Worshipful Master's Message From The East

Fraternal Greetings Brethren,

April is upon us, and with it spring has announced its reawakening to the craft. The days get longer, the warming sun marks our annual journey along that Level of time. As we experience this fledgling second quarter, I’d like to reflect on our accomplishments thus far. Increased attendance for our monthly breakfasts and events have reminded us that there is still appetite in our community for Masonry. The Valentine’s and St. Patty’s Day events were nearly at capacity, with more events planned to come. Both Red Cross Blood Drives were great successes, totaling nearly 60 donations, potentially saving 180 lives.

We also participated in the wildly successful St. Patrick’s Day parade in New Haven with many Brothers from all portions of the state, assembled and donated 100 Easter Baskets for the Newington Health and Human Services department, and our Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees received many compliments from the Brothers in attendance, leaving one Brother from the Grand Lodge to remark that we gave one of the best Fellow Craft degrees that he had ever seen.

All of the Officers and Brothers who participated in helping accomplish these events should be proud of their work, and I am proud to call you my Brothers. You demonstrate true leadership within the Lodge and the Community. Leadership is the ability to influence and motivate others towards a common goal. It is demonstrated in your actions, not your words. Being present at events, contributing to the overall good of the Lodge, buzzing as a harmonious hive, are all indications of the health and vibrancy of the Lodge, even if every piece of the puzzle doesn’t fit at first. We show that not every problem is a nail that requires a hammer, and the loudest voice in the room is not necessarily the right one.

It is easy to stand back and watch, to critique and criticize, or only see faults in what didn’t go right in a given moment. My reminder would be that we are made Masons first in our Heart... and are often tried, but never denied the opportunity for improvement. It’s foundational to what makes us Masons, toiling in the quarry, chipping away at the rough edges of our stones until we finally lay down our working tools and join the next great adventure.

I see the fire within burns deep in the hearts of those I see at Lodge, but unfortunately for us, many Brothers with equal passion have not been able to share their zeal with us in recent years. It’s not condemnation, life presents unexpected challenges, and in an instant, everything changes. But a hive needs a community to keep her active and alive.

If you are able, please join us for dinner, come to an event, reconnect with a Brother...remember what makes us our Fraternal community so enduring. If you would like to come out to Lodge at an event, but are unable to do so, let me
know. We’ll do our best to make sure to find transportation to us. Bring a friend, we have room. And let our Junior Warden know if you know of a Brother in need of assistance and help.

I hope to see you soon.

Fraternally,

Brother Chris Woodward

Worshipful Master 2023