From the Worshipful Master

The Blue Lodges of Ancient Craft Masonry have three splendid and impressive degrees.

The  Entered Apprentice Degree is the teaching of great moral principles by beautiful ceremonies and lectures. These include the four great cardinal virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, together with the beloved golden tenets of Masonry Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

The Fellowcraft Degree emphasizes the importance of the acquisition of knowledge, and that with it comes greater duties and responsibilities.

The great degree of all Masonry is the sublime degree of a Master Mason. This degree reveals the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul in a very impressive manner and also charges that it is incumbent upon all Masons to continually pursue further light as we travel symbolically in our pilgrimage in life from the West to the glorious East.

Ken Olsen
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

I read an essay written by the current International Master Councillor of Demolay, Jr. Past State Master Councillor of Arizona State Demolay and member of Glendale Lodge #23 Chase Gordon titled “Concept on Masonic Renewal – What Does it Mean to You Now and In the Future.”

Bro. Gordon writes about how although Freemasonry has been around for over 300 years, we have reached a time now that we must find ways to attract new members and keep new and younger members.

We need to find ways to make the Blue Lodge more relatable to younger men.  Ritual and running meetings is important, but in this day and age it’s not enough. Different groups and organizations are all competing for members and when people join an organization they need to ask a question to themselves what they get out of it for the money they pay.

Fraternally,

Stephen Liguori
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

As a long-time Mason and member of Wayfarer’s Lodge #50 I would like share my advice to new members.

New members come in all ages and stages of life, and depending on where you are in this mystic circle of life, your level of commitment to the craft and lodge may vary. I will preference my advice that when joining any organization, it is a commitment to attend and support the best you can, this is a given.

As new members, the other lodge members make the assumption that you are interested and committed to learning. We assume that you have weighed your outside commitments, and concluded that you have the time and desire to attend and participation in our meetings and activities. We assume that you are committed to learning and passing your examinations to progress through our degrees to become a Master Mason. Why else would you pay your fees and waste everyone’s time?

New members need to know that we are there to support you through your degrees, we want you to be successful and a valued member of our lodge. Feel free to reach out to any of us that you may feel comfortable with and share your concerns, desire for help. We have but one agenda and that is to see you be successful. We have all been through the challenges that home life, work life, spouses and children bring, and we are willing to listen and be flexible to ensure your journey in our craft continues on, and the lessons their learned makes you better able to deal with each issue as an honest and upright man.

We welcome all new members and look to you to be our future, so please know we are all on the same page with the same goal, and that is for you to let us help you; as you also help us, we are all learning together.

Fraternally,

Doug Steele
Junior Warden