I was once told by a wise, elderly Brother, the late PM Scott Heckstall of Trinity Lodge No. 127, which was the 2 nd Lodge to be Chartered on the same day as us after surviving the pandemic, that “when you get ‘stuck’ in Freemasonry, go back to your roots, your foundation.” “Freemasons use four guiding principles to help define their path through life: Integrity, friendship, respect, and charity ….” As Freemasons we are taught that practice of charity is because we care not only for our own, but for our communities through charitable giving and volunteer efforts. It is also not just about giving money. Time is the most precious element we have as human being. Why is that? It is because you can NEVER get it back. The time you put spend on a project can NEVER be returned. You give of yourself through your actions, not your words. There is a short “poem” that has become a guiding principle for me. You have probably heard or seen it: THAT’S NOT MY JOB! This is a story about four people named: Everybody, Somebody,
Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody would NOT do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. Author: Anonymous
When you are a member of an organization, this can be how things are explained when nothing is accomplished! We CAN NOT use that as an excuse in Prince Hall Freemasonry. I believe the following question was asked and answered by our Grand Junior Warden RW Kevin Wardally on one of our WHATSAPP chats: What is a Masonic Lodge? “A Masonic lodge is more than a building; it is a living breathing organization made up of and sustained by the members themselves. It is a tight-knit group of men who make solemn vows to one another and become comrades in Masonry and life. Above all, a Masonic lodge represents open arms, a helping hand and brotherly love to every Mason, anywhere, at any time.” As we continued to search for our “niche” as a Chartered Prince Hall Lodge of the MWPHGL, our guidance came from the MWGM Gregory Robeson Smith Jr. In the Trestleboard of the MWGM was “the link” needed to connect us. The MWGM spoke on his JURISDICTIONAL CORE PROGRAMS. “Every Lodge is REQUIRED to host four (4) programs Annually.: 1. SCHOLARSHIP – The Scholarship Program is intended to promote academic excellence for the …. 2. SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS – Every Lodge is expected to facilitate, participate, and coordinate activities that will uplift their communities. Some of the activities under the umbrella of social action include, but are not limited to: Volunteering, Mentoring and Participating in local community charities and events. 3. HEALTH INITIATIVES – Every Lodge is expected to facilitate, participate and/or coordinate activities …. 4. VOTER REGISTRATION, EDUCATION AND MOBILIZATION – Every Lodge is expected to … activities that will uplift their communities ….”
Prince Hall Sentinel May 2024 Page | 82
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