Jan - Feb 2010
THE MESSAGE FROM THE EAST
THANK YOU FROM THE NEW EAST -
As the Thanksgiving Holiday has just come and gone, I thought I would take this
opportunity to thank the many brethren and others for their participation within our
Fraternity. I hope all the brethren and their families have enjoyed a happy and joyous
holiday season.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the entire installation team for their
wonderful work during the 97th Installation of Officers of John W. Barkley Lodge
#621, F. & A.M., on November 14, 2009, and most especially RWB Robert A. Behner
for presiding as the installation officer. Our new DDGM, RWB Mitchell L. Alperin
was also in attendance, representing MWB Terry W. Posey. Thanks to RWB Alperin
for attending.
I would like to thank all the officers for their support and commitment to John W.
Barkley. When asked, they stepped up to provide leadership for our Lodge. Without
their assistance we would not be the flourishing lodge that we are.
I would also like to thank the brethren and guests from St. Georges Lodge in
Toronto, Canada, for attending and continuing an amazing tradition going back over
60 years. Their installation takes place the first weekend in June, and I urge any of
the brethren able to do so to attend. It is a wonderful opportunity to extend the fellowship
of Freemasonry, and to learn more about our wonderful fraternity.
I would also like to congratulate WB Mark Bollinger for his appointment as District
Education Officer for the 22nd Masonic District. This is a tremendous opportunity
for Mark and a great honor for John W. Barkley Lodge.
Thanks to WB Jason L. Stitak for his fantastic leadership through our last year. His
many programs and activities have been an immense inspiration for me, and provide
me an impressive template with which to work from. Additionally, he has been
updating the John W. Barkley website, and with all the new degree work and many
other events on the trestle board, you can always find the most updated information
there.
Another reason to be thankful is the resurgence in Masonry we have experienced.
We have received a fairly substantial number of petitions in recent months. We have
been and will continue to be busy with degree work, and on that note I would like
to thank the officers and brethren who attended and/or took part in the initiating
of four new entered apprentices on November 25, 2009. The lengthy evening was
a great success and we now have four new brethren. We now have several FC and
MM degrees to do, and also have a least three other candidates awaiting their initiation.
I am also looking into joining with at least two other lodges within the district
to hold a one day class. This is a new proposal from Grand Lodge and a tremendous
way to increase membership into the fraternity. Anyone knowing a worthy
candidate should contact me or one of our officers for more information.
The New Year promises a plethora of degree work, in addition to our regularly
scheduled activities. Of note, the post holiday party is tentatively scheduled for
January 9, 2010, at Dimitri’s; Past Masters night on January 27, 2010; the chili cook
off on February 13, 2010.
Last but certainly not least, thanks to you, the membership of John W. Barkley.
Your participation and ideas have been a great help. You are the reason we have
such a superb and successful lodge. I am interested in any further ideas you may
have for improving our meetings and social events, so please do not hesitate to
share them with me.
See you in Lodge!
Thomas Klecan, WM