Dear Brethren:
Springtime is upon us, with summer just around the corner and we find less time to devote to outside pleasures. I would ask that you not forget to participate in your lodge activities. I know that you should spend time with your loved ones, but give consideration to making time for Freemasonry. The future of our success relies on your support. This is just the beginning and we have plenty of work ahead of us. You are encouraged to continue your work in your respective Lodges. We have plenty of hurdles to overcome and new day is dawning. We committed to work hand and hand, and I for one plan on holding you to your responsibilities. If we succeed we can close this year with a new and improved fraternity, the likes of which you can say I was responsible for helping to make better!
We have just cross the halfway mark for this year. On Wednesday, May 12, 1999 was the Semi-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. We had 24 Worshipful Masters present this evening. I am quite proud of the Grand Lodge Officers who showed their ability to open in due form and did a superior job. This was a landmark day in which you approved changes which will reshape the face of our fraternity. Thanks to your efforts we now admit free men of sound mind and body at the age of 18. Also, you authorized the appointment of a committee to research the consideration of conducting business on either the Entered Apprentices or the Fellow Crafts degree. This would give our lodges the opportunity to choose how they operate. A request had been made for some time to the Grand Lodge. This consideration was in reference to the lodges which work in either the Emulation Ritual or Scottish Modern Ritual. With a sweeping approval you approved the report of the committee and these lodges are now allowed to open, close, conduct business and confer degrees according to the ritual authorized in their charters.
Over the last several years I have made notes from the fall Leadership Conferences. I am trying to keep my promises that I have made to you by offering changes that you have suggested at these sessions. If you were truly expressing your opinions at these meetings you will embrace the proposals and help us make a difference. It takes quite an effort to complete all of these tasks, so I solicit your aid and assistance in reaching our goals. It has been rewarding to watch our lodges grow and help us make a difference. Life is cyclical in nature and so as we see the depletion of our ranks turn around and our numbers grow, we must embrace change. As we find new lodges amongst our ranks and our lodges begin to show increases in membership we must find new ways to retain these brethren. It is the duty of our Worshipful Masters to work hard at new ways to involve our members.
We have recently welcomed brethren into our jurisdiction from Russia, Romania, Turkey and France. The Universal Brotherhood Weekend was a great success. Our hats off to Most Worshipful Brother Robert Heyat and his committee for a successful program. This weekend saw the organization of Nur Lodge U. D. which has been granted dispensation to work in the Emulation Ritual in the Turkic Language. We welcome these brethren to our fold and count it an honor to include them in our jurisdiction. Also, we will soon introduce another lodge called Fraternity Lodge, U.D. as well. Now is not the time to downsize, expansion is a positive effort and one our great fraternity should embrace! We need to increase the interest of our members and these are two fine examples well-grounded brethren with a common interest. We wish them success in their endeavors and offer our total support.
Yours for the betterment of our fraternity, I remain,
Fraternally,
Dan L Frederick