Special Announcement: St. John's Lodge No. 11 will continue to host our monthly meetings virtually. For the foreseeable future, invitations to join the meeting will be sent via email to all Brethren for each month.
“The greatest gift that God grants us—the ability to change the trajectory of history.”
― Dexter Palmer, Version Control
Our Virtual June Stated meeting was, by all measures, an historic event. While we had limited ability to truly experience the art and ceremony of the Masonic experience, we did manage to move some particularly … frustrating… updates to our bylaws. While these updates still have a long journey ahead of them as they pass through the review of the Grand Lodge, we have completed our portion of this process.
As I have previously mentioned, Masonry does not change quickly; believing that change for change sake is wasteful, and that which is set in stone is not easily altered. And yet, as with our bylaws, change is often needed. As we have been writing our own Masonic history, we are also witness to (and many participants in) significant change in our communities and nation.
To quote from our Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons, Michael D. Nicholas, Sr., statement on the destruction of the Albert Pike statue in our Nation’s Capital, “By looking forward instead of backward, we make progress in improving ourselves and our nation as we strive to build a more perfect Union.” Of note, we're building a more perfect Union, which means there is always time for improvement of our design. Through this process, we as Masons must remember that conflict is not the preferred path to a solution. Every perspective is valid to the individual’s position. Through questions, not questioning, we can better understand other perspectives and in doing so help to find an equally accommodating path to a solution.
This concept of engaging in active discussion, not questioning or confronting others, has been an ongoing process for me personally. And one I hope to continue to improve. It is easy for me to mistakenly slip into “Devil’s Advocate” when I should simply be impartial.
So Brethren, as we approach our August Virtual State communication, I challenge each of you to choose something in yourself to improve; be it your EA Catechism, our Opening and Closing ritual, or just being a better listener.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jason Lee
Worshipful Master