January 2021 Trestle Board

January 2021 Trestle Board

January 4, 2021 Uncategorized 0

       Happy New Year!

       The Stated Communication is this Monday, January 11th at 7:30 PM.  

        Due to COVID restrictions, we must keep the attendance under 10 people.  So if you haven’t been to the Lodge for a while, it’s a bad time to start back up. 

We will a Zoom call on Monday, January 18th at 5:00 P.M. prior to our practice later that night.  It will be an non-tiled meeting and an opportunity for us all to meet up and discuss what’s going on in the Lodge and our lives.   I’ll send more information on that as we get closer.

        Here’s what else is happening at the Lodge: 

        As most of you know, Brother Steve Walker’s wife, Carla, was tragically murdered in a botched robbery at their home the day after Christmas.   Please continue to keep him in your prayers.   And please send him an email to steve@carolinemasons.org with your condolences and encouragement during the dark time.

        Due to the efforts and generosity of this Lodge’s members, Masons across the state, and our OES Sisters, we’ve raised almost $15,000 to help Bro. Steve in this tumultuous time.  If you’re interested in helping Bro. Steve financially, please donate here: gf.me/u/zd2jjj

        I will be also organizing a working party in the near future to clean and patch up the damage to Bro. Steve’s home.   So keep an eye out for more information. 

       This Lodge’s response to Bro. Steve’s horrible tragedy is the epitome of Masonry to me.  We are more than just lapel pins and lectures.  We are men who stand ready to catch a falling brother.  I couldn’t be more proud to be a Mason.

        Lodge elections and all ballots are on hold until at least February, when the 10-person occupancy period can be lifted.  The Grand Master believes that holding votes while restricting attendance could unfairly silence a Brother from exercising his rights as a voting member of the Lodge. 

        The new upstairs oil heater and downstairs air conditioning have been installed and working great.  

        We still have dozens of old theater chairs in the fellowship room.  As we open back up in the new year, those chairs need to find a new home or get thrown away.   So they are up for grabs, but please let me know if you’re taking any.

        Our next practice is tonight, Monday, 1/4 at 7:00 PM.  Whether you are an officer, a new member, or an existing member interested in helping out, you’re invited to come.    If over 10 show up, we’ll just split up to different floors.

        As a reminder, here are some of the basic rules we must follow for the meeting:

  • No dinners or refreshments in the Lodge before or after meetings.
  • Brethren must sit 6ft apart on the sidelines. 
  • There is to be no touching or standing in close proximity.  
  • Wearing a mask is mandatory.
  • If you do not feel comfortable coming to the Lodge, please stay home — especially if you or a loved one is a high-risk candidate.
  • If you have any symptoms – even if you think it’s allergies – please do not attend the meeting. 

       Finally, brethren, I appreciate your patience and understanding through this last year.  I appreciate all the support you’ve lent me.  We can all see the light at the end of the tunnel.   And when that time comes, I cannot wait to greet each of you at the door of the Lodge.