2005 The Plumb Line

http://www.mn-rivervalley.org

Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6

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

Plumbline for December 2005

Ah December; more lodges hold their annual Installation of Lodge Officers' ceremony in December than in any other month. To the brothers who are about to assume higher office, I congratulate you and wish you well. May your lodge prosper and be inspired by its new leaders. To those about to leave office, particularly those who will soon be known as "Past Master," I also congratulate you for your efforts this past year. In fact, I hope to see the report of your all of your events and activities when you mail the annual "Lodge of the Year" report form to the Grand Lodge office in January. I hope to make a very special event of the Lodge of the Year presentation at the Annual Communication in April so please be sure that your form is sent to the Grand Lodge office or given to your District Representative.

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The Grand Lodge of Minnesota Œs One-Day-to-Masonry event will be held on January 21st at the Minneapolis Scottish Rite Temple. Come and see the ritual work portrayed at its finest and plan support our new brothers and presenters of the degrees. The Grand Lodge office (grandlodge@qwest.net or

651-222-6051) will need your meal reservation if you wish to enjoy breakfast or lunch with the group, but no reservation is required to witness the degree work.

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The first annual fundraising gala for Minnesota Masonic Charities was a great success. It was held on November 19th at the historic Minneapolis Club in downtown Minneapolis. Brother and United States Senator Norm Coleman spent the evening and inspired us with his words of support. A great and fun time was had by all in attendance. A check for $46,000 (representing just some of the funds raised to date) was presented to a representative of the Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina relief.

The meeting of the Grand Lodge Corporate Board originally scheduled to be held in Willmar on January 14th (in conjunction with another event) has been moved to the Grand Lodge office to accommodate a presentation of the DeMolay Grand Master's Class and the Past Masters' Degree. Details on both of these events can by obtained by contacting the Grand Lodge office.

Remember to put April 7-8 2006 on your calendars as the dates for our next Grand Lodge Session. We will be in Saint Louis Park again this year, back at the DoubleTree Hotel. For you Masters and Wardens, it is not too early to make your room reservations (phone number 952-542-8600). Last year many waited too long and had trouble getting in the hotel or had to pay significantly higher room rates. By the way I am planning to attend.

This is the season for sharing. Lodges throughout the state are involved in many programs to spread holiday cheer. Here are just a few:

Helios Lodge No. 273 in Cambridge and Compass Lodge No. 265 in Robbinsdale are having their annual holiday parties for mothers and their children who are currently living at their local battered women¹s shelters.

Antiquity Lodge No. 91 in Redwood Falls will be holding their annual dinner with the Seniors.

Newport Lodge No. 118 in St. Paul Park will be bringing gifts to the children who are residents of a cancer ward at a local hospital.

Brothers from Ark Lodge No. 176 in St. Louis Park will be collecting items for food shelves along the route of the Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis.

Many other Lodges are ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Almost every Lodge is showing the true spirit of the Craft during this holiday season. I am so proud to be a Mason and to be associated with these wonderful guys.

With the holiday season before us and a challenging year for our nation drawing to a close, let us all take comfort in the reassuring arms of this great Fraternity of men that challenges us to do our best, catches hold of us when we tire, and renews us for the good fight ahead.

May you and your families be safe and full of joy during this wonderful time of the year.

Happy Holidays to all of you.

Andy Rice, Grand Master