From the East - January 2025

My Brothers,

First, each of your Lodge Officers wish you health, success in your endeavors, continued fellowship and that special peace of this blessed season. Together, we have weathered a number of storms this year. With your help, we came through the storms and find ourselves in a place that is full of hope for the future. Thank you for supporting each of your Lodge Officers this year. The result
of which was to relocate to a venue that has improved both the harmony and efficiency of our Lodge. I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that this move was not only in our very best interest, but, provides the basis for both our Masonic success and our continuous improvement yielding well crafted Masonic Rituals.

Good news with respect to a number of our initiatives.

First, we should be in our new ‘Lodge Room’ by March. We are changing rooms within the building. We are moving to the larger room within the Odd Fellows Hall. The IOOF is in the process of renovating the larger room to meet our respective needs. Masonic symbolism will be fully demonstrated when the renovation is complete. The additional size and renovation of the room will enable stronger rituals... rituals that will be presented more smoothly, efficiently and effectively. The coming changes, from the renovations, should instill a true sense of satisfaction and pride in our accomplishments.

Secondly, we have worked hard to mend the breaks in the line of officers serving the lodge. It is our belief that
beginning 2025 your line of officers will be complete, providing an unbroken officer line for the foreseeable future. We
have a great line of officers (and of future officers) who were attracted to our lodge due to our fellowship, forthright
dealing, commitment to the principles and tenets of freemasonry and the promise of a successful future.

Thirdly, your officers have taken a number of leadership roles throughout both the district and the state. These
leadership roles are an indication of their commitment to spread freemasonry’s true message and The Villages Masonic
Lodge’s commitment to these principles. We encourage all Brothers to join these Brothers and provide service to our
District and State.

Finally, a foundation of cooperation and fellowship has been firmly established with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and we are committed to building on that foundation to strengthen both organizations as we move forward.

We have a lot of which to be proud. Our efforts have helped to secure the Lodge’s future success. While we have not increased dues for over a decade ... we are comforted by a sense of financial security. A recent mailing concerning our annual ‘Valentines Dinner Dance’ is on the way to you. Please consider purchasing two tickets to this event, even if you are not able to attend. As stated in the mailing, this is one way we are able to continue to postpone raising everyone’s annual dues.

The Officers have also initiated a Masonic Outreach Program, a Working Group dedicated to Masonic Development and Education, a Working Group to better Identify and prioritize charitable contributions, and a Working Group that stresses improvements via strategic Planning.

Yes, my Brothers, the future of The Villages Masonic Lodge, No. 394 Looks bright!

May God Light Your Path. Jeffrey P. Lessard, Worshipful Master