Right Worshipful Michael E. Storck
Each of Us Must Make Our New Members a Priority
My Brothers:
Winter is approaching and we have a busy slate of District and Lodge activities ahead. Our Lodges are now beginning their degree cycles and exercising that most significant of their rights and powers – the power to make Masons. I am pleased to report that several of our First Erie District Lodges which have not initiated new members in several years now have Candidates and are now holding or planning to hold degrees in the next few months.
Membership
Young men are beginning to join the Craft in large numbers again across this Grand Jurisdiction. This is evident at our Official Visits, at RW Richard J. Kessler’s Grand Lecturer Conventions and the countless events Grand Master William J. Thomas and Deputy Grand Master Jeffrey M. Williamson have attended. The time to talk about our Fraternity to young men who possess the moral character and frame of mind to become Masons has never been more right! Let these eligible young men know of your love for your Craft and affection for your Brothers. Tell them about the fun we have and the good we do. Do not be bashful about this for we do a great deal of good in our communities, not only in this Grand Jurisdiction but across this Great Country and the World at large.
Invite them to a Brother Bring a Friend Night, Table Lodge or other Lodge Social Activity. Ask them to join you and some of your Lodge Brothers in watching the Bills or the Sabres or some other sporting event. Get to know them and show true interest in them. Never miss an opportunity to express your admiration for what our Craft stands for. Let them know that not all men are cut out to be a Mason. If you are confident of their moral character and commitment to what they believe in, consider telling them they are the kind of man we accept into our midst. They will seek us out and ask for a petition – many are doing so right now!
Once we get new members, our next great duty is to educate them thoroughly. We must use our proficiency catechisms and related educational programs, as well as interesting Lodge Activities to cement their interest and teach that they have joined no ordinary social club or community organization. Rather, they have joined a Fraternity so old its origins continue to spark debate, a Fraternity so profound that no one has ever fully measured the breadth, width or depth of its philosophy and teachings. They also must be encouraged to travel and attend other Lodges and Districts-wide activities to enrich their experience and advance their knowledge.
In summary my Brothers, the time to re-energize our Craft is now…you can replenish your Lodge’s membership – it is happening before our eyes – but we must not forget that is only part of the battle. Making strong, competent, educated new Masons is how we win this battle! The time is now to activate, energize, engage, educate and succeed. Let this ever be at the forefront of all that we do. Make speaking about the Craft a conscious priority every day.
New Coordinating Leadership Structure
We will be holding an organizational meeting for a new coordinating leadership structure for the Erie Districts on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at the 32nd Degree Masonic Center beginning at 9:00 A.M. Right Wor. John Haslam and I believe strongly that coordination and planning are essential to the success of Lodge and Inter-District activities. Each Lodge in the First and Second Erie Districts will be a voting member of this organization and has been asked to provide a delegate. This meeting is open to all interested Master Masons. We heartily encourage you to review the other information in this edition of the Masonic News and attend the organizational meeting for this important new leadership structure.
Upcoming Activities
As we move into the Winter Season there are several important upcoming activities Erie County Masons should attend. Please make every effort to attend these events set forth below:
1. City of Light/Saint John’s Day
Erie District Table Lodge
Celebrating 200 Years of Erie County Masonry
Saturday, December 27, 2014
5:00 P.M.
Century Grill
318 Pearl Street
Buffalo, NY
$40 RSVP – Very Wor. Daniel J. DiNatale
2. Second Erie District Grand Lecturer’s Convention
Saturday, January 24, 2015
11:45 A.M. Lunch
1:00 P.M. Convention
Western Star Masonic Center
692 Ridge Road
Lackawanna, NY 14218
3. Deputy Grand Master Jeffrey M. Williamson
Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, January 29, 2015
7:00 P.M.
32º Masonic Community Center
2379 Union Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14227
4. New Area Leadership Structure
Organizational Meeting
Saturday, April 25, 2015
9:00 A.M.
32º Masonic Community Center
2379 Union Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Oh behalf of your First Erie District Grand Lodge Officers and our entire Team, we wish you a warm, fun-filled 2014 Holiday Season. May God Bless you and Your Families with his Richest Blessings this Holiday Season.