2002 Newsletters

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Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6

October 2002

Volume #4, Issue #1

"Issued with the Permission of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Minnesota"

Brothers of the Lodge,

I hope this letter finds you all in good health and in good spirits. Life seems to be very hectic. I hope that you will all take the time to tell people close to you how important they are to you. I have had many occasions this summer to realize that life is much shorter than I would have believed and can change in a moment’s notice.

On October 16^th we are doing a joint first degree with Lebanon Lodge. We have one candidate who is already been voted on who will receive the degrees. On October 10^th, we will be having a degree practice with Lebanon Lodge our first joint effort. We also have two others that we plan to vote on at a brief meeting on October 15^th that are being investigated. I hope many of you will take time to come and support our newest Brothers. Much like witnessing a wedding years after your own, you can sit on the sidelines and refresh your Masonic ties. I understand that there are still a few potential candidates waiting in the wings, maybe you know one of them. I look forward to the opportunity to share our Masonic values with our new Brothers.

There is a Masonic corner stone laying ceremony planned for October 27^th at United Christian Church in Savage. It is located at the southeast corner of Highway 13 and Co. Rd. 42. I have never witnessed an event like this in my Masonic life, have you? I think anyone able attend should.

I would like to bring another activity to your attention. Our Jobs Daughters of Bethel #85 are hosting a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser on October 13^th at the American Legion in Chaska. They plan to start serving at 3:00 p.m. and will continue until 7:00 p.m. Stop in and say hello. I’m sure you will be amazed at how many friends you will see. If you are unable to stop in you can purchase an advance sale ticket and support their cause. Call me to get the details.

On October 19^th the Order of the Eastern Star is hosting a Hay Ride and silent Auction fund-raiser. The event is to be held at River Valley Ranch in Jordan. The Lodge has been invited to participate with proceeds to be split with ½ going to the Worthy Grand Matron’s project for diabetes. The remaining ½ will be split among the groups having workers present.

I would like to invite letters from the Order of the Eastern Star and Jobs Daughters, as we are all apart of the Masonic Family. I would also like to thank you all, for I know the world is a better place because of people like you. Share your zest for life and Masonry.

Fraternally,

Master

What has happened and what’s going to happen? -Sr. Warden Marc Peterson

The summer is drawing to an end and if you are like my family it has been a very busy one. As I look back, the events that we had planned and were able to carry out were great successes. There are a few events that we had anticipated that jut never seem to get off the ground.

Kolacky Days in Montgomery was a great success. The food booth, under the direction of Brother Marvin Jakes, was a big success raising almost $3,000 again this year. These funds will go a long way to promote the activities of the MRVL #6. It was a lot of work, but ask any of the Brothers that were there to help, it was a lot of fun too.

The Masonic Kids ID program was a big success at this year’s Scott County Fair. Unfortunately, this event happens on the same weekend as Kolacky Days in Montgomery, so it does put some stress on the brothers to make both events run smoothly. But Brother George Miller again was able to pull it off. At this event the Brothers were able to help introduce several hundreds children and adults into the program. Using the Scott County Fair program as a model, it has been suggested that we expand this activity to several other communities around the area.

The food booth made a commercial appearance at the Henderson Sesquicentennial celebration. This was the first time our food booth had been taken to an event other than Kolacky Days as a fund-raising event. I am happy to report that it worked out great. With the help of several brothers we were able to make another $500 for the lodge and use up some of the leftovers from Kolacky Days. A big thanks to Brother Ned Pilling for getting the Lodge the opportunity to participate.

The Annual Knights of Columbus – Masonic Chicken Fry was held at the end of August. This event was a big success with almost 200 people in attendance. Between the dinner and the Auction, over $1000 was raised. As usual the profit was equally divided and donated to the Knights Scholarship fund and the Shriners Childrens Hospital. The Masons will be the host organization next year. This year we were substantially outnumbered by the K-Cs. Let’s start making our plans to change that around for next year.

It is with great pleasure to announce that our lodge has a candidate who wishes to be admitted to our fraternity. MRVL #6, in conjunction with Lebanon Lodge, will be conducting a First Degree on October 16^th. Members of our lodge will be working with Lebanon in several of the roles associated to the first-degree ceremony. We need to have a big turn out of brothers for this event. Welcoming a new candidate is one of the responsibilities of every brother. Make plans now to be in attendance on the 16^th. It will be held at the Lodge hall in Shakopee and will start at 6:30 p.m.

Another Table Lodge is in the process of being planned. This event was originally planned for November. However, with the upcoming First Degree, it was decided that it should be moved to another month. This will be an open event for the Brothers, wives and guests.

And more than that, they cannot be toned down to meet the wishes of ‘men of all creeds and no creed.’ A man of no creed is an infidel, and there is no niche in the Masonic temple for such material. As a Mason we do not advocate particular denominational dogmas to please or displease any religious sect. But we believe in standing by the broad, liberal and sublime doctrines of the Bible – that Great Light in every degree of Freemason ‘-which have made Freemasonry a palladium of a pure religious faith and Christian nations the joy of the whole earth. The same golden chain of Faith, Hope and Charity runs through and connects symbolic, Capitular Templar Masonry, illustrating and forming the mystic ‘three times three.’ Compaion Gurney "What God has joined together let not man put asunder." The commandery is the natural outgrowth of the parent stock, and will contribute to its grandeur if its members will be fruitful in good works. Of all masons, Knights Templars should be men of clean hands and pure hearts.

Give more. Expect less. 

 Looking Back