E for East

Tidings From The East

My Brothers and Friends:

Thank you again for the honor you have bestowed on me by permitting me to be your Worshipful Master in 2010. We have a great opportunity this year to build the foundation upon which Tyrian will rest for the 21st Century.

Moving to the Goshen Lodge Hall facility is an incredible opportunity. With the magnificent physical structure now housing our lodge, the programs, community outreach and degree presentations are limited only by our thinking. I reiterate my comments at the installation of officers: My charge and challenge to you and myself is to think outside the box and within the points of the Compass.

Our family meals together has become a weekly tradition, one that I hope expands. Acclimating our families and friends to join us for a meal has cemented our Masonic family and dispelled unnecessary misunderstanding about the supposed “secrecy” of our craft. Build on the tradition of family, and you will receive rewards never imagined. To further this aim, I have instructed our Chaplin to work with our Secretary and Jr. Warden to re-establish a Widows and Orphans Night to welcome them back to our Masonic family. More on this will follow as our records are updated.

I eagerly encourage participation with the other lodges in Elkhart County: Kane, George Washington, Goshen and King David, PHM. Kane Worshipful Master Chris McKenna and I have talked excitedly about joint gatherings and I anticipate the promotion of Masonic harmony will follow.

To our brothers at Goshen Lodge, we thank you again for making our move to the Goshen Lodge Hall a reality. Tyrian stands ready to assist in whatever way that we can to move Freemasonry forward in Goshen and Elkhart County. Congratulations to WM Tom Rondo on his election and installation as Worshipful Master of Goshen Lodge in 2010.

It is also an exciting time for the appendant Masonic bodies. The Ruffian’s Chapter of the Widows Sons has established its home in Goshen. Since our move to Goshen, several brothers have expressed interest in Eastern Star for themselves, their wives and daughters. Brothers have approached me with genuine interest in re-establishing a DeMolay chapter in Goshen; a Job’s Daughters bethel; and/or a Rainbow Girls chapter. Once the dust settles from Tyrian’s move to Goshen, it’s FULL SPEED AHEAD on these and other projects.

Membership remains important, both new petitions and retention of members.

As to new petitions, our Most Worshipful Grand Master has made it clear: they don’t have to ask you, you can ask them. Men are desperate for that which Masonry offers. I say again [with apologies to Tommy Lee Jones] “what I want from each of you is a hard target search of every city house, suburban house, town house, farm house, hen house, dog house and outhouse” within your circle of acquaintances. You know a good man who would be a good Mason. Initiate the conversation, ask politely, provide information if you get a positive response. If there is no interest when you ask; leave it at that and let them know that if the interest is ever there to let you know.

As to retention of current members, the key is to get them involved in the work of the craft. How? We need potential line officers. We need ritual performers. We need Masonic relief awareness. We need kitchen helpers. We need wardrobe and props people. We need public awareness people. We need policy and program advisors and coordinators. We need parade float builders. We need Craft Guild leaders. Know a brother who hasn’t been in lodge for a while? Go get him; pick him up; bring him to lodge; extend the hand of fellowship.

2010 offers the promise of an exciting and busy year.

Be a part of it.

Be proud of it.

You are a Freemason—A Good Steward of the Light.

Fraternally,
Thomas R. Hamilton, WM