What is Freemasonry
- From GL of Wisconsin Newsletter
Masonic scholars have written a multitude of books, articles and lectures on the meaning of Freemasonry and the teachings of Freemasonry. As Brothers, we enjoy the many different faces of the craft. Some relish the ritual, others love the deep discussions centered around symbolism. We all enjoy the friendships and camaraderie that the fraternity blesses us with.
There are many avenues for Masons to follow. Many enjoy the fun of the Shrine, coupled with the heart tugging pride that comes from supporting the Shrine Hospitals. Other Brothers have found a home in Scottish Rite, York Rite, or the Order of the Eastern Star, but through it all can we answer the question - What is Freemasonry?
The easy part of the answer is that Freemasonry is a fraternity. So, what is a fraternity? Simply put, a fraternity is a group of men with a shared interest. Yet, how can that be true? What is that shared interest if some of us love ritual, but others would rather enjoy a beer with a fellow noble, while yet others prefer programs that involve our ladies? What is the common thread and shared interest that lies at the heart of what Freemasonry is?
Our shared interest as Freemasons is, or should be, to make ourselves better men.
As human beings, once we have figured out the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, there should always be that drive to be a better person. This is especially true of men that are attracted to the Fraternity. Often we say that Masonry takes a good man and makes him better. In a sense this is true, but what Freemasonry really does is give a man the tools to make himself a better man.
The Masonic degrees, lectures and teachings, coupled with our association with good men, give us the tools to make ourselves better men. To borrow some thoughts from PGM Frank Struble, we strive to become better fathers, better husbands, better friends and better co-workers. Freemasonry facilitates the improvement, but we must improve ourselves by following the lessons taught. We must make ourselves better men. The craft can't do it for us.
So what is Freemasonry? It is a fraternity of men striving to make themselves better!
Dive in brothers!
Read about Freemasonry. Study the lessons taught. Attend meetings, whether they are blue lodge or the appendant bodies. Associate yourself with good men of the fraternity. Be positive in your thoughts and actions. Be intentional about trying to make yourself a better man.
An active participation in the Masonic fraternity will help you find the path.
Fraternally,
Don
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Have a great day.
Monte Bollar
RW Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Idaho
Office: (208) 343-4562
Toll Free: (866) 674-1867
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Dates to Remember
See Lodge Trestleboards for upcoming events in your local Area
If you have something that you want everyone to know about contact Grand Lodge Office
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7th Masonic District Practice "Red Room" 215 N. 10th Street, Boise, Idaho |
Every Tuesday
7:00 PM
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Amaranth Charter Member Information Meeting Grove City Lodge, Blackfoot, ID 12 PM |
October 22, 2016 |
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Intitution and Initiation 2 PM
Dinner 5:30 PM please RSVP
Installation and OV 7 PM
Twin Falls Masonic Lodge
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October 29, 2016
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Grand Lodge of Idaho - 2017
Boise, ID
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September 21-23, 2017
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Clickable links to documents
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Trestleboards from around the State
Click on the underlined link to read the newsletters
***Updated NOTE: if your Trestleboard is outdated, please send an updated Trestleboard to gs@idahomasons.org. Thank you. Trestleboards older than 3 months will be removed.
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Sunshine and Prayers
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Please keep our Brothers in your thoughts and prayers.
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"FROM THE EAST"
Greetings Brethren, phase number one of my year as Grand Master is in the books. The Fall District Communications, including two Lodge re-dedications are completed. I first want to thank all the Brethren and their Ladies that attended the communications. You really made Helen and I feel welcome. All the great food and hospitality show to us were outstanding. I call it; "Food, Fun and Fellowship!" You pretty much overwhelmed us with your love and sincerity.
It was an honor to rededicate Paradise Lodge No. 17 and Arco Lodge No. 48. Both dedications were well attended and you're Grand Lodge Officers and the Brethren that attended and filled in did an excellent job. Our Masonic pride really showed through at both of these events. Congratulations to both Lodges for achieving these milestones in their Masonic history. We also had the honor of marching in the Homecoming Parade in Moscow. It was a great honor and a very good turnout of Masons and Eastern Star Ladies. I would say it was a great time had by all.
For those that were unable to attend the communications, some of the items that were talked about were; doing a better job with petitions and investigations of a prospective candidate, making sure not only the recommenders were on the petition, but the references were also filled out. Simply put, to make sure we have all the information we can for the Brethren to know the candidate better before voting on their petition. We also asked for information on the number and amount each Lodge contributes to scholarships from their Lodges. The plan is to put together a tri-fold flyer about what Freemasonry in Idaho supports around the state and what we do as a fraternal organization. Basically, just to let the public know who we are and what we do and give them more information about us and help increase interest in their becoming a member. At least it gives us some talking points to present to a potential candidate. The tri-fold flyer will be geared to our Sesquicentennial year and increasing our public awareness.
I also talked about my theme for the year; "Building Character". The time spent building the character of all good men and true is an obligation we have to the fraternity. This building project starts way before the foundation is laid for developing that Masonic Edifice we are striving to impart to our new members. The simple task of getting the word out about our fraternity to potential members is essential to our survival. There are so many people that I talk too that have no idea what Freemasonry is or does. It's truly amazing that for as long as we have been in existence that people just simply don't know or have never heard about our fraternity. We need to do a better job of building that character and giving that knowledge to potential members.
Helen and I look forward to meeting as many of you as we possible can during our year representing our Grand Lodge. There are only have about 20 neckties left to be sold for 2016-17. So, if you are interested in a new necktie, you had better call me and get your name on the list (208-420-5204). We also have Grand Lodge Sesquicentennial coins and lapel pins left to sell. Sales have been great and we thank all of you that have purchased items so far this year. Helen also has Quilt tickets for sale. The Grand Lodge officers have raffle tickets for 2 sesquicentennial rifles for sale. Keep your eye on the Grand Lodge Newsletter for items available to purchase, your support is appreciated.
Forever "Building Character"
Fraternally, James A. Hensley MWGM
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Mt. Moriah #39 - New Member
Mt. Moriah 39 had the pleasure of initiating Erin Ruddock on Tuesday evening. He is the son of Brother Dave Ruddock, who is also a member of Mt. Moriah. The degree team did a great job with short notice. Brother Erin is only 18 years of age and will be joining the US Army in January of 2017 as a diver. (Yes, the army does have divers, they're not all diggers!) The Lodge plans on having him raised as a Master Mason before he leaves for basic training. He is a really nice young man and we all wish him well with his new adventure. Bob Bouy DDGM #8
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ORIENTAL LODGE #60
October 9, 2016
Brethren,
October 7 was a great Practice-Proficiency evening with Pizza. We had 2 Brethren pass their openings and closings toward their Warden Certificates of Proficiency. Bro. Mark Urban did the FC Open & Close before pizza and Bro. Josh Bingaman did the MM Open and Close after pizza. Both did a good job.
October 8 was our Highway Cleanup. Skot Ward and I were the only ones on the cleanup. We had a good breakfast at Trudy's in Idaho City and then spent just a little over an hour on the cleanup. As usual, when we finished, there was less than one combined bag of trash.
October 9 was the Scholarship Breakfast for Silver City Lodge #13. Attendance was light but with the usual great food and fellowship. My granddaughter, Trinity Campbell, gave us some live entertainment with her violin at about 11:15.
October 14, Stated Communication with dinner at 6:30 p.m.
SUNSHINE:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Oct. 14, Stated Communication with Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 17, Bethel #48 Box Social fund raiser dinner and Shadow Meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Oct. 20, Oriental Lodge #60 PM Lunch at Sulley's in Star at 11:30.
Oct. 21, Degree with dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22-23, Fall Scottish Rite Reunion.
Oct. 28,
Oct. 29, York Rite Festival.
Nov. 04,
Nov. 05, York Rite Festival.
Nov. 11, Stated Communication and Election of Officers with Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 18,
Nov. 25, DARK FOR THANKSGIVING WEEKEND.
Dec. 09, Stated Communication with Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 10, Santa Bob Christmas pictures with Santa for a donated new toy.
Additional Degrees can be scheduled on other nights to fit with the candidate's needs.
Every Tuesday is Study/Proficiency night at 7:00 pm at the Boise Masonic Temple and is open for all Lodges in the area.
****Please check your dues card
****
Dues are due and payable January 1st of each year for the current year.
If your card does not say 2016, please send $125.00 to the address below or we can receive your payment via CC - $125.00 plus a $4.75 Convenience Fee to cover what the Lodge gets charged by Square. There are 15 members that have not paid for 2016 ($125.00) of which 6 of those are still owing for 2015 (250.00). Dues statements were mail out on the 28th of August. Final dues notices for 2016 will be going out this week.
David A Smith, PM-Secretary
Oriental Lodge #60, AF & AM
P O Box 1032
Meridian, Idaho 83680-1032
208/870-1094
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Dist. 2 & 3 Meeting Picture
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Boise Lodge No. 2 A.F. & A.M.
BOISE LODGE NO. 2 A.F. & A.M.
The Lodge will have an Entered Apprentice Degree tomorrow, Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30 PM and invite all Masons to attend and help welcome a new member into Boise Lodge #2.
We are entering into the fall season and we hope everyone enjoying the changing of the colors in the valley. The cooler fall is a great time to attend Lodge and hold fellowship with the Brothers and to get involved with Lodge. Lodge elections are coming up in November and we will have our Stated Meeting on November 1st. The General Election (Presidential) will be held the following Tuesday, Nov. 8th. Plan to attend the Lodge election night and help in selecting the leaders of the Lodge.
Worshipful Master Harlow Kibbey has set aside the evening of October 18th for a possible Master Mason Degree. Plan to attend and greet a new Master Mason into our Lodge. We will again have our monthly Fellowship Night of Pizza and Poker on the last Tuesday of October.
Dates of Interest:
Oct. 11 Boise #2 EA Degree - 7:30 PM
Oct. 14-15 Northwest York Rite Conference & Leadership class - Boise Red Lion
Oct. 17 Idaho #1 EA Degree - 7:30 PM
Oct. 18 Boise #2 MM Degree - 7:30 PM
Oct. 22-23 Scottish Rite Reunion - at El Korah Shrine - 8:00 AM
Oct. 24 Capital City #93 & Idaho #1 Pumpkin Carving - Boise Temple
Oct. 25 Boise #2 Fellowship Night of Pizza/Poker - 7:00 PM
Oct. 26 Elmore #30 FC Degree - dinner 6:30 PM - Mountain Home
Oct. 29 York Rite Festival - Chapter and Council Degrees - Boise - 8:00 AM.
Oct. 31 HALLOWEEN
Fraternally,
Jerry D. Parsons PM
Lodge Secretary
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Arco Lodge #48 Building dedication
Grand Secretary Monte,
Here are a few pictures and the write-up that will hopefully be in the local paper.
Thanks, Russ.
Arco Lodge #48 Re-dedicates Lodge Building
Last Saturday 31 Masons and their ladies from across Idaho helped Arco Lodge #48 celebrate their building being 100 years old with a building re-dedication ceremony. The ceremony was performed by Most Worshipful Grand Master Jim Hensley from Twin Falls and 8 of his Grand Lodge officers. Also attending were 3 District Deputies from Challis, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls and 3 Past Grand Masters from Mackay and Pocatello. The Masons and their ladies enjoyed a luncheon of soup and sandwiches, then marched to the Lodge building to perform the ceremony with the public. After the impressive ceremony, a short oration of the history of Arco and the Lodge building was given by the Grand Orator. Afterwards everyone enjoyed an open house and refreshments, then the Masons had a short meeting upstairs for the 1st District Fall Communication. Special thanks to the Arco Deli for the wonderful lunch, the Arco Advertiser for the history and write-ups in the paper, and the Butte County Sheriff's Department for blocking traffic to allow the Masons to march to the Lodge building for the ceremony. Appreciate all the help from everyone, and we hope to continue to serve the community for the betterment of mankind. Thanks from all the Masons in Arco Lodge #48.
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Lemhi Lodge #11 Call to Communication
Good Morning Brothers,
Just a quick reminder that Lemhi Lodge will meet tonight, Wednesday Oct. 12th. Dinner has been moved up to 6:00 pm. The memorial for WB Dan Fadness will start at 7:00 pm. Lodge will open in the First Degree at 7:30 pm. We can expect Mr. Draney to return his 1st. degree work.
It would appear from an earlier email that our DDGM Doug Hammond and his wife will attend. WB Doug also indicated that one Challis Lodge member and His wife will also be here for dinner.
Don't forget!!
Rain or Shine,
Secretary Lemhi Lodge # 11
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Magic Valley Assembly Institution Invitation
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Sesquecentenial Qult Raffle
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Sesquicentennial Committee Gun Raffle
The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M of Idaho Sesquicentennial Committee
has purchased two commemorative masonic rifles that are both unique. These rifles will be sold by raffle ticket at a price of $20 per ticket with the f
unds t
o help pay for the
S
esquicentennia
l Celebration and the remainder to go to the Grand Lodge of Idaho Endowment Fund.
Rifle 1. Marlin 45-70 Masonic Commemorative Rifle Serial Number "150". It is 1 of 1000 made but this one will be 1 of 1 because of its unique
Serial Number and there will be two Sesquicentennial Coins embedded in the stock of the rifle.
Rifle 2. Henry "Golden Boy .22" is a Masonic Commemorative Rifle with a serial number of "GLID18672017"
Raffle will be held Sept. 22, 2017 at the 150th Annual Communication General Membership Banquet.
You do not need to be present to win.
Tickets cost $20.00
Winner takes choice of the 2 rifles;
Second Drawing takes the remaining rifle.
You can purchase tickets from any Grand Lodge Officer or pick up at the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Idaho, 219 N. 17th St. Boise, Idaho 83702 or contact the Grand Lodge Office
at (208) 343-4562.
For more Information use the QR code
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Idaho Masonic Family
Job's Daughters International
Cindy Tolman, Grand Guardian
Russ Smith, Associate Grand Guardian
October 2 at 7:16pm
Regional Conclave is next Saturday October 8th. This is also a perspective member event.
Members competing: please arrive at the Boise lodge on Saturday at 12:30
Members not competing : Please arrive at the Meridian lodge at 3:00
Perspective members: please arrive at 3:30 at Meridian lodge Awards ceremony starts at 4:00 Dinner at 6:00 Linder Farms at 8 after dinner Then we return to the lodge for lock in Breakfast is served the next morning After breakfast is Lodge cleanup and Ritual practice for Initiatory Degree The cost is 20.00, which includes dinner, admission to Linder Farms and corn maze, the lock in, and breakfast the next morning.
You need to bring spending money to pay for extra activities and food if you would like at Linder Farms. Please invite Perspective members and let them know to bring 20.00 and spending money Thank you!
Rainbow for Girls
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) is a Masonic youth service organization which teaches leadership training through community service.
Mother Advisor
Barbra Smith
208-863-8972
Norm Lane
Board Chair
208-304-9051
Facebook:
Meridian Gems #12/International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
Assembly Contact Details:
IORG Meridian Gems Assembly #12
PO Box 164
Meridian, ID 83680
Order of Eastern Star
Daughters of the Nile is an international fraternal organization for women 18 years or older, who are related by birth or marriage to a Shriner, Master Mason, or Daughter of the Nile, or is a majority member in Good Standing of a Masonic-related organization for girls; or who was a patient, with or without Shrine or Masonic relationship, at a Shriners Hospital for Children®. Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1913, Daughters of the Nile members total 25,000 in 136 cities throughout the United States and Canada. The members are proud of their long association with Shriners International and their continuing support of Shriners Hospitals for Children®.
York Rite
Grand Secretary/Recorder/Treasurer grndyri1@gmail.com
Amaranth
those wishing to be Charter Members, there is an information meeting on Sat, Oct 22 at Garden Grove Lodge in Blackfoot at noon, further information -
dilanna2@aol.com
thanks for the news letter
Sent from Windows Mail
The Order of the Amaranth is a social, fraternal, philanthropic organization that is separate but related to the Masonic Lodge in that all of our members are either a Mason or a female relative of a Mason. Majority members of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and Jobs Daughters International are also eligible under certain conditions. Our groups are called Courts and we currently have active Courts in Boise, Mountain Home, and Gooding and are working toward developing a Court in the Eastern side of the state. Our precepts are Truth, Faith, Wisdom, and Charity and our primary philanthropic project is to support the Amaranth Diabetes Research fund. This fund, is in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association, is a 501c3 organization that finances research projects that are working toward a cure for Diabetes, both juvenile and adult onset. We also fund scholarships for Masonic related youth who are going on to college. If you are interested in learning more about our organization or about becoming a member, current contact information can be obtained from the Grand Secretary of the Grand Court of Idaho.
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Idaho Freemason Foundation uses Amazon Smile
IDAHO FREEMASON FOUNDATION
(Freemasons helping kids by supporting education, safety and well being of children.)
The Idaho Freemason Foundation used Amazon Smile to purchase all of it needs from Amazon.com
Remember when you are shopping using Amazon.com - you can
register so the 0.5% of the sale goes to the Grand Lodge of Idaho A.F. & A.M. of Idaho Charitable Fund. or DBA: Idaho Freemason Foundation a 501(c)3.
All donations to the Idaho Freemason Foundation is tax deductible.
Thank you!
Idaho Freemason Foundation
Greg Winther, Chairman
G. Arthur Shoemaker
N. Randall "Randy" King
Monte Bollar
George Decker
John Ransdell
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"Your" Office Staff |
Monte Bollar, 219 N. 17th Street Cyndie Bollar "Your" Grand Secretary Boise, Idaho, 83702 Grand Clerk gs@idahomasons.org glclerk@idahomasons.org Phone: (208) 343-4562 Toll Free: (866) 674-1867 Website: idahomasons.org ________________________________________________________________________________ Grand Lodge Hours of Operation 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday - Friday Except when traveling on Grand Lodge Business and Federal Holidays |
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The Grand Lodge invites all Masonic Bodies of Idaho to contribute to the newsletter on the happenings in your organization that are of interest to Masonry in general. Please send them to the Grand Lodge Office at gs@idahomasons.org. Please send digital photographs in .JPG format |
Deadline 1:00 pm Monday to be in Wednesday's Newsletter.
Disclaimer Unless otherwise noted the opinions and/or information shared by the writers of the articles/news items are that of the writer and do not reflect the position of the Grand Lodge of Idaho. Official information of the Grand Lodge will be through the Grand Master when attested to as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary. |
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10/06/16
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