Wilmette Park Lodge No. 931


Happy Holidays
from
the Officers and Brethren of Wilmette Park Lodge No. 931



Our recent Pot Luck Holiday Party was a great success, a lot of people attended, delicious dishes were shared. The children as well as the adults, all had a good time.
Brother Bobor arranged for a group of about 30 dancers from the Studio North Academy of Performing Arts to perform at the party. These wonderful dancers did a compilation of the Nutcracker.
Generous donations of food and other items were made for the New Trier Food Pantry.




Last Month a Brother did his Second Degree Catechism in Open Lodge, at our Stated Meeting on January 2nd another Brother will do his First Degree Catechism.
At the Special Meeting on January 14th we will be conferring multiple First Degrees.

From the South

What is our Unique Value Proposition?
Masonry needs new and enthusiastic members to continue its mission. We are competing against a large variety of organizations, hobbies and other diversions for the time, interests and resources of young men. A clear and unique Masonic Value Proposition will help us attract active and interested candidates.
What is the Unique Masonic Value Proposition? This is the question that must be answered. There are a multitude of groups that offer self-development courses and hundreds of charity and cause groups that are not related to Masonry. These groups and others offer social opportunities as well. We are also competing for time and money against a huge choice of pure entertainment opportunities.
The good news is that Masonry is unique. How this is articulated will determine our success. I would encourage all of us to take time ponder how we are unique. My personal view is that a Masonic Lodge is the only place one can lean Masonry in its true context. The next step is to explain how learning Masonry in its true context creates value in someone’s life. This will be the subject of our next article.


An Essay from a Traveling Wilmette Park Lodge Brother:

Visit to a foreign Lodge:
Badenia zum Fortschritt Lodge 426, Baden Baden, Germany

Between 7:30 and 8:30 pm the Brothers arrived and socialized.
A grand total of about 45 Brothers were present, several local, several from Lodges in the area (Southern Germany), Canadian Lodges even from Romania.
Two District Deputy Grand Masters, five visiting Worshipful masters.

The Meeting started European style, first the ‘ceremony’ Officer guided the Officers into the Temple, than a couple of minutes later asked everybody else to ‘dress Masonically’ in other words put on your apron and other regalia.
The Brethren were lead into the Temple first the EA, FC, MM, visiting WM and finally the DDGM’s. The EA, FC, have their own place in the Temple, the MM are allowed to sit anywhere, during this special day, the visiting WM and DDGM’s were asked to sit in the East next to the WM. Once everybody was seated the German anthem was played followed by the European Anthem for the visitors. (on a side note the music that is being used as the European Anthem, was written by Br. Ludwig van Beethoven).
There after the Lodge was officially opened on the First Degree, it is custom that the WM lights the first Candle, the SW the Second Candle and the JW the Third Candle.

Part of the Opening procedure is the Brotherly chain.

After the Lodge was opened the WM handed the Gavel to the local DDGM, who honored a 93 year old Brother to 50 years of Freemasonry with an Apron with a gold color lining, and the WM to his 25th anniversary with a an Apron with a silver color lining.
He also congratulated the Lodge to its 142nd year.

This was followed by a most interesting presentation on Masonry and the history of the Lodge by the Secretary.
Visiting Brothers congratulated the WM and the Lodge.

Also during closing of the Lodge the Brotherly chain is formed.

The evening ended with a great meal, which consisted of German specialties like schnitzel, potato salad etc.


As usual our events will be announced on our website, Temple Topics, Facebook page, by postal mail and or email.
http://www.mastermason.com/wilmettepark/
http://www.wilmettefreemason.org
on Facebook, by searching for ‘Wilmette Park Lodge 931’

The Officers and Brethren of Wilmette Park Lodge No.931 look forward seeing you in Lodge and or at any of the events.

Wilmette Park Lodge No.931
Meets, First & Third Thursday of the month.
Dinner 6:30 pm, Meeting 7:30 pm
Next Meeting: January 2nd 2014

Wilmette Masonic Temple
1010 Central Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091

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