|
|
| The Landmark From The East Brethren, Happy New Year, 6012 AL (Anno Lucis). For those of you new to Masonry, and that includes me, Anno Lucis is the standard Masonic year. Anno Lucis (the year of light) is based on a chronology that puts the year of creation as 4,004 B.C. and is traditionally derived by adding 4,000 to the Gregorian calendar year. The system was not exclusive to Freemasons having been designed by an Irish cleric James Ussher (1581-1656) many years before the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717. This and more information can be found at the fascinating web site of The Library and Museum of Freemasonry, http://www.freemasonry.london.museum/. Congratulations are in order for Cody Naff and Steve Walker. The bothers were passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on January the 12th. Thanks to all who helped with the degree. That means there will be some Master’s degrees coming up soon and I’ll be practicing the Worshipful Master’s part in preparation. The Super Bowl party will be on February 5th. We will have the big screen TV and lots of chicken wings. Feel free to bring your own favorite dish to share or just come with an appetite, as there is always lots of food. Our visitation in February will be Belen’s Bethlehem 56 on the 9th. They meet the second Thursday at 7:30. I figure we should leave Mesa Lodge at 6:30 to make it down there in time. The address is 607 Goebel Street in Belen, web site is http://bethlehem56.org and the WM is listed as Jeffery C. Keeton. It is always interesting to see how other lodges work and I learn something new every time I visit another lodge. The entertainment during the February dinner will be Brother Fred Aiken discussing Geometry. Come on out for dinner and learn something at the same time. Brother Aiken has also been learning what we call the Staircase Lecture for the Fellowcraft degree and it is great to see a brother taking the initiative on a degree part. Dick Copeland is looking forward to the day when he can just sit back and watch a degree. There are many things going on at the Mesa Charities building besides Mesa 68. Of course Hiram 13 meets on the second Wednesday. There are also the DeMolay and Job’s Daughters meetings. These are open to all masons and I encourage you to attend one of their meetings and see how the younger groups conduct their meetings. The similarities and differences with Mesa 68 openings and closings are interesting. If I can convince the newsletter editor to include it, there will be a calendar section in this newsletter with some events for the Mesa Charities build- ing tenants and major Ma- sonic events throughout the state and maybe even some national events. Fraternally, James Overfelt Worshipful Master
From The West
Nothing from the West at this time. From The South Greetings from the South!
With Valentine's Day approaching, it reminds me of true love and hearts. And thinking about hearts got me to thinking about one of our Masonic symbols, the sword pointing to a naked heart. As we know, it is a symbol of justice, which is one of the principles of Freemasonry. While I contemplated the meaning of justice, I couldn't help but to think about one of my favorite Hebrew words, "Tzedek," which means justice, and how a righteous man is called a "Tzaddik", one who conquers his "evil" inclinations towards pride, power and oppression of others by practicing righteousness, and who like God, is on the side of the oppressed. When I think of true love, it reminds me of the Freemasonry principal of charity or "the giving of one's self". The Hebrew word for charity is "Tzeddakah," also based on the word "Tzedek," and means to have sympathy for the suffering of others as well as helping one who is less fortunate than oneself, which mirrors the Masonic principle of charity.
As we move through the month of February, let us be mindful to always strive to be a "Tzaddik" and practice Tzeddakah." Come on down for a great meal and fellowship. Fraternally, Aaron Heyman, Junior Warden Mesa Chapter, Order of DeMolay
Mesa Chapter held it's installation of officers on Saturday, Jan 14th, with Jimmy Anderson being installed as Master Councilor. Attendance at the installation was a "full house", as all seats (save for four) were filled in the lodge room. In addition, the refreshments served after the installation met the full standards of Mesa and Hiram Lodges, for excellence. The Chapter will be holding it's 5th annual pancake breakfast fund raiser on Saturday, January 21st from 8 AM to 12 Noon. Tickets are still only $5.00 for a great breakfast including pancakes, Jimmy Dean Sausage, assorted juices, coffee, tea and milk. Please come and support the DeMolays in their once a year fund raiser for chapter activities. At this year's Shrine Circus, Mesa Chapter will be joining with Metro Chapter and the Rainbows and Job's Daughters to sell programs. This year the Circus will take place on February 10, 11, and 12 at Tingley Coliseum. Please remember to refer young men between 12 and 20 to us for membership in DeMolay; and remember, Masons are always welcome at our stated meetings which take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Fraternally, Jim Czel Advisory Council Chairman Job's Daughters Greetings all, I wanted to welcome our new member, Amy! We always love to get new members to our bethel. On February 6, we are installing our Sir Knights from DeMolay. Then on February 20, we have a fun meeting in search of formal dresses. On March 5, we have a regular stated meeting, and on March 19 we’ll have a fun meeting. During the month of March, we are going to have an official visit and will practice our proficiency. Our Installation on January 16th was very successful. Our newlyinstalled officers are: Charlene Blackledge, Honored Queen Emily Blagrave, Senior Princess Lyndsey Sanchez, Marshal Amy Waltner, Fourth Messenger We are looking forward to this new term and hope you can attend some of our meetings. We love sidelines! And as always, any and all potential Jobies are welcome to our fun meetings. So if you know a young lady between the ages of 10 and 20, please refer her to us. Jobie love, Charlene Blackledge, HQ
| |
|