From the Worshipful Master

Brothers and Friends,

We as Masons have a great duty to our G-d, and to our Brethren to offer relief. What is relief? It is a nebulous concept that means different thins to different people. For some it is a little help with the bills. For others it is a shoulder to cry on. And for still others it is offering someone the chance to make amends. But whatever it is to you, or to the person that needs it, it is always one of our great and moral duties. It is something that we as Masons take very seriously.

I want to stress that it does not always have to be monetary. Although that can and does help people, it is not always necessary, and it some cases it may not even be the right choice. When my father passed away, I had Masons contacting me from those who had just been initiated all the way to the Grand Master himself, and all ranks in between. Of course money wasn’t what I needed. It was the chance to air my feelings about the tragic event that had occurred, and knowing that I had the support of my brothers, my FAMILY, with me at all times, day or night, was the most comforting thing in the world. And this was what I needed.

I challenge each and every one of our lodge members to reach out to a brother in need. You would be surprised as to the help and comfort you will bring. And THIS is relief. This is what we are supposed to do as Masons, and this is what our obligations tell us is required.

Offer a helping hand. You’ll be glad you did.

Jason Michlowitz
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

“Faith, hope, and charity… and the greatest of these is charity.”

Charity, or relief, is one of the great tenets of Masonry. It is part of our obligation to the Brotherhood that when we encounter a Mason in distress, we aid him–or his widow and orphans–as far as we are reasonably able. It is for this reason, I understand, that a Mason’s widow and orphaned daughters may wear his jewelry: as a sign that they might require aid (as his sons may become Masons, the need for this identification is not called for, for them).

But Masons are not expected to aid only other Masons and their families. We should–indeed, are expected to–aid all we may, who need our assistance. And for centuries, Masons have done so.
Masons have given money, time, and labor to worthy causes. They have founded hospitals, clinics, aid societies, and charities, and many other causes.

Charity does not have to be hard, or even big. A few hours of time when it’s needed. A helping hand when it’s asked for… or when it’s not. Donating blood. Collecting and delivering food.
The lack of charity in those who can provide it, has no excuse. Charity when it is needed, requires no other reason.

Bryan Bullock
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

Are charity’s within Freemasonry and out of Freemasonry just as important to all mankind, Including our brethren? What is masonic Charity? my interpretation to masonic charity is doing whatever you can for a brother so long as it it doesn’t hurt your brother or his family. The same qualification I believe fall under non masonic charity. Charity is a voluntary interaction with Neighbors, and your brethren to help them in many ways.

When a brother helps another brother out in a time of need that help not only help that brother out, but all of the loved ones of that brother, If a brother help a neighbor out in a time of need, he also helps all the loved one of the neighbor. A simple volunteer gesture of charity has social benefits that span much farther than just a neighbor or brother, it spans to entire city’s, towns and communities.

Brethren Volunteerism and charity is a duty in the Volume of Sacred law the same volume we took our solemn obligation.

1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Proverbs 11:24
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Matthew 25:40
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Isaiah 58:10
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

Colossians 3:12-17
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. …

2 Corinthians 9:7-9
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

Galatians 5:13-14
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 9:37
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Titus 3:8
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Isaiah 6:8
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Luke 10:1-2
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

1 Corinthians 9:17-19
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

Ecclesiastes 11:1
your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.

Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all that you do be done in love.

Ben Kruse
Junior Warden