Brothers & Friends: June is a wonderful month, the weather has usually straightened itself out and Masonry switches over to summer mode with regular meetings replaced by picnics and perhaps a baseball game or two. The two big functions coming up are the Oswego District Golf Tourney 6/11 and St Johns day the last weekend of the month. I highly recommend both events. At St Johns day last year the Custodians of the Work approved a change to the closing eliminating the Short Form Option. The report of the Custodians noting this was approved at Grand Lodge and I believe that makes it official. I suspect that a letter from Grand Lodge or the Grand Lecturer will be forthcoming.
By the time you read this, investiture will have taken place and the process of installing new Masters and officers will be well underway. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new officers on their achievement. I would also like to remind all of you, especially the new Masters & Wardens that Norm and I stand ready to help with your degree work in any way we can. If you need people to fill parts or want to be sure your floor work is up to snuff, we are only a phone call or email away. We haven't lost a degree yet but we can provide the most help when we know about your practices.
The level of degree work is really quite good in the district but there are lodges that have not performed a degree in some time. The Masonic Ritual and its study are what differentiates Freemasons from most other fraternal organizations. The more you perform it the more you will get out of the philosophy it inculcates. If it has been a while since you have done a degree give Norm or myself a call and we will help you get started. Perhaps as a “program” you could open lodge, get quickly through your business and close. Then everyone could break out the “Blue Book” and run through all or part of a degree. It would be good practice for the 'Old Timers' and a no pressure way for the newer brothers to overcome any performance anxiety. Give it a thought. Enjoy your summer and don't forget the Brotherhood Fund.