Making Waco Men Better Since 1852

January 2017 Newsletter

From the East

Brethren,

I hope that all of you have had a pleasant holiday period and a chance to rest refresh yourselves. At the time of this writing, another year has ended, and a new one has begun. Last year was a busy one even to the end of December.

Thanks to all of the brethren who came out to help ring the bells for Salvation Army; and special thanks to those who wanted to help, but couldn’t. The station was fairly well staffed, and we had another successful opportunity to help those in need. We also delivered poinsettias to our local Masonic widows. The response from the brethren who pitched in to help with deliveries was so thorough that we had it all taken care of within an hour. Amazing!

Altogether, it feels like it has been a successful and productive Masonic half-year, thanks to several of our brethren who have contributed their time and energy to the efforts of the lodge work. I truly hope the momentum will continue year after year, and doubt not that it will, as long as we remember how we may best work and agree.

As many of you know, we will be having a Grand Lodge annual communication from January 19-21. This provides the members of Waco 92 another opportunity to serve; namely with running the snack bar during that time. Some brethren have already committed to this, but this can be such a busy event that all volunteers are welcome. If you have anything from an hour to a few hours to spare on those days between 7AM and 5PM, just join us at the Grand Lodge snack bar downstairs. This also naturally provides you with a chance to fraternize with brethren from all over the state and beyond. There will also be a concert at Backyard barbecue that Friday night, January 20th; the country musician is a mason, and all masons are encouraged to attend and support the event. Our lodge will benefit from this concert as well, thanks to the efforts of our Senior Deacon.

As you can see, this is an exciting time to be active in the lodge! There continues to be opportunities to lend our energies to the efforts of the lodge as a place that promotes the time-tested principles of Masonry. Please come and see what the “buzz” is about, and be ready to lend a hand.

Until next time, be blessed!
Sincerely,

Mark Brickhouse, WM

From the Secretary’s Desk

Greetings Brethren,

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a great holiday season. The Masonic year is half over and we still have a lot to do. The first thing on the agenda for this month is the Grand Communication of the Grand Lodge of Texas, which will be held on Thursday, January 19 thru Saturday, January 21 in Waco, Texas. We are once again responsible for handling the Coffee Shop. If you can help out in the Coffee Shop please let me, the Senior Warden, or Worshipful Master know. This is a great time to have fellowship with other Masons from across the state.

Thanks to everyone that helped with the bell ringing and poinsettia delivery in the month of December. The weather for the bell ringing was a little messy, but the management at the Hewitt Wal-Mart was generous in letting us set up just inside the entrance. As soon as I hear back from the Salvation Army on the amount that we collected, I will let the lodge know how well we did. The delivery of the poinsettias also went well. Our widows were once again very appreciative of the poinsettia and the timeout that we spent to see that their holiday season was brightened up with the plant.

Our lodge has been blessed with the addition of some new members over the past few months. As you see these new faces in our lodge, please stop and welcome them with open arms and make them feel at home.

We still have quite a few dues out. Remember that you must have a 2017 dues card to attend lodge starting with the January stated meeting. This is just a reminder that the dues were increased to $100.00 and the Grand Lodge Assessment Fee (which is optional) was increased to $27.50. Those of you, who have not paid, please remit as soon as possible. A First Notice will be going out on February 1, 2017. A Second Notice will go out on April 1, 2017. The Third and Final Notice will go out on May 15, 2017. If dues are not received by Friday, June 23, 2017, those not paid will go suspended for Non Payment of Dues. When you send in your dues, if you have any changes that need to be made as far as phone number, email address, or mailing address, please make them on the form that is provided on the mail out of the dues.

Hope to see everyone at lodge this month.

Fraternally yours,

Tom Waden, Secretary

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