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A Message from the East

Last month our lodge celebrated its 260th anniversary since the chartering of the original lodge in Port Royal.  On the heels of our own table lodge, I had the great pleasure to travel with WBro Ronnie Walters to Williamsburg Lodge No. 6 for the celebration of our Grand Lodge Reunion.  What an event.  What I found particularly interesting is the diverse, sometimes sorted, and ever-eventful pasts of each individual lodge in attendance.  Many of these august lodges are rife with periods of labor and darkness; chartering and rechartering; decline and growth.  I was flattered to sit beside the Senior Warden of Norfolk No. 1 who seemed particularly interested, and well versed, in the history of our own lodge.  It impressed upon me, as a single mason with very few accolades to my name in the midst of a crowd of experienced and highly respected masons, that our past is a thing to be cherished but not to be placed on a pedestal above what truly makes us Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.  Kilwinning Crosse could be the most renowned hallmark of freemasonry the world-over, yet if it retains this reputation while losing sight of our moral and Masonic principles we would be better to surrender our charter without a moment’s hesitation lest we begin to play our own legend over such a high calling as we have obligated ourselves to answer.  It is our values that make us who we are, not our membership card, lodge affiliation, or offices and titles.  Let us live as more than officers, past masters, and members of a club.  Let us live as Masons.

This month we have an opportunity to bring others into this moral and Masonic fraternity.  On October 5th, we will hold an Entered Apprentice degree beginning at 7pm.  The degree will be overseen by Bro Tim Lewis, SW, in my absence.  Later, on October 24th at 11am, we will meet for a light meal followed by a triple raising.  Not only do we welcome a single brother, but three Fellowcraft to the sublime degree of Master Mason.  What a joyous month for our lodge and for our fraternity!

I thank you again, my dear brethren, for your dedication, labor, support, and most of all your sense of peace and harmony that demonstrates to me what being a Mason is all about.  Concordia Benevolencia.

Other Announcements

Stated Communication: The October Stated Communication will be held on Monday, October 12th at 7:30 pm.  Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.  Meal cost is $10 per plate.  Please come and support our OES ladies by purchasing a plate.  This month will be “move up month” for our Senior Warden and next year’s potential officers.

Harvest Festival Tours and Child ID: The 26th Harvest Festival will begin at 9am and conclude at 4pm on Saturday, October 17th. During this time, we will have a train display and offer both Child ID and lodge tours.  This is a great opportunity to show off our lodge, history, and charity.  Come be a part of our lodge during this special day!

Entered Apprentice Degree: We will hold an Entered Apprentice degree night on October 5th as we initiate another proud member of Kilwinning Crosse.  All EA, FC, and MM brothers are invited to join us at 7pm with light refreshment to follow.

Master Masons Degrees (x3): We will hold a mid-day Saturday degree for Brothers Prothero, Ulrey, and Beale who will be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.  We will begin the day at 1100am with a meal and commence the degree at 1200.  All brethren are highly encouraged to support our newest Master Masons.