Masonic Lodge | Red Lion Lodge #649

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December 27 2020

Happy St. John's Day!

and...

Congratulations to Brother Kelly Henshaw, Worshipful Master!!

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An important message from the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

December 9, 2020

Due to the unfortunate rapid and severe spike of the Coronavirus in Pennsylvania, effective immediately and until further notice, I am directing any and all lodge activities be cancelled, including, but not limited to; extra, special and/or stated lodge meetings; social functions; schools of instruction, etc., as well as youth groups and community meetings/events that may be scheduled in your lodge building. Lodge officers may continue to pay lodge bills in the ordinary course without lodge approval. This will be in effect through January 31, 2021.

While it is extremely disappointing to once again cancel events, these measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution to safeguard the wellbeing of our brethren, their loved ones and our communities.

Please continue to reach out to your brethren and offer assistance and support. Reassure them that we are all in this together, that their health and welfare are paramount and that we will be back in lodge enjoying the fraternal bonds that we all so love real soon!

We will evaluate the situation and provide additional guidance by January 15, 2021.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Thomas Gamon, IV R.W. Grand Master

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December 5, 2020

Greetings Brethren,

November was a good month for Red Lion Lodge No. 649, especially considering the many restrictions and roadblocks that Covid has thrown at us! At our November Stated Meeting, we honored the Brothers, living and deceased, who have guided our Lodge as Worshipful Masters for the past 113 years. We also honored Brothers Mark Heaps, Ed Potter P.M., and Ted Trout-Landen P.M. with the prestigious “Blue Lodge Star” award, in recognition of their exemplary service to our Lodge over the past many years.

In November, also, we conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree on Brothers John Brindle, Justin Crone, Rick Hill and Brandon Ferrance. (It is an interesting and creative experience to confer Degrees with social distancing, masks, and other Covid precautions!) In addition to these four new Brothers, Brandon’s Dad, Ronald Ferrance, transferred his Masonic affiliation to Red Lion Lodge. Welcome Brothers!!

It will be with both a sense of relief and a sense of sadness that I will soon leave the East and join the ranks of the Past Masters! It has truly been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as Worshipful Master this year. It has been a very enjoyable, memorable and meaningful year for me, but, of course, one filled with unique challenges and a great deal of uncharted territory. (I had never even heard of “Zoom” before this Spring!) I am extremely grateful to all the Officers, to all my Mentors, and to all the Brothers who supported and assisted me throughout the year! I will be honored to pass the gavel to Brother Kelly Henshaw on “Saint John’s Day next.” He is well prepared; I am fully confident that he will do a wonderful job leading our Fraternity in the coming year!

In light of the recent spike in the number of Covid 19 cases in our area, as well as the predictions of a worsening public health crisis in the coming weeks, Lodges were given permission by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to postpone their December meetings, if it is felt to be in the best interest of the Members’ health and safety. Your Officers, Trustees and I agreed that it was most prudent to do so. Next year’s officers will still assume their new positions on December 27th as is customary, but their official Election and Installation has been postponed until we are able to hold our next Stated Meeting.

Another of the many “casualties” of Covid is our annual Table Lodge. Unfortunately, there is no way that we can host a large banquet, with eating, drinking, and fellowship, and still maintain safe social distancing. We are not permitted to conduct ritual activities on Zoom at this point, and, of course, the traditional Table Lodge is considered to be a “tiled” event. However, as an alternative, I am inviting members and guests to an informal, virtual, non-tiled, non-ritualistic banquet on the Zoom platform, on Tuesday evening December 22, at 7:00 PM. All you will have to do is provide your own food, beverage and chair; then, log on and enjoy an evening of fun with your brothers! We’ll have a brief program about the history of Table Lodge, then follow with stories, jokes, and as many toasts as we like! We’ll send that Zoom invitation by email a few days ahead of time.

Finally, an important reminder: If anyone is in need of assistance with shopping, transportation, or other logistical issues, please contact any of the officers or Bro. Rodney Ream. If anyone is in need of financial assistance, please contact our Almoner (Bro. John Sharp PM) or me. We do have some funds available that we can use to assist with bill payments, and the like.

Stay well! Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas, a Joyful Holiday Season, and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Sam Laucks, W.M.