Brethren –
At Herndon’s first stated there was a full house to receive Right Worshipful Michael Pobat on his first official visit as the District Deputy Grand Master of the 4th Masonic District. RW Pobat served as Master of Ceremonies while Herndon’s Past Masters welcomed Worshipful Varun into their ranks with a well performed “Past Masters Degree” program. Herndon also welcomed two members to the Lodge. The first is a returning member, Brother Roger Weir. The second, an affiliate from Massachusetts, is Brother Phillip Sturke. It is a great pleasure to have them both in Herndon Lodge.
At our second stated, Herndon Lodge received a birthday visit from RW Benjamin Franklin (aka Worshipful Don McAndrews). RW Franklin recounted several of the events that led him to turn from being a loyal citizen to the British crown to that of one supporting American independence. He also spoke of how this affected his family, in particular the strain it caused between himself and his son William. It was a very thoughtful and well delivered performance. I thank Worshipful McAndrews for bringing light to Herndon Lodge.
February will be a traveling month. You’ll note on the Lodge calendar that there are six planned visits to other Lodges during the month. The visit to Mt. Vernon Lodge on the 2nd will be to join them in their 50th anniversary celebration. The others are in support of RW Pobat’s official visits to other District 4 Lodges. I hope that I will be seeing many of you at each of these visits. On the 5th of February there will be a called communication on both the EA and FC Lodges. Come out to support and meet your Lodge’s candidates as they work through the degrees.
Looking forward into March, the second stated will be conducted a little differently. We’ll start at 7pm that night. PJ Shuey, the DeMolay State Master Councilor, will present the “Ceremony of Light” for the Lodge in recognition of DeMolay week. This will be open to the public. Afterwards, a Master Mason degree will be conferred.
Administrative notes…thank you to everyone who has returned their contact information or has registered on the Lodge’s webpage. We now have in excess of 180 email addresses on record. One of the first uses for this will be that the Trestleboard will arrive to you electronically as well as in paper form. Hopefully this will make communications timelier. Seats are going fast for the trip to Gettysburg. Here are details on how to reserve your seat on the bus.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Philip Brooks, WM
Let me be a little kinder;
Let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me;
Let me praise a little more.
Let me be, when I am weary, Just a little bit more cheery;
Let me serve a little better Those that I am striving for.
Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver;
Let me strive a little harder To be all that I should be.
Let me be a little meeker with a brother who is weaker;
Let me think more of my neighbor, And a little less of me.
Short Talk Bulletin – Feb. 1925 ~ Masonic Service Association of North America
