My Dear Brothers,
First and foremost, congratulations to all our newly installed Lodge officers! I write to you now as the 156th Brother to serve as the Master of our most noble Lodge, and I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for the trust you have placed in me. As I noted at our installation, I am mindful that this is a sacred and inviolable trust, and the authority you have entrusted me with is neither permanent nor truly absolute. I remain in awe of all the men who have come before me and promise I will strive to do my best to live up to their legacy. I am here to serve you, my Brethren, our Lodge community, and our Fraternity to the best of my ability, however imperfectly.
As we are at the cusp of our republic’s 250th anniversary and our Lodge’s 180th, both our Lodge and the wider Masonic community have a unique opportunity to engage with our wider society and to recommit ourselves to serving the people of the District and the surrounding region. St. John’s Lodge No. 11 has a long history of doing so, bringing the Light of Masonry to the world, in the process of serving our fellow man.
As such, my theme for this year is “Service to Country, Service to Community, Service to Craft.” We will be pursuing a variety of efforts saluting our veterans, including visits to VA hospitals and welcoming Honor Flights. We will conduct food and clothing drives, support animal welfare efforts, and assist our Masonic Brothers at soup kitchens. But we will also look to provide our Lodge family with a variety of open, Masonic and patriotic programs, and host family-friendly dinners and events, to include a karaoke fundraiser for the Shriners this Summer.
We will reconnect with all our Brethren, under a program that I’m calling “My Brother’s Keeper.” Each officer will be assigned Brethren with whom he will maintain regular contact, strengthen our fraternal bonds, and ensure we are all connected as a Lodge, however far and wide we may be dispersed out across this country. I promise as well to maintain personal contact with the widows of those Brothers who have laid down their working tools. My Brothers, I hope you will join me in these efforts, whenever your cable tow allows. We have a truly great year ahead of us!
Brothers, coming up in January is a very enlightening presentation, open to all, by Worshipful Brother Wes Latchford from the Grand Lodge of Virginia: “Revolutionary Masonry--American Freemasons in Rebellion against Their King." He'll delve into Section II of Anderson's The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, "Concerning Government and the Civil Magistrate," to understand how Masons could explain their support for the Revolution. I do hope you’ll be able to join us for this fascinating talk. Additionally, Brethren, just as you came through brilliantly for Toys for Tots in December, I would ask you now consider bringing a new or gently used winter coat, for an adult or child, to our January Stated, to benefit the charity ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others). This will help our area’s neediest residents during the coming winter months.
Brethren, I do hope you and your loved ones had a joyous and blessed Holiday Season, and I wish all a very Happy New Year! I pray for your and your loved ones’ continued health and happiness during the coming year. Take care for now and see you at our January Stated!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
WB David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master