From the Worshipful Master

Well, it is that time of year again. We have elected our officers for 2016 and I would like to personally wish Brother Bryan a great year next year, and I wish all the officers elected and appointed good luck and I would like to express that we are in good hands.

This, my final Trestle Board, is difficult to write. This year has been amazing, but it has been challenging. I did not come into the lodge as Master this year with the intentions of changing how we do things, but to keep to what is working. We had several successful events and fund raisers this year. We had a great celebration of our first 60 years as a lodge. And we enjoyed friendship and brotherly love, not only within the lodge itself, but from our sister organizations that we are lucky to have within our building.

Of course though, as I mentioned, with the successes came some challenges. We had insurance woes to deal with and I must say our officers came through and got a new policy in place keeping us in compliance with Grand Lodge rules. We had line officer challenges that I think we addressed the exact right way by moving officers forward in the line and training them to take hold of the lodge going forward. And we had some candidate challenges, but even with these two we were able to do plenty of degrees this year. We are growing, and we should be proud.

On a personal note, the beginning of this year stung at my very core with the loss of my beloved father of blessed memory. I loved my father, and while he was not a Mason, he should have been. Before he passed, on installation day last year, I dedicated this year to him and everything I did this year was so that he would be proud of his youngest child, all grown up and given the trust of an organization that he might be successful. Dad, I hope I did you proud this year. I know you’re watching. It was a good year.

As I said at the last stated meeting, I feel that we did have a successful year despite our challenges. While said in jest, it is true; the lodge is still standing and the doors are still open, and the charter still emanates from the Grand Lodge hanging on our wall.

So it is with pride, sadness, and happiness all rolled together that I wish the lodge again a great 2016, I wish the officers luck, and I know that we will continue to head towards great things. I now happily take my place in the North where I hope to be of help in the future as our new officers are guided through the line.

We all should be very proud.

With peace, and love,

Yours in the Craft,

Jason Michlowtiz
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

Next year, I have the honor of serving as worshipful master of Wayfarers Lodge. As many have before me–and, hopefully, many will, after me–I will serve at the pleasure of the brethren.

I will guide the lodge in many areas, and carry out the will of the brethren in many others.

I have no plans to change the face of lodge culture or of Masonry. What I do hope to accomplish–for myself, for the lodge, for Masonry in general–is to serve well, not for my own aggrandizement, but for the benefit of Wayfarers and my Masonic brethren. To be a “good and faithful servant,” and serve in faith, friendship, and brotherly love.

Bryan Bullock
Senior Warden

From the Acting Junior Warden

At the elections during this past stated meeting, I was honored to be voted as the next year’s Senior Warden. This is a responsibility I do not take lightly. At this time I would like to make mention of some of my plans for next year.

As stated in the Ritual, one of my goals is to assist the Worshipful Master in governing his Lodge. I will be working closely with Bryan towards maintaining our Lodge culture and promote its values. I plan to learn how the Lodge functions and ensure that the stability of Wayfarer’s is ensured this next year the and years to come. I want to continue to build relationships between Wayfarer’s and appendant bodies attached to our lodge, namely our Order of Eastern Star chapter and Job’s Daughters. I would like to improve upon my own Ritual knowledge and performance, and to help with the same desires to do the same. I look forward to practicing and performing excellent Ritual this next year as we have several candidates petitioning for the degrees of Masonry. I will continue my appointment on the Education Committee and endeavor to create informative, educational, and interesting group discussions for our monthly Education Night. These education nights are an avenue for many people to learn about Masonry and be introduced to Brothers. The more people in attendance the better! I plan to do what I can to help our Lodge win Ashlar wards from the Grand Lodge this year. We already do many things to help us qualify, and with everybody’s support I know we can win the award.

Brethren, it is my hope that 2016 will be a good year for all of us. I hope we can all grow as men and improve ourselves in Masonry!

Christopher Huson
Acting Junior Warden