Its Almost here

This is a photo of the popular author Dan Brown. Most of us are not familiar with his face or his name, but most of us recognize the books that he has written “Angel and Demons, The Da Vinci Code.
Dan Brown’s new novel …a work of fiction, is named “The Lost Symbol”. It appears that the overall premise of the novel is that it may be a very fast-paced book that is to take place over a 12-hour period. The setting is expected to take place in Washington D.C. and the theme is expected to be… That’s right …Freemasonry.
The publisher is Random House, a very popular publisher of books. The Publisher, Sonny Mehta, has informed the British newspaper “The Guardian.co.uk” that the book will be released on September 15, 2009 with an expected initial printing of 6.5 million copies. This may be the largest initial printing in Random House history….(If you listen carefully you may hear the sounds of cash registers ringing in the background.) Publisher Mehta tells us that the book “The Lost Symbol is going to be infused with history, secret codes and intrigue.
Personally I hope that Dan Brown’s new book does better for Freemasonry than the Da Vinci Code did for the scandalized work it did for the Catholic Church.
But then, we could always take a “wait and see” attitude. Who knows—it might just be a good summer read.

Shrine Hospitals:We need to rebuild to be relevant for the future

Shrine Hospitals: We need to rebuild to be relevant for the future.

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I’ve heard rumors for some time now that the Shrine Leadership will have to make some tough decisions about our Shrine Hospital’s future. I’m sure that in these tough economic times, our Shrine leadership has spent many sleepless nights trying to create a vision to make our Shrine Hospitals relevant into the next millennium. According to the newspaper article in the April 10th edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, that time is very near.
Here’s something you may not know …The first Shrine hospital opened in 1922 in Shreveport Louisiana to the response of the community needs to treat Polio. As the years flew by, they now operate 22 hospitals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The hospitals specialize in Orthopedic, Burns, and Spinal Cord injury rehabilitation, Cleft Lip and Palate Care and Medical Research.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Hospitals Ralph Semb told the Atlantic Journal Constitution that “Unless we do something, the clock is ticking and within 5 to 7 years we’ll be out of the hospital business…”
The Shrine’s endowment to finance the hospitals has fallen from $8 Billon to $5 Billon dollars because of the lack of performance in the stock market and from declining donations. The rising medical costs have also made a dramatic impact. In order to fully fund the hospital’s daily operations they are withdrawing a million dollars a day from the endowment.
The tough decision will be voted upon at the Imperial Shrine in San Antonio Texas on July 6 to 8th to close access to 225 hospital beds. Shrine hospitals may be closed in: Shreveport, LA, Erie, PA, Spokane WA, Springfield and Greenville MA. These hospitals were chosen based on their lack of usage. The fate of the hospital in Galveston Texas that was severely damaged in Hurricane Ike will be decided on as well.
Recently, it has become popular to fundraise on social networking websites. Our own Brother Tom Smith of Minneapolis #19 and a proud member of Zuhrah Shrine is using his Facebook account to raise funds for the Shrine Hospitals. Great cutting edge idea Tom!
I have met many people whose lives were greatly enriched and their quality of life was dramatically improved -- all because they were treated at a Shrine Hospitals. The treatment they received at no cost made a positive life changing experience not only to their life but to also to their families and to the contributions they made to society .
Many times I have been moved to tears to hear their stories…like this week one of my nationally respected law enforcement associates whose Son was a long time resident in the Atlanta Shrine Hospital. I was able to hear again how we as Shriners are making a positive impact.
For the next few months we need to support our Shrine Leadership -- to spend the time to make a well informed decision in San Antonio at the Imperial Session so that our wonderful Shrine Hospitals can be relevant into the next century.
My Fez is off to salute the work of our Shrine Hospitals!

Ohio is doing it -- Maybe we should too!

The Masonic Lodge can often be one of the prominent buildings in many Ohio communities. However in some cases, the public has rarely had the opportunity to step inside. That is about to change. On Saturday, March 21, every Masonic Lodge in the state of Ohio will open its doors for a public open house.

“It’s time for the public to have a chance to see what’s behind those closed doors and to experience some of the genuine fellowship Masons share,” says Charles R. Murphy, Grand Master of Ohio Masons. “Also, it’s a great opportunity to introduce a prospective member to the fraternity.”

Each local Lodge will set its own agenda and schedule for March 21st. The Grand Master has simply asked each to participate.

Multiple Lodges meeting in one building will hold a joint open house. Lodges are also encouraged to work with the appendant organizations meeting in their buildings to give the public a glimpse of the whole Masonic family, including women’s and youth organizations.

“Every Lodge has some house keeping issues that need to be attended to, and a few fresh coats of paint wouldn’t hurt here and there,” says Murphy. “However, I think the renewed relationship with the community will make all the work well worth it.”

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Thank-you to The Grand Lodge of Ohio and Grand Master Charles R. Murphy for their Leadership and this article/photo.

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Here are some additional ideas that you may want to consider:

Having an Open house is the first step in making your lodge revelant in your community and most importantly an important step in attracting new and retaining members.

Here's a few reasons to have an Open House and Community Involvement Program.

1. These potential new members are in the community and will observe the Masonic lodge in action and will have an opportunity to discover Masonry for themselves.

2. The new millennium generation is more socially responsible and demand that organizations that they join be active in community service.

3. Existing Masons will be proud of their lodge's new role in the community.

4. In order for your lodge to grow you will need an activity that all members can participate in, in some way. Community involvement is one path to take to accomplish just that.

There are opportunities for small lodges of 40 men to large lodges of 300 men to reap the benefits of taking an active part in their community.

Here are a few simple things a lodge can do to make a difference in their community and in their lodge attendance.

*Raise Money for the local Library to purchase books

*Raise Money for the local Fire Department to purchase needed new medical supplies or equipment like a new pumper truck or rescue equipment

*Sponsor a Boy Scout Troop

* Become a role model for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program

* Volunteer with Special Olympics. Become a Coach, fundraiser (or jump in a frozen lake)

* Sponsor or help raise food for the local food shelf

* Volunteer to deliver meals on wheels for the elderly

* Help clean up a city park , local high way, stream, river or lake

* Teach First Aid, CPR, Swimming, Firearms safety, Boating safety

* Volunteer to read at a local school or Library

* Give Blood or sponsor a Blood Drive

* Volunteer for your local community celebration, parade, 4th of July celebration, Rodeo,

Founders Day, etc.

* Help teach reading and literacy skills

Here are just a few easy ways to help make your lodge known in the community. Your members, and the community at large will benefit.

Send me your feedback. Let me know what you have done, that you think has been positive, so that I may pass it on to others.

Minnesota Lodge Goes to Cuba

Members of the Winton Churchill Lodge (U.D.) went on a humanitarian to Cuba.They carried over 500 pounds of simple medical supplies and distributed the items to various Masters of Masonic lodges in Cuba.
Learn more by going to the link of W.B. Jason Burgers Blog called theoccidentalman located in the box to the right called Blogs I read.
The Grand Lodge of Minnesota is the first State to have made such a trip to Cuba. Lets hope that there are many more to come.
Welcome Home GrandMaster and Brothers.

A Nice Masonic Story

I always like to pass on funny jokes or nice stories. I can never remember them when the occassion arises. Here is a story given to me by Brother Tim Davison OF Templar Lodge St. Louis Park,
Minnesota

A salesman breaks down in a remote country lane, a farmer in the adjacent field comes over and they discover that they are "Brothers". The salesman is concerned as he has an important appointment in the local town: "Don't worry says the farmer you can use my car, I will call a friend and get the car repaired while you go to the appointment" Off goes the salesman and a couple of hours later he returns but unfortunately the car is awaiting a part which won’t arrive until the next morning. "It's not a problem," says the Farmer, "use my telephone and re-schedule your first appointment tomorrow, stay with us tonight and I'll see that the car is done first thing!" The farmers' wife prepares a wonderful meal and they share a glass of fine single malt during an excellent evening, the salesman sleeps soundly and when he awakes there is his car, repaired and ready to go. After a full English breakfast the salesman thanks them both for the hospitality. As he and the farmer walk to his car he turns and asks "my brother, thank you so much but I have to ask, did you help me because I am a Mason?" "No" was the reply, "I helped you because I am a Mason" Travel well my Brothers.

What is the Masonic Calendar?

This is a question we used in the Grand Lodge of Minnesota Masonic Monday questions.
I really enjoy making contributions to that weekly Column. Of course the Grand Lodge Education Officer Ed Halpus is the guiding light for us.
Anyway I hope you enjoy the question:

Answer comes from Mackey’s revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. I think you will find the answer [s] interesting to read.
The Answer:
Freemasons, in affixing dates to their official documents, never make use of the
Common Epoch or Vulgar Era, but have one peculiar to themselves, which however,
varies in the different rites. The Terms Era and epoch are in this sense synonymous.
Masons of The York, American, and French Rites, that is to say Scotland, Ireland,
France, Germany and American, date from the creation of the world calling it “Anno
Lucis” which the abbreviated A.L. signifying in the Year of Light. To obtain this date add
4000 to the common year: Anno Domini 2007 becomes Anno Lucis 6007. This they do,
not because they believe in Freemasonry and the creation of The Earth is on this date, but
with a reference to the light in masonry.
In the Scottish Rite, the epoch also begins from the date of the creation, here the Masons
of the Rite, using the Jewish Chronology would call the year 2007 or in A.M. or Anno
Mundi (in year of the World) 5767. They sometimes use the initials A.H. signifying
Anno Hebraico or in the Hebrew year. They have also adopted the Hebrew months and
the year therefore begins with in the middle of September (Roshashana).
Masons of The York and American Rites begin the year of the 1st of January, but
in the French Rite it commences on the first of March, and instead of the months
receiving their usual names, they are designated numerically, as first, second, thirds etc.
Thus the 1st of January 2007 would be styled in a French document, the 1st day of the
11th Masonic Month, Anno Lucis 6007. The French sometimes instead of initials A.L.
use L’ an de la VL or Vraie Lumiere that “ Year of True Light” For your convenience we
complete this article on Masonic Calendars with the rules for discovering the various
Masonic dates.
To find the ancient craft date; add 4,000 to the Vulgar Era. Thus 2007 and 4,000 are
6007.
To find the date of the Scottish Rite add 3,760 to the Vulgar Era. Thus 2007 and 3,760
are 5767.
To find the date of Royal Arch Masonry add 530 to the Vulgar Era. Thus 530 and 2007
are 2537.
To find the Royal and select Masters date add 1,000 to the Vulgar Era. Thus 1,000 and
2007 are 3007.
To find the Knights Temple date subtract 1,118 from the Vulgar Era, Thus 1,118 from
2007 is 889.
The following will show, in one view, the date of the year 2006 for all branches of the
order.
Year of the Lord, A.D. 2007
Year of the Light, A.L. 6007 Ancient Craft Masonry
Year of the World, A.M. 5767 Scottish Rite
Year of the Discovery, A.I. 2537 Royal Arch Masonry
Year of the Deposite A. Dep 3007 Royal and Select Master
Year of the Order A.O. Knights Templar 889
See, it is interesting.
Good luck with the question for next week.
Ed

The Midwest Conference of Masonic Education

The Midwest Conference of Masonic Education is celebrating its 60th anniversity! This year the anniversity will be celebrated at its meeting in Springfield, Il on April 24-26.

It will be held at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center which is located at 701 East Adams Street, Springfield, Illinois telephone 1-217-544-8800.

For futher information on how to register please contact:

Stanley D. Browning

1480 CR 5300

Coffeyville, Kansas 67337

1-620-251-5667

e mail pgm2000@hughes.net

I heard last years conference was Outstanding! Im trying to squeeze it into my busy schdule.

Maybe we could ride together. I want to see the new Lincoln Museum its supposed to be State of the Art.