A former secretary of the Saladin Shriners in Grand Rapids, Michigan has just been charged with embezzling $1.39 million from the Saladin Temple's Children's Trust Fund. According to police reports, it seems Richard Ivan Williams has been siphoning off money from the Saladin Shriners ever since 2019 to buy real estate, line his own pockets, and (somewhat incredibly) to donate $275,000 to two of his college fraternities.
Because that was apparently so much more important than supporting the Shriners Children's' Hospitals or the transportation of disabled kids to facilities where they can be treated. He may be a crook, but at least he looked generous to his frat bros, I guess.
Oh. And he was an attorney at one time, so maybe he just wasn't aware of the laws. Or the definition of "trust."
According to a video report on the WOOD-TV 8 website, Williams' bail was set at a mere $10,000, which means he would only have to personally post $1,000, despite the obvious evidence that he's a potential flight risk with access to enough cash to skip town. If convicted of all six counts, he faces perhaps 20 years behind bars.
As for making restitution? As Emily Dickinson wrote, "Hope is a thing with feathers."
The near-miraculous rebuilding of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral after the horrific fire of 2019 culminated in its internationally celebrated reopening over the weekend, with great fanfare and well-deserved accolades from all corners of the globe.
English language readers, have a look at the Friends of Notre Dame de Paris website for lots of photos and details of the rebuilding and restoration work. And you might consider a donation to the efforts, if you haven't already done so.
And here a couple of stunning restoration shots from the NPR website courtesy of AFP last week.
But I suppose it wouldn't be France, Paris, or a massive, high-visibility construction project if some puerile, bored, knuckle-dragging keyboard troll didn't hurl a couple of pinheaded attempts at alleging a 'Masonic conspiracy' that is clearly HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT!™ regarding the cathedral's reconstruction. The top guffaw-inducing ones I saw over the weekend run the complete comedy spectrum from hee to haw.
viz:
French President Macron DELIBERATELY made an inverted Masonic pyramid symbol with his fingertips, ALERTING THE ILLUMINATI MASONS!!
The black and white checkered mosaic floor was ADDED BY FREEMASONS during the reconstruction to deliberately resemble A MASONIC LODGE!!
A medallion mounted at the apex of the pointed arch near the entrance shows some unidentified figure surrounded by MASONIC STARS!!
(You'll note the double exclamation points to emphasize the Earth-shattering nature of these breathless revelations. Doubtless the Earth shattered at least a smidgin while you were reading them. I plumb reckon.)
When it gets to the point of the France24 English-language news service feeling the need to explain and debunk such idiocy (video below), surely you must realize you've hit the bottom of the barrel with these kinds of absurdities. Interestingly, they are alleging the source to be a well-known Russia-based peddler of online propaganda, mischief and other assorted hogwash in the conspiracy-monger realm.
Of course, the great cathedral has been around since the 15th century and has had quite literally thousands of operative stone masons working on it over the centuries. Their handiwork and craftsmanship can be seen in every square inch of this incredible temple of faith. It was the art, the beauty, the architecture, the engineering, and the symbolism of this and so many other medieval churches that inspired 17th and 18th century Enlightenment thinkers to adapt the tools, terminology and symbolism of those ancient stone masons and the temples they created into a new kind of fraternal organization in the first place. A fraternity that seeks to create temples in the hearts of men, exhorting them to make their own bodies, hearts and minds into more perfect edifices that are suitable for the proper worship and presence of God. And in turn, making the world a better place to live in, however momentarily that might be for all of us.
If you want to believe that's conspiratorial, that's your choice.
[In mid-November], an Iranian Fajr-5 type missile sent by the terrorist organization "Hezbollah" from Lebanon, hit an apartment building, located in the nearby suburbs of Tel Aviv, just opposite the building where the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel is located.
[snip]
During this attack, the building opposite the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel (GLSI), all of which with glass walls, was blown, they were shattered. At the time of the impact, a Lodge had its Works in the Temple going on in the premises. There are no wounded among the Brothers, which is miraculous, given that, in addition to the explosive charge of the missile, it also contained metal parts (schrapnels) intended to make even more human losses.
On the other hand, the material damage is significant and the floor where the GLSI premises are located had to be neutralized.
For these reasons, the Works are suspended, as the Israeli Grand Master announced:
(NOTE: My English translation from his French translation of the Hebrew letter, so apologies for errors - CH):
"My dear brothers,
Following the impact of a ballistic missile on a building in front of the Grand Lodge, heavy damage was caused to our building: the windows were blown and ceilings collapsed.
Due to this significant damage, it is impossible to continue the activities of the lodges, and the [meetings] are postponed. In addition, it will not be possible to work in [the Temple's lodge rooms] until further notice.
Fortunately, none of the brothers present during the work in Vita were injured.
We will soon communicate a new date for the resumption of work
In the hope of calmer days. "
Ilan Segev, Grand Master
The GL of Israel has about 1,000 members. Owing to the vast international origins of that tiny country's citizens, they have lodges that work in Hebrew, Arabic, French, English, Turkish, Romanian, Russian and Spanish. In keeping with the sacred, combined heritage of the Holy Land for members of the Abrahamic religions, their lodges frequently open a Hebrew Tanakh, a Christian Bible and a Muslim Quran on their altars, and it's common for the office of Grand Master to be held in rotation by a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim. Note that the seal of the Grand Lodge displays the Star of David, the Muslim crescent and the Christian cross.
Hopefully, all of my readers had a happy – and mostly harmless – post-election Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends, with as few fights on the lawn as possible. WB Carlos Diez Jr., Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of California, recently posted a message to the Brethren of that jurisdiction, called A Masonic Message Through The Noise. It's a timely subject all of us need to bear in mind as Freemasons in a world of tumult and chaos. Especially before somebody gets stabbed in the hand by a pickle fork or whacked in the noggin with a gravy boat.
Brethren,
Each week, we gather in fellowship. This practice should prepare us for the divisions that strain our society. Our world is filled with external noise (TV, social media, etc.), even in our everyday conversations. This can shape our thoughts and emotion and, if unchecked, can unsettle the inner peace and harmony we strive to maintain.
As Masons, we take a profound obligation: To be beacons of civility within our communities. This obligation goes beyond words. It guides our actions and conduct in the light of understanding and mutual respect. When the world around us is filled with discord, our role is to stand as examples of brotherhood, composure, and harmony—all rooted in the peace we nurture within.
Our Masonic teachings constantly remind us that we aren't just recipients of the world's energy but active stewards of our own consciousness. By recognizing what we allow to influence our minds and hearts, we guard against the intrusion of negativity. We cultivate a peace that is uninterrupted by disturbances.
Our degrees teach us who can "best work and best agree." This wisdom extends to all aspects of life, not just Masonry. They remind us that harmony begins within and prevails beyond the lodge's four walls. When public debates and disagreements overshadow one’s spiritual essence, they risk disturbing the delicate balance that makes you you. By choosing actions rooted in virtue and love, we maintain that sacred harmony the craft seeks to instill.
Therefore, hold fast your commitments. Remind yourself you are the guarantor of your obligation because only you are with yourself 24 hours a day. Conduct yourself as the light and by doing so, you will embody the principles of our fraternity, promote peace, and will inspire those around you.
The Reverend Canon Dr. Joseph Morrow first served as Grand Master of Scotland in 2004, but resigned before completing his term. Two decades later, he was elected to the Grand East again, vowing to 'modernize' the fraternity and make it 'more transparent.' But he once again resigned this year before completing his term of office, and announced this time that he was completely withdrawing from the fraternity.
The widely syndicated and reprinted article from November 3rd turned out to be yet another non-story about Masons from the UK press. Start off by mentioning ‘arcane rituals, lurid oaths and dodgy handshakes,’ then spend 20 paragraphs to eventually admit Morrow probably pissed off all of his committee heads ‘pointing out all their deficiencies’ and demanding a bunch of (unexplained) changes, right before leaving the country.*
But the article never does REALLY explain his resignation this time. An unnamed source claims the Grand Lodge sought a replacement for him before he went to Asia, but the GL says that’s not true, that they sought a replacement only AFTER he left on his trip and resigned.
It's not like Morrow has a shortage of honors and public notice. In addition to being an Episcopalian priest, Morrow is the current Lord Lyon, King of Arms, thehead of Scotland's heraldry court,. That body issues new coats of arms to people, companies or organizations, and makes decisions on the proper or improper use of them, and Dr. Morrow has the last word. (Misuse of coats of arms is actually a criminal offense in Scotland.) He also took part in the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla in 2023.
The story DOES take careful pains to also reveal Morrow is gay and that he was originally outed by a snickering press during his FIRST stint as Grand Master 20 years ago – a story that the Scottish papers gladly and gleefully covered back in 2004. The story goes on to speculate without any shred of evidence that his resignation this time was possibly engineered by a group of anti-gay members who muscled him out the last time.
But there's no proof. No conclusion. Certainly no scandalous revelation. And certainly no reason whatsoever for a 96pt headline and a 4-column article that got reprinted in several papers, including the Times of London. Just one more opportunity to take a swipe at the Masons without a reason.
That equals no story, in my book.
*Ms. Jones does get an extra point for NOT using the term 'rolled-up trouser leg' anywhere in the article.
by Christopher HodappUPDATED 6:50PM November 7, 2024: The Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite has posted a tribute to Illustrious Brother Neddermeyer 33°. It is posted below.
I'm afraid the world is just a little bit darker now.
Word has come from Minnesota that RWB Neil Neddermeyer, PGM 2003-04, passed to the Celestial Lodge on Saturday, October 26th.
You would be hard pressed to find a man anywhere who embodied all the principles and features of a Freemason as much as Neil Neddermeyer. He was alternately brilliant, funny, compassionate, empathetic, a wise sage when it was called for, or just a deeply involved listener when that was needed more. He could teach a complex lesson with a simple anecdote or parable perhaps better than anyone I've ever known. And the quite literally thousands of lives he's touched over the years stand as living examples of his influence.
Back in the Stone Age of the Interwebs when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, one of the first regular purveyors of Masonic online content was Minnesota's Neil Neddermeyer. Starting in the late 1990s, his emails — entitled Cinosam (spell it backwards) — appeared in e-mail in-boxes every week with tips, leadership ideas, trivia, quotes, prayers, jokes, and inspirations, long before there were Masonic podcasts, blogs, forums, or much of anything else online. Thanks to the Wayback Machine, you can see the archives of his mailings HERE. He created almost 300 of them.
He served as Grand Master of Minnesota in 2003-04, and we first met when I was invited to talk at their annual session in 2006. It was the first grand lodge I ever spoke to about my book Freemasons For Dummies. Neil was one of the earliest and loudest supporters and promoters of the book for new members, and I found out he was instrumental in inviting me to their session. He was always an outspoken proponent of grand lodges concentrating on Masonic education, and he served for a time as president of the Masonic Renewal Committee of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.
As one good friend put it,"Neil was a patron of Masonic Education back when many saw educators as the boring nerds who will kill our club." They weren't; they didn't; and Neil was right all along.
Back in 2010 we both gave presentations at the Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference, along with Art DeHoyos and Rex Hutchens. Neil gave a great talk about how we present Masonry to our members, with entertainingly practical applications to real-life situations. Instead of debunking our legends, Neil stressed the importance of using them for teaching Masons, because "the Truth is in the parable." In an allegory about the fraternity, he told the story of Heinz ketchup and how they wrestled for decades with the problem of getting their slow-moving sauce out of its troublesome bottle. Company advisors wanted to water down the product, compromising the quality. But it wasn't a problem with the product; it was just a bad delivery system. The real answer was to think differently about the bottle itself, not change the ketchup. Likewise, there is no problem with Freemasonry itself; it's the way Masons sometimes present it, or treat it like a repetitive habit, or fall into ruts with our meetings or our administrative style.
Don't water down Freemasonry; fix its delivery system.
Before Freemasonry became so engrossing to him, Neil spent 20 years as a police detective, which is perhaps what gave him such a firm grip on the handlebars of life and on the best way to navigate the obstacles. About 10 years ago, he even started an online support group for alcoholic or drug-dependant Freemasons called Masonic and Tonic.
According to his wife Julie Ottis, a Celebration of Neil's Life will be held this coming Saturday, November 9th at Masonic Heritage Lodge, 11501 Masonic Heritage Drive, in the the Minnesota Masonic Home & Heritage Center. Visitation at 9, Masonic service at 10, and funeral service at 11, followed by lunch.
I haven't seen an obituary yet, but I will post it as soon as I spot it.
Neil Ernest Neddermeyer, age 78, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024. Neil was born May 28, 1946, to Francis ("Bud") and Marguerite (fka Sawyer) Neddermeyer in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in Long Lake and graduated from Orono High School. Neil displayed his musical aptitude playing drums in Orono Junior High School and was recruited in seventh grade to play in the Orono High School marching band which he continued until graduation. Neil recalled that he and another percussionist entered the Minnesota All-State High School music contest as high school juniors; they placed second with their snare drum duet. He earned his college tuition by playing in various dance bands on weekends.
Neil was a member of the Evergreen Club of the Twin Cities, an organization comprised of active members in the music community with over 20 years of experience. He was also a member of the professional musicians' union. Neil joined the Hennepin County Sheriff's Marching Band and, along with his father, played drums for many years in summer parades. He was a member of the Zuhrah Shrine Fraternal Organization and participated in their Drum and Bugle Corp Marching Band first as a drummer and later as the drum major. He was the last original member of the Zuhrah Shrine Merrymakers, a vaudeville-style troupe providing entertainment for children of all ages.
Neil was active in the Masonic fraternal organization throughout his life and began his 57-year Masonic journey in 1967, following his father's and grandfather's footsteps into the fraternity. He served as Past Master of Wayzata Masonic Lodge #205 several times and was active in Masonic education. In 2003 he was honored to be elected as the Grand Master of Masons of Minnesota. Neil was also a 33rd Degree Mason.
He proudly served as a Hennepin County Deputy Sheriff for 30 years in homicide and crimes against children. Neil was also known as a poet with several published works, including "The Old Master's Wages".
Neil was a sincere and kind man and always quick with a quip or a limerick or a song lyric. His humor and his personality lit up any room. He was a charismatic leader. Neil lived and died on his own terms. He will be missed. He was a character with character.
Neil is survived by his wife Julie Ottis; his daughter Nicoletta (Greg) Thompson, and his grandchildren, Ike and Marlowe; as well as his nephews and their children, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gene, and his sister Karen Rath.
In lieu of memorials, please send donations to the Invisible Wounds Project; the Help, Aid and Assist Fund of donor's local lodge; or the charity of donor's choice.
The Celebration of Neil's life will be held Saturday November 9, 2024, at the Masonic Home located at 11501 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437. Please enter by the Dan Patch Hall entrance. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed at 10:00 a.m. by a Masonic service, and a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow. Everyone is welcome to attend. www.davidleefuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family of Neil Ernest Neddermeyer, please visit Tribute Store.
UPDATE Thursday, November 7, 2024: The Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite has also posted its own notice:
Ill. Neil Neddermeyer 33°, Inspector General Honorary, passed to the Celestial Lodge on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Illustrious Neil was born in Minneapolis on May 28, 1946, and following his father and grandfather into our Fraternity was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master in Wayzata Lodge 205 in November 1967. He joined our Minneapolis Valley in 1975, becoming a Master of the Royal Secret in April of that year.
Ill. Neil was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour by our Supreme Council in October 1989 and Coroneted 33° Inspector General Honorary in November 1993.
Most Worshipful Brother Neil’s service to humanity, to our community and to Masonry is the stuff of legends. Perhaps appropriately acknowledged as a Renaissance Mason, Neil was a gifted performing artist, author and a leader.
A 57 year Mason and a Life Member of his Lodge, MWB Neil served Wayzata Lodge as Master in 1980 and again in 1993. In 2003, he was elected and installed Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota. During and after his service to our Grand Lodge, MWB Neil continued his commitment to our gentle craft as Chaplain and Lodge Education Officer at Wayzata and a Board Member of Minnesota Masonic Charities.
Ill. Neil was a Life Member of our Minneapolis Valley and served as the Commander of Kadosh from 1990 to 1992. He was active in many Zuhrah Shrine units.
The hallways and corridors of our Masonic Buildings and the pathways of life will be forever illuminated by the Light MWB Neil carried in our gentle craft.
Neil's life will be celebrated on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Masonic Home in Bloomington. Visitors are asked to enter by the Dan Patch Hall entrance. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed at 10:00 a.m. with a Masonic service and a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the services.
The official obit mentioned Neil's poetry. He wrote two poignant Masonic poems that became widely reprinted over the years – dare I call, them modern Masonic classics — and I'll end this post with both of them:
Perhaps He's Dead by Neil Neddermeyer
I was playing with the Shriner's band, In a small town, hot parade. We had stopped to drink a thank you, For the tunes that we had played.
A hand was placed upon my back By a women with a crutch. As I turned I saw a pretty face, And a smile came with that touch.
She told about a tear that came When she saw the Shriner's band and how she remembered one Shriner Who had helped her once to stand.
I was in the Shriner's Hospital, I was frightened - I was low When an old man in a silly red hat Showed that he loved me so.
He visited me every Sunday, For possibly two years. He shared my pain and laughter, My joys, my thoughts, my tears.
He must be in his nineties now... Well no, perhaps he's dead. But he came to my wedding to watch me stand The day that I was wed.
I meant to keep in contact With him for all my life But I'm too busy being a mother, And too busy being a wife.
I just wanted to stop and thank you,
For the things that he had done
To make my life more meaningful,
To give my life some fun.
I watched her hobble off As I stepped from the band. I saw her husband and her kids, And the crutch in her right hand.
I felt guilty for taking credit For the Shriner who was strong but mild. He knew no man stands straighter Than when he stoops to help a child.
I thought, some forty years from now, When a Shriner takes a bow, Will he be thanked for something That I am doing now?
Will they say that I was noble, That my silly hat was red? Will they say 'He's in his nineties now, Well no, perhaps he's dead.
THE OLD MASTERS WAGES by Neil Neddermeyer
I met a dear old man today Who wore a Masonic pin. It was old and faded like the man, It's edges worn and thin.
I approached the park bench where he sat, To give the old brother his due. I said "I see you've traveled East", He said, "I have, have you?"
I said, I have, and in my day, Before the all-seeing sun, I played in the rubble With Jubala, Jubelo, and Jubalum.
He said, don't laugh at the work my son It's good and sweet and true... And if you've traveled as you said You should give these things their due.
The word, the sign, the token, The sweet Masonic prayer. The vow that you have taken. You have climbed the inner stair.
The wages of a Mason Are never paid in gold, But the gain comes from contentment When you're weak and growing old.
You see, I've carried my obligations For almost 50 years. It has helped me through the hardships And the failures full of tears...
Now I'm losing my mind and body Death is near, but I don't despair. I've lived my life upon the level, And I'm dying on the square.
Sometimes the greatest lessons Are those that are learned anew, And the old man in the park today Has changed my point of view.
To all my Masonic brothers, The only secret is to care. May you live upon the level, And part upon the square.
His column is broken, and his Brethren mourn. Rest in peace, my dear, dear friend.
by Christopher Hodapp(Updated Saturday, 10:20am,Nov. 2, 2024)
The trouble with owning a publicly visible building is that, occasionally, it's image pops up in the damndest places.
It seems the local Democratic Party in Alexandria used an image of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial building up on Shuter's Hill, overlooking the city, lit up in blue, and implying it was done in support of their 'team color.' "Alexandria is the heart of Virginia. And it beats blue." screams the headline. Cute. Except that the Memorial was NEVER lit up in ANY color for ANY political party or cause.
By Friday morning, the Memorial had issued a 'cease and desist' letter to the Alexandria Democrats and posted a FAQ regarding its use for endorsing political candidates and causes. (See below.)
What's sad to me was that it never seemed to occur to the local political operatives that "the Freemasons" might be upset by its use. They appear to simply be unaware (or possibly uncaring) of our strict stance on political and religious tolerance and non-partisanship as an organization. We don't take sides as an organization, at the grand lodge OR local lodge level. But we've obviously dropped so far off of the cultural radar that their committee (or advertising agency) didn't consider our reaction might be highly negative to its use in such a manner.
Let's not get partisan here, because, while this particular misrepresentation of Masonic philosophy was posted by the Democratic Party, the tragic truth is that, ANY political party, individual candidate, or advertising agency squint these days might have just as easily grabbed a shot of the Memorial's various lighting schemes over the years and used it for their own similar political message.
1. Has the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association endorsed any political candidates?
No, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association (GWMNMA) has not endorsed any political candidate or party, nor does it participate in any partisan political activity. Our organization remains strictly nonpartisan in accordance with the values of Freemasonry and our status as a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since 1723, Freemasonry has consistently stated its opposition to participating in partisan political causes, and this principle is a fundamental concept of Masonic recognition and regularity.
2. Why was the George Washington Masonic National Memorial featured in a recent political flyer?
The image of our Memorial was used without permission on a political campaign flyer circulated by the Alexandria Democratic Committee and the Democratic Party of Virginia. The flyer, which was not created nor authorized by our organization, implied our endorsement of eleven specific candidates. Upon learning of this unauthorized use, we have taken immediate action to request a retraction and ensure it does not happen again.
3. Why was the George Washington Masonic National Memorial’s tower lit in blue?
The Memorial has been lit in blue most recently in honor of a remembrance ceremony for Officer Daniel J. Canniff (ret.) of the Alexandria Police Department, who passed away October 3. The lighting coincided with a celebration of his life that took place October 15. Previously, it was lit blue for Hannukah, and for the 2023 Cornerstone Centennial. Under no circumstances is the Memorial’s lighting ever a partisan political message.
4. What actions has the GWMNMA taken to address this issue?
To protect the integrity of the GWMNMA’s nonpartisan standing, we have issued a cease and desist letter to the Alexandria Democratic Committee, requesting that they immediately stop using our building’s image and issue a public statement clarifying that our organization does not endorse any candidate or party. We are committed to upholding our principles of impartiality and transparency in this matter.
5. Is the GWMNMA affiliated with or supportive of any political organization?
No, the GWMNMA is not affiliated with any political organization and does not endorse any political platform, candidate, or party. Freemasonry as a whole has a longstanding tradition of political neutrality, and we adhere strictly to this policy, which dates back to the 1720s. Our mission is to honor the legacy of George Washington and to educate the public on Freemasonry’s history, principles, and values, free of partisan divisions.
6. What does the GWMNMA’s nonpartisan policy entail?
The GWMNMA’s nonpartisan policy means we refrain from all political endorsements, contributions, and activities that could imply support for or opposition to any political party or candidate. This policy aligns with the broader Masonic tradition of abstaining from partisan political involvement and is a critical component of our identity as a respected national museum and educational organization.
7. How does this issue affect the GWMNMA’s supporters and members?
The GWMNMA values its members and supporters across the political spectrum, and our commitment to nonpartisanship helps ensure that our organization remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all. For this reason, we have taken action to protect our reputation and to reaffirm our neutrality.
8. What should I do if I have further questions or concerns?
We encourage those with additional questions or concerns to reach out to our team directly. Please contact Shawn Eyer, Managing Director of Communications and Education via email at seyer@gwmemorial.org or by phone at 703-400-4950. We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to uphold the values and integrity of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.
The very first Masonic Con New York is coming to the magnificent New York Masonic Hall on the weekend of January 17, 2025. Built around the theme Freemasonry in the 21st Century: Self and Society, this premiere Masonic Con will showcase experts discussing the urgency of Masonic teachings and the importance of Brotherhood in our lives and communities. If you are familiar with the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent study on the epidemic of male loneliness in American society, or with any of the various news reports on this problem, you may wish to hear from these speakers and glean ideas for preparing for Freemasonry’s future.
(Click to enlarge)
The weekend will begin the evening of Friday, January 17 with the legendary Mariners Lodge 67 Maritime Festive Board and Beefsteak Banquet inside the Masonic Hall's spacious Grand Lodge Room at 6 p.m. If you have yet to experience it, prepare to be amazed by the camaraderie of Masonic feasting and singing in harmony.
A Mariner's Lodge Festive Board & Beefsteak Banquet
On Saturday the 18th, the speakers program, open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. William Green, Jr., the U.S. Army’s Chief of Chaplains, will speak to America’s loneliness epidemic and man’s need for fraternal connections in life.
(Click to enlarge)
Additional featured Speakers:
Dr. Heather Calloway, Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Fraternal Collections and Research, will discuss the cultural relevance of fraternal orders in America.
Bro. Chuck Dunning, of Texas, the nationally renowned author and educator on the subject of meditation and mindfulness techniques, will impart ways Masons and our lodges may profit from these practices.
Bro. Bull Garlington, of Illinois, is famous for his journalistic essays on how he overcame loneliness in adulthood by discovering Freemasonry.
Bro. Michael LaRocco, Executive Director of our Livingston Library, will share his expertise in the craft of self-actualization.
Bro. Jim Loporto will close the speakers program with his dramatic presentation“The Elephant in the Room.” This will be open only to regular Freemasons—and we especially encourage Apprentices, Fellows, and new Master Masons to experience it.
There will also be tours of Masonic Hall and the Livingston Library, Masonic vendors, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Masonic Con will close with a special cocktail reception, where attendees can mingle with the guest speakers and Grand Lodge leadership while also supporting New York’s Brotherhood Fund 1781 Society.
For more information, to purchase tickets, sign up for vendors' tables or make hotel reservations, visit https://masonicconnewyork.com/
(H/T Thanks to Grand Secretary Richard Schultz for passing this along)
by Christopher HodappA young Indiana filmmaker joined the Masons at Broad Ripple Lodge 643 in Indianapolis, where he quickly became very active and was appointed to the Senior Steward's chair. Within a year of his degrees, he also signed on with Lodge Vitruvian 767, one of just a few 'Observant-Style' or 'Best Practices' Masonic lodges in Indiana. And he became Junior Steward at Indiana's Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research U.D. where he similarly jumped in and began giving Masonic talks.
He visits far and wide – often, too – frequently attending lodges out of state, and always in search of as much Masonic education as he can manage to scare up. His activities and enthusiasm for the fraternity haven't gone unnoticed by the Grand Lodge and its officers. Last year he received the Grand Lodge of Indiana's Rookie Award, a program designed to help Indiana Lodges recognize new Master Masons who become actively involved in their symbolic Lodge, and Freemasonry in general, during their first year in our fraternity.
No, this is not some self-serving, back-patting, fulsome autobiography chock full o' myself, even though his Masonic trajectory has been remarkably parallel to my own back in the pre-smartphone days of 1998-99.
I'm speaking of Brother Jeremiah Beaver. And I'm proud to say he'll be presenting a program tonight on the Rubicon Masonic Society webcast, 21st Century Conversations on Freemasonry. Jeremiah's topic will be 'Notes From the Beehive: Doing the Work in an Indiana Best Practice Lodge.'
I can't praise the Kentucky brethren at Rubicon lavishly enough for their quality programming, their increasingly famous Festive Boards, and the seriousness with which they take their Freemasonry. Rubicon hosts virtual Masonic education programs on the 4th Monday of each month, starting at 7 pm Eastern. These programs are open to Masons of all degrees, as well as non-Masons.
For the complete archived lineup of the 63 previous Rubicon programs, CLICK HERE.
To RSVP for tonight's talk by Brother Beaver, CLICK HERE.
by Christopher HodappTHIS ought to play out predictably. With lots of noise and gnashing of teeth.
MW Donald W. Cowart (photo), Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida has just issued an official decree on October 17th forbidding all Masons in his jurisdiction from sharing "any critical or controversial communications between or concerning Masons or any other derogatory Masonic information" on "any online platform, including but not limited to social media, blogs, websites, forums, podcasts, and video sharing..."
Don't know the specific background or events that led to this decision, but I can attest that this kind of struggle between GMs and online Masons has been going on for at least a quarter century now. On the one hand, there are brethren who believe it's their emphatic, GAOTU-given right to unfettered free-speech, no matter what. On the other hand, when do the privacy rights prevail for our fellow Freemasons – to whom we are obligated to "whisper good counsel in his ear, and in the most tender manner possible, remind him of his faults, aid in his reformation, and ward off all approaching danger" – if we as individuals think their privacy violates our own free speech?
As Masons, like it or not, grand masters do get to swing their weight around and make those decisions for us at times. But then the question arises: is a grand master – acting from a position of responsibility and authority on behalf of his members – entitled to those self-same privacy rights? After all, we are all ultimately taught to respect the men we elevate to officer positions and to abide by their decisions, until such time as the next grand lodge meeting in which his actions, rulings, decisions, and edicts are reviewed and approved by us. And a GM is generally the ultimate authority in all matters of Masonic jurisprudence until such a review occurs.
Then comes the third question: can a GM's decision or action be hidden from the membership by a misguided or improperly abused demand for 'secrecy'? We've all seen damage done to individual Masons or lodges when a GM yanks dues cards or charters, destroying decades of Masonic careers or years of lodge rebuilding. Reviewing his actions 11 months later doesn't undo the damage.
I'm sure this seems comically ironic on this website that has at times shared not exactly flattering Masonic stories online. Or possibly just plain hypocritical. In my own case, I hold myself solely responsible for selectively deciding stories to report or withhold here. It's my own little fiefdom here, and if I wind up suffering another suspension penalty at some point in my future, I'll lick my wounds and take a bit of time on a beach to contemplate my virtues, my sins, and my place in the Cosmos. All I can say in defense of my own mercurial role as occasional public tattler of injustices is that I follow the Justice Potter theory of decision justification: "I know it when I see it."
by Christopher HodappA really good, effective interview on local TV news yesterday with MW Andre H. Faria, Jr., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. They're rededicating the cornerstone of the East Providence, RI Masonic Temple and Grand Lodge headquarters on its 100th anniversary this weekend.
The rededication ceremony is open to Freemasons and the general public, and will begin at this Saturday, October 26th, at 10AM with a procession from Haven Methodist Church to the Grand Lodge at 222 Taunton Avenue in East Providence.
The magnificent Temple was built in 1924 for Rising Sun Lodge No. 30 and was designed by renowned architect William Gilbert Upham of Norwood, Ma. Who was a member of Orient Lodge and specialized in the design of Masonic Temples.
The original Cornerstone was laid on October 25, 1924, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Henry C. Dexter and it was rededicated in 1992 when Grand Lodge took ownership of the property.
Grand Master Faria managed to land a 4-minute appearance yesterday on the morning program 'Rhode Show' on WPRI-TV12 to promote the event and the fraternity. If you want a lesson in being smooth and concise on the air, give this clip a look. If you're a grand master or local WM who gets a call one afternoon to speak on-air about the fraternity, know your limitations and strengths. And if you don't feel or sound as confident as GM Faria does here, assign someone to take your place who does.
Seems like East Coast Masons have been infected off and on by various and sundry ill winds off the Atlantic ever since 2020 when COVID whacked us all. Grand Lodges in New Jersey, DC and South Carolina, along with the Prince Hall GL in Massachusetts all had long, tough, knock-down, drag-out fights internally that started during that irksome annus horribilis. So have the Grand Encampment of the Templars in the USA and the Scottish Rite NMJ. At the very least, it seems that the COVID lockdowns and meeting cancellations were leading to serious mental problems in the fraternity, like one big nervous breakdown…
I've posted here about Texas and South Carolina over the years, but the mud wrestling matches in Grand Lodges of Washington DC, New Jersey, and the Prince Hall brethren in Massachusetts all seemed especially sticky to pick apart, decipher, and most important, fairly and even-handedly explain them. Well, at least for right now anyway, crank up your old Cat Stevens album: the The Peace Train in DC has finally been put back on the track, and there can at last be some rejoicing.
So what the hell happened in DC over the last three years? Grab a pot of coffee or a big bottle of Mountain Dew. I'll try to be brief, but regular readers here know that's impossible.
What Was the Mess with MESH?
The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbiahas been going through major turmoil for almost three years over a combined charitable foundation known as Masonic and Eastern Star Home of the District of Columbia Charities, Inc. (known by it’s vaguely Man-From-U.N.C.L.E.-esque acronym, M.E.S.H.), operated, maintained, and administered as a combined fundraising effort between the Grand Lodge of DC and the Eastern Star Home. Its principal mission is to support the Masonic and Eastern Star retirement community in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The fight seems to have erupted after the sitting Grand Master back in 2022, MW Daniel Huertas, apparently referred to the MESH charity as being a "Grand Lodge charity fund." Essentially, the entire mess blew apart after the charity's trustees responded, "Oh, no it isn't!" followed by the Grand Master's retort that, since it was a Masonic-related entity, the Grand Lodge (and, by extension, the Grand Master) had the final say in the Foundation's money, employees, beneficiaries, and operation.
He subsequently said, "Hold my cocktail for a second, Brother," and promptly ordered an audit of the Fund. And suddenly there were false teeth, tattered cumberbunds, and shreds of ripped toupées flinging everywhere.
In response, the MESH trustees filed a 162-paragraph, 42 page complaint in April 2022, suing the Grand Lodge of D.C. for alleged actions taken by the Grand Lodge and various individuals, disputing the accounting for COVID relief funds collected by MESH in between 2020-21. I know this because someone anonymously sent me a whopping FedEx package containing a copy of the entire file. I accidentally dropped it and almost broke my foot.
NOTE! Let me state right at the outset: my understanding is that there was never any allegation of wrongdoing with the MESH funds. Simply, there was an inordinate butting of the heads over who is in charge of the MESH finances, and who has the right to exercise legal and fiduciary authority over the Foundation.
The Lawsuit
Among the allegations made by MESH in its court filing:
Because the Grand Lodge had improperly labeled the MESH accounts as its own, it had allegedly “weaponized” the fund.
That the GM improperly demanded documents related to COVID relief funds, while the MESH trustees asserted that Grand Lodge had no authority to audit MESH.
That the GM improperly called for a special meeting; that he openly called a Past Grand Master a liar; and that he made improper demands for witnesses to recant their statements and testimony.
That the GM humiliated the Junior Grand Warden and refused to let him serve in his official capacity. (Allegedly telling him, despite his election, that his services would not be required.)
That the GL “improperly pursued“ several MESH employees (can they properly pursue one?)
That an elected MESH representative was improperly removed by the Grand Master, in an abuse of his Masonic suspension super-powers.
There were a handful of others, but these were the highlights. MESH sought an injunction, declaratory relief, and a whole pile of compensatory cash. But, oddly, there were no individual plaintiffs mentioned in the suit, nor were there any actual allegations of improper masonic discipline, humiliation and discriminatory conduct.
By May of 2022, a Past Grand Master, the sitting Junior Grand Warden, and the chairman of the DC MESH Foundation had all been suspended by the GM. Lodges became frightened of reprisals.
Time passed; 2023 came and went; MW Annas F. Kamera became Grand Master, and he couldn't make much headway at de-escalating the whole thing, either.
Last Year's Christmas Gift
Events continued to escalate. But four days before Christmas last December, an olive branch appeared in members' email inboxes from the new Grand Master for 2024, MW Jacob Bressman. In it, he asked MESH to withdraw its lawsuit, in return for which he would reinstate all of the Masons involved in the whole mess and attempt to bury the hatchet in no one in particular.
By New Year's Day 2024, there were no announcements of any kind to show anyone had taken the GM up on his offer. MW Bressman was now the third Grand Master in a row to attempt dealing with this train wreck.
Calm Returns To DC, At Least Among Masons
Finally, after three years of yanking dues cards, removing officers from elected positions, the filing of at least one lawsuit, and the expenditure of what must have been an eye-popping amount of cash needlessly spent by both sides on legal fees instead of charity, the warring parties retreated to the back room earlier this month, kissed, and finally made up.
Not on the lips, mind you, but still quite a fulsome buss on the cheeks, anyway.
