Villages Masonic Lodge No. 394

My Brothers,

September is here. The unofficial start of Autumn or Fall. The name “September” comes from an old Roman word “septem,” which actually means 7. That’s right– September was the seventh month of the year in the Roman calendar. It did not become the ninth month until the advent of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 A.D.

The first day of Fall is typically on September 21st or 22nd in North America. This is when the hours in the day are almost equal to the hours in the night. This occurs at the same time as the Spring Equinox in Australia.

As busy as we may be, we still need to focus on our Masonic obligations. We look forward to your input and support as we continue to plan and execute our Lodge programs. If you feel you could contribute your expertise on any committee, please let us know…we can always use your help, especially our newest Dual/Transfer Members.
 
I want to thank all the Brothers who brought in school supplies for The Villages Elementary at Lady Lake to go along with the $500 from the charity basket in July. The principal and his staff were very appreciative.

We are now in the last month in the 3rd quarter, September. While spending time with my granddaughters and grandsons, we got to experience the first day of the school year— both new and exciting points of the year for all school-age children. It provides both the experience of the unknown and that of discovery.

Education is very important for the development of not only our children and grandchildren but all youth in general. School should provide working knowledge that enables them to advance through everyday life, but not necessarily the tools that provide a guide to a moral and spiritual life. We cannot just rely on public and private Schools to provide a complete education.

As parents and grandparents we need to provide much more. We provide that through our words, actions and examples.

Additionally, as Masons we can provide much more through our youth organizations by sponsoring and helping to mentor the DeMolay, Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters.

We need to get our youth more involved in these programs by developing and supporting avenues of outreach that make these groups a more viable alternative in their lives.

We need to provide additional support for active leadership that can encourage real growth through more interesting and substantive programing and education, a resource that provides an alternative to the Mass Media and Internet's empty oasis that produces more noise than any substantial reward for a child or teen’s investment of their time. Brothers, we need to invest in the future.

Brothers, I'd like your help.

The other day I got the idea to start a list of what we do at The Villages Masonic Lodge. Not things we do individually, but as a Lodge. I am a proud member of this Lodge and take seriously the elected position of trust you've put me in this year. 

So, you might be asking, "John, what are you doing, for heaven's sake, trying to list all the things we do at The Villages Masonic Lodge?"

I have a good reason, which I'll save for later, but in the meantime, I'd appreciate your help with my list.

Here's what I have so far (not in any particular order):

M1) We have Social Dinners together
M2) We do the Breakfast Bunch thing on Fridays
M3) We have excellent lunches before our meetings
M4) We have business meetings with Masonic Ed
M5) We give to multiple charities
M6) We go on occasional outings together
M7) We perform funerals when necessary

That's all I can think of myself but hopefully, some of you can think of other things. I want to make this interactive to get input from you on this, so please click HERE and email me with any additional items you can think of to add to my list. Remember— make it things we do as a Lodge.

Next month, I'll present the more complete list with your additions for you and all the Brothers to see.

Thanks in advance for your help.