Welcome all visitors to Golden Rule Lodge #479 F&AM’s WEB page. Golden Rule Lodge is chartered under the Grand Lodge of California of Free and Accepted Masons. Freemasonry is the oldest Brotherhood, a fraternity, which teaches the initiated members important moral lessons and spiritual truths through ritual and symbol. The Craft emerged formally as early as the 17th century, when speculative gentlemen in Scotland and England who shared an interest in various Renaissance thought joined Lodges of operative stonemasons. Over time, the "degrees" in Freemasonry developed, taking the names of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason from the operative stonemason guilds.

The tools of stonemasons became symbols in the degrees, whose purpose was not only to initiate and instruct new members, but also to teach and remind all masons of those great and important truths which bound them together. How does Freemasonry make men better? Masonry requires among other things that members believe in a Supreme Being, as well as the Immortality of the Soul. As a result, the teachings of Freemasonry explore truths shared by all who have faith in God. Among these truths are the importance of self-control as regards Self, the importance of ethics as regards Man, and the importance of the immortality of the soul as regards the Divine. As well as these beliefs, Freemasonry uses powerful symbols which resonate in man's conscious and unconscious mind to great effect. As this year’s theme suggests, “Building on the Past for a view of the Future”, I am here to suggest another way forward.

We are here to observe the beginnings of a Restoration. A new generation has arisen in the Craft to carry it forward as former generations have done, young men drawn to the Craft by its ancient customs, eager to demand much of themselves and meet the challenges set before them by the Craft. Far from being discouraged when they encounter resistance, young Masons of today are attracted more to the Craft by the high and exacting standards set by excellence and beauty. To that end, this term will take the successes of the past and build a better lodge for the future. The lodge has initiated many new brothers in the last two years and the prospect of growth is very encouraging. We are therefore developing an orientation program for all initiates to impart to them what they can expect from the Fraternity and what the Fraternity expects from them.

We are going to embark on Masonic Services to our Brethren and Widows who can no longer care for their property, by having special clean-up/Fix up days to assist them in maintaining their property. We will continue to support our community by the Edenvale Pancake Breakfast, Blood Drives, sorting food at Second Harvest, and volunteering at KTEH’s membership drive. One of the new projects we are going to perform is the distribution of new dictionaries to all new 3rd graders at an elementary school in the fall. To all inside and outside of the Craft who share our high ideals, I ask that you visit us and support us in a remarkable year. Great and positive change is coming. With your help, the Craft will endure, and we will restore the Craft to a new glory.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

John Kirk, Worshipful Master