December is a time of beginnings and endings, naturally and Masonically.
The sun increasingly chases its nadir; the frost comes in, and shortened days encourage us all toward closeness and friendship. As the year comes to an end and the brethren look to fresh plans for the coming year and new administration in the Lodge, it gives us all a chance to stop and reflect on what this year has brought us. December also happened to be one of the most fabulous Stated Meetings of all year.
Three Champagnes, Two Degrees, One Brotherhood
Apropos to a time of endings and beginnings:
our evening began with the last of three wine tastings for the year. Matt from 45th Parallel Wines presented three fabulous sparkling wines. For the second consequtive year, Andret Clouet won Friendship’s heart.
Each of the wines were specially chosen to match yet another gourmet feast prepared by Bro Eric Pease: a menu of glazed country ham, scalloped potatoes with pepper bacon and onion, and steamed broccoli florets. And (of course) home-style fudge squares and ambrosia for dessert.
As an added delight: Bro. JW Kent Smith recited a Welsh Masonic prayer for grace before the meal.
At 7:30 sharp the Worshipful Master rapped the gavel and opened Lodge. We had buisness to conduct on both the Master Mason and Entered Apprentice Mason degrees – a familiar dance for all Friendship Brothers after this year – with powerful work to be done and seen on both.
Though some of our guests had to wait in the library.
Entered Apprentice Masons, Please Stand Up
The thrust of the meeting and its business took place on the Entered Apprentice degree. Of course there was all the regular work a Lodge must do, but the highlights are:
- We received two petitions and voted to accept WB Robert Hopkins’ petition for affiliation.
- HWB Aubrey Carrol was presented with his Past Master’s portrait, and shared a brief history of the year he was made an Honorary Past Master, under WB Scott Mist.
- A resolution to amend the bylaws, modernizing some vital procedures, passed unanimously
- Friendship Masonic Lodge unanimously approved a matching-contribution relief campagin to aid Table Mountain Lodge’s efforts in Paradise, California
Amidst all this our Entered Apprentice Masons had some truly meaningful moments.
First with Brother Ramirez’s precise performance when being examined as to his proficiency in the Entered Apprentice Degree. And secondly for Brother Goosen, who spoke of his long relationship to the city of Paradise, California and his deep appreciation for Friendship Lodge’s commitment to helping others.
Deep Reflections for Master Masons
Education is the centerpiece of every Friendship Lodge meeting.
And it was the reason we scheuled work on the Master Mason Degree this month. Our Worshipful Master-Elect, Brother Chris Chase gave a phenomenal talk titled, “Ignorance, Fear and Superstition”.
Brother Chase offered a deep dive into lesons from various parts of Freemaonry’s initiatic experience; detailing the techniques it presents for defeating, overcoming, and/or even surviving the three titular, ever-present foes of an honest life.
In so doing, Brother Chase edified us all, while becoming the last recipient of this year’s Master’s Challenge Award. He promptly coin-checked everyone after lodge, at refreshement.
a Brotherhood of Men
The last order of business
Before the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge for the last time, he took a moment to share his thoughts and affections about what he had learned from his time serving Friendship Masonic Lodge this year. Nearing the end of his brief speach, Worshipful Brother Lee called all officers to rise as he called out the role that each of them had played in the material and moral growth of Friendship Lodge. He then descended from the East to visit each of his brothers at their stations: where he gifted them with a custom-built damascus knife, engraved with the abbreviation of their office and the year.
The only stand-out would be a signle knife, engraved with the name and number, Friendship 160, which WB Lee proudly presented to one of our longest-contributing members and Past Master, Rick Schleining, along with a few more words of brotherly love and appreciation.
There being no further business to come that night
WB Lee closed the Lodge on the Master Mason degree, and afterward asked the assembled Brethren to join him for a photo in the East, passing the Master’s hat to WB-Elect Chase.
December has been a great close to an exemplary year for Friendship Masonic Lodge.
But we’re not quite done yet.
We still have the 105th installation of officers and BFC Miller-Conley’s Master Mason Degree to complete before we rest up for 2019.
We look forward to being with you through all of it.
