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MEDINA LODGE
NO. 58 Dispensation Granted
Monday, January 31, 1820 |
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MEDINA LODGE
NO. 58 Dispensation Granted
Monday, January 31, 1820 |
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ELECTED OFFICERS |
TRESTLEBOARD November 2005
From the EastDear Brethren, Please! If you don't want to read about some of the events that took place at Grand Lodge, at least read the last paragraph of this somewhat disjointed newsletter. Thanks. From the Grand Secretary's report: there are at present 540 lodges in Ohio. The average age of all Masons is 63.97 (it was 64.75 a few years ago). The smallest lodge in Ohio is Caliburn #785 with 25 members, followed by Western Phoenix #42 with 44 and Aberdeen #149 with 50. The largest Lodge in Ohio is Akron #83 with 1030 members. We gained 5,512 members this year but we also lost 7,853 for a net loss of 2,341 (compared to a net loss in 2004 of 5,221). Death accounted for 4,201 of that loss. The Grand Treasurer reported that members having endowed memberships of $600 had returned to their lodges $30.75 and those with $800 memberships had $41.00 returned. For us at this time it means we need to make up the lost revenue somehow. It will continue to hurt us until enough endowed members have entered the Celestial Lodge above to offset the difference between our dues and what we get back from Grand Lodge. This sounds very cold and unfeeling I know, but it is the reality. Legislative action saw three of the proposals from last year approved and three defeated. Approved were: (1) a Plural member may change his "Primary Lodge" from his existing one to a lodge where he is already a Plural member by submitting a Form 70 to the secretary of his primary lodge, who must sign it, and forward it to the Grand Secretary. No vote is required by either lodge. The lodge which had been the primary lodge now becomes a plural lodge and vice versa; (2| requires only a picture ID in addition to a current dues card for a Brother's admission to a lodge as a first time visitor; (3) when a new lodge is formed a charter member can retain his membership in his old lodge as a plural member if he chooses to do so. Turned down were: (1) to be forced to state a reason for a blackball (a paper ballot was taken on this); (2) a proposal to essentially eliminate exams for all three degrees; (3) to allow alcohol to be served at non Masonic functions held in non Lodge areas of the building (a paper ballot was taken - 615 for, 704 against). Of the seven issues submitted this year four were acted upon and three were laid over to next year. Approved were: (1) a clarification of sect. 40.01 of the Code on the process of conducting trials for unMasonic conduct; (2) if a member suspended for non-payment of dues pays his dues within the same year as the suspension he will be automatically reinstated. No penalty will be assessed nor any investigation required; (3) reduces the accountability on ciphered rituals and makes it possible for any Master Mason to purchase a ciphered ritual through his lodge secretary who will be the only one allowed to order them from Grand Lodge The cost will be $50.00. There will be no accounting process for these rituals; (4) was a piece of house keeping legislation regarding distribution of investment funds to be done annually following a written policy adopted by the investment committee. The Trial Commission had 30 cases brought before it including those held over from last year - 24 for unMasonic conduct, 1 case is still pending and 5 are waiting to be heard. There were 19 new cases this year, 15 of which dealt with felonies. The number of cases being heard each year is increasing. This year one included a PM for defrauding his lodge and one for rape. (Maybe we need to do a better job of investigating our candidates than we have been doing or maybe it's just a reflection of our society.) My final thought has nothing to do with Grand Lodge but rather with Medina #58. With our annual meeting and election only a couple of weeks away I thought it appropriate to share with you something I read in my church newsletter - "People who think they are too big to do little things are perhaps too little to be asked to do big things." If only we all could consider this whenever we are asked to help out in some small way or even to volunteer without being asked. Sincerely and Fraternally, Ted Thomas, WM
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
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Community Relevance
"You as a lodge, must wake up running and become relevant to your community. |
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What is This Thing Called Masonry?
Frank P. Briggs, a Missouri State Senator, wrote in 1939 to U. S. Senator Harry S. Truman to ask "What is this thing called Masonry?" Truman replied "Freemasonry is a system of morals which makes it easier to live with your fellow man whether he understands it or not." |
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Charity
It is generally agreed that charity means love toward others. But love, in the Christian churches and societies, has so often manifested itself in alms that charity has come to mean relief or assistance to the poor. Charity and relief are differentiated in Masonic tenets. Our tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, could be accurately expressed as Brotherly Charity, Relief, and Truth. Charity for the rich in the sense of alms would be too outlandish to consider, but in the sense of love is conceivable, though rare. The popular theory seems to be that the rich should love the poor, but few have advocated the reverse. If charity is a virtue, it should be extended by each individual to all mankind. Masonically, it means a kindly, tolerant, considerate, and helpful attitude toward everybody. To practice Charity is to extend love, goodwill, and leniency toward all.
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A Bible Presentation
My Brother, you have now received all the light which this Lodge may impart to you through our ritual, our procedures and our work. But possessing these, you will know that we have not taught you all that a Master Mason can learn.
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Here are Some Trivia Questions for You
1. How many muscles do you use to take a single step forward?
Answers to October's trivia questions:
1. How many words are in the Bible? 774,000 so I'm told.
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Garritt L. Chapman