I'm thankful that the newest members, though few in number, are taking an active part in the meetings and especially in the degree work. The backbone of any lodge consists of its active members and no lodge has too many of them.
Contrary to what you might think, it's easy to become an active member. You can start out at your own speed, by maybe attending a stated meeting. You might like to start with the second meeting of the month, and enjoy the fellowship of a $5 dinner before the meeting. Be sure to contact one of the line officers to reserve a portion of the food. On the other hand, the first meeting in December might be a good time to become active. There is an election with no attack ads and no apparent hostility. There is no second meeting in December.
If you have time on Wednesdays, you can join the brothers who attend Koffee Klub at 9:30 every other Wednesday morning (December 6th and 20th, for starters). It's mostly conversation and jokes, but you might even find someone who could play a game of cribbage.
Eventually, you'll find yourself looking for new challenges in the Lodge. We hope to offer many of them next year. For example, you'd be surprised how satisfying it is to help serve the spaghetti dinner (to raise money for lodge projects) or the widows' dinner (to remember our roots). There is a devoted crew that seems to be always in the kitchen who would appreciate help, or you could provide table service and visit a little with the diners.
If you'd like to help with social or charitable events or go on visits to other lodges, raise your hand. There's no end to the possibilities. If you'd like to arrange one of these events, raise both hands!
If you have a brother who doesn't drive at night, you could bring him to the meetings. If you are a brother who doesn't drive at night, and would like to attend, let me know and we'll try to hook you up with someone who drives.
Lodge membership should include the fellowship of simple things like sharing rides and helping each other in whatever way we can.
Vern Bandel
Master
Brothers;
This will be my first time writing for the Trestleboard. I have thought about what to write for the last few weeks trying to rack my brain for what I thought a Lodge Education Officer should say when writing to the members of the lodge. So here’s what I have come up with.
Recently I was reading the Minnesota Mason and found an idea that was given by the Grand Lodges Education Officer and that is to start a lodge based study group. I thought that would be a great way for members of the lodge to get together outside of lodge as well as get the chance to learn from one another. My Idea is for who ever would like be apart of the study group, would meet one night a week. Each person in the study group would pick a different area of masonry to study each week. When we all met the following week we would share what we have learned. This would make it easier for all of us to lean different areas without having to try and find the time to consume a dozen books on your own. We would learn from one another each week as well as have the chance to be the one to teach others. I understand that many in the lodge are stretched thin as it is with work, family, and other Masonic organizations, but I just felt that this might be away for people to get a chance to get involved in the lodge again that normally can’t make meeting because of other obligations.
If anyone is interested please contact me at: dar_dia@hotmail.com or 763-503-4959. I am looking for at least 3-4 more people for the study group. Once we have that we can then discuss a day and time for us all to meet that would work for everybody involved. Remember this is a great way for new members to learn from more knowledgeable masons.
The one thing I believe we should all try to do is take more of a part in the lodge and help the newer members learn more and want to come back for meetings. I feel that every member in the lodge tried to make it to at least one meeting a month, we might see the newer members show up more as well.
I know many members of the lodge also are in other Masonic organizations that will interfere with making it to lodge, but we must all try to find a way to make it to one meeting a month. I just feel that if more of us show up and take part we will give a better impression to the newest members that lodge is important.
Everything that makes us a mason is what the lodge has given us, we must all remember where our journeys began in order to appreciate all that we have accomplished and achieved as masons. I know that I have only been a mason for a year now but, I can still remember the day I was raised and all of the members of the lodge who helped me along the way. I just want to make sure that many generations to come will experience the feeling I have felt being raised and being a member of this fraternity. I apologize I sometimes ramble on when I get going on a topic. I don’t wish to offend anyone with my comments but I think most people might understand my wish for everyone to get involved.
In my quest for more light in Masonry I recently read a great book titled “It’s About Time”. This is a book that you can get from the grand lodge through the Masonic book club. I think everybody should read it, and think about the message it is trying to convey to us all. Well I shall end here for now. Till the next time.
Mark Moriarty
Lodge Education Officer & Jr. Warden
Gerald Rudolph
Ford, Jr.
Born on July 14, 1913
Initiated as an Entered Apprentice September 30, 1949
Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft April 20, 1951
Raised to the degree of Master Mason May 18, 1951
Answered the roll call of the
Grand Architect of the Universe December 26, 2006
38th President (1974-1977)
40th Vice-President (1973-1974)
He is the only President and Vice President
to have never been elected .
Brother Ford was initiated September 30, 1949, Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with his half-brothers Thomas Gardner Ford (1918-1995), Richard Addison Ford (1924-) and James Francis Ford (1927-). The Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., on April 20 and May 18, 1951, as a courtesy to Malta Lodge.
Brother Ford was made a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, and Honorary Member, Supreme Council A.A.S.R. Northern Jurisdiction at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, on September 26, 1962, for which he served as Exemplar (Representative) for his Class.
Brother and President Ford was unanimously elected an Active Member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay and its Honorary Grand Master, at its Annual Session held at Orlando, Florida, April 6-9, 1975; Brother Ford held this post until January 1977, at which time he became a Past Honorary Grand Master, receiving his Collar and Jewel on October 24, 1978 in Topeka, Kansas, from the Hon. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., Grand Master, Order of DeMolay.
Brother Ford was a Royal Arch Mason and a Cryptic
Mason, having received those degrees while President, he was also a Shriner.
In 2003 he was presented with Michigan's 50-Year Award by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California MW Bro. M. William Holsinger.
A number of years ago Gerald Rudolph Ford retired to Rancho Mirage,
California and died there at age 93 on
December 26, 2006.
I met a dear old man today,
Who wore a Masonic pin,
It was old and faded like the man,
It's edges were worn quite thin.
I approached the park bench where he sat,
To give the old brother his due,
I said, "I see you've traveled east,"
He said, "I have, have you."
I said, "I have, and in my day
Before the all seeing sun,
I played in the rubble, with Jubala
Jubalo and Jubalum."
He shouted, "don't laugh at the work my son,
It's good and sweet and true,
And if you've traveled as you said,
You should give these things their due."
The word, the sign the token,
The sweet Masonic prayer,
The vow that all have taken,
Who've climbed the inner stair.
The wages of a Mason,
Are never paid in gold,
But the gain comes from contentment,
When you're weak and growing old.
You see, I've carried my obligations,
For almost fifty years,
It has helped me through the hardships
And the failures full of tears.
Now I'm losing my mind and body,
Death is near but I don't despair,
I've lived my life upon the level,
And I'm dying upon the square.
Sometimes the greatest lessons
Are those that are learned anew,
And the old man in the park today
Has changed my point of view.
To all Masonic brothers,
The only secret is to care,
May you live your life upon the level,
May you part upon the square.
Arcana Chapter #38 OES
March Madness
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WANTED The Arcana Board of Trustees is looking for Brothers willing to unlock the building and facilitate guests. We’ve received a number of requests from local groups and organizations to rent the second floor dinning room area for meetings, receptions, etc. We are looking for responsible brothers willing to unlock the building, answer questions, make sure the group cleans up after themselves, locks the building, turns off the lights, water and gas. Typically these rentals are 3-4 hours during the day. We will collect a small fee from the group to compensate you for your time and courtesies. Interested brothers should contact the Lodge secretary at 651-269-2707 or by email secretary@arcana187.org .
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MembershipDo you have friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers who would appreciate the teachings, and brotherhood of being a Mason? Do you know any young men between 13 to 21 years old who may be interested in the social activities and fraternal brotherhood found in DeMolay? If you do, please tell them about these great organizations. If you’re not sure how to handle certain questions or situations, or if you would just like to have the assistance of another knowledgeable Mason from our Lodge to help with some of the tough questions please contact any of the names below.
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Arcana Koffee KlubThe Koffee Klub meets at 9:30 AM every other Wednesday for coffee, treats, and fellowship. Occasionally someone will even have a good joke to share. Upcoming Koffee Klub dates are February 14th & 28th, March 14th & 28th. Come join the fun. |
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Do you need a ride to Lodge?
Phone Kevin
Erickson — 612-781-7352, - - -
If you would like to receive Arcana Lodge
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