Brethren, time flies. This is the eighteenth "Trestle Board Missive" you have received from me as the Worshipful Master. It represents the beginning of my final six months in this role. The next six months represents a time of transformation. While transformation and change may create stress, being fully prepared for next year’s new roles will significantly reduce that stress while providing opportunities for forward momentum.
To prepare for the future, commencing 1 July, I am directing each officer to begin an intensive mentoring/teaching program with the officer taking their place in 2026. They will review the role and responsibilities of their current position with those who will soon assume that position. The first step will begin with the station’s responsibilities, as outlined within our Masonic Leadership Training Manual. Each officer has additional responsibilities based upon the norms and standards of The Villages Masonic Lodge. This will be the next assignment for each sitting officer with respect to those assuming their station next year.
Finally, each sitting officer will review and prepare their station’s rituals (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees) to their replacements. Each officer will keep a journal of the time/effort expended mentoring/teaching their replacement. I will meet with each officer to review his or her efforts.
Beginning the month of October, with the help of W⸫ Windmiller, our weekly practices will continue as normal. However, officers will assume their new roles during practice. It is my hope that expected Called Communications will see our current appointed officers pro tem their new roles in preparation for next year. At this point, we expect (and are planning) to see one FC and two MM Degrees over the next six months. Moreover, I also hope that current appointed officers will sit in their future stations for the December Stated Communication.
I would also like to enlist the help of other of our Brothers in this endeavor. It would provide significant support to the Lodge if you would consider attending our practices and learn one of the stations in our rituals. When we put on a ritual, it would provide the Lodge a significant support if you were able to step in to help. If an officer is ill or is not able to be present we need a replacement.
For example, last month I was recovering from an operation and was unable to preside in the East. Brother Ferri (our Senior Warden) was able to step into the East. He opened the Lodge and provided a very good FC Degree (so that Brother Williams was able to present his FC Catechism). This, however, left the SW Station open. Fortunately, we were able to staff the SW Station with W⸫ Brother Hawkins. This left W⸫ Brother Hawkins’ Station open. We also were missing our Chaplin, JD and JS. You see the problem.
We have a MM Degree scheduled for July. If some of you were able to attend Thursday practices, we could have all stations covered just in case a similar event occurred We also would have all additional roles needed for the MM Degree covered. A Lodge exists to make masons. Masons are made via Masonic Degrees. Masonic Degrees require MASONS to actively participate. Part of your responsibility as a Mason is to be an active participant making “good men better.” Please consider joining us Thursdays at 1:00 for ritual practice. I promise we can get you ready to fully participate in our rituals. We have both small roles and big roles that could be filled. If you want a small role where few or no oral responses are needed ... we can accommodate you. If you want more, we can accommodate you. Join us Thursdays.
Remember the joy and fellowship you experienced earlier in your masonic career. We are here to support you and need your support and help, as well.
Jeffrey P. Lessard, Worshipful Master, jplbbu@rit.edu 352.430.8040
