Mt. Airy Lodge 141 F.& A.M.

Apology:  here comes the number one most popular cliché from the East, but it’s so true I can’t help repeating it.

The year is more than half over, and it seems like yesterday I took upon myself the Master’s obligations.

Where has the time gone? What have we accomplished this year?

Eight Master Masons raised, three Apprentices initiated, and all of them show signs of being active.  That’s the best news I could share, and I am truly grateful to be able to do so—grateful to all the coaches and Directors of Work who gave so unstintingly of their time and care to enable the new Brethren to become enlightened, but grateful most of all for the persuasive spirit which more and more abundantly shines in our Lodge. At one communication in July we had almost fifty Masons attend! I am humbled.

We enjoy new Lodge furniture, well mostly. They are dark red, and look very handsome, come on out and see them if you haven’t been by in a while. Br. Canup has devised a procedure for cutting a Masonic coin into every other armrest, and will be staining them—they are going to look really good, a credit to our Lodge and a reflection on all the hard work of those who made these chairs shine as they do, y’all know who you are!

Building Fund

Our Building Fund off is and running! The building committee has made plans for the new Lodge room, Secretary’s Office, preparation room and library, though I’m sure they will evolve.  If anyone reading this has a departed family member or Brother whom they would like to memorialize, now is the time to include them in the plans.  It doesn’t need to be an large investment—we could personalize a single chair, put a plaque on a Warden’s podium; even an inscribed brick could remind us of those on whose shoulders we stand, those who gave, to quote Lincoln, “their last full measure of devotion” to us and to Masonry. And while I’m on the subject of contributions:

CHALLENGE:

One of our Most Worshipful Brothers has offered to help with our building fund, and we need your support.  For each ten contributions of $100, up to three thousand dollars, he will match us.  Brethren, this is an opportunity which must not be passed over.  Yonah Lodge has their new building, but they also have a large mortgage, the size of which I wouldn’t want to take on for Mount Airy, especially in these times.  So I ask you all to exercise your charity and “make some hay” while this Brother’s sun is shining upon us, as we will not have him forever.  To those of you who have already contributed, I give sincere thanks and a promise that your gift will grow.

Celebration

While prying information out of a seldom-seen Brother last month, I happened to ask why more of the old-timers haven’t been around much.  “They think you’ve forgotten about them,” he replied.  “Not on MY watch,”  I answered.  So last meeting we formed a Committee to plan a “Celebration of Service” for those dedicated Brethren upon whose shoulders we stand—you should be getting an invitation in the mail soon if you’ve been a member for 25 years or more.  But of course all are welcome.  I hope to gather lots of information to write and preserve the History of our Lodge for web site publication, and I’m sure we all have stories to share, so come on down for some breakfast on Saturday, October 24th from 8 to 11 AM, I guarantee some surprises!

Fraternally,

Peter Moncure WM, Mount Airy #141 F&AM

EMAIL, 706.754.2725 (W) 706.754.6777 (H)

Check out the new Mount Airy #141 web site: www.MtAiry141.org, updated frequently.

May the blessings of Heaven rest upon us and all Brother Masons; may brotherly love prevail and every moral and social virtue cement us.