I was recently thinking back to the first year I was active in Masonry. I remember how busy things became toward the end of the first degree cycle and how much I was looking forward to the summer break. I also remember talking to my friend and mentor Ricks Bowls and telling him that it didn’t take long before I began to miss the monthly dinners and conversations with my new brothers. One of the strongest reasons I wanted to join Masonry was because I didn’t have a lot of men friends and I wanted to meet some truly good people and hopefully make some new friends. At first it wasn’t nearly so much about the Stated Meetings or degrees for me, it was really the fellowship before and after. He told me that at first it was the same for him, and that every year since, around the summer break, it was exactly the same for him.
Well, this year is no different. Except that I am learning that my favorite Aunt from Denver was right when she told me that as I got older I wouldn’t change all that much, I’d just become more so. So this year I took on a few more responsibilities and toward the end of the first degree cycle things seemed even more crazy busy. I was looking forward to the summer break even more than ever before. And true to my Aunt Dorothy’s prediction, I am now looking forward to the renewed Masonic season like never before. (More so)
The first upcoming event is obviously the Canadian Visitation, starting with the welcoming reception at the Airport Marriott Hotel at 5pm on Friday, August 31st. We will welcome our Canadian friends and their ladies, enjoy a casual supper prepared by our Lodge Ladies, and engage in some traditional partying and fun. No reservations are required for this Friday night event so come as you are and just enjoy yourselves. The rest of the weekend’s activities are listed separately in this newsletter and on the website.
Our first Stated Meeting for the fall will be on Thursday night, September 13th. This will be a very special evening, as I will be presenting the Hiram Award to Worshipful Brother Bruce Sherman. The Hiram Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Brother in Blue Lodge Masonry. A Master can only give one such award in a year, and there are many years when no award is given. This will be an open Lodge event with many invited guests and visiting Masonic dignitaries, and all our Lodge Ladies are invited to attend as well. Southern Style Catering will cater the meal, and obviously, you must reserve ahead if you want to join us for dinner. Don’t miss this very special evening, but please, let us know you are coming, and if your lady will be with you. There will be a very brief business meeting after the presentation to vote on new members.
I truly do look forward to seeing you all in Lodge very soon.
Todd Henderson, Master
On Sunday June 24th Ancient Landmark Lodge held its 4th Annual “Day at the Races” at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. The Lodge members were treated to a great buffet dinner, betting voucher, betting tip sheet and the official program and guide showing Ancient Landmark #5’s name on one of the races.
This year the Lodge again had its own betting advisor who was allocated to the group for the entire day and helped us place group and individual bets. The weather was superb, and a great time was had by all. We also saw a few members whom we hadn’t seen for awhile.
The Lodge members again had their picture taken in the Winner’s Circle after “our” race. When you’re next in the Lodge secretary’s office, check out the Lodge members in the framed pictures from this year’s races at Canterbury.
Chris Buck
Chairman
Summer can’t possibly be ending, I still haven’t had enough burgers and potato salad.
Well OK! It’s time to get serious about getting things done. Meetings to be held, people to be talked to and plans to be made.
In August, I went to a concert at the Como Lake Pavilion to listen to the Minnesota State Band. Imagine this, sitting on a bench with your best friend, slight breeze, beautiful setting, listening to the last and only state band left in the United States of America. The music was wonderful. It was more interesting to me because Ron Larson, PM, was playing percussion. The band is an all volunteer organization that Ron and many others took the time to practice and then play for the public, free of charge. Many thanks for the pleasure you brought Jane and I that night Ron and thanks to the volunteers of the Minnesota State Band.
See you at the Lodge.
Fraternally,
Alan Peterson, Senior Warden
As a member of the Grand Lodge Membership Committee I have been asked to speak to certain issues that I believe negatively affect membership in Minnesota Masonry. Simply, in my opinion, the explanation for the decline in membership is as clear as crystal... Masonry has changed.
Everyone, of course, has had his own reasons for becoming a Mason and since motivations are subjective and rather beyond argument or debate, no one can fault them. I, myself, had two reasons for becoming a Mason: [1] the idea of equality and [2] the obligations. I did not become a Mason for any other reason. Although social events, such as barbeques, Bunco Nights, ladies nights and so on are certainly nice, they could never in a million years have enticed me to join. In fact, it is amazingly difficult for me to imagine anyone becoming a Mason primarily just to participate in them.
I am what seems to be a declining breed of Mason . . . I am a traditionalist. That is, I believe in the tenets and motivations inherent in “old” Masonry and find the current trend in Masonry (vis-à-vis, downplaying the importance of the obligations and emphasizing the social aspects) disturbing. Simply stated, I believe that more and more of the Brothers have become inactive in the Craft because they have not been receiving the wages they were promised in the obligations, which caused them to walk away dissatisfied. For some reason, one that defies my ability to understand, the obligations have been relegated by many “modern” Masons to the status of traditional twaddle that has no place in the modern world. My God, no wonder Masonry is losing its relevance.
The Craft as a societal force is vastly becoming impotent and it seems that there are not enough of us traditionalists left to stop this trend and restore Freemasonry back to what it once was in our distant past. Clearly, “Modern” Masons are suppressing traditionalist views and are continuing to summarily denigrate such views to the status of being abhorrently passé and politically incorrect.
It seems that we are being turned into ineffective versions of the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Elks, Moose, Racoons, Mystic Knights of the Sea, or just about any other social-based fraternal organization you can name. The difference, of course, is that we are so “politically correct” that we do not even allow ourselves to receive the benefits that the members of those organizations receive, which means, paradoxically, that we are the victims of our own declining standards, standards that have at one time defined us as something extraordinarily unique among fraternal entities. Disappointingly, it seems that the reasons that had originally lured me to membership turned out to be mere echoes that came to me from Masonry’s past and are difficult for me to find in substance today. Still, I am trying to be hopeful that our leaders will recognize the reasons for the Craft’s decline and do what they can to stem the tide that is eroding the shores of the Craft’s traditional allure before it becomes irreversible and too late; time will tell.
For the love of the Craft and the good of all of us, I remain forever...
Fraternally,
Bro. James McKenna, Junior Warden
Everyone is invited to our first stated meeting in September when Worshipful Brother Bruce Sherman will be presented with the Hiram Award.
The Hiram Award is an award presented to a Master Mason who has served the Lodge and the Masonic Fraternity with devotion over and above the ordinary. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a brother by his Lodge and no more than one may be awarded in a year. We hope you can make it to help us celebrate the exemplary service of our brother Bruce Sherman.
The Master of the lodge, Todd Henderson, has requested a review of the landmarks of our craft as set forth in the Minnesota Grand Lodge Codes and beginning with the next issue we will examine some of these basic building blocks of masonry. To be true to our roots I believe we must start with laying a firm foundation, and for Masonry that foundation can only be found in the hearts and minds of good men who are pledged to the task of becoming better. The following is a meditation and suggested plan for a way to incorporate the wisdom of the first degree and the furnishings of the Lodge into a program of personal introspection I call the one minute hour.
First the meditation on the Lesser Lights:
Take a few deep cleansing breaths, in through the nose out through the mouth. One, now another, and a third. Relax and put both feet flat on the floor.
Starting with your feet relax your muscles. Feel your toes and feet becoming free of tension, now your ankles and calves. Be aware of the easing of tension as you relax your thighs and slowly continue relaxing up your torso. Allow your hands and arms to lie comfortably in your lap. Feel the tension flowing out of your shoulders and neck.
Now take a deep breath in through the nose out through the mouth. Again in slowly then out. Allow your eyes to center on one of the lesser lights that surround the altar. Take another deep breath and breath out slowly feeling the remaining tension leave your body as you exhale. As you stare deeply into the candle’s flame let it become the center of your visual field, as the great light of divinity is the center of your being. Continue focusing on the flame and feel its glow diffusing throughout your body. Allow your focus to soften and feel the warmth and energy radiate in the center of your abdomen.
As that warmth radiates you feel a deep sense of peace and belonging as if some immense benevolent force has cradled you in its arms making you aware that you are safe from all possibility of harm.
As this feeling of warmth and well being expands within your lower abdomen you feel it slowly rising to the level of your stomach bringing with it a sense of deep satisfaction. This feeling of inner light and warmth slowly rises to surround your heart with a sense of new energy and calm realization that your strength is being renewed and expanded to enable you to meet all challenges. The light flows on to your lungs and throat bringing an assurance of your freedom and ability to express the inmost wants and secrets of your soul without fear of being ashamed, or judged harshly for any of your desires or fears.
As the power of this indwelling light energy rises to the level of your head you are aware of new insights and possible solutions to questions and problems that have long lain dormant at the edge of your awareness. The power of this realization radiates out through your entire body bringing a great sense of energy and well being.
Take a deep breath and feel the power of this sacred space fill you anew. Exhale and feel the warmth and power that is within you flow out to touch the entire lodge without diminishing any of the power building within you. Take another deep breath and feel the presence of the Great Architect flow within and through you. You can feel a growing awareness that this power flows through you with every breath.
Take another deep breath and as you open your eyes focus again on the lesser light at the altar. Be aware that the power you feel is ever present for you everywhere you go. As you recall this sense of reverent presence discovered in the lodge and now a permanent part of the sacred lodge, that is your body and place of being for life and into the ages.
And now the plan:The first tool we received from the hand of the Senior Deacon was the 24 inch gauge. The Master instructed us that we were to use it as a symbol of the 24 hours of the day to divide our time into 3 equal parts where we were to find 8 hours for the service of God or a needy brother mason, 8 hours for our usual avocations, and 8 hours for rest and refreshment.
I suggest we set aside 24 minutes a day divided into 3 segments with 8 minutes spent in personal devotion or meditation directed to the appreciation of the good gifts of Deity and the welfare of a needy Brother, namely ourselves. Another 8 minutes could well be spent pondering what we do in our usual daily activities with a view to maximizing the value of the time we spend at work and in relationship with those with whom we live and work. The final 8 minutes may best be spent simply relaxing in silence consciously freeing all our muscles of tension and allowing our thoughts to freely roam as we recharge our mental and emotional batteries to be better fitted to engage in the other 59 minutes in each hour of our days.
Used in what ever way you choose 1 minute an hour, just 24 minutes a day, is a very small price to pay for the enormous benefits to be found in a regular time set aside for personal meditation and enrichment.
This summer, the MTA approved the appointment of our fellow lodge member Mickey Wachowiak as building manager of the Masonic Center to replace Art Lingo. Art has dedicated himself to the building for the last couple of years in that capacity. Mickey will be a great addition to the management of your building. Please feel free to welcome him in his new capacity and bring your concerns to him as our new building manager.
The MTA has also drafted new rental agreements for those bodies which rent space in the Center, and as an ancillary document, has written a new guide entitled “Masonic Temple Association Rules and Regulations Governing Use of the Building”. As the agents responsible for managing the building and paying the bills, the MTA found it necessary to address issues related to care and usage of our building’s many rooms with special emphases on the usage of lights, heating, ventilation , and utilization.
One large change in our building will soon be apparent: a new coat of paint. The MTA, as of this writing (in August) has put out bid requests to various painting contractors to have the entire outside of the Masonic Center water-blasted, scraped, primed and painted in new colors which were carefully selected by the members. This long-deferred project should be completed by the middle of September.
Additionally, the MTA continues to look at options for improving the interior of the building. We are considering various painting options as well as general improvements to the inside of the Masonic Center to create a more Masonic feeling to our habitation.
The MTA wants to remind you that we are here to serve the owners of the building, St. Paul Scottish Rite and Ancient Landmark Lodge. We encourage your interest in improving our Masonic home and invite you to discuss your concerns with us. Your representatives on the board are:
Chris Buck, President: 651-702-0705
Art Lingo, Secretary: 651-633-6939
Alan Peterson: 651-646-4610
Ron Harmon: 651-770-3203
Submitted by Chris Buck
Brothers, just a quick note to the membership concerning dues statements for 2008. You will be receiving a different looking dues statement this year than in years past. It will contain a short message from the incoming Master (tradition prevailing) at the top and the bottom third of the statement is a payment coupon. You will notice that the address is set-up so you can use the enclosed window envelope to return the payment coupon along with your dues payment.
You will also notice on the payment coupon that there are boxes to the right side stating any previous amount you may owe for past years and what your current amount is. This information is totaled for you giving the total amount of dues that you owe. Below that there is a space for an Almoner donation and if the Lodge has identified any other funds or charities for the year they will be listed below the Almoner box. There is no amount in any of these boxes. The amount you wish to donate to these various charities and funds is up to you. The very last box is a Grand Total box that you will fill in yourself.
A couple of quick suggestions, if you owe back dues payments, please take this opportunity to bring your dues up to date. The provisions for dues payments are very clear. You must be current on your dues or you are subject to suspension. If you allow yourself to fall behind three years you will be dropped from the rolls of the Lodge and will be suspended from Masonry for non-payment of dues. This status will prevent you from participating in any part of Freemasonry. This includes the Appendant bodies such as the Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite and all others. Please don’t allow this to happen. If there is a problem, contact the Lodge and we will work something out.
By law, dues are payable by December 31 of the year prior to the dues year. This means that you have until December 31, 2007 to pay for 2008. After that you are past due and subject to suspension. It is to your advantage to take care of this small matter as soon as you receive your dues statement.
Lastly, I would strongly urge you to consider a contribution to the Almoner’s Fund. This money is used to assist our Lodge Brothers in distress. Nobody knows what awaits them from one day to the next. We have taken an obligation to assist a brother, widow or orphan, they applying to us and we deeming them worthy. This fund is where the money is drawn from to assist our Brothers, their widows and orphans. Even the smallest contribution is most welcome.
You will be receiving your annual dues statement about the middle of September. If you have any questions please call the Lodge office and I will do my best to answer any questions you may have.
Fraternally,
Bruce L. Sherman, PM
Secretary
Published monthly except July and August by Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5. Non subscription newsletter to members and friends.
Any article appearing in this publication expresses only the opinion of the writer, and does not reflect the official position of Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 or the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.
Permission to reprint articles appearing in this publication will be granted only on request to the Lodge Secretary. When reprinted, articles should note "Reprinted with permission of Ancient Landmark Lodge No.5 Newsletter, month and year" All articles subject to editing and become the property of Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5.