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A Message From The East

At the end of the year, there are a certain number of masonic anecdotes that are commonly used to demonstrate the metaphorical significance in the transfer of authority from one generation to the next. I will spare everyone with the usual clichés.

What I did want to revisit was something I wrote about at the beginning of my term. In November of 2014, I drove through Port Royal to take a look at the Lyceum where the 3rd chartered Kilwinning Crosse met and some of the original meetings locations of the Scottish-chartered and Virginia-Chartered Kilwinning Crosse. It was impressed upon me the magnitude of history we all carry when we wield the gavel, particularly in our home lodge. I have come to respect many of the brothers and mentors in Kilwinning Crosse, but it is almost more terrifying to consider whether the labors undertaken by a single person can pay proper respects to the hundreds of masons who have existed over the span of 260 years (or perhaps longer) who called Kilwinning Crosse in one form or another “home”. Looking back at the accomplishments of the last year, I am again humble. This time, rather than being humbled by the magnitudes of a historical legacy or position, I am humbled by the labors of the brethren of Kilwinning Crosse. This year we have raised 5 Master Masons and initiated a 6th brother. We now enjoy the company of two new affiliates who are active parts of our lodge. The Senior Warden has worked tirelessly to produce an incoming officer’s line that contains not a single past master. The Junior Warden stepped up to eagerly support multiple regular and emergent tasks with a smile on his face. Our past District Deputy Grand Masters were responsible for completely changing the dining room into an area that feels more like a home than just a meeting facility and responsible for conducting our first Table Lodge in several years. We were able to recognize the laudable and substantial contributions of members of our community and those of RtWor Tom Lewis who, despite his kind remarks to the contrary, is as deserving of Honorary Membership as any mason I have known.

Every brother I laid eyes upon this year contributed to so many great things that I could not even begin to enumerate in the short space of a single page. Many who were not able to be with us in person this year were with us in spirit. I was able to speak over the phone with many of these brothers and their kind thoughts and prayers were well received both for the lodge and myself. It is in this true spirit of peace and harmony… Concordia Benevolencia… which continues to personify a member of Kilwinning Crosse.

Eager to help. Slow to judge. Slow to anger. Able and willing to assist in good masonic works. Honest, but encouraging to the end. Charitable. Reasonable. These are the traits I have observed in the brethren of our lodge over the last year. It is in these traits that I feel comfortable laying down my gavel and knowing that the true spirit and virtue of Freemasonry lives on in Kilwinning Crosse now and for many generations to come.

Thank you all for an amazing and unforgettable year in the east.

Other Announcements

Stated Communication: The December Stated Communication will be held on Monday, December 14th at 7:30 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm. Meal cost is $10 per plate. THIS MONTH WILL BE OUR ANNUAL OYSTER ROAST!!! I encourage all to attend and support the election/installation/celebration of your 2016 incoming officers.