Greetings from the East!
Through a strange set of circumstances, I have once again arrived in the East! Hello, my name it is Kenneth Odegaard, and I have the privilege of serving Arcana as Worshipful Master for this year of 2008. I have previously had the opportunity to serve the lodge as worshipful master in 1993 and 1994. Most recently, I have been serving as Chaplain during 2006 and 2007, so when the Master's chair failed to be filled in the last election, it wasn't a far move for me to slide over one seat to my left to fill that chair!
Many things have changed since I first sat in the East 15 years ago. Our membership roster was approximately 700 at that time, but has unfortunately dwindled to less than 300 at this time. Fifteen years ago, I set a goal to meet or speak with each member during my term as Master. I know that I fell far short of that goal, but I did have the opportunity to speak with many members. I would like to hope that I made many friends during that time. I hope that I will likewise have the chance to meet or speak with many of you during my current term.
With this first letter in my current term as Master, I would like to create an open door policy. By this statement, I mean that if any of you members have ever felt that you wanted to approach the lodge in any way, whether it be to become more active or maybe to change something that you have always felt was not quite right, I want you to consider me as a person to talk freely with to bring about that change. I want you to feel that this is your lodge!
Sincerely,
Kenneth W. Odegaard, W. M.
Greetings brothers and friends of Arcana Lodge. My name is WB John Fosdick and I was elected to be Arcana Lodges Junior Warden for 2008. I look forward to a good year as your Junior Warden. As you read this the lodge will have had it's first event of the new year: the sweetheart dinner at Jax cafe on February 24. I want to thank Senior Warden Mark Moriarty for help with this event.
The Lodge will be starting a set of degrees this month with an Entered Apprentice Degree on Monday, March 3rd. A little later in the month on the 15th the lodge is holding it’s annual Ideas of March Spaghetti Dinner. Each year the financial support we receive from our members is just fantastic, but what we especially enjoy is seeing all our members and friends who show up at this event. As usual WB Doug Roswold will break out his special recipe to cook up about 15 gallons of sauce and manage the kitchen staff. He can always use a hand in the kitchen come serving time. Likewise our SW Mark Moriarty will be coordinating the dinning room activities and any help you can give in either area would be greatly appreciated even if it’s only help for an hour or two.
I would like to thank WB Dave Sibben for all his hard work and dedication to keeping our old lodge building in good repair. WB Dave, brother Jim Higgins and the other trustees have been working to find a renter for the available office/retail space on the first floor.
As many of you have noticed the lodge parking lot is still in the process of being refinished. We ran into an obstacle right after Thanksgiving and have to wait until the weather warms up and the asphalt companies to reopen to finish the project.
The Grand Lodge annual communication will be held in Duluth this year. Unfortunately due to my present employment situation I will not be able to attend. None-the-less Arcana will be represented at Grand Lodge, and I am certain we will have a great term and a lot of fun in 2008.
Fraternally yours,
John Fosdick, PM
Greetings Brothers,
I hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season.
The dues cards have arrived and most of have paid your 2008 dues. If you have not received your dues notification, please let me know.
A couple of reminders: 1) Please let me know if you have a change of address, a winter address, a new email, or phone number. We have lost contact with a number of Brothers because they moved and did not leave a forwarding address or new phone number.
2) Let us know how you are. In our obligation we promise to “help aid and assist all poor and distressed Master Masons…upon their appeal to me…” The crystal ball is not one of our working tools. We cannot help if we do not know. If you cannot meet your dues obligation to the Lodge, please contact either myself or the Lodge Treasurer WB Kevin Erickson. Brothers experiencing financial difficulties due to illness, unemployment, etc. may receive dues relief from the Arcana Brotherhood Fund, please contact WB Kevin or myself for more information.
3) Many of you have noticed that our parking lot resurfacing project was interrupted last fall by a problem with the city of Minneapolis permits and inspections. Please be patient with us. Our contractor will complete the job as soon as the asphalt production resumes in the spring..
4) The Ides of March Spaghetti Dinner is coming up soon on Saturday, March 15th. Again I’ll be in the kitchen as chief cook and bottle washer. Each year we have really nice attendance, but we can always use more help in the kitchen and dinning room. It’s also very important, especially in light of our parking lot situation, for people attending the dinner to remember DO NOT PARK in the St. Clements lot until AFTER 5:30 PM. Please allow their Mass parishioners first access to available parking.
Finally, if you are receiving a paper copy of the Trestleboard and have an e-mail address, you can receive it electronically several days in advance of the mailed copy. Please send me your e-mail address.
2008 is starting out very promising and I trust it will be a great term for all the officers and members of Arcana. I look forward to seeing several of you at many of our upcoming events.
Fraternally yours,
Doug Roswold, PM
This article was published in the Email Newsletter CINOSAM distributed by MWB Neal Neddemeyer, Past Grand Master of Minnesota
I believe that freedom of religion is an inalienable human right and tolerance an indispensable trait of human character; therefore, I will stand in my Lodge with Brothers of all faiths, and respect their beliefs as they respect mine, and I will demonstrate the spirit of Brotherhood in all aspects of my life.
I know that education and the rational use of the mind are the keys to facing the problems of humanity; therefore, I will bring my questions and my ideas to my Lodge, and strive to advance the growth of my mind alongside my Brothers.
I know that the rich tradition of Freemasonry and its framework of Ritual are important platforms for growth and learning; therefore, I vow to stand upon these platforms to improve myself as a human being, and I vow to help in the mission of the Craft to provide tools, atmosphere, challenges, and motivation to help each Brother do the same.
I know that charity is the distinguishing human virtue, and that personal community service is the best demonstration of one's commitment to humanity; I acknowledge that words without deeds are meaningless, and I vow to work with my Lodge to provide service to the community, and to promote charity, friendship, morality, harmony, integrity, fidelity and love.
I know that my obligation to community extends beyond my local sphere and is partly fulfilled in my patriotism: love of my country, obedience to its laws and celebration of the freedoms and opportunities it symbolizes.
I know that leadership is best demonstrated by commitment to serving others; I will therefore participate in, and help work at improving individual leadership skills, and serve the Brothers of my Lodge to the best of my ability.
I know that friendship, fidelity and family are the foundations of a well-lived life; I therefore vow to be a faithful friend to my Brothers, as I expect my Lodge to respect my personal obligations, and to treat my family as though my family were their own.
I know that the last great lesson of Freemasonry -- the value of personal integrity and the sanctity of one's word -- is a lesson for all people in all times; I therefore vow to be a man of my word.
I know that Masonry's power is best exercised when its Light is shared with the world at large; I therefore vow to bring the best of myself to my Lodge, in order that my growth might be fostered and nurtured, and to present myself to the world as a working Freemason, on the path to building a more perfect temple.
Because I am a Freemason, these values and aspirations are guideposts for my progress through life.
"Find a Lodge whose Master and other officers are leaders in the true sense of the word, and you will find a Lodge in which the Brethren value their membership, participate in the activities of the Lodge, keep their membership active, and through their actions, in and out of the Lodge, attract other good men to petition for the Degrees."
MWB Houston A. Brian, Past Grand Master, Arkansas
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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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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Arcana Koffee KlubThe Koffee Klub meets at 9:30 AM on Wednesday of our stated meeting week for coffee, treats, and fellowship. Occasionally someone will even have a good joke to share. Upcoming Koffee Klub dates are February 27th, March 12th & 26th, April 16th & 30th. 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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