From the Worshipful Master

Brothers,

Those of you who know me well are aware that I have great reverence and give great importance of the Masonic family. Since I was Master the first time in 2009 this has been a pretty consistent message with me and this month I would like to share some of my experiences with the Masonic family bodies. Becoming a Mason and being active in lodge has given me many things to be grateful for. I have met and made friends with all types of good men whom I would never come in contact with, if it were not for being a member of this lodge. It has taught me to accept people for who they are and to focus on the things we have in common rather than those things that we may not agree on. The time I sat in lodge with my father is my most cherished moments and it brought us closer as father and son. Although I am still a rough ashlar, I have smoothed out, at least a little bit.

I am also a member of the OES Sunnyslope Chapter #47. I joined this organization so that I could spend equal time with my mother in chapter, and I enjoy each moment we have together. The OES is a big part of the Masonic family as it gives us the opportunity to share in our fraternal activities with our wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and nieces. As Masons, we need to give support to the OES to ensure they flourish in their chapter and support their endeavors. Everyone knows happy wife…happy life, but this is also true for happy mothers, sisters, daughters etc. These ladies are tenacious in their fund raising activities and we as Mason can learn a lot from them if we just take the time to observe and participate. I have made many good friends with the ladies of the OES.

My experience with the Masonic youth group has been mostly with the Job’s Daughters and very little with DeMolay or Rainbow. Having raised two daughters with my wife I guess I just feel more comfortable or qualified working with the girls. In 2008 I attended my first Job’s Daughters meeting and was so impressed and charmed by two special young ladies that I found myself not being able to say no to them ( I think this was a result of years of being brain washed by my own two daughters at home). After many years of volunteering my time to support the daughters I have come to realize that they have given me more than I have given them.

My message brothers is simple. As men and masons we are working to become better men, and these masonic family organizations help us in the pursuit. Please give your consideration to joining the other organizations that meet at Wayfarer’s Lodge #50, you will get back more than you invest.

Fraternally,

Doug Steele
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

Brothers and Friends,

While I am not currently a member of additional bodies associated with Masonry, my experiences with them has been a very positive one. I would like to comment specifically on the Job’s Daughters. While all of our Family organizations are wonderful, I feel from my personal perspective that the Job’s daughters are nothing short of a miracle. Our Bethel 22 has been among the most supportive organizations I have had the pleasure of working with. They are there when we need them. They are there on work days to help clean the lodge. They support all or most of our fundraising events, and show up in droves. They consistently honor us each year by showing up to our installation of officers and performing their most beautiful ceremony, that of the Closing Cross. And they have also been willing to do alternate songs and formations, specifically for me, as someone who is not Christian, something rare in today’s society. They show a tolerance for others the likes of which I have never seen in young women their age. Even the sacrifice of a Saturday to come to our installation shows character, as most kids their age would rather be doing anything else.

I would also like to extend a hand of thanks to their adult leaders, Susan Rial, and our own Worshipful Doug Steele. It is no accident that the kids are as wonderful as they are with these two adults at the helm. The commitment of love, and the kind care and protection that they show these kids truly is exemplary among Masons and their families. As I continue to move through the chairs, I am looking forward to working with them more and I look forward to wearing my funny socks.

Please support this organization. They love Wayfarers and we should return that love in kind.

Brothers we are back from being dark, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. I look forward to seeing everyone in lodge.

Yours in the Craft,

Jason Michlowitz
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

Brothers,

To outsiders, the world of Freemasonry can be a complex and byzantine one. 3rd degree Masons, 33rd degree, Masters, Shriners, Rites… how can anyone hope to understand it all? This is due largely to the fact that “mainstream” or “Blue Lodge” Masonry, has many “appendant bodies,” groups that are related to, but not the same as, Masonry.

Of these, two are of particular note to members of Wayfarers, and that is because our lodge is home to chapters of The Order of the Eastern Star and Job’s Daughters.

The Order of the Eastern Star, or OES, is a group for men and women, though it is not Masonry. If a woman can show “Masonic heritage,” she may join, while a man must be a Mason.. The OES does a large amount of charitable work; per Wikipedia, the organization donated over half a million dollars to Alzheimer’s, juvenile diabetes, and juvenile asthma research, over 25 years.

Job’s Daughters International is a group for young women, and works to build good character in its members. Reverence, loyalty, and respect, are all key points for the organization.

Both of these organizations do good work, and each has a chapter based out of Wayfarers lodge. The members of Wayfarers maintain a good relationship with them. My own relationship to the groups has largely been due to my position as Junior Warden, as it is one of my tasks to ensure that we have a meal before each stated meeting/ Both organizations have provided us with excellent food and invitations to take part in their meetings and events.

Bryan Bullock
Junior Warden