Hail Brethren!
We unfortunately didn't perform any 1st degree work in the month of April, so alas, I have no new brethren report. However, I did attend the Junior Warden's Retreat and felt I could share with you a little about what I did and also how Grand Lodge is trying to formalize a Masonic Education Program.
Our first night of the retreat was spent developing a draft mission statement for our Lodge. The purpose of this exercise was to get the Junior Wardens to start thinking about their lodges as more than just social fraternities, and instead as an organization that acts as the cornerstone of its community and its members. Perhaps, this is not news for most of us, but it was useful to actually manifest this concept rather than merely talk about it. And I certainly look forward to the coming years as this lodge continues to expand its community involvement and promote Masonic education to its brethren.
On the topic of Masonic education, there is a program that has been recently adopted by the Grand Lodge to assist its members in talking to others about Masonry. This program also provides materials to prospective candiates and recently initiated members to teach them more on what it means to be a Mason. This program is called "Pass It On" and the brethren of Hollywood-West Valley will be seeing more "Pass It On" materials in the future. If anyone is interested in hearing more about this program and would like materials, like the free wallet cards to hand out to non-Masons; please contact the Lodge, myself or the Worshipful Master.
There is also a Masonic Information Night program that is currently in the works by Grand Lodge, intended to help lodges better educate the layman about Masonry. Please feel free to contact me for more information about the program. I will be happy to share as more information becomes available.
Lastly, if anyone is interested in discussing Masonic history or its symbols and what they mean to you, I would highly recommend that you attend our Masonic Symbolism Class which takes place every month, the Wednesday following Stated Meeting. More precisely, our next two meetings will take place on June 8th and July 13th at 7:00 pm.
That is all from my station in the South. See you all at the next Stated Meeting!
James Bayhylle
Junior Warden