My Brothers,

On behalf of myself and the other Officers, I would first like to thank those of you who attended the Lodge’s Installation of Officers on January 2. Your support and goodwill means a great deal to us and it was a great start to a new Masonic Year.

I had a realization some time ago about a need in our society relevant to what our Fraternity has to offer men this day and age. This realization actually came to me while I was thinking about another trend regarding music. I was born when vinyl records were still in vogue and came of age when they were eventually eclipsed by other formats, such as audio cassettes, compact discs (CDs), and then the digital music of today. However, in recent years, despite the obvious benefits and conveniences of digital music, vinyl records have made an unexpected comeback. This resurgence of vinyl appears to be a reaction against the digital format. Vinyl enthusiasts consider the older analog sound to be the superior format for sound quality. They also seem to prefer the tangible nature of vinyl and the ritual of touching and playing vinyl on a turntable. This tangibility and ritual associated with vinyl creates a perceived real connection to the music.

This got me to thinking about Freemasonry being such an ancient art, or the “older format” at odds with the modern world. The past few decades seem to have been trending toward individuals immersing themselves in the impersonal realm of the Internet, which seems to have become the dominant format of communication in the modern world, rather than engaging in the real interpersonal world in which Freemasonry resides. However, I believe that there are a growing number of men that have the same need to be part of something tangible and real supported by a meaningful ritual. This need has even been communicated to me by several prospects over the past few years. Freemasonry is the older format that they desire and need for a real connection to their fellow man. Recognizing this need should help us to be more effective in communicating to prospective candidates what Freemasonry has to offer and initiating more good men into the Fraternity.

This month there are some important events going on at the Lodge. Our Stated Communication on Friday, February 6 will include presentations of the Entered Apprentice Second and Third Section Lectures. These lectures are rich in Masonic knowledge and are an excellent educational opportunity.

Also, on Friday, February 20, we will be conferring the Fellow Craft Degree on our three Entered Apprentices. I strongly encourage you to attend this Degree and support our new Brothers in their second step in Masonry.

Also, last year, unfortunately we had several Brothers pass away and I am concerned that we may also have other Brothers in need. Therefore, this year all donations to the Mite box on the Senior Warden’s pedestal will go to worthy Brothers in distress. I encourage you to contribute as liberally as you can to this worthy cause.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Fraternally,

Jeffrey J. Scepanski

Worshipful Master