 William G. Hill No. #218 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, My communication to you is tardy and brief. My work has kept me busy since Hurricane Helene hit. Over time, we learn more and more about how devasting this event was for our state, our fellow North Carolinians, and our brothers in western North Carolina. Thankfully, one of our own, Worshipful Brother Chrisawn made it through the storm, but many of his neighbors in Yancey County did not fare as well. Although this isn't exactly worded in a way that sounds like Masonic teaching: I know that what Masonry teaches us is - life is precious. We are taught that in an instant we could be gone from this earth. Disasters like Hurricane Helene puts everything in perspective. Hold your loved ones close. Let them know you care. Reach out to your friends and your brothers. We are all in this together. I hope you can make it to Stated Communication on Monday night. I am excited to have Dr. Boyette of Morehead Planetarium. Dr. Boyette hosted a grand program for us when we hosted Tranquility Lodge #2000. The Senior Warden and I will also provide an update on the Annual Communication. I also hope you can make Ladies night this Friday night, Oct. 18 ($60). I know that the Junior Warden has been working hard on this program and promises to have an excellent meal at a great place. Register here and pay at the door: https://evite.me/nnu4SXmGtg. Fraternally, Mike Cline, MasterOctober Stated Communication Education: Morehead Planetarium and NCSciFest Dr. Todd Boyette, Director of Morehead Planetarium and co-chair of NCSciFest will be speaking about these programs during dinner at our October stated communication. Dr. Boyette received Tranquility Lodge's Community Builder Award when Tranquility Lodge #2000 of the Grand Lodge of Texas met in our Grand Jurisdiction. Dr. Morehead will talk about the planetarium, its connection to NASA, and the NCSciFest program, a program supported by our lodge. Donate to Hurrican Relief North Carolina Masonic Foundation - Hurricane Relief 2024 Donation Form (blackbaud.com) Upcoming dates: Oct 14 - Monday - Stated Communication, education: Dr. Todd Boyette, Director of Morehead Planetarium, UNC-Chapel Hill October 18 - Friday - Ladies Night: A Roaring 20s Good Time at Centregreen Cafe, CaryNovember 11 - Monday - Stated Communication, lodge elections, education: Men's health December 9 - Monday - State Communication, education: Worshipful Bro. Chris Lee, Masonic Funerals, Close the Lodge of Sorrow December 14 - Saturday - Wreaths Across America |
William G. Hill No. 218 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brothers, Please join us tonight in welcoming another fellow to our Grand Fraternity. The Emergent Communication for the Entered Apprentice Degree is set for 7:30, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Please arrive before that time. We still have a need for a Chaplain and someone to assist with the required questions. See SD Kevin Vallecorsa, the degree master, to sign up. THIS DEGREE WILL BE PERFORMED AT FREEMASONS HALL at the GRAND LODGE Building on Glenwood. 2921 Glenwood Ave. Degree Team: WM: Kevin V. SW: George H. JW: Richard C. Treas.: Bill D. Sec.: Rob K. SD: Brian B. JD: Sean L. SS: Randy R. JS: Rodney S. Chap: TBD Tyler: Bill C. Lecture: Eric G. Apron: Craig G. Charge: Matt R. Questions: TBD |
William G. Hill No. #218 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. | |||||||||||||||
| Brethren, In the Fellowcraft Degree, we are taught the benefits and uses of geometry - including how it allows us to "...trace Nature, through her various windings..." and "...account for the return of seasons, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye." Fall may be my favorite season as autumn's many colors replace summer's greens. Also, given that fall starts the beginning of most school years, it always seems to be more of a "new year" than the one we celebrate in January. In the Jewish tradition, it is in the fall when one year ends and another begins - a time to reflect upon what we did well and where we fell short of the mark. In much the same way, the Master teaches the Fellowcraft to use the Plumb, Square, and Level for more noble and glorious purposes - a way to reflect upon our own lives so that we can improve ourselves and the world around. The Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina will occur at the end of September marking another year in Grand Lodge history. I, the Senior Warden and Senior Deacon (as proxy for the Junior Warden) will represent the lodge this year. As always, there are amendments and a budget that will be voted upon this year, however, there does not appear to be any major issue of concern that I see. You can access the proposed budget and amendments under the "resources" area of grandview if you would like to see what is being proposed. As always, please see your representatives should there be any questions you may have regarding Annual Communication. I welcome you to another season and look forward to seeing you in our many upcoming activities. I especially hope you will join us in four major activities coming up:
Fraternally, Mike Cline, MasterHonoring Our Past Masters At our next Stated Communication, we will honor the Past Masters' who served our lodge over its 160 Year History. Worshipful Brother Jack Harmon, Sr., who served as Master in 2009, will share a special presentation about our lodge's history. Past Master Pat Lawson and Bro. Chris Lawson will once again grill steaks. We especially thank our many Past Masters who continue to serve our lodge in official and unofficial capacities. Our Active Past Masters include:
Robert Hoblit, Bula #409, 2023 Miles Davis, Charity #5, 2013 Did you know? Upcoming dates: September 8 - Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3rd Annual Family Day at Mudcats Baseball ($35, $25 kids, free <4) September 9 - Monday - Stated Communication - Past Masters' Night - Celebrating 160 Years of William G. Hill #218 (dress: Coat and Tie) - steak night, education: Worshipful Brother Jack Harmon presenting history of WG Hill #218 Sept 13 - Friday - Emergent Communication - Entered Apprentice Degree - Freemasons Hall - Grand Lodge of North Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608 Sept 27 - 28 - Friday & Saturday - Grand Lodge Annual Communication - Winston-Salem (WM, SW, SD to represent W.G. Hill #218) Oct 11 - Friday - Chip Shots for Children - W.G. Hill sponsors team at golf tournament for MHCO Oct 12 - Saturday - MHCO 12th Annual Masonic Homecoming Festival - Oxford, NC Oct 14 - Monday - Stated Communication, education: Dr. Todd Boyette, Director of Morehead Planetarium, UNC-Chapel Hill October 18 - Friday - Ladies Night: A Roaring 20s Good Time at Centregreen Cafe, Cary | |||||||||||||||
William G. Hill No. 218 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, We come to the end of summer and soon school will start again. Freemasonry has long been an advocate of public education. Many early lodge buildings included space for a school and many of our esteemed brethren helped found major public institutions - including the first public university in the United States located just down the road from Raleigh. In our rituals, we are admonished to study the seven liberal arts and sciences - grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. Through these studies we learn more about our natural and social world in order to become better men and leaders in our community. Please join me in celebrating our commitment to public education by wearing your favorite college team colors, jersey, or shirt at our August 12 Stated Communication. This will be our last “summer casual” meeting before we return to coat and tie for the fall. For our education, the Senior Deacon will provide an update on the developing plans for our new home. The San Francisco Freemasons’ Hall is one model that the Temple Corporation and the Grand Lodge is considering. Although very preliminary at this point, I think you will find the discussion interesting and the possibilities exciting. Finally, thank you again brethren for your commitment to our charities - especially the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. I asked and you more than obliged. Last month, we raised more than $2,000 for furniture at MHCO. Thank you Worshipful Brother Bill Smalley for challenging us to raise this money and thank you, Brother Paul Baumann for donating more than half of this amount from your book sales. See you on Monday night! Fraternally, Mike Cline, Master Connecting W.G. Hill #218 to Our State’s History By Senior Deacon Kevin Vallecorsa William G. Hill Lodge #218 is best known for its brotherhood and history that is deeply intertwined with the broader historical developments in Raleigh, and with significant events in the state's history. Members of William G. Hill Lodge #218 have been prominent in the political life of North Carolina, including serving as governors. These individuals exemplified the Masonic ideals of leadership, integrity, and public service, contributing to the governance and development of the state in various capacities. One of the most notable events of the lodge was their involvement in the laying of the second cornerstone at the North Carolina State Capitol in 1933. A photo of an excerpt of a page about this history from Worshipful Brother Jack Harmon’s book on the history of William G. Hill #218 is included below. Through these significant engagements—ranging from the ceremonial to the educational and the political—William G. Hill Lodge #218 has left an indelible mark on the history and development of Raleigh, NC, and the state at large, embodying the Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Upcoming dates: August 12 - Monday - Stated Communication (dress: wear your favorite college team colors - casual), education: update on future of lodge building August 15 - Thursday - Ritual Practice - 1st Degree September 8 - Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3rd Annual Family Day at Mudcats Baseball ($35, $25 kids, free 3 and under) September 9 - Monday - Stated Communication - Past Masters' Night - Celebrating 160 Years of William G. Hill #218 (dress: Coat and Tie) - steak night, education: Worshipful Brother Jack Harmon presenting history of WG Hill #218 Oct 14 - Monday - Stated Communication, education: Dr. Todd Boyette, Director of Morehead Planetarium, UNC-Chapel Hill October 18 - Friday - Ladies Night: A Roaring 20s Good Time at Centregreen Cafe, Cary |
William G. Hill No. 218 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrating our nation's 248th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. July 4th is not only a time to reflect and celebrate our nation, but also a time to remember how much our Craft did to shape our early government and establish the principles that have led our country for these 248 years. The Enlightenment helped shape the precepts illuminated not only in our Craft but in the document crafted by Thomas Jefferson. Nine signers of the Declaration were known Freemasons, including: Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, William Ellery, Joseph Hewes (of North Carolina), William Hooper (of North Carolina), Robert Treat Paine, Richard Stockton, George Walton, and William Whipple. These same influences helped shape our Federal Constitution and Freemasons in leadership of our early Republic helped shape the norms of our nation's governance. Over the course of our nation's history, many Freemasons of all political persuasions have served our great country - not only the Presidents, Senators, and Congressmen who are frequently noted - but also the many unnamed civil servants and military personnel. In Freemasonry, we learn to "subdue our passions" - to Master our own lives so that we can be better leaders in our household, our community, and elsewhere. Many of you are serving or have served our Country directly. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you and your family have made. To everyone, thank you for the leadership that I know you are giving to organizations in and around our community and state. Our next Stated Communication is Monday, July 8. Again, this month I ask that you wear a Guayabera or Hawaiian shirt so that we can meet in comfort in the midst of this hot summer. Worshipful Brother Bill Smalley has challenged all of us in the lodge to donate $100 to The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford so that our lodge can furnish a children's room ($2,000 total). Please bring $100 (or any amount you can) on Monday night (or reach out to me to find out how you can donate to the cause). See you on Monday night! Fraternally, Mike Cline, Master Several years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to see George Washington's Inaugural Bible. It was on display at the Grand Lodge of Texas - carried there by brothers from St. John's Lodge No. 1 of New York. I was in awe as I stood looking at the bible and thinking about the connection between me, the brothers of St. John's Lodge present and past, and our first President. As the story goes, when the Inaugural party assembled to swear in our nation's first President, they found themselves lacking a bible on which to swear the oath. Seeing a brother in need, the brethren of St. John's Lodge retrieved the Holy Scriptures resting on their altar and carried it to the Grand Master of Masons of New York so that he could administer the oath to Bro. Washington. To learn more, see: George Washington Inaugural Bible & George Washington Inaugural Bible - St. John's Lodge No. 1 A.Y.M. And to hear more about George Washington and Freemasonry, see: A Deserving Brother: George Washington and Freemasonry | TMR 376 (youtube.com). Upcoming dates: July 8 - Monday - Stated Communication (dress: Guayaberas or Hawaiian Shirts) July 18 - Thursday - Ritual Practice - 1st Degree July 29 - Monday - Masons on the Town (TBA) August 12 - Monday - Stated Communication (dress: Favorite College Shirt) September 8 - Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3rd Annual Family Day at Mudcats Baseball September 9 - Monday - Stated Communication - Past Masters' Night - Celebrating 160 Years of William G. Hill #218 (dress: Coat and Tie) - steak night |
Wardens and Brethren,
On March 19th we once again crossed that path of transition from one season to another. The vernal equinox is that middle point of the year when we move from the darkness of winter to the light of summer. It is a transition period when change is happening, but we know not what the future brings. March also marks our third month - a quarter of the way through this Masonic year. At last months stated, we received a gift of an aerial photo of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford from R.W. Alvin Billings - in appreciation of our long term financial and other commitments to MHCO. Brother Billings also updated us on the children's home.
I hope you can join us at our April 8th Stated Meeting. We will celebrate the vernal equinox and the beginning of the baseball season - please wear your favorite team's jersey. I will provide an education regarding the connections of baseball and freemasonry. Please also bring a contribution to be equally divided between MHCO and Morehead Planetarium/NC Science Festival.
At our May 13th Stated Meeting, we will receive Deputy Grand Master Lloyd Johnson for his official visit.
Here are a few other upcoming activities.
April 12th & 13th - Halifax Day celebration. We will assist with tours of Royal Whiteheart Lodge. This is a fun event celebrating North Carolina's contribution to the beginning of our nation and the first "declaration of independence." This year will be even bigger given that this is the kickoff to the 200th Anniversary of Lafeyette's farewell tour. I will have more details at our April stated meeting. Halifax Event Information | NC Historic Sites
April 18 - 7:00 PM: 3rd Thursday Ritual Practice - we will be working on the 3rd Degree ritual as well as receiving of dignitaries into the lodge.
April 26 - Masons on the Town - Siena Hotel - Chapel Hill. Even if you cannot make it to the lodge meeting or gala on Saturday, come out Friday evening to meet Masons from other parts of this state and from Texas. See the JW for more information.
April 27 - Tranquility Lodge #2000 Meeting and Gala - Tickets are still available but registration will soon close. Please register for the event in grandview if you plan to attend the Gala or contact me directly if you can only make the tiled meeting at University Lodge in Chapel Hill (mecline6@gmail.com). This is a once in a lifetime event to sit in a tiled meeting with two Grand Jurisdictions and sit in a lodge that will one day meet on the moon!
For more details about this weekend and to register, please see: https://nc.grandview.systems/tranquility_lodge_2000_event#
For more information about Tranquility Lodge, please see: https://tl2k.org
You do not have to be a member of Tranquility Lodge #2000 to attend any of these activities.
May 18 - Carolina Pig Jig - we will begin selling tickets soon. And as always, we will have another Masons on the Town on Friday evening. This is always a fun event. More details to come. THE SEVENTENTH ANNUAL MASONIC CAROLINA PIG JIG™ – Saturday May 18th 2024 11am till the BBQ is gone!
May brotherly love prevail,
Mike Cline
Master, William G. Hill #218
"160 Years of Brotherhood"
919-986-9440
Wardens and Brethren,
- March 11 - 7:30 PM - Stated Communication (meal at 6:30). Education program - Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO) - Alvin Billings
- March 21 - 7:00 PM 3rd Thursday: Ritual Degree Practice
- March 23 - 7:30 AM-1:00 PM: Grand Lodge Ritual Restoration in Oxford. We need at least 7 brothers (will take place of our originally planned district lecture service) Register at: https://nc.grandview.systems/events/3497
- April 8 - 7:30 PM - Stated Communication - (meal at 6:30) Education program: Freemasonry and Baseball
- Wear Your Favorite Baseball Team Jersey/Shirt
- April 12-13: Halifax Days (we will travel to Halifax - details forthcoming)
- April 18 - 7:00 PM: 3rd Thursday Ritual Practice or Emergent Communication for Degree
- April 26-27: Tranquility Lodge #2000 visit to NC - University Lodge & Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill
In the midst of all of this, please keep in your prayers our brethren who are faced with challenges in their lives - tough medical diagnosies, deaths of family and friends, and difficult professional prospects.
Mike Cline,
919-986-9440