From the Worshipful Master

My Brothers, Freemasonry has affected each of us personally and differently. If you were to ask a lodge of Brothers this question, you may get vastly different responses. Along with the different responses you will also get lot of similar reactions as well. Masonry has affected me personally by being able to help me look deep in myself and determine what I really want. It has helped align my major life priorities and set long term goals that may take years to accomplish. It has helped push me by doing things or being a part of things that I would not normally be a part of. I often joke that Masonry keeps me out of trouble. But the main principle is that I find my time spent on the Craft is time worth spent. I could use my time in other means and there’s a very high chance my time would be spent in wasteful activities. I find myself thinking outside of my own life on how I may affect others in the generations to come. We are a part of a vast history of great men who have found common ground in the Craft and are able to see past the frivolous and irrelevant aspects of our fellow men that commonly divide us. When we come together on the level, we come together on Holy Ground.

Christopher Huson
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

Looking at the teachings of Masonry, I find myself taking the time to learn more and to try and bring the light of our teachings to everyone I come in contact with. As a Mason we are taught to spread brotherly love to all mankind. So I have made it a goal of mine to bring a word of encouragement each and every day. This has been a blessing to myself and has helped many people I know who are going through tough times. I feel this is something that we as Masons should all be doing. I know each of us do what we can to bring Masonry into our lives, and to enrich the lives of others around us, this is what I believe the teachings say to myself. I hope that we all try to improve our lives and the lives of others through our education. May the Blessings of Heaven be upon us all.

Ken Olsen
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

Masonry has done a lot for me, but what it gave me the most was a sense of belonging and confidence I have not experienced in a long time. Many may not know this, but it was a boyhood dream of mine to become an officer in the United States Air Force. I actually pursued this, first by attending JROTC in high school, and on to ROTC in college. The sense of belonging, structure, and camaraderie were just the things I needed as a teenager. Sadly, I was disqualified from the military due to eyesight, so I never became active duty. But while I will not pretend to say that ROTC compares to anyone who has been on active duty, a huge hole was left in my brain and it craved for that structure and that sense of having been there with my peers. Masonry rekindled that part of me. My public speaking has improved. My confidence to make decisions has improved. And as a Past Master, I feel like I have contributed time and service into the Craft. And for the first time this year, I feel like I truly belong, being honored to receive a position as a DDGL this year. While I am not trying to inflate my accomplishments, it does illustrate that six years ago when I started this journey, I never felt I was worth such leadership. How wrong I was, and how glad I am to serve. This is what Masonry has done for me, and it has manifested itself into my profession and with my family. I am truly blessed.

Jason Michlowitz, PM
Junior Warden