September 2020

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From the East
Herbert "Tom" Tompkins, PM, Master

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​Dear Brethren and Ladies,
Another month has passed, and we are still not allowed to meet.  Let us hope this situation does not last much longer.
The annual 2020 communication will be different this year.  Saturday will be all virtual and the Sunday installation will be held as usual.  I am sure there will be some tweaks here and there, but it should be interesting to say the least.
Have you checked out the new Freemason.org website out?  You will find it quite different than the old site. Lots of great information on the new website if you can navigate the site.  I am still learning.
Worshipful John Scofield is leaving and heading to Montana.  This is a long-anticipated trip and we wish him well and safe travels.  Worshipful John has been a great friend to all of us in the lodge and was always available to help in whatever needed to be done. He was always so reserve and soft spoken; I will miss that. (lol). Enjoy your journey Worshipful Sir.
September is Constitution Observance month.  We had a great speaker lined up for our stated meeting program. Most Worshipful John Cooper was coming to speak on the constitution. He has a vast knowledge of the constitution and its origins.
Thirteen of the men who signed the constitution were Masons.  For us, that is something to be immensely proud of.
Please stay well and safe.  

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From the West
Julius Cadorna, Senior Warden

​Brothers and Ladies,
Covid-19 has taken many months away from us being with our families, friends and work. It has forced many of the companies to go out of business. Many pharmaceutical companies are also working round the clock to get the vaccines out soon as possible so we can all go back to our normal way of life without any fear. Masonry on the other hand surpassed all of the trials it faced over the years. Masonry, the fraternity as we know had been around for more than 300 years and surpasses all the trials it faced, it had 1100 years of traditions and 3000 years of legend, what we are experiencing right now is just a minor setback that we all can recover from very soon, so hang in there. I just look at it this way, the only positive thing about this event is that I was able to spend more quality time with my family and I am thankful for everyone is healthy.
I would like to thank Worshipful John Scofield for everything he had done for the lodge unselfishly. I wish him all the best and that he enjoy his travel around this wonderful country of ours. Till next time, take care and enjoy.  

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From the South
Robert Henning, Junior Warden

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The inner meaning of Freemasonry- 
Freemasonry teaches us moral lessons and self-knowledge, hence when the door of Freemasonry is opened we take our stand. From this point on as Freemasons we start our journey to self-enlightenment and our quest for self-knowledge, on a path to see the light, leading us to the in most parts of ourselves, our own psyche and soul. Freemasonry is forever. Be safe my brethren and always journey towards the light.

 
                                

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Hallboard
Herbert "Tom" Tompkins, P.M.

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​Greetings Brethren and Ladies from your Hallboard.
Well, we are losing our full time, living onsite security service.  Worshipful John Scofield has been unselfishly and diligently guarding our lodge since the first of July.  We are sorry to see him go.
By the time you read this our parking lot will have had a face lift. Also, there is painting that is being done on the interior of the building.  Many thanks to our secretary Brother Bob Jackson for overseeing these improvement items being completed.
The Hallboard will have a board meeting in the month of September.  If we are still not open we will have a Zoom board meeting instead.
Your Hallboard hopes that you are well and staying healthy.

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​Masonic Product is Good; Delivery Systems Needs Work
In his message to his brethren in the Spring, 2020, issue of the Virginia Masonic Herald, Grand Master Douglas Vernon Jones explained that ‘Part of life is looking for answers to one thing or another, answers surrounding the human condition and the good and really tough things that can, and most assuredly do, happen in life.’ He continued: Some answers will never come. That is just the may li/e is. Success and failure, experience, and hard knocks are among our greatest teachers. I bettered it is in simple and profound moments of everyday life that so often offer up the answers for which we are looking — sometimes even before we have the question in the first place.
To me, it comes down to this: listen patiently, soak in those simple and profound things that happen around you every day, immerse yourself in good books, especially the Bible. Do not neglect art, music, conversation with smart people, or those who possess wisdom; do this, and answers will come…
…From my perspective, the message is this: Masons we have the tools to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.        The values that we embrace, such as loyalty, kindness, love, and faithfulness, are values which resonate with American men. If we want to see our Lodges survive and thrive for the long-term, we need to understand there is nothing wrong with our product, but  instead, it is our method of delivery It needs work.

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