From the Worshipful Master

It’s a fact that Freemasons like their food.

We have dinners before or after our meetings, we often put on special events such a BBQs, pancake breakfasts, and fish fries, and we even have special terms for certain meals, and, jocularly, for Masons who only show up to eat those meals.

But those breakfasts and dinners and special events, open to the public, serve a purpose beyond feeding us, beyond fellowship, beyond being fundraisers for lodges.

They are times when anyone–Mason or not, familiar with the lodge or a passing member of the public–can join us in a social event which, while it may have Masonic overtones, is essentially a time to be together and enjoy food and company. Even our stated meeting dinners are open, and many who one day become Masons attend those dinners before they put in petitions for membership.

And this is important, because the meals that lodges put on give anyone a chance to get to know us, to socialize with us and spend time around us. To meet us as people.

There is a lot of misinformation and outright lies about Freemasons, and as simple as they may be, special events and meals are a chance for people to get to know us as people and Masons, and to acquaint themselves with some of our beliefs.

Breaking bread together has long been a symbol of friendship in many cultures; when non-Masons break bread with us, they may not become Masons, but they may still become our friends.

Bryan Bullock
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

Freemasonry is a wonderful institution that has a mission to make good men better. We strive to make ourselves better, our brothers better, our families better, and our community better. It’s important for us to a tight community so we can help each other, and thus be good men, Masons, and brothers. We can better fulfill our obligations to each other to aid an assist our Brothers and their families should a need arise.

I am reminded of a conversation I had with a friend about what it takes to become a Freemason. I was told that our institution appears to be selective. I replied that he was right. I then remarked that our employers are also selective. Our employers weed out the chumps, so they can hire the champs. Many good men have come into our ranks in the past and we strive to continue that tradition.

It is not in Masonic philosophy to recruit. This leaves other ways for people to find out about the Craft. People may have close friends or relatives who are Masons. Their father or grandfathers may have been part of the craft and they have a curiosity. This leaves pop culture movies, TV shows and the internet. With these last forms of media, even an educated person may have difficulty distinguishing between what is true or false, and what is accurate or inaccurate. The Craft in general and particularly Wayfarer’s Lodge has several ways in order to help non Masons become better acquainted with Masons. This includes our monthly education nights (shameless education night plug), dinner at our stated meetings, and other open events. These include picnics, breakfast, our annual Pig Out, installation of officers, and Lodge of Sorrows. These are all fine opportunities for non-Masons to get to know Brothers and support the Lodge if the intend on joining. It’s a more casual environment to get to know each other that does not involve education night or state meetings. With all of these events, non-Masons can see our respect for community and family, our friendliness, and professionalism.

Each one of us stand as representatives of Freemasonry. When we act with dignity in keeping our obligations and stand as models for faith, hope and charity, we bring honor to the Craft, and become more likely to attract champions to join in the Work.
My challenge for us is to remember there are many good men out there who would take to Freemasonry and become amazing additions to the Craft. Their only real life exposure will be YOU.

My love and admiration to you my Brothers.

Christopher Huson
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

It’s a definite reality that social event put on by the lodge serve as a way to get people familiar with it, and us. It’s a way to dispel social and cultural misconceptions, and provide an open forum for prospective members to find out what we’re all about.

More importantly, however, and I would say most importantly, is the opportunity to build community. Unfortunately we live in a day and age where our sense of community is suffering as a culture. Dinners and other social events at lodge provide a way to rebuild that sense of community, get to know our neighbors, and for them to get to know us. We build friendships and support by opening our doors, and find good people outside the lodge that we can likewise support.

Cameron Smith
Junior Warden