“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” -Winston Churchill, 1942
The words of our Masonic Brother Winston Churchill [initiated into Studholme Lodge (now United Studholme Alliance Lodge) No. 1591 on 24 May 1901] feel appropriate for our present condition, both as a lodge and as a nation. As we continue to see vaccination number climbing (perhaps not fast enough, but up nonetheless), we are also approaching the opportunity for us to re-open for in- person Masonic activities! But we would be fools to assume that as our nation claws out of the isolation stage of this pandemic, that we are returning to an entirely open condition.
The Lodge, and our nation, will continue to look different than we remember it. It is possible we will see face masks far more abundantly for the coming years than we ever envisioned here in the United States. We can hope that an increased attention to hygiene and hand washing will have an unintended positive impact on all our lives! Here in the Lodge, the biggest difference will be the return to in-person meetings, currently anticipated for our August Stated Communication!
But, just as Churchill predicted that the British victories in Egypt in the Autumn of 1942 were merely the beginning of a turn towards Allied victory, our return to in- person meetings will still impact our behavior. Meals, if served at all, will be “box lunch” style; independently packaged for each Brother and accordingly... more expensive. So, we will likely go to a strict R.S.V.P. for meal model, when we do restart our dinners together. Masks and distancing will still be required, limiting our ability to advance candidates through the degrees... but not canceling it.
On the subject of degrees, St. John’s Lodge No. 11 has decided that we will concentrate on the Fellow Craft Degree for the foreseeable future. This not only means that our long-waiting Entered Apprentice Brothers will advance, but that we are offering two opportunities for the EAs from other Lodges to take the next step under our Lodge. We will need volunteers to participate in this process, but the senior officers have already committed to preparing for the Second Degree by September Stated! So please be ready when we call for participants!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jason Lee
Worshipful Master