Words From The East:
Hello Brethren! It was good being with you at our October meeting!
I don’t believe we had any of our invited brothers attend that meeting as I had hoped, but I definitely regard the personal phone call project as a success. I received feedback from the other officers similar to my own experience about the calls we made. Most everyone appreciated the fact that they were called. Some explained that they simply were unable to get out. Others stated that they were so busy in their current schedules that attending was difficult, especially after getting out of the monthly routine. Many conveyed fond stories about their active time in our lodge, the high regard they still had for Masonic principals, and how Masonry continued to be a positive influence in their lives today. Thank you for sharing with us, brothers!
Of course, I’m sure not everyone was contacted. I apologize to the ones who were missed. For all of you, though, please come and visit with us any time! We would be glad to have you.
As I prepare this article, your officers have completed their various practices for the upcoming Second Degree. Brother Mel Sinclair, SW, will preside during the degree.
I have been coaching our newly made EA brother, and it has been a sincere pleasure. After he completes his FC and MM degrees, I expect him to be another in the great line of Walden brothers.
If elected, the brother’s Third Degree will be scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2004, which is one week before Thanksgiving. It should be a good one.
We received another petition at the meeting that may lead to additional work before the end of the year. Your Lodge continues to grow.
It is hard to believe that my time as WM is coming to a close. Next month will be my final Plumb Line article. I’ll share some closing remarks with you then.
We will have the annual awards presentation during our November regular communication. It is always a pleasure to recognize those brothers who have reached membership milestones as well as those brothers who have distinguished themselves. We will be notifying you to receive your award.
Annual officer election and installation lead the agenda for our December regular communication.
The Christmas party committee chaired by Art Strandemo, PM, has begun planning another fun event for the entire family. Please be ready to give some suggestions and to offer your assistance in making it the best one yet. It is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2004 and will be held at the dining hall of our Lodge building. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
I look forward to being with the Brethren in November.
Sincerely,
W. Kirby Burnett, WM
Greetings from the West – Let us meet upon the
level
Brethren:
By the time you read this we should have passed another worthy brother to the degree of a Fellow Craft. Does this mean that he is “almost” a Mason? Most certainly not. This worthy brother will have taken a second step in Masonry and will have received more Masonic light. Continuance in understanding, education, and wisdom are important elements as we all follow the path to more light in Masonry. Let us all reflect on the three degrees in Masonry and remember that each degree builds on the preceding one and the teachings and understandings are not to be left behind. When we reach the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, we are still an Entered Apprentice and a Fellow Craft. The teachings of each degree are to be preserved and incorporated in the Master Mason’s degree so that each Master Mason has a solid foundation to continue to build upon. Knowledge is one thing but application is another. Let us put into practice the principles of Masonry by remembering and understanding the foundation laid in the first two degrees. After all, only through “actions” can Free Masonry come to life and have a most noble impact on the world in which we live. We can practice our principles by helping our neighbor, assisting the poor, serving in a civic capacity, and in many other ways beyond the scope of this article. If you have not attended a degree in a while, please consider a refresher. The officers would love to see you in attendance.
Please don’t forget to visit Walden Lodge #274 on the internet. Our website can be found at: http://www.mastermason.com/walden274
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike
Fraternally and sincerely,
Mel Sinclair, Senior Warden
Tidings
from the South:
Greetings Brothers,
Summer has gone and fall is upon us. The year is quickly drawing to a close. November promises to be a busy month for all of us. It looks like we will be having more degree work in November. Your lodge is growing! Have you met our new brothers? They are a credit to the craft, and to Walden.
I’d like to thank Brother Chick Davis and his wife for the fine meal they provided at our last regular communication. The lasagna was wonderful, and the fellowship warm. This bodes well for 2005.
Walden also had the honor of hosting the 18th district Square and Compass Club’s monthly meeting. I can assure you that Masonry is alive and well in the 18th district.
I look forward to seeing you in the lodge.
Sincerely, and fraternally
Chris Grantham
Junior Warden
From The Secretary’s Desk:
The following awards will be presented on November 4, 2004:
25 Year Pins 50 Year Certificates
Charles L. Davenport Richard B. Alexande
F. Wayne Eason Wilburn B. Cook
Roland H. Lee Cecil E. Foster, Jr.
John H. Lusk William G. Halstead
Philip G. Omer Olen F. Marks
Col. Charles H. Mayhew, III
40 Year Life Members Dennis T. Powell
Marshall N. Burns Joseph R. Woods
Thomas A. Gilstrap 60 Year Pin
Winfred W. Gravley Max M. Heller
Robert M. Head 70 Year Pin
Ryal R. Hitt James M. Bruce
James H. Holley
Lamar G. Reeves
Fred J. Ridgeway, Jr.
J. Paul Wright