Villages Masonic Lodge No. 394

My Brothers,

Summer is officially over and Fall is here. The name “October” comes from an old Roman word, octo, which means 8. That’s right – October was the eighth month of the year on the Roman 10-month calendar. It did not become the tenth month until the advent of the Gregorian calendar in A.D. 1582.

Many historical events happened in October: Columbus “discovered” the New World in 1492; Henry Ford’s Model T first went on sale in 1908; after 45 years of Cold War division, East and West Germany were reunited as the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990; on October 13, 1775, The United States Navy was born after the Second Continental Congress authorized the acquisition of a fleet of ships; and on October 13, 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid by our Masonic Brother George Washington. 

As busy as we may be, we still need to focus on our Masonic obligations. We are currently in the process of working on our budget and committee assignments for 2027. 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.

October is the month that any of us who have experienced the Fall season north of the Mason–Dixon Line would characterize as the season of color. The days become shorter and the deciduous trees produce a grand variety of colors indicating the coming of winter and a renewal for the coming year.

With three months left in our Masonic year in our Lodge, it is important for us to consider the planning required for the coming year. Your officers will begin crafting a budget, a calendar of events and projects to ensure a successful 2027 for Villages Masonic Lodge No. 394.

As we bring these recommendations before the craft, we look for your input and feedback. We need active responses from all the members, not just a few, but all members. We will be looking for your opinions on what we are offering as a Lodge and what we can do better to serve both the members of this Lodge and Freemasonry as a whole.

We have a busy month with two Entered Apprentice Degrees to conduct, Our Stated meeting and, as usual, our Men’s Breakfast and Social Dinner. Please make every attempt to attend. Also brothers, if you need a ride to Lodge or to the social events please contact any one of your officers and we will get you there.

Once again, we are inviting all Master Masons of our Lodge to attend Ritual Practice which we hold every Thursday between 12 and 1:30 PM at the Lodge. All brothers are welcome no matter what your experience level may be, even if you just want to observe. We have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience in our membership, take a little time and contribute to our floor work and ritual.

With the help of some other Brothers, I added a couple things to the list of things we do as a Lodge.

Here's what we have so far: (again, not in any particular order):

M1) We have Social Dinners together
M2) We do the Breakfast Bunch thing on Fridays
M3) We have 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
M8) We support other lodges, especially in degree work
M9) We support the District thru Masters and Wardens

So, I looked at the list. All good stuff for sure. But, on the 24th, I got to do the Senior Deacon lecture to a brand new candidate, and I had to say this to him from the Blue Book: 

M"Freemasonry is a system of moral instruction..."

And I'm looking at the list above and I'm thinking, "Holy smoke. Is that what we're doing? What are we doing?" 

For many, Masonry pretty much everywhere you go is a monthly business meeting along with a bit of fellowship beforehand. Nice, but is that it? That's what we pay dues and pay the bills to do? That's what being a Mason is?

I do the website and edit the Trestle Board. That's all good, John, but where is the "system of moral instruction"? ARE we making good men any better?  

I'll be looking hard in the mirror sometime soon.