From the West - April 2010

I would like to share some thoughts with the new members who are coming to Winter Park Lodge. Men come to the doors of Masonic lodges to join the Fraternity, but you are joining an individual lodge. One of the landmarks of our fraternity is the Masonic right to travel to other lodges but your home lodge is the exclusive bearer of your membership in the craft. We are not members of some national or international registry, but members of one particular lodge. It is truly your lodge.

So what do you expect from your lodge? What do you want your lodge to do? Do you want to support a charity? Do you want the lodge to contribute to the community? Then bring it before the Craft. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything new. Do not listen to those who say that we can’t do it because it has never been done. You are members of the lodge. We have given you the three symbolic degrees. Now we need you to give us your enthusiasm, your ideas, your passion. Do you have an idea? Share it with your brothers. This is your lodge. We follow the ancient landmarks of the fraternity and adhere to the time tested traditions of Freemasonry. You will determine its path in the future. Do not hesitate to think big and be ready to make it happen.

Chris Chag, Senior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 12:01 AM - Categories: 2. West

From the West - March 2010

I have had the pleasure of talking to brothers from all over the country (and world) recently and I've come to this conclusion: Winter Park is leading the pack when it comes to a resurgence of Freemasonry.
Our lodge is watching new members come to our door in droves.
Our officers are young, energetic, and passionate about the fraternity.
Our degree work is second to none; we welcome men to our fraternity in the right way.
So many Masons talk about how their lodge can barely get enough members to open lodge. We fill the south sideline.
I hear about lodges going years between degrees. We do almost a degree a month.
I hear about lodges that have long business meetings, but very little business. We are reshaping our meetings to resolve the most important business and focus on the very important business of fraternizing.
We are, after all, a fraternity.

So, I ask you: Do you want to be a part of this resurgence? Are you a card-carrying member of a lodge that can barely take care of itself?
Or are you a member of a lodge that has the ability, has the determination, and has the means to accomplish things.
It doesn't matter what your means are or what your background is. That is the beauty of Freemasonry.
We can use your talents. Come on out to the lodge and be a pioneer in the world's oldest fraternity. You won't regret it.

Chris Chag, Senior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 9:23 PM - Categories: 2. West

From the West - February 2010

Brothers,

2010 has started off with an ambitious agenda at Winter Park Lodge.
We are working hard to create opportunities to involve members.
As a member of the lodge it is your turn to participate.
We all know that money is tight these days but we need other things. We need time, talent and ideas. We need brothers' expertise.
You have many things you can contribute to the lodge.

As a first step, I ask all of you to bring a business card to the lodge and leave it in the book in the front room.
This book is a great way for all of us to get to know each other and contact a brother with the skills and knowledge that can help us all.

Chris Chag, Senior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 12:01 AM - Categories: 2. West

From the West

This is a great time to become active at Winter Park Lodge.
We are starting a variety of programs to help new members find their place in Masonry.
We are looking for people to help out in the kitchen, become conductors and mentor new brothers.
But we need members to participate. You don’t have to have special knowledge or a Masonic pedigree. 
If you want to meet Brothers, if you want to build a better fraternity, and if you want to be proud of your Masonic affiliation, come on out to the lodge and see what’s new.
Winter Park 239 is your lodge.

Chris Chag, Senior Warden

Posted by Ricardo Parente at 10:52 PM - Categories: 2. West

From the West

Brothers, I want to wish everyone a very Merry, Merry Christmas. I cannot believe how fast this year has flown. I want to congratulate all the officers for their hard work.
I also want to thank all the brothers that contributed their time. Teamwork is everything. The next few months are going to be very busy for all of us.
December 1st will be the last stated meeting in 2009; at this meeting the election of officers for 2010 will be held, December 15th will be a Master Mason Degree, December 22nd will be a practice for the installation of officers and an officers meeting to follow at 7pm.
The month of January will be even more packed. January will be filled with Lodge installations; January 2nd at 2pm will be the installation of officers for our Lodge.  January 16th and the 17th the Lodge will be setting an information booth at the Highland Scottish Games in Winter Springs; that’s not all, January 23 will be the East-West Shrine Game at the Citrus Bowl; January 30th will be the District Deputy Grand Master homecoming.
On March 27th there will be a Lodge picnic at Mead Gardens in Winter Park.

Mark Avery, Senior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 7:14 PM - Categories: 2. West

From the West

If you missed “Hunting the Lost Symbol” on the Discovery Channel Sunday night, it will be shown again on Nov. 1st at 4 pm..

Mark Avery, Senior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 10:17 PM - Categories: 2. West

From the West

Hello my brothers, another month has come and left us. October is another busy month ahead of us. A few messages for the craft,  I would like the craft to please forward me a copy of their phone number (cell, home) email address, and even home address. Communication is the key for the success of our Lodge. My email is mavery[at]winterparklodge[dot]org.

The Lodge passed a resolution that our December 8th meeting be pushed to December 1st, so that the Eastern Star can use the Lodge. Grand Lodge has signed off on the resolution and required us to put it in the trestle board. On December 1st is also election of officers. 

On October 17th Amelia Lodge is having a Master Mason Degree inside Fort Clinch.

Brothers, I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

Mark Avery, Senior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Mark Avery at 12:01 AM - Categories: 2. West