Michael A. Cunningham
Worshipful Master of Harmony Lodge F.&A.M. 2016 – 2017
Dear Brethren and Friends of Harmony Lodge,
Welcome to the beginning of Harmony’s 212th Masonic year, and thank you for electing me as Master of the Lodge, an honor I will embrace whole-heartedly during my term. I would like to congratulate your officers on their elections or appointments, particularly the four new appointments that were made this year. I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm that really is palpable amongst all the officers as we start a new year, and I hope their commitments and contributions to the Lodge will be obvious to the membership in short order.
Last month, in my “View from the West”, I indicated that member engagement would be a focus of my term. Along this theme, I am reminded of the candidate class I taught a few years ago. Members will recall all of the “IFPAS” (“I furthermore promise and swear….”) verses we had to memorize during our initiation education. As a class instructor, I also encouraged the class I taught to participate in all of Harmony’s activities in order to “work their IFPAS”. In other words, putting the obligations we took into action was as important as memorizing the lines. As we start our new Masonic year at Harmony, I will challenge each member to think about how he is “working his IFPAS”. If there is room for improvement, the extensive Lodge program over the next year will no doubt provide opportunities for a “refresher course”!
Harmony always hits the ground running with a busy program after its annual meeting, and this year is no exception. Please review the schedule of planned activities described herein and plan to participate. I would like to draw your attention to a couple of events in particular. Our home visits to our Special Ladies and infirm brothers will take place on Saturday December 10.
Those who have participated in these visits in the past will agree with me that not only is it nice to visit our extended Masonic family during the holiday season, but also that the personal reward we get in participating in this activity is a feeling that is difficult to describe. Similarly, our Ladies luncheon, which will be held on Saturday December 17, is an opportunity to thank the Ladies associated with the Lodge for their support of our fraternal activities, and also a chance to reconnect with the widows of brethren who are no longer with us. Our Lodge is strong today due in no small part to the contribution these brethren and their ladies have previously made. Please plan to participate in these important Lodge programs.
Degree work will be conducted on Saturdays this year, to accommodate the instructions from Grand Lodge that degrees and lectures be delivered at the same meeting. By doing weekend degree work, the Lodge will not have to feel rushed (as might occur during a typical evening meeting), and it will also allow for fellowship once the degree is complete. Please note that the Entered Apprentice degree and lectures will be held on Saturday January 14, 2017, with a lunch to follow (including families of Lodge members and candidates).
Due to increasing costs, dinner charges will increase from $7 to $10 ($10 to $12 without reservations) effective at the January 2017 meeting. Required reservations will continue in an attempt to contain costs. Please plan accordingly.
Harmony will again contribute to the annual Christmas food basket program that is run by St. John’s Lodge, No. 1P on Saturday December 17 (630am to 9am) at the Scottish Rite building. Additional volunteers are always welcome to help put the food baskets together so please contact me if you would like to contribute. Also, if you are aware of a Harmony Masonic family member in need, please contact me by December 9th (privately, please) so that the Lodge can provide assistance as necessary.
A couple of additional reminders: please see the posting for the getaway weekend planned for February 17-19, 2017, and plan to provide a deposit by January’s meeting. The Fellowcraft club voted at their October meeting to formally plan, execute and subsidize social events the Lodge chooses for the 2017 Masonic year, so please plan to attend these meetings if you would like to get involved. Last, but not least, an informal travel club evening is being finalized for Tuesday December 20 at Bristol Lodge in North Attleboro. After a short, tiled meeting, a stand-up comedian will entertain the Lodge during dinner. Cost will be $25 per person. Once details have been finalized, they will be posted on Harmony’s Facebook page, or contact me directly for information.
Finally, as we approach the holiday season, and on behalf of all of your officers, I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and prosperous New Year. During this holiday season, please be mindful of the needs of others while we also give thanks for the blessings we enjoy as part of the Harmony Lodge community.
Michael A. Cunningham, Worshipful Master