December 2004 Plumbline, Walden Lodge No. 274
Words From The East:
Hello Brethren! It was good being with you at our annual awards meeting in November!
Besides those brothers who were in attendance to receive their awards, I wish to thank RW Brother Bob Kendrick, PDDGM, who presided over the awards presentation and to MW Brother Kent Elkins, PGM, who assisted him. The kind and thoughtful words spoken in both the giving and the accepting of the awards were inspirational to all.
As I prepare this article, your officers are completing their various practices for the upcoming Third Degree. It will be my sincere pleasure to preside during first part of the degree. Kent Elkins will preside during the second part of the degree. Our FC brother has completed his coaching, and he is excited and ready to take his final step in the symbolic lodge.
The petition received at the October meeting was elected at the November meeting after a positive report from the investigating committee. However, since we also received a new petition at the November meeting, we decided to wait to begin conferring degrees on the first candidate until the second petitioner was elected. If he is, degrees are planned to be conferred on both together.
Annual officer election and installation lead the agenda for our December regular communication. There should be no surprises. All men in the line have performed extremely well this year, and, in my opinion, they deserve your support for advancement. Kent Elkins will preside over the installation ceremony.
The Christmas Party Committee chaired by W Brother Art Strandemo, PM, has begun planning another fun event for the entire family. However, based on discussions at the November meeting, the originally scheduled date of Sunday, December 5, 2004 has been changed. The new date is Sunday, December 12, 2004. The time of 2:00 PM has not changed. The party will be held at the dining hall of our Lodge building. Please change your calendars to reflect the new date and plan to attend!
This will be my final Plumb Line article as my year as WM comes to a close, and I would like to take a moment to share some personal thoughts. Being WM has been a fine experience for me. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and the craft. The apprenticeship system in the lodge prepared me well, and those fine men in the position before me, who still remain quite active, have given me good counsel and whole-hearted support. I really appreciate them.
In that group, I especially appreciate RW Brother Earl Hudgens, PGS, and W Brother Mark Cooper, PM. These gentlemen, in their current roles as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, seem to perform their duties effortlessly. Without them, I could not have performed my duties.
Additionally, I must recognize my line officers. As I stated above, they have performed extremely well this year. I feel especially proud of these gentlemen because, except for Brother Chick Davis, SD, who affiliated with our lodge after already being a MM, I personally coached them as they began their initial advancement through the degrees. It has been a wonderful experience to watch them gain knowledge and confidence over the years.
All of my officers honored the promises I asked them to keep last year. Most notably, 100% attended the annual District Training held last January. Additionally, 100% of those who were not already certified as Third Degree proficient attended coaching sessions last March. All but one was certified last April during an open lodge examination before RW Brother Tom McConnell, DDGM.
I want to especially thank Brothers Mel Sinclair, SW, and Chris Grantham, JW. Besides carrying out their regular duties, they also gave me good counsel and whole-hearted support. Mel’s further work on the Technology Committee along with Mark Cooper and the assistance of Earl Hudgens culminated in the purchase of a new computer system and “state of the art” membership accounting software that should simplify and improve lodge record-keeping. Additionally, Mel has been tireless in keeping our lodge website current. I don’t know how he has the time to keep upgrading it! Chris has been very active in the district’s Square & Compass Club. He was the club’s Treasurer this past year. By actively attending club meetings, Chris represented our lodge’s interest and assured important communication between our lodge and other lodges in the district.
Finally, I want to thank W Brother Charles Pridmore, PM and W Brother Malcolm Carmichael, Chaplain, PM, for performing their duties associated with the Charity Committee. These gentlemen gave countless hours attending to the needs of the less fortunate associated with our lodge. They exhibited great wisdom in ascertaining what those true needs were and did their level best to serve them. Thank you brothers from the bottom of my heart. I believe you had the hardest job of all.
Farewell,
W. Kirby Burnett, WM
Greetings from the West – Let us meet upon the
level
Brethren:
An important event happened in November of this year; an event that should ring true for all Free Masons. Of course, I’m speaking about our recent elections. No, I’m not going to write a political article. That would be divisive. It is good, however, to reflect on Masonry’s impact in our country’s history. Although it is still debatable as to the exact number of Masons who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, one can read these immortal documents and easily see many of the principles of Free Masonry. How do Masons meet, my brothers? Is it not the “people” who give their right to be governed? Is the Creator and religious freedom not part of these documents? In part, the Declaration of Independence states that “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Does Freemasonry “promote the general welfare” and work to “insure domestic tranquility”?
The above mention some of the noble principles of our institution. Freemasons meet upon the level; we are governed by the Craft; and without the “unalienable rights” mentioned above, Freemasonry and freedom will die. Remember the Scripture “”Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”? Arguably, Freemasonry does more for the welfare of others than most any other organization via our various charities (Blue Lodge and Appendant Bodies). These principles were taught by Freemasons before there was ever a Declaration of Independence or a Constitution of the United States. Today we can continue to make a difference. We must never forget our links to the past and yet strive to build a better tomorrow for all.
My brothers, another important date has passed as well. Veterans Day is a most important day and we recognize and deeply appreciate the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform have made and continue to make for the freedoms that we enjoy today. A special thanks to all Veterans! God bless you all.
It was especially good to see several brothers, who have been absent for a while, in attendance at the November meeting. It will be great to see them again in December and also each and every one of you.
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
E-mail: MelSinclair1@yahoo.com
Tidings
from the South:
Seasons Greetings Brothers,
My how time has flown! It seems that we are finding that “undiscovered country…” faster each year. The year is quickly drawing to a close and my time serving you as Junior Warden is coming to an end.
It has been my pleasure and privilege to sit in the South, and attend to the hours of refreshment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank again my two Stewards. Without their invaluable help, I would have had an extremely tough year this year. Brothers, you made my time this year very enjoyable, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
We will be voting on and installing the new officers for 2005 at our December meeting. As this will be my final meal, I have something special in mind for you. So when you attend our final regular communication, be sure to bring your appetite!
I hope that this finds you and your family well, and may the blessings of the Great Architect of the Universe fill you with health and happiness. May the light of Heaven fill your life, so that you don’t stumble in darkness. And finally, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
Sincerely, and fraternally
Chris Grantham
Junior Warden