Master’s Letter | May 2010
Spring has arrived and I, for one, couldn’t be more thankful. The trees have leaves and the flowers are blooming. We’ve even had some marvelously warm days. With all the snow gone now, we may even see a few more faces at lodge that we’ve been missing.
April 17, our FC degree day in Dearborn, will go down as one of the most memorable Masonic days of my life. I could not have been more proud of our lodge and the degree team. We passed 15 (!) candidates in the Scottish Rite Cathedral lodge room. Fourteen of these brothers were from AAF 262; one was a guest from Walled Lake No. 528. We had Masonic guests from many area lodges, including Prince Hall, and two young Masons from the Bowling Green, Ohio area. Sharing the East with me was Grand Lecturer R.W. Bro. David Hutton. Far from an anonymous, mass affair, each candidate was individually conducted through the degree. The spirit of Masonry was palpable in the room and watching it unfold from the East was a rare gift - “Thank you” Brothers.
While I’m doling out “thanks,” such are also due to W. Bro. Seymour for again arranging this year’s Ladies Night out at the Hunt Club in Plymouth. This is always a fine dining experience and this year was no exception. “Thank you.”
The annual Grand Lodge Communication is taking place in Mount Pleasant on May 18 and 19. I will be discussing all legislation under consideration at Grand Lodge at our regular meeting on May 5. Brothers, I value your input and look forward to your thoughts. May 19 is also a degree night for our lodge. Because I, and perhaps one or both of our Wardens, will be absent, immediate Past Master Chris Fultz will be presiding. I hope to assist him by scheduling all the necessary degree parts, but I would like everyone’s help in providing a good sideline turnout for him and our candidates.
On Friday, May 21, we have been invited by Windsor Lodge No. 403 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to attend a Master Mason degree. In order to arrange this event, both our lodge and Windsor Lodge had to obtain dispensations from our respective Grand Lodges. Though Ontario and Michigan were once contained, albeit briefly, within the same grand lodge jurisdiction (the First Provincial Grand Lodge of Upper Canada (Ancients)), this relationship necessarily ended with the conclusion of the American Revolution and the withdrawal of British forces from Detroit. Windsor’s Masonic work continued and developed along lines similar to those current in England today; the work here in Michigan, though divided only by the Detroit River, evolved along lines consistent with other American jurisdictions and its own needs. Those able to attend this special Master Mason event, therefore, will see a form of Masonry quite different than that practiced by AAF262. W.Bro. Lowell Easton is renting a van to drive 9 brothers over for the evening. Anyone else attending will need to make their own arrangements. The cost for the van ride will be approximately $18 per person and everyone who wishes to go will need a passport for the border crossing. Space is almost full for the van, though brothers can also car pool; please consult the trestle board for more details.
Brothers, we are doing great things. I hope that you all are having as much fun as I am. See you in lodge.
S & F
Robert C. Blackburn, WM
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 28, 2010
Masters Table Dinner
Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti, MI | Trestleboard - May 2, 2010
Regular Communication
Hathaway’s Hideaway - May 19, 2010
MM Degree | Conducted by Chris Fultz, PM
Hathaway’s Hideaway - May 18 & 19, 2010
Annual Grand Lodge Communication
Soaring Eagle Casino | Mount Pleasant, MI - May 21, 2010
Official Lodge Visitation & Master Mason Degree Presentation
Windsor Lodge No. 403, G.L. of Canada in the Province of Ontario - June 23, 2010
Festive Board with Golden Rule No. 159
Zal Gaz Grotto | Speaker to be announced
