From the East

 

Brethren,

The inspection season is well underway and Medina Lodge has been quite well represented by anywhere between six and ten members present for each meeting in spite of the threat of poor weather which so far has held off until after we had all returned home. We have nine more inspections in February with four of them coming in the first full week, on the 7th, 9th, 10th and 12th, the last being a Saturday morning one with a breakfast at 8:00 AM followed by the Fellow Craft Degree at 9:00. This should get us home before noon. All four of these are also pretty close so it should make traveling a bit easier. In order they will be in Orville, Wadsworth, Ashland and Seville. Hope to see more of you participate; it makes for a time of good fellowship, try it!

The Grand Master has scheduled a one day class for Saturday, April 9th. I know there are mixed feelings about these classes but I also know that several lodges in our district have line officers that took one of the previous one day classes and these brothers are doing a very fine job, including those that Medina has in its line. I have come to the conclusion that these can be successful if the lodges follow up after the class. This is the key to making it a success! Remember that we may now approach someone who we feel would be a good Mason and ask if they have ever thought about joining our fraternity and that you feel they would be an asset to our group. We may not badger or harass them, but simply ask. The final decision must still be of their own free will! I would like to see Medina Lodge have ten to fifteen candidates in this class. If you need a petition contact any of the officers and we will see that you get one. Let's all try to get some more good men into our Brotherhood.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Ted Thomas, WM

 

From the Southeast Corner

Paul O. Grove
It is with regret that we record the death at the age of 92, on Monday, January 10, 2005, of Brother Paul O. Grove. Brother Grove was raised in Medina Lodge on September 24, 1945 at the age of 32. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his family.

 

Thank You Brother Rau!

Medina Lodge gratefully acknowledges Brother Frank J. Rau's generous gift of $1,000.00 to the Lodge's General Fund. Brother Rau, who resides in Naples, Florida, was raised in Medina Lodge February 23, 1946 and is also an Endowed member. May you receive God's blessings, Brother Rau.

Masonic Relief

Masonic Relief may be applied for by any Master Mason - either to his own Lodge, or to an individual Master Mason. In every case, the individual asked has the right to determine the worthiness of the request and whether such aid can be granted without material injury to himself and his family. Relief is a voluntary function of both the Lodge and the individual. If the Lodge's financial condition will allow it to help only partially or not at all, the Lodge may apply to the Grand Lodge Charity Committee for help. In order to be eligible for Masonic Relief, the Brother must be a member in good standing, and there can be no charges pending against him at the time of application. The widow and/or orphan of a Master Mason, who was a member of the Lodge at the time of his death, are entitled to consideration if they apply for assistance. The same conditions as to worthiness and the ability and willingness of the Lodge also apply in these cases.

Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation

Founded in 1994, the Charitable Foundation of The Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Ohio is a tax exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation accumulates donations from Masons, their families and friends, and distributes funds to relieve the distressed. Only the interest earned by the accumulated donations may be used to fund needy projects. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible. Distributions from the foundation are regularly sent to victims of catastrophic illnesses, weather related disasters, accidents, fires, etc. Recipients need not be members of the Masonic fraternity, and frequently are not. Lodges that identify an individual, who would be a worthy recipient of funds, can recommend that person to the Grand Lodge Charity Committee. The committee considers such requests and, when appropriate, recommends such expenditures to the Foundation. In 2003, approximately $40,000 was given out. Donations can be made by sending a check to the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation, PO Box 629, Worthington, Ohio 43085-0629.