Brethren,

Please mark your calendars for the installation of the Grand Lodge Officers on:

Saturday, November 9, at 4:00 p.m.
 Greensboro Masonic Temple
 426 Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401

A reception and/or dinner will follow. We will provide additional details once plans are confirmed with the Temple.

Sincerely and fraternally,
 Jonathan A. Underwood
 Grand Secretary

Brethren of North Carolina,

As you know, Hurricane Helene has devastated much of Western North Carolina. Your Grand Lodge, along with its officers and staff, is working tirelessly to coordinate relief efforts as quickly and efficiently as possible, and we need your help.

1) First and foremost, check on your brothers. Even as the waters recede many of our brethren will face months of upheaval. Please maintain communication, visit when safe and feasible, and offer devotions to the Deity for their safety, well-being, and future recovery.

2) We encourage you to donate to the relief efforts. You can contribute to the North Carolina Masonic Foundation’s Relief Fund here:

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=tcs&formId=4c44c9d5-f241-4de1-9cf2-f486b70070af&envid=p-xxZoiBNq0UibeqA0LpqlZQ&zone=usa

Or to the State of North Carolina’s Relief Fund here:

https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene

Both of these funds directly benefit your brethren and our state.

While we all feel a natural urge to take action, given the scale of devastation, **please do not self-deploy**. Instead, coordinate with local emergency management and recognized charitable entities like the North Carolina Masonic Foundation and the State of North Carolina’s Relief Fund.

3) One of the most pressing needs at this time is water. The hurricane has severely damaged much of Western North Carolina’s water utility infrastructure. If you are donating goods, **bottled water** is a lifesaving necessity. Non-perishable food is also needed, but water is of paramount importance right now.

4) Our lodges can serve as collection points, and we encourage you to use the facilities we have to assist in the movement of supplies. However, please ensure that all efforts are coordinated with local emergency services personnel. Additionally, any surplus water and non-perishable supplies should be directed to public collection sites.

Masonic Collection Points and Distribution Centers include:

Winston-Salem Masonic Center (water only)

4537 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Contact: Joey Transou (336) 971-7804

Salisbury Masonic Center

401 N. Fulton Street, Salisbury, NC 28144

Contact: Christian Shuping (704) 202-1476 or John Vasquez (805) 402-8884

Lincoln Lodge 137

100 W. Sycamore Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Contact: Tommy Smith (704) 472-6201 or Alex Houk (980) 428-1901

Ashe Shrine Club

117 Morphew Lane, Jefferson, NC 28640

Alex Edmisten (336) 467-4478

Dunn’s Rock Lodge 267

174 E. Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712

Chris Hews (828) 435-1304

From these locations, supplies should be sent to Local, State, and Federally identified collection and distribution centers: https://nc211.org/hurricane-helene-donation-needs-drop-off-locations/

5) Brethren, locally, please coordinate your efforts on the ground in your communities and work to move supplies and etc. to these locations. We’ll coordinate more distribution points as they become known to us. But, please consider local sanctioned locations as well.

But, some points to remember:

• Please be advised that, for security and liability reasons, we cannot allow individuals to sleep in the lodge buildings. Nor should we establish a distribution site open to the general public, as this would be difficult to manage.

• Coordinate all charitable activities through a single point of contact, and do not create confusion or delays by working outside official channels. We must defer to the professionals handling this crisis. As servant leaders, we know the importance of supporting their efforts.

Hurricane Helene Donation Needs and Drop Off Locations: https://nc211.org/hurricane-helene-donation-needs-drop-off-locations/

Brethren, as I said at our Annual Communication, each of you—from Murphy to Manteo—is a leader and a healer. Both of these roles are needed now more than ever. Together, we can and will overcome any obstacle that stands in the way of God’s love, happiness, and care for His people. Do good unto ALL.

God bless you all, and God bless our great fraternity. Together, we rise!

Sincerely and fraternally,

Bobby Rideout

Grand Master

Brethren,

It has come to our attention that some lodge officers and members believe that a lodge must meet regardless of circumstances or that permission from the Grand Master is required to cancel a meeting.

On behalf of Grand Master Rideout, I want to clarify that lodges, especially those in the western part of our state, are not required to open and conduct business during these unprecedented times. Every lodge Master and officer has the full assurance from Grand Master Rideout to manage their lodge’s affairs to the best of their ability under the current circumstances. No lodge's Charter will be arrested or revoked during this period.

The Grand Master advises that you attend only to the necessary requirements of your lodges, and only if it is practicable to do so. Your health and safety are paramount. Do not risk life or limb to attend or conduct a meeting. Your first duty is to God, your family, your neighbor, and yourself.

When the time is right, you may apply to meet under Regulation 45-2, if necessary. In the meantime, please care for one another, stay in touch with the Grand Lodge for support and relief, and continue to do good unto all. Together, we RISE!

Fraternally, and on behalf of Grand Master Bobby Rideout

Jonathan A. Underwood
Grand Secretary

Synopsis of the 237th

Annual Communication

of the

Grand lodge of AF & AM of North Carolina

September 27-28, 2024

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Presiding and Present were:

• Robert W. Rideout, Deputy Grand Master, Acting Grand Master
• Steve M. Norris, Senior Grand Warden
• Gilbert D. Bailey, Junior Grand Warden
• Lewis R. Ledford, Grand Treasurer
• Jonathan A. Underwood, Grand Secretary
• Michael A. Register, Senior Grand Deacon
• Philip R. Johnson, Junior Grand Deacon
• C. Alvin Billings, Jr., Grand Marshal
• Joseph K. Transou, Senior Grand Steward
• J. David Cashion, Junior Grand Steward
• Brent D. Y. Doughtie, Grand Tyler
• William R. Askew, Jr., Grand Chaplain
• Brandon L. Penney, Grand Historian
• Dwight W. Crews, Grand Lecturer
• Albert J. Terrell, Grand Orator
• Matthew W. Cockman, Judge Advocate

Introductions and Greetings

Prior to opening the Grand Lodge, Acting Grand Master Robert W. Rideout addressed those assembled to explain the circumstances of Grand Master Kehler’s disability from office. He stated, given the circumstances of the Masonic charges preferred against Grand Master Kehler, the Board of General Purposes unanimously declared him legally disabled from serving any function of the Office of Grand Master, per Regulation 11-12 of The Code, until the disability was withdrawn by the Board of General Purposes or upon the election and installation of a new Grand Master.

Greetings were brought by Right Worshipful Thomas Watson, Deputy Grand Master of South Carolina; Most Worshipful Gerald Carver, Grand Secretary of South Carolina; Worshipful Dieter Kissling, Grand Representative of New York; Most Worshipful Edward Page, Grand Master of Connecticut; Right Worshipful James Anderson, Grand Secretary of Connecticut; Right Worshipful Gilbert Fontes, Senior Grand Warden of Rhode Island; and Right Worshipful Billy Wayne Bunch, Senior Grand Warden of Mississippi.

Greetings were brought by Most Eminent Hugh McLaurin, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of North Carolina; Most Illustrious Patrick Terry, Grand Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of North Carolina; Right Eminent Scottie Cox, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of North Carolina; Worshipful Christopher Hall, Chief Rabban of Oasis Shrine, Charlotte, North Carolina; Worshipful Stephen Owen, High Priest and Prophet of Amran Shrine, Raleigh, North Carolina; and Most Worshipful A. Gene Cobb, Jr., Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient of North Carolina, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

Greetings were brought by Most Worshipful Daniel L. Thompson, Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of F & AM of North Carolina; Right Worshipful James Waddell, Junior Grand Warden of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of F & AM of North Carolina; Worshipful Rickey Best, Grand Trustee of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of F & AM of North Carolina; and Worshipful Kenneth Eaton, Past Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of F & AM of North Carolina

The Oration

Worshipful Albert J. Terrell, Grand Orator, gave the oration.

Final and Interim Reports of Grand Masters Frazier and Kehler

Due to sickness within his family, as well as the approach of Hurricane Helene, Most Worshipful Kevan D. Frazier was unable to attend the Annual Communication. However, Right Worshipful Jonathan A. Underwood, Grand Secretary, read a message from Most Worshipful Frazier thanking the brethren for an excellent year. Most Worshipful Frazier’s final report (page 81) was ACCEPTED. Most Worshipful Donald E. Kehler’s final report (page 97) was then RECEIVED and REFERRED to the appropriate Boards, Committees, or Commissions for review.

Necrology Service and Eulogies

Most Worshipful A. Gene Cobb, Jr. presided over the necrology service, eulogizing the deaths of the 626 brethren who have died this year.

Thomas Warren Gregory Masonic Leadership Awards

Worshipful Brothers Frederick “Freddy” A. Szakasits of Orient Lodge No. 395, Thomas A. van Etten of Cannon Memorial Lodge No. 626, and Jonathan M. Moore of Orr Lodge No. 104 were awarded the Thomas Warren Gregory Masonic Leadership Award for their dedicated service to the brethren of North Carolina.

Report of the Credentials Committee

Worshipful Brother M. Timothy Parker, Chairman of the Credentials Committee reported 785 lodge officers or proxies from 268 lodges were present. Additionally, 31 Grand Lodge Officers and Past Grand Officers were present; 28 Board, Committee, and Commission members were present, 32 District Deputy Grand Masters were present, and 24 District Deputy Grand Lecturers were present, totaling 785 DELEGATES PRESENT—a Quorum of 75.9% of all possible delegates.

The Budget was APPROVED

The Proposed 2025 Budget of the Grand Lodge was APPROVED with more than the 2/3rds required for its approval (at least 785 ballots cast).

Grand Lodge Officers Elected and Appointed

The following grand lodge officers were elected or appointed for the year 2024, to wit:

• Robert W. Rideout (565), Grand Master
• Steve M. Norris (727), Deputy Grand Master
• Gilbert D. Bailey (693), Senior Grand Warden
• Michael A. Register (493), Junior Grand Warden
• Lewis R. Ledford (27), Grand Treasurer
• Jonathan A. Underwood (770), Grand Secretary
• Philip R. Johnson (106), Senior Grand Deacon
• C. Alvin Billings, Jr. (409), Junior Grand Deacon
• Joseph Transou (434), Grand Marshal
• J. David Cashion (435), Grand Steward
• Julian C. Setzer (709), Grand Steward
• Christopher T. Canipe (202), Grand Tyler
• John T. Frazier (8), Grand Chaplain
• D. Lee Short (474), Grand Historian
• P. Christopher Lee (565), Grand Lecturer
• Craig J. Horton (743), Grand Orator
• Matthew W. Cockman (409), Judge Advocate

Following election, a motion was made, seconded, and unanimously consented to by the delegates assembled to consider the installation of the Grand Master-elect and Deputy Grand Master-elect immediately following the completion of all business of the Annual Communication. Upon further motion, second, and by 2/3rds majority the delegates assembled APPROVED the motion to immediately install the Grand Master-elect and Deputy Grand Master-elect, which was done in ancient and solemn form.

The installation of the remaining aforementioned elected and appointed Grand Lodge Officers will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Greensboro Masonic Temple, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Fraternal Correspondence and Foreign Recognitions

Two foreign grand lodges requested recognition (Reports Book pages 27-28), including:

• The Grande Oriente de Bahia (Brazil) was RECOGNIZED.
• The Grande Oriente de Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil) was TABLED until more information concerning it legitimacy could be obtained.

Report of the Appeals Committee, 

Actions of the Judge Advocate, Actions of the Trial Commission

The Committee on Appeals submitted its report, to wit: two Applications for Restoration were made this year:

• TDC (Docket 804), formerly of Traphill Lodge 483, whose petition for restoration was recommended REJECTED by the Committee on Appeals, was REJECTED by the delegates assembled.
• PBM (Docket 907), formerly of Apex Lodge 584, whose petition for restoration was recommended ACCEPTED by the Committee on Appeals, was ACCEPTED by the delegates assembled.

The Committee on Appeals recommended the following actions with regard to the actions of the Judge Advocate and/or Trial Commission (Reports Book page 28).

• CGS (Docket 926), of Albemarle Lodge 703, was not heard due to a lack of material, the initial finding of DISMISSAL sustaining.
• ELE (Docket 989), of Durham Lodge 352, was expelled by the Judge Advocate. The Committee on Appeals recommended APPROVING the action of the Judge Advocate, and the action was APPROVED by the delegates assembled.
• TJH (Docket 990), of St. John’s Lodge 3, was stayed by the Judge Advocate. The Committee on Appeals recommended REJECTING the action of the Judge Advocate and that the case be TRIED before a Trial Commission, and the recommendation of the Committee on Appeals was APPROVED TO TRIAL.
• WTT (Docket 991), of Lewisville Lodge 136, was suspended by the Trial Commission. The Committee on Appeals recommended APPROVING the action of the Trial Commission, and the action was APPROVED by the delegates assembled.
• JFM (Docket 992), of Wilmington Lodge 319, was expelled by the Judge Advocate. The Committee on Appeals recommended REJECTING the action of the Judge Advocate and that the case be TRIED before a Trial Commission, and the recommendation of the Committee on Appeals was APPROVED TO TRIAL.
• PTT (Docket 993), of Blackmer Lodge 170, was expelled by the Judge Advocate. The Committee on Appeals recommended REJECTING the action of the Judge Advocate and that the case be TRIED before a Trial Commission, and the recommendation of the Committee on Appeals was APPROVED TO TRIAL.
• WCW (Docket 994), of Washington Lodge 675, was not heard due to a lack of material.
• DAP (Docket 995), of Cherry Point Lodge 688, was expelled by the Trial Commission. The Committee on Appeals recommended APPROVING the action of the Trial Commission, and the action was APPROVED by the delegates assembled.
• REH (Docket 996), of Shelby Lodge 744, was expelled by the Judge Advocate. The Committee on Appeals recommended REJECTING the action of the Judge Advocate and that the case be TRIED before a Trial Commission, and the recommendation of the Committee on Appeals was APPROVED TO TRIAL.
• CRT (Docket 997), of Cookville Lodge 502, was expelled by the Judge Advocate. The Committee on Appeals recommended REJECTING the action of the Judge Advocate and that the case be TRIED before a Trial Commission, and the recommendation of the Committee on Appeals was APPROVED TO TRIAL.
• MTH (Docket 998), of James K. Polk Lodge 759, was expelled by the Trial Commission. The Committee on Appeals recommended APPROVING the action of the Trial Commission, and the action was APPROVED by the delegates assembled.

Report of the Committee of Jurisprudence and Amendments Considered

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence (Reports Book pages 44) presented its report, to wit: the delegates assembled APPROVED the one remaining Order of Past Grand Master Kevan D. Frazier. Likewise, the delegates assembled also APPROVED both of Grand Master Donald E. Kehler’s Orders. Grand Master Kehler’s Opinion 1 was withdrawn (Reports Book pages 45-47).

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence further recommended that all Amendments proposed this past year be laid over until the next Annual Communication, which recommendation was APPROVED by the delegates assembled. Thus, no Amendments to The Code were considered at this Annual Communication.

The next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina will take place on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jonathan A. Underwood

Grand Secretary

Brethren,

As many of you are aware, Hurricane Helene has caused significant devastation across Western North Carolina, leaving many of our fellow citizens, including members of our Masonic family, in great need of support. The widespread flooding and destruction have displaced families, damaged homes, and severely impacted local communities. In times like these, we are called upon to live out the principles of brotherly love, relief, and charity that define our Craft. We are reaching out today to rally our collective strength in response to this disaster and extend our helping hand to those affected.

We would like to update you on the status of our lodges. At this time, the Grand Lodge is unaware of any deaths among our members. However, dozens of our brethren have lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Hundreds are without water and electricity. Please keep them in your prayers, asking for their continued health and well-being.

The following lodges have been impacted:

• French Broad Lodge 292 (63 S. Main Street, Marshall, NC): The first floor was largely destroyed, though the lodge, located on the third floor, was spared. However, much of the town of Marshall has been devastated.
• Pigeon River Lodge 386 (382 Champion Drive, Canton, NC): The building was entirely flooded, resulting in substantial damage to both the hall and the exterior.
• Hominy Lodge 491 (38 Old Pisgah Highway, Candler, NC): The first floor was flooded, though the lodge is located on the second floor. The ground floor sustained damage, with furniture overturned and utilities destroyed.
• Swannanoa Lodge 561 (304 Whitson Avenue, Swannanoa, NC): Much of the town, including the lodge, was inundated with mud and floodwaters.
• Black Mountain Lodge 663 (105 Rock Church Street, Black Mountain, NC): The lodge suffered extensive damage from floodwaters.

In addition to these, many other lodges have sustained damage from water, wind, and falling debris. Please let us know if you have information on these or any other lodges and lodge members.

We encourage you to contribute to relief efforts. Donations can be made to the North Carolina Masonic Foundation’s Relief Fund at the following link: NC Masonic Foundation Relief Fund

You can mail checks made out to the NCMF’s Relief Fund at:

North Carolina Masonic Foundation

2921 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27608

You can also donate to the State of North Carolina’s Relief Fund here: NC State Relief Fund

Both of these funds directly benefit our brethren and the communities of our great state.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Jonathan A. Underwood

Grand Secretary