From the East

     Masonry prepares us to cope with and play active roles in change. What we learn, we apply. We strive to change our internal and external character to better ourselves so that we may better serve humanity. Why I am I starting this article by stating things we already know?
     I was discussing recent events, with a Brother, which included discussing the destroying of statues, vandalizing businesses, rioting in the streets and public outcry over injustices. The various events were carried out by groups of people that seemingly had agendas that included breaking several laws that were put in place to provide equity, protection and recourse, in the event that the laws were broken. There were never any discussions which would allow for debate as to whether the actions that were taken were what the majority of the localities wanted. When open dialog was attempted, it turned into people shouting over what another person was saying with the net effect of shutting down the dialog and leaving the one who was shouting loudest with the ability to promote their agenda.
     When did it become ok to express anger by causing damage to public property ie: funded by taxpayers, destroying another’s property, causing damage to things that we do not like or agree with without any dialog before these actions were taken? To use anger as a justification for these acts is unconscionable.
     I recently experienced a situation where I was was going into a store, pushing a cart into the store. As I approached the entrance, there was an older woman in front of me and before I entered the store, a man appeared in the doorway holding several items and muttered something to the attendent outside the door. The attendant said, "Excuse me"? The man then removed his mask and shouted I need a *!#&ing cart. I pushed my cart through the door just as the man said *!#& it, and threw the items he was holding into the doorway and stormed off into the parking lot. The glass jar of salsa, he was holding, broke and splattered me with salsa and glass as it hit the floor.
     I wiped the debris from my pant leg and proceeded into the store where I courteously moved past the older woman who had proceeded me into the store. I commented that what happened was unfortunate whereby the woman said to me, "Well they are playing the music way to loud". I said, "yes but it is unfortunate that I got splattered with glass and salsa as a result of what he did".
     As I continued with my shopping experience, I pondered the incident. I thought about the previous discussion with my Brother. I realized that there are a lot of angry people that may not have any skill sets to deal with their anger. Impulsively, they may take advantage of opportunities to lash out and set their anger free without considering who may be affected by their actions. I also considered that there are some people that may take advantage of otherwise peaceful protests to incite violence, steal from another and destroy public property to promote agendas that are never clearly stated.
     Recently, the Lodge was vandalized. Thanks to our EMHA Presidient Preston Hill and our Hall Manager Patti Neumann, the person has been identified. The question of why he did what he did, remains unanswered. Whether he is able to make restitution is unknown. It will take time and effort to pursue.
     The situations involving transients camping on Lodge property are waning, for now. Every once in a while, we have an aftermath of litter to clean up as a group will gather and leave their trash.
     Many hands make light work! Brothers report messes and clean up the trash left behind as time permits. We have set in motion several things that have shown success toward making the property less desirable for transients to occupy. Once completed, we are confident that we will be cleaning up the a lot less.
     As the Lodge is used less for Masonic gatherings, the steady rental of the hall continues, but a much lesser degree than in past. Still, the Hall Association is doing great work to keep the building in good shape and renting out the facility as much as possible.
     Our Youth Groups are strong. They are conducting virtual meetings regularly. If You can make the meetings, I highly encourage you to do so. If You know of any young people that may be interested in joining one of our Youth Groups, please contact Nikki Daniels, Cathy Tipton or Roger Parker for information. You can also contact me atworshipful.master@consuelo325.org and I will be happy to put you in touch with one of these key people.
     Eastern Star meetings are fun and informative. I would highly recommend pursuing membership for all Master Masons.
     This year we have two 50 Year recipients. We will be arranging for a presentation for Worshipful Walt Dill very soon. Please keep an eye out for info regarding this honorable event.
     Please get your flu shots soon. It takes two weeks, after the shot is administered. before the vaccine will be protecting you. With the Co-Vid situation what it is taking every, and all. protective measures is a really good idea.
     Thanks, my Brothers, for all you do, have done and will do for the benefit of our fellow human beings. Stay safe my Brothers!

From the West

     Well here we are October, the last quarter of the year. The days are already getting shorter and darker. Growing up in New England, this would be the time of year when the leaves would change and start to fall. It’s the time of year when certain parts of nature begin to recede or die off, and the time when ancients began to look forward to the rebirth of the new cycle. It’s the time of year when change is certainly on the horizon. Elections are beginning to wind down, and soon we will choose a leader both for the country and for the lodge.
     Over the last few months, I have been looking ahead to the new year and what will happen if I am elected to lead Consuelo Lodge out of the darkness of this pandemic and back into the light of the community. It’s no small task, but one I have given very much thought to. I have taken the time to truly ponder what it is that makes our fraternity so special. Recently, I put together a questionnaire for the Brothers to complete, and the information I received from that questionnaire was very valuable. I appreciated that the Brothers felt that they could open up and truthfully tell me what they wanted from their Masonic experience.
     As I look to the coming year, the question I continue to ask myself is, “Is what we are doing have any value towards everyone’s personal growth, and what benefits are we preparing for those that come after us?” Time is a finite resource, and in my opinion the most valuable resource we have. So when I call a meeting, or perform a degree, I want to make sure we are not wasting anybody’s time, and that everybody is getting something out of it that positively enhances them. If we are not growing and learning as a lodge, what are we doing? Recently I read an article, and the first line of the article was stated perfectly, “The degrees of Freemasonry are built on the clear understanding that men need to be engaged in a quest for self-improvement.” (Ill Robert G. David 33˚) This coming year, if I am elected, we will as a Lodge embark on a new journey of discovering who we are as a Lodge, who we are as individuals, and ever strive to improve ourselves each and every time we meet.
     The greatest asset our Lodge currently has is the Brothers with years of experience and wisdom. I hope that each and every one of them will be willing and able to share their experiences and mentor the new Brothers who have been joining the lodge. There is no greater gift than the gift of one’s time to help another. It is the wisdom of these fine Brothers that lights the way for future generations to be successful. The newer Brothers with their zeal and their drive for new experiences will bring the lodge into an era of new found community presence, projects that encourage fellowship and building stronger bonds between the brothers, and continue to pave the way for those that come after them.
     2020 was a testament to Consuelo’s ability to adapt and be flexible. Wor. Tracy Reynolds lead us in a way that kept us safe and still in contact with one another, learning more about each other and building stronger bonds. 2021 will be a testament to Consuelo’s continuity and the ability to push boundaries.  Many times I have heard that people are ready for things to go back to normal, I for one do not want to go back to normal. I want to push ahead and see what we are truly capable of. I want to see the growth in each and every one of us, and at the end of my term, I want to be able to look back and say, I was a part of that.
     Please keep an eye on your email for invites to discuss planning for the next year. This is your lodge, and your experience, you will get out of it what you put in and I want to ensure every brother the opportunity to voice their opinion on next year. If you do not wish to be part of those zoom calls, please email me or call me and let’s discuss where you would like to see Consuelo at this time next year.