F1RST
FIRST MASONIC DISTRICT NEWSLETTER - ISSUE NO. 1 - MAY 2019
In this issue: Getting the Most from Freemasonry Detailing for Dyslexia Message from the DDGM The Empty Chair Ceremony And More...
Published by the First Masonic District of Pennsylvania 2019
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ronald B. Carson, DDGM EDITOR
L. Kenneth Bray III, PM CONTRIBUTORS
L. Kenneth Bray III, PM Barry E. Theal, PM Justin Radziewicz PHOTOGRAPHERS
Frank Tunis, PM CONTACT
First Masonic District of PA 213 W. Chestnut St ATTN: DDGM Ronald B. Carson Lancaster, PA 17603 DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this publication does not reflect the views or opinions of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Articles are sourced from masonic publications and given credit when at all possible. Content generated by the contributors are explicitly the views and opinions of the author and not endorsed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Ronald B. Carson, DDGM Editor-in-chief
Welcome Brethren! I am very excited to be a member of the First Masonic District and our Fraternity. I often wonder what I would do without it. One thing for sure, I would have missed the opportunity to meet all of you. The Fraternity offers us many different avenues to pursue from the time that we are raised. There is something for everyone depending on your interests. No matter what those interests are; they start with fellowship and getting to know one another. I have learned more about myself, life, and the Fraternity from great men that I look forward to seeing each month, the Brethren. I hope that you also find being with our Brethren rewarding and exciting.
Keep working together with pride and honesty and there is nothing that can stop this Fraternity from being the best organization in the world. I truly believe that this world needs our Fraternity now more than ever. If we all lived and looked at life through the values it teaches us, how much different would this world be?
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
In this Issue:
6
7
8
Getting the Most
Detailing for
DDGM May Message
from Freemasonry
Dyslexia
to the District
Bro. L. Kenneth Bray III, PM
Bro. Barry E. Theal, PM
Bro. Ronald B. Carson, DDGM
New to Freemasonry and looking for a way to get the most from your membership experience? Bro. L. Kenneth Bray, III Past Master of Lodge No. 43 shares his insight.
Bro. Barry shares his insight and industry knowledge to raise money for the Lancaster Dyslexia Learning Center. His goal this year is to raise over $10,000 dollars.
This upcoming month will be very busy for the 1st Masonic District. Read the DDGM May Address to stay informed about the future of our district and how you can be involved.
4
MAY 2019
9
10
11
1st Masonic School
The Empty Chair
PA Masonic Youth
of Instruction
Ceremony
Foundation
All Officers are encouraged to attend our monthly School of Instruction, & individual members looking to learn the dialogue and mechanics of our masonic ritual.
Join A.C.Treichler Lodge No. 682 at their Stated Meeting to see Brother Christopher Gibson, PM Washington Lodge No. 156 perform the Empty Chair Ceremony
Our Masonic Youth Groups need out help! See the upcoming events with our Masonic Youth Groups and how you can support the First Masonic District
12
14
15
DeMolay Dodgeball
Masonic Eagle Scout
First Masonic
Tournament
Pins In-Stock
Upcoming Events
It’s that time of the year again! DeMolay proudly presents the Dodgeball for Dyslexia Tournament. Teams still have time to register! We are looking for three (3) teams this year.
If you are a Brother in Good standing and earned the title of Eagle Scout, then you are eligible to apply for the new Masonic Eagle Scout Pin, crafted in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America.
The First Masonic District is busy with events for the upcoming Spring and Summer season, provided are a list of those events, check often as this section will update with each release.
5
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
Getting the Most from Freemasonry NEW AND SEASONED MEMBERS SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE FIRST MASONIC DISTRICT
Are you new to Freemasonry or a member that is looking to get the most out of your membership? The old saying, “you get out of it, what you put into”, is a powerful statement and one you will find to have a deeper meaning when to truly get involved in Freemasonry. But you might be wondering, where do I start? The answer to this question is simple, and one that should be fairly straight-forward; your Lodge. If you recall, in the first degree we are taught the lessons of, “Ask” and “Knock”, and the opportunities that were open unto us when we sought admission into the fraternity. If you’d like to get involved in your lodge, ask an Officer how you can contribute. You may have a specific skill or talent the lodge can use both inside the lodge room during a meeting, or perhaps a skill or talent that can be used for a task outside of the lodge. If asking does not yield the results you are looking for, knock at the doors of a neighboring lodge, or masonic friends you may have that might be able to point you in the right direction.
6
to do is ask questions or knock on doors so to speak, and those doors of opportunity will be thrown wide open to receive you. I would encourage you to read through this newsletter, the First Masonic District is an exciting place to be. Become an informed member about YOUR district and don’t be afraid to ask what YOU can do to get involved. If getting involved in the lodge isn’t up your alley, but learning more about fraternity and it’s rich history, piques your interest - I would suggest exploring The Academy of Masonic Knowledge. This is a FREE program for you to get involved and educate yourself on the craft. I can’t tell you how rewarding this program has been for me over the last 5 years, I would recommend it to anyone. Ask your Lodge mentor how you can get involved in the Academy. Maybe you’re looking for a social club, or a group that raises money for a specific charity - chances are we have a match, you just have to ask. In Freemasonry, you have to take initiative to get involved, the first step beings with you. All you have
As a Past Master of Lodge No. 43, I have come to understand that the greatest gift of Freemasonry isn’t the individual or a single lodge, but rather the combination of individuals and lodges who make up this great fraternity. Remember Brethren, we are all in this together, it’s not about one lodge or one individual doing well, but rather the entire district working as one to promote what Freemasonry has to offer - after all, you get out of it, what you put into it. If you’d like to find out how to get involved, feel free to contact me and ASK all the questions you want. L. Kenneth Bray III, PM www.AssembletheCraft.com
MAY 2019
Detailing for Dyslexia BROTHER BARRY E. THEAL, PM SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE GROWING UP WITH DYSLEXIA AND WHAT HE HAS DONE TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF OUR YOUTH
Growing up I understood the struggles of learning disabilities. As a youth I struggled with understanding what I was reading. It wasn’t until middle school when a teacher helped me understand that I had a disability. This disability was discovered to be Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that makes it difficult for people to read. It’s the most common learning issue, although it’s not clear what percentage of kids have it. Some experts believe the number is between 5 and 10 percent. Others say as many as 17 percent of people show signs of reading issues. The reason for the wide range is that experts may define dyslexia in different ways. Dyslexia is mainly a problem with reading accurately and fluently. Kids with dyslexia may have trouble answering questions about something they’ve read. But when it’s read to them, they may have no difficulty at all. In 2018 Detailing For Dyslexia raised 1500 for The Lancaster Dyslexia Center through a weekend of automotive detailers coming together to share their knowledge and passion for their trade.
In November of 2018, I began to make plans to focus on a larger scale event with guest speakers. Inviting out friends Renny Doyle who is world renowned as detail mentor, trainer, author, and The Detailer of Air Force One. Keynote speaker Renny Doyle along with Billy Baugus owner of American Detailer Garage agreed to donate their time for the cause, help raise money for The Lancaster Dyslexia Center. Our goal this year is to raise over $10,000 dollars. The event is to be held: AUGUST 10, 2019 9 AM to 4:30 PM 161 Museum Drive Hershey, PA 17033 www.detailingfordyslexia.com If you’d like to make a donation to this worthy cause, please visit the website and click the registration tab where you can follow the links to donate. Donations are accepted via PayPal visit: www.detailingfordyslexia.com/registration
Barry E. Theal, PM 7
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
District Deputy Grand Master’s April Address BROTHER RONALD B. CARSON, DDGM OF THE FIRST MASONIC DISTRICT SHARES HIS INSIGHT AND MESSAGE FOR THE UPCOMING MONTH AND BEYOND
It has been great to see you at Lodge and the other activities over the past month. The Blue Lodge meetings during March have been exciting and well planned. For those of you who missed the Charles M. Howell Lodge, No. 496 Official Visit missed a very unique and fun evening. The Irish dinner; bagpipes during Lodge, played by Brother James Diener from Ephrata Lodge, No. 665; having a dispensation to allow the Worshipful Master, Jonathan Welsh, PM to change his normal attire from a tuxedo to a kilt; and a great evening of fellowship all came together for a wonderful evening. The Academy of Masonic Knowledge had great presentations that gave all of us a lot to think about. So that you do not miss out on future events with our Brothers, please look at the links provided in this Newsletter. Also, visit our Facebook page, for more details about what is going on in our District and Fraternity. Some links will also send you to our website, www.FirstMasonic.org Last year our District was very successful in raising money for the DeMolay, Jobs Daughters, and the Squires program. I would like 8
to extend a sincere appreciation for everyone’s contributions to meet all of our goals. This year with the money that we raise we will be sending 4 young men/ women (ages 12 to 16) to the Life Skills course at Patton Campus. They must be a son, daughter, or grandchild of a member of one of our Blue Lodges or Eastern Star. Please contact your Worshipful Master for details. I am very excited to be a member of the First Masonic District and our Fraternity. I often wonder what I would do without it. One thing for sure, I would have missed the opportunity to meet all of you. The Fraternity offers us many different avenues to pursue from the time that we are raised. There is something for everyone depending on your interests. No matter what those interests are; they start with fellowship and getting to know one another. I have learned more about myself, life, and the Fraternity from great men that I look forward to seeing each month, the Brethren. I hope that you also find being with our Brethren rewarding and exciting.
Keep working together with pride and honesty and there is nothing that can stop this Fraternity from being the best organization in the world. I truly believe that this world needs our Fraternity now more than ever. If we all lived and looked at life through the values it teaches us, how much different would this world be?
Please stay tuned for more information from the District Deputy Grand Master, the schedule of his Official Visitations for the month of May can be located in the back of this Magazine.
MAY 2019
Entered Apprentice Degree TO BE EXEMPLIFIED BY CHARLES M. HOWELL LODGE NO. 496 Monday June 3, 2019 Beginning at 7 PM MANHEIM LODGE NO. 587 30 SOUTH LINDEN STREET MANHEIM, PA 17545
9
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
The Empty Chair Ceremony comes to A.C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 BROTHER CHRISTOPHER GIBSON, PM WASHINGTON LODGE NO. 156 WILL BE PERFORMING THE EMPTY CHAIR CEREMONY AT A.C. TREICHLER LODGE NO. 682’S STATED MEETING
Image: Web In an upcoming Stated Meeting of Treichler Lodge No. 682 Brother Christopher Gibson, PM of Washington Lodge No. 156 will be performing the “Empty Chair Ceremony”. If you have not seen Brother Chris perform this beautiful ceremony, we suggest you plan on attending the Stated Meeting held May 20th, 2019 at 7:00 PM. What is the “Empty Chair Ceremony” you might be asking? Traditionally the ceremony dates back to around 1875, at the close of the American Civil War and was meant for Masonic lodge to pay tribute to its members that did not return from the war. The ceremony is known as “The Empty Chair” or “Vacant Chair” ceremony and is conducted with beautiful solemnity. Since then the ceremony has been modified slightly and used by some lodges on Remembrance Day, 10
paying homage to Brother Masons who fell during WWI, WWII, or any other wars. Some lodges have adopted this ceremony to honor not only its veterans of war who have since passed, but also to honor the memory of deceased Past Masters, Members of Distinction, and Members who have since passed. In some forms of the ceremony it is conducted by the Master, Wardens, and Chaplain and remains one of the most honorable and memorable ways to have honored our deceased Brethren. Following the program, Brother Robert Martin, PM will be providing the Masonic Education on “The Staircase Lecture”. Meeting: Monday, May 20th, 2019 at 7:00 PM Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 77 Freemason Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022
MAY 2019
Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation OUR MASONIC YOUTH GROUPS ENSURE THE SUCCESS AND WELLNESS OF OUR FRATERNITY AND CONTINUE THE TRADITIONS OF THE CRAFT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
Job’s Daughters is an organization created to unite girls and train leaders. Job’s Daughters enables young ladies between 10 and 20 to learn leadership skills, organizational methods, and the importance of fulfilling individual responsibilities within a group. By planning their own activities the members have fun doing what they want to do and at the same time creating life lasting friendships. Over the Easter Holiday Bethel No. 15 of Job’s Daughters gathered at Masonic Villages in Elizabethtown to assist in the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Jobies helped “hide” Easter Eggs in various spaces on the grounds of Masonic Villages where hundreds to young and eager children came to hunt eggs, win prizes, and meet the Easter Bunny! All-in-all the event was a huge success, many thanks to the Masonic Villages for hosting this event, as well as all of the people involved to make this possible. 11
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
Elizabethtown DeMolay will be hosting its: 5th Annual Dodgeball for Dyslexia Tournament Saturday, May 11th from 1 - 6 PM Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, Pa Currently there are 11 DeMolay Teams and two adult teams - so there’s room for more! Registration information is included with this newsletter - and there are still sponsorship opportunities if you’d like to be a sponsor for the Tournament. For details on sponsorships ($25 - $100) please contact: Dave Berry, david2011berry@gmail.com or 717-367-1536 X4.
The DDGM, Ronald B. Carson, would like THREE teams to register for this event in support of DeMolay. Please see the flyer insert on the following page for sign-up details! Thank you for Supporting the First Masonic District!
www.FirstMasonic.org 12
MAY 2019
13
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
Masonic Eagle Scout Lapel Pins BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA’S NATIONAL EAGLE SCOUT ASSOCIATION, HAS DESIGNED AND CREATED A LAPEL PIN WHICH CAN BE WORN BY ANY FREEMASON WHO EARNED THE EAGLE SCOUT AWARD AS A YOUTH
At the request of R. W. Grand Master S. Eugene Herritt, the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, in cooperation with the Boy Scouts of America’s National Eagle Scout Association, has designed and created a lapel pin which can be worn by ANY Freemason who earned the Eagle Scout Award as a youth. These are available exclusively from the PA Masonic Youth Foundation, because of our careful and faithful administration of the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award since 2002. To receive a pin, you must fill out the application found below, send a copy of your current year Blue Lodge dues card, and a copy of any documentation proving that you are an Eagle Scout. This could be your Eagle Scout Certificate, Eagle Scout Wallet Card, National Eagle Scout Association Membership Certificate or card, or anything else issued by the Boy Scouts of America signifying this achievement. There is a $10.00 fee, payable by personal check, to: “PA Masonic Youth Foundation” to cover the cost of designing,
14
manufacturing, processing, packaging and mailing the pin. Mail check, application, and documentation to: PA Masonic Youth Foundation 1244 Bainbridge Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Please note that we do NOT accept electronic payments or submissions. Article Taken from: https://pmyf. org/scouts/masonic-eagle-scoutlapel-pins/
MAY 2019
First Masonic District’s Upcoming Events: OUR DISTRICT IS ACTIVE WITH EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CALENDAR YEAR, BE SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH THE FOLLOWING EVENTS
Saturday, May 4th CHICKEN BBQ Charles M. Howell Lodge No. 496 Held at: Stauffers of Kissel Hill 301 Rohrerstown Road Lancaster, PA 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM $10.00 Includes: Leg, Breast, Thigh, Potato, Apple Sauce, Roll and Drink Dinners are not Guaranteed after 2:00 PM Contact: Bro. Frank Roschel 717-951-0530 Steven K. Dochter, PM 717-951-5173
Saturday, May 11th, 2019
Photo: Web
Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682
Pancake Breakfast to be held at Masonic Villages Elizabethtown in the Brossman Ballroom beginning 6 AM Cost: $6 www.EtownMasons.org
15
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
16
MAY 2019
GUN RAFFLE Hosted by: Ashara-Casiphia Lodge No. 551 DPMS Oracle .223/5.56
Friday, June 7 thru Saturday, June 8th FREEMASONS FOR A CURE, the First Masonic District’s Relay for Life team will be participating in this year’s
Relay for Life
-OR$350 Gift Card for Kinsey’s Outdoors Donation $5.00 Benefits Hunt of a Lifetime and The Widows Sons Charities Drawings:
When: Friday, June 7th through Saturday, June 8th
JUNE 15th, 2019 at 4 PM
Time: Beginning 6 PM on June 7th
Kinsey’s Outdoors Mount Joy, PA
Where: Conestoga Valley High School 2110 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
Would you like to see your Event in this Newsletter? Be sure to email
For more information and to find out how you can donate, please see the Freemasons for a Cure: FACEBOOK and RELAY PAGE
the Editor to ensure your event gets seen by the thousands of members within the First Masonic District! Want to write an article for this newsletter, or be a contributing Brother? REACH OUT TODAY
“Masonry aims at the promotion of morality and higher living by the cultivation of the social side of man, the rousing in him of the instincts of charity and love of his kind. It rests surely on the foundation of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God.” – William Howard Taft
17
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND 2nd Annual Benefit Motorcycle Ride
Saturday June 15th, 2019 Kinsey’s Outdoors 1658 Steel Way Mount Joy, PA 17552
COME ONE, COME ALL! Ride includes a Pork Roast Lunch and Door Prizes Rider Cost $25 / Passenger Cost $10 Pre-registering Guarantees Meal Registration: 9 AM KSU: 11 AM
2019 GRANDMASTER’S RIDE Comfort Inn Lancaster County North 1 Denver Road, Denver, PA 17517
Friday, July 26, 2019 Dinner at Shady Maple is open to any Mason and their guests, please use the link below to REGISTER for this event! *Please note: The events following the dinner are Limited to Widows Sons and their Ladies only. (Branding Widows Sons Only, Trip to the Meadery Widows Sons Ladies and those not fully patched only)*
Saturday, July 27, 2019 The Grandmaster’s Ride is open to anyone who has a motorcycle License and a Motorcycle capable of highway speeds and has the proper tags, inspected and insurance to be road legal in Pennsylvania. Lunch follows the ride, as well as other activities and all, are open to the general public. *Lunch is only included with the ride and selected dignitaries.*
Returns: 2 PM Live Music, Corn Hole, Arts & Crafts, Raffles, Food Vendors, Ticket Auction, Kid Activities, and MORE! Inquiries, please reach out to: Duane “Patch” Hevener Register Online: widowssons11.eventbrite.com 18
Cost: $60 per Person before June 15th (T-Shirt included); $75 per Person after June 15th (T-Shirt NOT included) For Registration and Inquiries, please reach out to: Brother Noel Wenrich, PM Secretary Raised And Squared Chapter PA Widows Sons
MAY 2019
Community Flag Collection Brother Clyde R. Snyder is looking for donations to assist in purchasing an American Security Cabinet To give the Community a place to retire US Flags and to help the Bot Scouts with Ceremonies of learning the proper way to retire our flag. Photo: Frank Tunis
Ephrata Lodge #665 Presents:
Lodge in the Woods September 18, 2019 at the J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation in Newmanstown, PA. Gathering will begin at 4:30 PM with dinner service starting at 5:00 PM and will continue until 6:30 PM The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM
Donations can be made out to “American Security Cabinets” Mail to: Brother Clyde R. Synder 44 Wilson Drive Lancaster, PA 17603
Right Worshipful Grand Master S. Eugene Herritt, along with a host of Grand Lodge Officers, will join us for the presentation of numerous awards and honors to several worthy brothers. A steak dinner with all the trimmings will be served. Cost for the dinner is $30.00. Proceeds benefit the Grand Master’s Initiative. Tickets may be purchased by contacting any Worshipful Master in the First District.
Where’s my event? How can I contribute, or be a part of this magazine? If you’d like your event, or article suitable for publication featured in this newsletter:
“ASK”
19
F1RST MASONIC DISTRICT MAGAZINE
Lodges of the First Masonic District Lodge No. 43 - 2nd Wednesday of the Month - May 8, 2019 Program: Brother Harry S. Truman, Presented by: Bro. Edward J. Stumm, Grand Tyler Masonic Education: “Free and Accepted” Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 226 - 3rd Thursday of the Month - May 16, 2019 Columbia Lodge No. 286 - 1st Thursday of the Month - May 2, 2019 Lamberton Lodge No. 476 - 1st Tuesday of the Month - May 7, 2019 **Official Visitation of the District Deputy Grand Master** Charles M. Howell Lodge No. 496 - 2nd Wednesday of the Month - May 8, 2019 Program: Tribute to First-Responders and Related Support Personnel Masonic Education: The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Ashara-Casiphia Lodge No.551 - 4th Tuesday of the Month - May 28, 2019 Manheim Lodge No. 587 - 2nd Monday of the Month - May 13, 2019 Ephrata Lodge No. 665 - 2nd Tuesday of the Month - May 14, 2019 Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 - 3rd Monday of the Month - May 20, 2019 Mount Olivet Lodge No. 704 - 2nd Monday of the Month - May 13, 2019 **Official Visitation of the District Deputy Grand Master**
20
Published by the First Masonic District of Pennsylvania 2019