Dec 31st, 2009
Brethren,
This will be the last letter I address you as your Worshipful Master: It has been quite a trip. I hope this letter finds you reflecting on the joys of the past year and looking forward to an exciting new one. I would like to congratulate our newest member, Craig Luchtel who was raised in November.
Since May we have had many very interesting meetings including a “Freemasonry for Dummies” review, Frank Osdoba’s talk “the point with a circle”, and a contrast between the KC’s and Masons. In July using an “Adopt-a-Mason” theme, we topped 50 people at our meeting!! We also had Brother Joe Reed discuss the bio-diesel production process and a fantastic rendition of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” by Brother Ryan Broderson. Our last meeting found a custodian revealing some of the secrets to good ritual. I can assure attending our meetings has never been more invigorating. Towards that end a number of interested individuals have pledged to continue these programs and have a host of ideas. If you have an idea/topic you would like to present or see presented please let me know.
At Grand Lodge we continued our tradition of garnering awards. Signet Lodge competed for “Lodge of the Year” at Grand Lodge in August, knowing we would not have the points to win that award. However, the Grand Master chooses another award for the Lodge he feels qualitatively is the best. After much reflection he chose Signet for the 2009 Grand Master’s Award. This is quite an honor for Signet and all should be proud. We have the trophy on display in the foyer.
Pearls and Ponderables continues as a dynamic, interactive portion of the meetings. I hope we persist with broad member participation and retrospection. Our January topic is usage of Masonic terms in the vernacular. If you feel you must have spent significant amounts of time to contribute simply try searching the web for any of our terms to find other (perhaps pirated) meanings. Remember this is meant to be quick and to the point.
The flight breakfast came and went as one of the more successful in memory. We had lots of help, served around a thousand people, and improved our charity coffers. This past week the Lodge had to adapt to the weather. After preparing for the usual Christmas Dinner for those who lack the means or opportunity to enjoy their own meal, Old Man Winter rained (actually snowed) on that parade. After a series of events I do not entirely understand the dinner morphed into a respite for the line workers who were fighting to keep Carroll County’s electricity functioning. Kudos for all who helped in preparing and serving this meal.
Our November meeting saw the election of new officers and the subsequent appointment of others. The list is as follows for those who don’t know.
Worshipful Master: Glenn Lockhart Senior Deacon: Chuck Walsh
Senior Warden: Mark Bennett Junior Deacon: Ryan Broderson
Junior Warden: Jason Bush Senior Steward: Greg Banks
Secretary: Terry Augustus Junior Steward: Darin Baack
Treasurer: Tom Rodgers Chaplain: Les Duff
Tyler: Norm Hutchenson
Glenn has previously been the Worshipful Master and is committed to maintaining Signet Lodge’s momentum and adding his own unique twists. One area he would like to see blossom is the early involvement of as many young Masons as possible in ritual. This will get their “feet wet” to see if they like that aspect of Lodge but also giving them an opportunity to contribute early. Towards this end, he has a slate of Deacons and Stewards that will be backing up those listed. More will be coming from Glenn as to how this will function—come to the meetings to find out.
Another area of focus is for each to find where they would like to concentrate their efforts at Signet. There seems to be all types of Masons: Ritual Masons, Educating Masons, Sojourning Masons, Reading Masons, Cooking Masons, Communication Masons, Infrastructure Masons, Fellowship Masons, Mentoring Masons and Service Masons among others. The challenge is to see which you find most intriguing and filling those roles. Towards that end, we are planning a survey for our members to determine what they would like at Signet and at what level they would like to participate. Please be thinking about these ideas as we proceed in 2010. A diversely participating Lodge keeps us strong for many reasons.
January should keep us busy. On Jan 7th at 630 we will have our meal for the open installation. This means you may bring your spouse. We will also have our Pearls and Ponderables discussion on Vernacular Masonic Terms. We will conclude with a guide from WM Lockhart on where and how he wants to takes us in 2010. We hope to see you there. Starting about the 3rd week of Jan. we will begin our next candidate’s degrees—so get to practicing if you have part. Lastly, the Dummies review is sure to be one of the middle Tuesdays in January.
Fraternally,
Greg L. Perkins WM