A Brother

Its a special thing to be able to call a stranger a Brother.  My family often wonder how it is that me, a person who doesn't readily make friends is able to spy a ring or a lapel pin, introduce myself, shake a hand and have a smiling conversation with a total stranger whom I've never met before as though we've known each other since high school.  Again I say, it is indeed a special thing.

Fraternity, Friendship, and Education

My goals for 2011 as Master of the Lodge - Fraternity, Friendship and Education.

At the end of our Lodge meetings, we should be leaving the company of our brethren with something to ponder in hearts, we should be able to smile to ourselves in the recollection of anecdotes and stories told by each other over a hearty meal or end-of-meeting desert; we should feel secure in the knowledge that we have friends and brothers that we can look across the room at, and know that they will be there for us, and us for them; we should be able to feel that bond of fraternity that rarely exists outside the walls of Freemasonry, and we should have been edified with some tidbit of information that peaks our curiosity and prods us to study and learn.  We are after all here to make ourselves better men.

Yeah, I know....there are a lot of "should s" in that last paragraph....Fraternity and Friendship often go hand in hand, we feel an obligation to each other because we swore we had one; our meetings and events give us the opportunity to spend the time to get to know each other - hopefully to the point of wanting to help out of friendship other than just obligation.  I think the time before and after the meeting is critical in encouraging friendship, there should always be a reason to head to the kitchen, grab a cup of coffee or milk and a slice of Brother Barclay's incredible cheesecake and just BS with the Brethren.  Fraternity comes within the Lodge, during ritual and ceremony, that reminds us of the oaths we took, and the bonds that makes us unique in the world.

Education - not so tough actually, it's simply taking the time to do a little research and share something interesting.  There are countless books and magazines, Lodges of Research, Lodge libraries, and its always interesting what you'll find out if you just ask a brother - which circles you back to Fraternity and Friendship.

Journey in Freemasonry

This past month I was elected to the Worshipful Master's Chair in Boise #2, Boise, Idaho - It's an honor and I am truly humbled by the faith the brethren have in me. My officers and myself will be installed on December 14, 2010 at the Boise Masonic Temple.

I've created this blog to chronicle my time and experiences in Freemasonry in the hopes that those who know me and are not Masons can get a glimpse and perhaps understand why it has become such an integral part of my life.  To my brothers in Idaho and elsewhere, as an affirmation of the brotherhood we all participate in and that sense of fraternity that links us together in that "indissoluble chain of sincere affection".

Please feel free to participate, leave comments and stories.  I will be linking to news stories, events, leaving historical facts and general good information about Masonry.