Brethren,

Thanks to all who attended our first Stated Communication of 2010. We had twenty-four Temple Lodge members in attendance so we were just one member shy of qualifying for the 2010 attendance challenge. One more brother in attendance would have meant each officer happily putting $10.00 in the plate for a total donation of $110.00 to the Masonic Home For Children at Oxford. In answer to the question, “Is my attendance really that important?”: YES! Let’s see if we can make it happen in February.

As of the writing of this letter, we are looking forward to an excellent Second Degree on January 28. Entered Apprentices Pat Finn and Napoleon Thompson should both be passed to the degree of Fellow Craft. Brother Thompson’s deployment to Afghanistan is being delayed. The war’s loss is our gain and we are very happy to be able to confer his next step along with Brother Finn. The line of officers has moved up a seat for this degree and SW Brother Kevin Sayed is slated to confer.

We received one petition for the degrees in January from Mr. Alfred Holden. The investigating committee has gone to work and we will be balloting on Mr. Holden at the February Stated Communication. A first degree is scheduled for Thursday February 25 at 7:30 PM. We will have a dinner at 6:30 PM. Remember: We will serve an informal meal prior to all degrees this year. The line of officers will advance two seats for this degree and JW Brother Eric Tamandja is scheduled to preside from the East. The practice schedule can be found on the Trestle Board section of this Temple Tales.

If you have not seen www.templelodge676.com or have not visited recently, please do so soon. Brother Jonathon Hawfield has done a superior job creating arguably one of the finest Masonic Lodge web sites in the country. We are seeing more and more activity and interest coming from our web site every week and should see some petitions as a result soon. I have challenged Temple Lodge to receive 30 new petitions this year and I believe our web site will do much to get us there.

Worshipful Brothers Sam and Bud Davidson continue to do exemplary work coaching our candidates and newest members through the catechisms in addition to being the anchors of Temple Lodge. For that, Brothers, I say thank you on behalf of the entire membership. If we are successful in receiving the 30 petitions as challenged, Sam and Bud are going to need a lot of help. If you have been wondering how you can help Temple Lodge, this is your golden opportunity. Please consider taking on just one degree this year for one or two candidates. Don’t wait to be asked personally. A Brother devoted his time and attention to each and every one of us when we began our journeys (Thanks Sam!) and I know we each remember our coach well and look back fondly on the time we spent getting to know him and learning the Craft. Please consider making the same impact on the life of a candidate this year.

We will be hearing the 2010 budget as proposed by the Finance Committee at the February Stated Communication. We will also entertain suggestions and motions related to the budget so if you have suggestions, questions, or concerns related to Lodge finances, this is the time and this is the place to make them known. We are financially blessed and there is much good that can be done through our work and donations. Please come and be a part of the design of our financial track this year.

Junior Steward Brother Josh Rimany will be preparing dinner this month so please call him at 704-965-6042 with your reservation. From what I understand, Brother Rimany is quite the culinary master and I for one am excited to experience his work firsthand. A telephone call will precede the February Stated and Dinner, as always, but I cannot stress enough the importance of a proper headcount to keep the cost, let alone the stress of meal preparation, to a reasonable minimum. Monetary donations in amounts comfortable for you will certainly be accepted for meals but are not necessary. Fellowship is the reason we dine together so please join us and bring your family and friends. If you are in need of transportation, please contact me and I will happily arrange it.

I am looking forward to another great month at Temple Lodge. I hope to see you soon. Please call or email me at any time for any reason.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Tim Counts III
Master
704-258-6541