What Happens Now?

Spring through Fall of 2020. What happened? What in the world was going on in America?

So far this year has brought one thing after another. As we slowly overcome the COVID-19 Crisis and many return to work and everyday, normal life, now we come to another Crisis. Across the country protests erupted into riots, and in many places, still continue. In the midst of it all, statues, monuments, government buildings and masonic lodges and temples have been vandalized and destroyed.

The issue of racism has once again sprang to the forefront of the American public. Everyone believes they have the right solution to the problem. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that will disappear over time. Racism has been a struggle in our great country for over 200 years. So what's the answer?

A few weeks ago a Prince Hall brother posted a video on a topic that I would like to reiterate here. For 236 years, Mainstream Masonry and Prince Hall Freemasonry had stood as two separate members of the same family. I would not suggest that both Grand Lodges give up their history to combine. What I am asking is that as brothers, we put differences aside. We forget about skin color. We forget about nationality and backgrounds.

How can we expect our society to put racism behind us, if we still allow it in our local lodges? It may be a hard truth, brothers, but to make a difference in the world around us, change must first begin in ourselves and our lodges.

So, what happens now? Now, we move forward. We accept our brothers for who they are...our brothers. We help our culture move forward by realizing skin color is just that...just a skin color. 'We all bleed the same.'

 

My Story: Worshipful Brother Brad Lankford, K.Y.H.

During World War II, my grandfather became friends with several Masons. Their behavior made my grandfather decide that he, too, wanted to be a Mason when the war was over. The WW2 generation is generally regarded as “The greatest generation”.

About twenty years ago I was taken by how divided we were as a nation. I felt as though there had to be things that I could do to make my family better, to make my church better, to make my community and state better. In short, I wanted to make America great again. At the time this wasn’t a controversial phrase. I looked to what my grandfather, and men like him, did. They went to church. They went to work. They joined civic organizations that helped people. The phrase “God, Family, Country” was written in everyone’s hearts.

I was doing “some” of that. I went to work. I went to church. I was praying for my community, state and nation. However, I wasn’t a part of any group or civic organization dedicated to anything greater than their immediate community. I looked to the example of my grandfather and asked to become a Mason. As Robert Frost stated, “and that has made all the difference."

I became a part of a society of friends and brothers. I am a part of a group that donates over a million dollars per day to various charities. We donate to Special Olympics, to Shriner’s hospitals, and everything in between. We feed the poor, we build Alzheimer treatment and research centers. We work to help with the adoption of “hard to place” children through Adopt America. We provide scholarships. The Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (MMSAP) enables core teams of faculty and staff to effectively identify and refer at-risk youth. This three-day intensive training seminar is provided to local schools by the Freemasons of Ohio.

I am not just a man, I am a Mason.

My Story: Worshipful Brother James R. Hall, R.S.S.

I joined our great fraternity on August 28, 2013 at East Palestine Lodge No. 417.

About 14 years earlier I had expressed interest in Freemasonry to my girlfriend (currently my wife). She said I should look into it but, as many find out, I didn’t know who to talk to.

Fast forward to July 2013 I had the chance to work with WB Ryan Cresanto for the day delivering furniture. We talked about everything there was, Lodge wise. By the end of the day I had filled out a petition and had it turned back in! Before I knew it, I was on my journey to the East!

I became Master of East Palestine Lodge No. 417 for the 2019 year. In the same year I was also chosen by the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction to be featured in their 28 Days of Masons. This was where a different Mason from the 15 states is highlighted each day.

Along with being part of the Valley of Youngstown Scottish Rite, I am also a member of the Youngstown York Rite bodies and petitioned the Al Koran Shrine/Youngstown Shrine Club (on hold due to Covid). I was also inducted as the 12th Brother accepted into the Royal Scofield Society at Grand Lodge in Marietta last year. I was proud to be 1 of the 14 Masons from across the state of Ohio to be inducted into the Inaugural Class and is the reason why I am currently serving as Chancellor of East Palestine No. 417, 1st Vice - President of the 24th Masonic District Association, District Prospect Manager, and Social Media Chair of the Royal Scofield Society.

I can truly say that Freemasonry has changed my life! It has instilled a sense of self confidence that wasn’t there before. It has also given me so many great friends and memories from across the district and state. If I could have changed one thing in my journey it would have been to have started this journey earlier! The saying “The more you put into it, the more you get out of it” is a perfect saying for Freemasons! I’ve put so much into it and have been rewarded ten fold for that. The beauty of it all is that we have so many Brothers across the district, state and world and they’re all in your corner. They all want what is best for you and vice versa.

I’ve never regretted a day that I’ve been a Freemason and look forward to inspiring new Masons everyday!!

My Story: Worshipful Brother Jason W. Short

I became a MM in July 2007. I started to run the chairs and then in 2012 I took a break for personal reasons. I came back and started the chairs again eventually becoming Master at Negley in 2018.

I also became the President of the 24th District Association in 2018. The next year I became Worshipful Master of Jenkins Lodge #471.

In 2019 I was given the honor of being a face of Ohio Freemasonry. In the same year I became a District Education Officer for the 24th District.

I am a member of Negley, Allen and Jenkins Lodges. I am a member of the York Rite in Youngstown, Ohio and Scottish Rite Valley of Steubenville. I belong to Eastern Star, the Knight Masons of Ireland and the Grotto. I am also an Ohio Masonic Home Ambassador and Volunteer.

The people you meet and the stories you share are just a small part of the larger puzzle. Masonry has taught me to be a better person, a better leader and a better father. It has helped me tone down my somewhat wild personality and think about the choices I make and things I say.

Freemasonry is one of the best things I have ever done.

Kindness Will Never Be Outdated

I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that it feels as if this quarantine has lasted forever. Many of us have had to use our imaginations in a way that we haven't done since we were children. We have no option but to do our Spring Cleaning. Outside things like gardens, flowerbeds and woodworking projects are getting done like never before.

Many of us are getting use to seeing faces over video chat or hearing familiar voices over the phone instead of seeing each other in person. Some of us are missing "good old conversation". Others might even be enjoying the seclusion and are thankful for not having to mingle with the general public any more than necessary.

However you feel about the quarantine (whether you think it is right or wrong), remember that an individual's actions and attitude, now more than ever, show the true character of each one of us. How you treat the person who accidentally rubs against you at Walmart or Home Depot, or react to the person who rudely coughs and sneezes on you while buying groceries shows those around you what kind of person you really are. When something unexpected happens or someone makes a rude comment is your first reaction kindness, or do you you snap back and think about launching something at them. In the life of a Mason, kindness should a defining trait of who you are.

 Unfortunately many of us can say that they personally know Masons who care about no one other than themselves. There are others who, because they have the title of Warden, Master, Past Master, etc., they deserve more respect than the other brethren in the Lodge. If we, as brothers, have trouble treating each other with kindness and respect, then how can we go about our daily lives treating our fellow man with kindness.

Most of us are proud to be a Mason and display symbols on our cars, homes, clothes, etc. And we most certainty should be proud. But, are you proud just to have the title "Freemason" and to tell people you're a member of "secret society", or are you proud of what the fraternity represents and how it has changed you life?

In everything you do and in everywhere you go, remember you represent a fraternity who stands for brotherly love, relief and truth. Your actions may determine how someone views our fraternity.

Masonic Work "Outside the Lodge"

This past Saturday (August 22nd) some of our Perry Lodge brethren gathered at the lodge for breakfast then afterward to hang the recently redone Square and Compasses on the side of Salem Masonic Temple.

WB Jerry Lyda was instrumental in the process of getting the Square and Compasses painted and the old lights replaced with new LED lights and wiring. Thank you, WB Lyda, for your help. It is very much appreciated.

The Square and Compasses were hung with the help of WB Ed Lydic (current Worshipful Master of Perry #185), WB Rick Sekely, Brent Spangler, Tony Waskiewicz, Garrett Yoder and Michael Caldwell. Thank you, brothers for your help Saturday.

 This weekend was a tag-on to all the work that has been getting done at the Lodge/Temple over the past five or so months.

Our Perry Lodge brethren have been working hard on the upkeep of the Temple - painting the restrooms, hallways, etc. upstairs and cleaning up the basement to make use of areas and rooms that haven't been used for far too long.

I know it hasn't been easy, brothers, but we are making some good headway. I am proud of the guys in my Lodge and the dedication they show in maintaining the beautiful Temple in which we are blessed to meet and in strengthening the Brotherly Love and friendships that we have formed.

Keep up the good work, brothers!

#PerryPride

Surviving the Disease

COVID-19

This word has become one of the most heard, seen and, to some, the most fearful word of the past few months. Even though most don't completely understand what it is, or how it works, the idea of not knowing if we'll get it or how it will affect us is enough to increase fear and anxiety. Unfortunately, the time will come when we look back and the Coronavirus Pandemic will be another story in our history books and the fear we felt, the panic that sent so many to stock up as if the world was coming to its end, will seem like dream. Complacency will set back in and before long, our daily routines will continue.

Thankfully, there have been no brothers in our immediate circle that have been affected by this disease. Yet, I am sure most of us have seen stories of our Masonic brothers around the world who have fallen ill, or died, from this virus. To them and their families let us offer our thoughts and prayers. As a member of our Brotherhood, we should know that we are never truly alone when we have a family that spreads across the world.

In due time, COVID-19, will be 'just another virus'. We'll have a vaccine for it and no one will be worried about 'getting the Corona' anymore.

In the same way, there is a disease that has taken over our lodges and it has become a 'norm'. We have gotten use to low the attendance. We've gotten use to the lack of enthusiasm. We've gotten use to the lost desire to be apart of our community.

How can we expect new members when aren't joining in community events or hosting public get-togethers? How can we expect participation or excitement if we don't find something to replace that 'lack of enthusiasm? And how can we expect those who have fallen off the sidelines to return when Masonry is not being seen lived out in the actions of the Lodge or the individual lives of its members?

We will come back from this Pandemic. We will rejoin our brethren. And when we do, let's enter the lodge with a new desire and excitement to see Masonry change our lives and to expand into and impact our community better than ever.

"Freemasonry, notwithstanding, has still survived." 

~ Brother William Preston