Monroe Lodge #22 F&AM

Dinner at 6:30, Lodge to open about 7:15.

This just in from Glenn:

URGENT NOTICE
On Sunday, June 22, 2008, between 2:00 am and 4:00 am, the office of the Valley of Chicago, along with several other offices located in the building that we are temporarily operating from until the development of our new headquarters is complete, was burglarized. As of early Monday morning, upon discovery of the burglary, the proper law enforcement agencies have been notified.

Brother Jack A. Davis, PM of Monroe #22 died yesterday at his daughter’s home in Indianapolis. If you wish to pay your respects and/or join in the Masonic service please note that the service will be at the new Allen Funeral Home on Old State Rd. 37 (due west of Monroe Lodge 22) at 7:30pm on Thursday, 6/12.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 13th, 2008, at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old State Rd. 37, Bloomington, with Rev. Glen Stidd officiating. Burial will be at Valhalla Memory Gardens. Friends may call on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. where Masonic Memorial services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Masonic Home or to Vista Care Hospice in care of Allen Funeral Home.

Fraternally, Glenn Moulton, WM

This in from W. Bro. Glenn Moulton, Master, Monroe 22:

Jack Davis resigned his position as Secretary of Monroe #22 yesterday due to severe health issues. In the past few months Jack has not been feeling well and has lost about 40 pounds. He was admitted to Bloomington Hospital last week where he was diagnosed as having advanced lung cancer. He was discharged yesterday and has moved up to Indianapolis to live with his daughter. Hospice care is being arranged and his daughter will keep us informed of his status.

Many of you have known Jack for many years and I know that he would appreciate hearing from you. [Please contact Eric (webmaster-at-monroe22-dot-org) if you would like his address.]

Brethren,

Those of you who knew Brother Theron Dunn (Moreno Valley #804, CA), and many who did not but may have read his work in various online Masonic fora, will be saddened to hear that he has, in all but the most basic physical sense, crossed the threshold to the Grand Lodge above. Brother Dunn was a prolific contributor to many Masonic websites, particularly his own weblog, Beacon of Masonic Light. He was admitted to the hospital last Friday with total kidney failure, due to a ruptured ulcer. Though not expected to make it through the weekend, he held on for several days. Today, test results have shown that there is no brain activity, and his physical body is now being kept alive only by machines, until his family members all have the chance to see him one last time. (Update: Brother Dunn has passed away. He was 51. Too, too young.)

I did not know him personally, and I don't believe I ever directly interacted with him online, but he did write some very interesting and insightful essays on Freemasonry. I would recommend visiting his weblog while it still exists, and reading some of them. I imagine that his close friends and Brothers will preserve the work he did.

I ask your prayers for his family and friends.

From Br. Ranson Johnson:

I just wanted to pass along a note that I now have a web order form established for the Masonic Certificate discussed at stated meeting last Tuesday night. If you are interested and would like to support this new program please go to this page on my website and fill out the form. I will collect money and deliver the framed certificates during degree conference and/or each stated meeting.

Below the break are several examples of certificates available...

On Saturday, June 16th, 2007, the Indiana Freemasons rededicated the cornerstone of the Monroe County Courthouse. The Brethren marched in to the tune of Scotland the Brave. I'm sure the bagpipers piped Amazing Grace at some point during the procession. Take a look at the rest of the photos from this event.

by Eric T. Schmitz, PM, KOTN

My Brother: You have now experienced the three degrees of Craft Masonry. You have been presented with much in the way of symbolism and allegory. We hope that those symbols and stories have, or will come to have, a profound meaning for you.

Now, we make one final presentation to you: a "Volume of Sacred Law." But understand, my Brother, that we are not giving you a religion. Freemasonry seeks not to prescribe any particular faith, but rather to strengthen the faith of each Brother, and, no matter what his understanding of faith may be, to encourage the pursuit and growth of that understanding.

The Volume of Sacred Law

W:.M:., Wardens, and brethren,

Upon the altar of Freemasonry resides three great lights. Of these three, one is considered the “Greatest Light of Freemasonry”. In Indiana ritual this is referred to as the Holy Bible. In many other jurisdictions it is referred to simply as the Volume of Sacred Law. It is a symbol only, and not the religious text of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is nonsectarian. It does not, and should not attempt to provide a religion to its candidates, nor promote one religion or another. While many anti-masons claim otherwise, Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion. While the anti-mason quickly points to the Holy Bible, or Volume of Sacred Law which rests upon our altar, and claims that it is proof of our fraternity’s religious nature, it is merely a misunderstanding of the uninitiated. To the initiate it should be clear that the book that rests upon our altar, whatever it might be, is a symbol only.