Welcome
to the Ray Lodge #223 Information Letter.
In our hectic times it
has been increasingly difficult to keep in touch with fellow brethren, their
families, and changes in Grand Lodge policy. With that in mind the Brethren
have decided to send the members of Camden Lodge this Information Letter
quarterly to keep you informed. It will contain information regarding our
lodge, and area lodges, messages from our Master, up coming events, sickness
and distress, and any other topic you may request. We hope you will find it
informative, and helpful.
The current volunteer
and editor for this letter is Brother Gary Foote. Gary has been an inactive
member for the past few years, but now desires to become involved in the
lodge, and Masonic work.
With the help of the
Officers and the members of the lodge he hopes to make this letter a project
that everyone can enjoy.
_______________________________________
Earlier this year the
attending members of Ada Lodge #444 voted to close the Orrick lodge, and merge
with the Richmond lodge. When this decision was announced to the membership,
the Orrick brethren rallied to support their lodge, and the vote to merge was
tabled. Since the announcement attendance has risen, and with the assistance
of Camden, and the members of other lodges, two degrees have been put on at
Orrick. May the 23rd Adam Cain received his third degree at Ada
Lodge #444. Brethren from Orrick, Camden, Richmond, and Odessa conferred the
degree. DDGL Stan Massey was present and gave the lecture.
Worshipful
Master
J.T.
Sparks
Senior
Warden
Delvin
Robinson
Junior
Warden
Jerry Hannsz
Treasurer
Richard Goode
The appointed chairs
will be announced before installation.
Many of the Past
Masters, and long time brethren of Orrick have returned to support for
their lodge, and hope to raise the interest
of all of their brethren.
_______________________________________
We are lucky in our
lodge to have so many proficient Master Masons, and also to have the current
District Deputy Grand Master, and a past District Deputy Grand Lecturer as our
members. This gives us a strong background for the members, young and old to
fall back on for instruction and guidance in the mysteries of the craft. I am
proud to have been Master this year.
Once a year we plan a
night out for or members, and wives. A small token for all of the work that
goes on in the background to make the fundraisers we have a success. If not
for work of our dedicated members, their wives, and friends we could not raise
the money needed to keep the lodge afloat. To all of these people I say
“Thank You”, which in it self seems woefully inadequate.
Members
of the lodge have been working to improve, and maintain the building. There
has been plumbing repairs, and painting done recently. In the near future we
hope to have the concrete floor downstairs painted. We all appreciate the
efforts of the brothers doing the work.
Until next time, have
a safe and productive summer.
Fraternally Yours
Camden Lodge is the place where I have been a proud
member for many years. As DDGM it is my duty, and pleasure to visit all of the
Lodges in my district. I can say without a doubt that many of the best men in
all of the communities are Master Masons.
Local
Masonic leaders of the past recognized quality young men, and urged them to
become members of the Masonic Community.
There are quality young men in our communities that are willing,
and able to take on the responsibilities of the Masonic Lodge, and it’s
teachings, if only given the chance. Each one of us probably know of one or
more such men. If Lodges of our size are to survive we need to bring these men
into the Lodge, teach them the principles, and put them in chairs. Without
these new members the small lodges will no longer be able to hold their
charters. We in Ray Lodge are fortunate to have two new members that have
taken chairs, and are quickly learning the ritual. Our aging membership need
the new members to carry on the traditions. Approach that young man of good
character, and invite him to become a member. You may be surprised at his
willingness to learn, and proud to have him as a brother.
Recent changes
in Ritual, and Degree work have angered, and frustrated many Brethren
Editorial by Gary Foote
The decision of the
Grand Lodge to no longer require the candidates to return a proficiency in the
degree work, and to have mass candidate degrees, was made out of necessity to
keep the Masonic Lodge alive.
I personally do not like those decisions, but I do want the Masonic Lodge, and it’s principles to continue. Many of the things I do not like are beyond my direct control. So like many others I kicked the ground, grumbled, and got angry. None of those things changed what was happening. I realized that if I wanted the Masonic Lodge to continue I had to accept the situation as it was. I was dragged into the present, kicking and screaming all of the way, but being dragged all the same.
After thinking about this situation for a while, I realized that the candidates still have to petition our Lodge for membership, and have to be accepted by our members. We can, if we wish, do all of the degree work, and it is still our responsibility to teach our less informed brethren about the principles of our organization. With that in mind it seems that not that much has changed. It will take a little more effort on our part to teach our new, less informed brethren, but I think it is worth the effort. They will have to learn from mouth to ear as many of us were taught from years ago. Now, more than ever, we need the learned brethren of our lodge to support that which we have so diligently worked, the continuation of our Lodge, and the teachings of our principles.
Worshipful Master John Long
Senior
Warden
Beuford Rogers
Junior
Warden
Michael Persell
Secretary
Robert Stonner
Treasurer
Thomas James
Chaplain
Doyle Ed Hughes
Marshal
Graham C. Myers
Senior
Deacon
Douglas Porter
Junior
Deacon
Robert Smith
Senior
Stewart Milton
Mac Proffitt
Junior
Stewart
James Rippy
Tiler
Michael Summers
Masonic Home Ed.
Officer Bill French
Masonic Home Rep. John Long
Missouri District 15 Lodges, and Meeting
Days
#57 Richmond Lodge,
Richmond, 3rd Monday
#149 Lexington lodge,
Lexington, 3rd Tuesday
#217 Barbee Lodge,
Sweet Springs, 3rd Thurs.
#223 Ray Lodge,
Camden, 1st & 3rd Thursday
#354 Higginsville
Lodge, Higginsville, 4th Mon.
#444 Ada Lodge,
Orrick, 2nd & 4th Thursday
#476 Mount Hope Lodge, Odessa, 1st & 3rd Thurs.
James R Rippy Ray Lodge#223
District Deputy grand Lecturer 15th District
Stanley
E. Massey Mount
Hope Lodge #476
Grand
Lodge This Year to be Held In Columbia Sept. 23 & 24
If there are any additions, corrections, or deletions that should be made to this information letter, or if any other Lodges in the 15th Masonic District wish to add information, please contact Brother Gary Foote. Phone # 816- 470-3973, or contact him via e-mail at gryfoote@aol.com. This information letter is distributed with the intent to give the local Brethren knowledge of what the local Lodges are doing, so they may, if they wish assist the Lodges in their work. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us.