December Stated Meeting News

On December 1, Washington Lodge put on a degree.  We enjoyed having a couple of new faces there to witness the degrees (brothers who came out from Benjamin Franklin for the first time).  We definitely had a fun time.  Hopefully, you will join us in the coming weeks when Washington Lodge puts on degrees.  The next opportunity will be on Dec. 15th and again on Dec. 22nd.


The John C. Cole Award


Have you ever wondered how it is that we can continue to meet in our beautiful building?  There is a tremendous amount of work that goes on often behind the scenes that enables us to do so.  Oftentimes, they are unsung heroes.  One such individual was honored as this year’s recipient of the John C. Cole Award.  He works tirelessly to keep the bills paid and the temple board’s finances in order.  That brother is a Past Master and the current treasurer of the Hamilton Masonic Temple Company, Larry Morey.  We are thankful for all he does to ensure that we can continue to meet at the Hamilton Temple.


The Upcoming Inspection Season


It was announced that the inspection cards are now available.  March 9th is when Washington Lodge will have its inspection this year.  Mark your calendar’s now so that you can make it out to this year’s annual inspection.  If you are interested in traveling to other lodge’s inspections make sure to grab a card.  The kickoff will be on Jan. 6th at Dayton Lodge #147.  They will have a meal at 6 PM and their degree begins at 7 PM.  They will be inspected in the MM degree.  Our very own David Daugherty will be there as an officer of the 2nd district.  


For those that don’t know about the 21 club, if you visit 21 of the 30 lodges in the 2nd district, you will become a part of the 21 club.  If you are interested in either trying to become a part of the 21 club this year or visiting any lodge during their inspection, we look forward to you our fellow brother representing Washington Lodge.  In the not-so-distant past we actually were awarded the traveling gavel by several brothers representing our lodges.  Perhaps, there will be some brothers who would like to do this together.  If you would like more information, talk with one of the officers.


December’s Featured Appendant Body—York Rite


On our recently completed survey 9 brothers indicated that they were interested in joining York Rite.  Additionally, 10 brothers indicated that they were members of this appendant body.  If a brother is interested in acquiring “more light”, this appendant body puts on various degrees in full costume.  Brother Rocky spoke about how the Chapter, Council, and Commandery at Middletown have worked with him so that he could obtain various degrees whenever there is a conflict with his schedule.  They have even arranged for him to go to another location and had a couple of their members go up there to be able to support him in getting the degrees.  If you would like more information or you would like a petition to be able to join, please contact Rocky and he will be glad to discuss it further or provide you with the petition.


Featured Charity of the Month


Worshipful Jason Baynum announced that in January we will be assisting the Harvest Food Bank.  He is still working out the details with them as to the exact date.  One of the activities that this organization provides is packs weekend meals for school children who have food insecurities.  We are hoping that several brothers will join us in helping them.  

December’s Education Program


Worshipful Jeremy Spangenberg gave this month’s LEO program.  He gave a wonderful rendering of the events portrayed in the timeless classic featuring Ebenezer Scrooge.  He had a very interesting take on this tale in that he compared it to being Masons.  When Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by 3 spirits, his entire life changed.  He now took time to be kind, to be courteous, to be generous.  Is that not we are to be doing as Masons, Brother Jeremy asked.  He exhorted us to not be so wrapped up in X this Christmas season---whatever X might be in your life—whether that is family, making money, etc. that we let X rule our lives—that we have no time for anybody else even to the point of neglecting our masonic duties.  His final question was—what do you want your final memory to be at your grave?  How do you want others to remember you?


Upcoming Events:
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December 29th—Awards Night at Washington Lodge
January 26th—2nd Masonic District’s Officer’s Association Winter Meeting at Eastern Star Lodge #55
March 9th----Washington Lodge #17 Annual Inspection

Bro. Rocky Jackson, Junior Deacon