Scottish Press Tries To Make A Masonic Scandal Out of GM's Resignation

by Christopher Hodapp

When Joe Morrow, former two-time Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, completely resigned from the fraternity 'for personal reasons' back on September 17th, the silence as to why he really did so left a wide-open field for speculation. Over the weekend, the Scottish press finally got around to purportedly blowing the whole story wide open, and it landed with a resounding thud. (The story originated in the Scottish Sun by Jennifer Jones: "LODGE COMPLAINT: The real reason Scots freemasons chief quit organisation for good after pledging to modernise ‘the craft")

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, the head 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.

R.I.P. Neil Neddermeyer, 'Cinosam' Author and PGM of Minnesota

by Christopher Hodapp

UPDATED 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.


UPDATED 11:05PM November 4, 2024: RW Brother Neil's obituary appeared in the November 3rd, 2024 issue of the Minnesota Star Tribune. 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.

UPDATE: RW Brother Neil's obituary appeared in the November 3rd, 2024 issue of the Minnesota Star Tribune:

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.

George Washington Masonic Natl Memorial Dragged Into Politics

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 Democrat 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 Democrat 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.

I've reprinted the Memorial's official FAQ concerning endorsements of political candidates or causes:

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 1st Masonic Con New York – 'Freemasonry in the 21st Century': January 17-18, 2025

by Christopher Hodapp

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)

 

Hoosier Brother Speaking on Rubicon Podcast Tonight

by Christopher Hodapp

A 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.

GM of Florida Renders Decision Over Social Media Sharing of Controversial Communications - Whatever They Are

by Christopher Hodapp

THIS 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."

Grand Lodge of Rhode Island Temple Rededication This Saturday

 

  by Christopher Hodapp

A 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.

From the event webpage:

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. 

The Mess Over MESH: Grand Lodge of District of Columbia and the MESH Charity Finally Settle Their Long-Running Dispute

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 Columbia has 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.

The statement from October 17th:

MSA Issues Hurricane Helene Disaster Appeals for Grand Lodges of Florida, North, and South Carolina, As Hurricane Milton Heads For Florida

by Christopher Hodapp

The Masonic Service Association of North America has officially issued Disaster Relief Appeals for the grand lodges of Florida, North, and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. MSA Administrator Craig Davis, PGM, has posted the following information on the MSANA website:

South Carolina Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Appeal

Grand Master Steven D. Hames has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal. The situation in South Carolina is quite dire. The brothers in South Carolina after being hit by the storm Helene have suffered a great deal of loss of property. Power continues to be in the outage and repair phase in areas of the upstate where the families have lost their entire supply of fresh food. Grocery stores have lost all food that needed to be refrigerated. Homes have been destroyed and or damaged where they cannot be occupied until repaired or replaced.

The brothers South Carolina are now using their own energy to help the citizens of their communities try and recover while trying to recover from their personal loss. 

Florida Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Appeal

Grand Master Donald W. Cowart has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Grand Lodge has many lodges that could not afford the insurance outlay of funds. Now alas they are in need of assistance. 

North Carolina Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Appeal

Grand Master Bobby Rideout has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal. The situation in North Carolina is quite dire. Whole 
communities have been washed away in floods and landslides.

PLEASE NOTE: Check with your own grand lodge to see if they are collecting donations as part of an MSA Appeal, just to prevent confusion as to whom is donating to what.

When remitting funds directly to MSA, please mark donations specifically to "Florida, North, OR South Carolina Disaster Appeal." They are 3 separate funds, so you need to specify which one you are donating to.

To donate directly to the MSA Appeals by mail, make checks payable to MSA Disaster Relief Fund and send them to:

Masonic Service Association
813 1st Ave SE, Suite 357
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

(NOTE: MSA is no longer in Maryland – this is the correct address!) 

MSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 

You can also donate online HERE.

The Masonic Service Association is arguably the best and most effective way to provide financial assistance to Masons in the stricken areas. MSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. That is important to remember, especially if you, your company, or foundation are making a large donation and are in need of a tax deduction in return. The charitable arm of the Masonic Service Association was specifically established for the purpose of raising tax deductible donations, and to effectively distribute and account for the funds provided to Masons who receive assistance. Your entire donation will be sent to the affected jurisdiction. MSA deducts nothing for administrative expenses or expenses of any kind. Meaning if you donate $100.00, all $100.00 gets to the specific grand lodge issuing the appeal.

As of October 7th,  the current death toll across the 6 states hit by the Category 5 hurricane has reached at least 230, and continues to rise as officials and volunteers race to recover bodies and remove as much debris as possible. 

If the destruction from Helene hasn't been terrible enough, time is of the essence. Hurricane Milton has just increased in intensity to a Category 5 hurricane as of Tuesday morning. It's headed for landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, almost exactly where Helene came ashore, and workers are desperately attempting to clear wreckage from the first storm. The fear is that the debris will become deadly projectiles as this second storm slams into Florida.

UPDATES: Hurricane Helene Hits Six States

The 600-mile path of Hurricane Helene (Image: New York Times)

by Christopher HodappS
UPDATE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024: Over the last several days, the Masonic Service Association has issued separate Disaster Appeals on behalf of the grand lodges in Florida, North, and South Carolina. CLICK HERE to see that story.

UPDATE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024: Added appeal from North Carolina Masonic Foundation seeking donations. 

The path of destruction and devastation over the weekend from Hurricane Helene stretched 600 miles across six states. Thousands are without homes in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, while deaths from the storm continue to rise – as many as 130 are reported dead as of 10:30 Monday night, according to the Associated Press.

Scores of communities all along the storm's path have been wiped out, and images from small, hard-to-reach Appalachian towns in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee look apocalyptic in scope. 

The Masonic Service Association has not yet issued any official disaster relief announcements for grand lodges in the affected states, but I will update this post as news specifically involving Masons and lodges in the hurricane areas become available.

Please send information to me directly at hodapp@aol.com .

FLORIDA

Gulf Beach Lodge 291 before the hurricane

Gulf Beach Lodge 291 in Madeira, Florida, near St. Petersburg, sustained extensive flood damage from the hurricane's unprecedented storm surge.

A photo on Facebook of the lodge's front door shows the flood rose to about 4-feet, and water damage to the secretary's office, kitchen, and dining room is extensive. Worshipful Master Bobby Burkett reports they will be meeting at Northside Lodge 283 until they are able to repair or rebuild their building.

NORTH CAROLINA

Western North Carolina has been badly hit by the storm, and images from Chimney Rock and Lake Lure near Asheville show almost unfathomable destruction. Entire towns have been swept away. The Grand Lodge of North Carolina's Masonic Foundation is accepting donations online specifically to help, aid, and assist Masons and their families in their state. The NCMF will be matching donations up to $25,000, so your money will go twice as far. When you go to their website at https://mfnc.org/ a pop-up window will open with information and a link to donate (or CLICK HERE if the popup doesn't work on your browser.)

SOUTH CAROLINA

MW Steven D. Hames, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of South Carolina has issued a blanket dispensation to all lodges in his jurisdiction permitting Worshipful Masters wide latitude to cancel or reschedule all meetings, including regular stated meetings. 

Slate: 'What if the Solution to Men’s Loneliness Is… Freemasonry?'

Illustration by Logan Guo for Slate

by Christopher Hodapp

There's been no dearth of reports over the last few years about what many sociologists and psychologists are calling an 'epidemic of loneliness' among men under 40 or so. Several emails this weekend alerted me to an article on Slate – 'What if the Solution to Men’s Loneliness Is … Freemasonry? What makes a guy decide to join a really old fraternal order in 2024', by Allegra Rosenberg. It's a refreshingly evenhanded exploration by a non-Mason of what Freemasonry has to offer to men in today's society. 

Instead of talking to a grand master, or one or two of us regulars in the go-to lineup of high-visibility usual suspects who often get interviewed for these kinds of stories, Rosenberg put out an appeal for responses in the very active Reddit r/freemasonry community. She was especially interested in hearing from men under 40, and this article is the result. 

Apart from flubbing the date of the English grand lodge's founding as 1710 instead of 1717, I daresay that this would be a decent article for grand lodges to link to in their social media as information from a dispassionate third party as to why young men would be interested in our fraternity. If your membership committee is hunting contemporary motivations for joining, give this a read.

It features responses from many brethren as to their personal reasons for joining the fraternity, and one thing glaringly missing from previous generations is mention of dad, grandad or other relative who had been a Mason. This may be the first cohort of men since 1717 that is seeking out a lodge independent of a family tradition. Nor will you find a single reference to George Washington, or any other famous Freemasons. 

Whether you regard that as sad or not, it's the reality we have to deal with today.

Grand Master Morrow of Grand Lodge of Scotland Abruptly Resigns

by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, RW D. Joseph J. Morrow, resigned unexpectedly on Wednesday, according to a message circulated to lodge secretaries and posted on their website.  

According to messages on Redditt, GM Morrow is currently traveling abroad. The message gave no explanation beyond "personal reasons" for his abrupt departure.

From the official announcement:

The Grand Master Mason, Brother Dr Joseph J. Morrow, has resigned, for personal reasons.

We would like to thank him most sincerely for his great work and outstanding service within Freemasonry throughout many years and wish him well for the future.

Dr Morrow, currently on holiday abroad, has decided to withdraw from all of his commitments to The Scottish Craft.

In the interim, Immediate Past Grand Master, Brother W. Ramsay McGhee, will preside over the forthcoming Regular Communication of Grand Lodge on Thursday 31st October 2024. This will also include the nomination and election of Grand Office-bearers for the coming year.

Despite these changes, Grand Lodge will ensure our support for Freemasons at home and overseas will continue as normal. 

Immediate Past Grand Master, W. Ramsay McGhee