From the Master’s Desk,

I am in awe of the efforts which went into forming Minn. River Valley Lodge # 6 and the strength which exists in it today.  We have remained strong.  It is not always easy to remember all of the effort that goes into a successful venture.  There is a tendency to rethink and say "It just happened." But good things never just happen; they result from dedication and work, pleasant though the work often is.  Each one of us lives Masonry from the heart.  Our strengths are there for others to see. Otherwise how could we have brought in 7 New Master Masons this year and 3 Fellowcraft?

Fellowcrafts Eric Menge, Thomas Peterson and Don McNeal will receive the 3rd Degree December 2nd which will make 10 Master Masons this year. In addition we have just voted 2 petitioners to receive the degrees at the last Stated Communication.  What a grand way to start the New Year!

I will use the image of a train to describe us. The Minn. River Valley # 6 Train has built up good steam.  We have more engine power, more passengers and we have added track. Holidays are a time for refreshment and reflection then refreshed, it's time to Power Up, feel the vigor and roll, turning plans into action.  We will look at adding more stops, more conductors, more fuel and more track crews.  I suggest that if we do these things, the addition of 10 brothers yearly will become 20, which doubles the number of good men who come into the fraternity by way of our lodge in one year.  It seems more men are recognizing Masonry offers what they seek. It is our duty to let them know they can hop on our train.

COMING UP:  Here for your review are 4 individual Tuesday meetings in December at the lodge.  The meetings will focus on 3 things: adding more good men into our fraternity, furthering the ties which strengthen and bind new Masons to us and to look at new ways to grow the Masonic bond within our ranks and have fun.

I have scheduled 2 days in December for 5 committees.   All aboard!

Tuesday, December 12

SOCIAL COMMITTEE:  7:00 PM.

Should we schedule a monthly weekend  brkfst  - and a mid week lunch for Seniors,  how about hosting a round table at our homes for a Cribbage Tournament, or reviving the old salts who have not attended for years ?

This committee will develop various avenues and forays for all of our enjoyment.

BUILDING COMMITTEE and PROPERTIES COMMITTEE:  8:00 PM

I envision the Building Committee as an action committee to work with the landlord to make improvements such as replacing the carpet on the stairway.

The Properties Committee considerations may include:

1- Organize the degree items for use

2- Reinvest unused costumes (Solomon's for example) into the degrees

3- Dry clean costumes and make positive improvements to lodge furniture (staff holders for example.)

Tuesday, December 19

MEET THE MASONS.  7:00 PM.

Objective: To present Masonry in the most marketable way.  To get friends to come to this dynamic event and choose to fill out a petition.  How do we communicate Masonry's enjoyment in a wide variety of ways? How about following up with the prospects once they leave a Meet the Masons Event?

MENTOR COMMITTEE:  8:00 PM

The Grand Lodge has developed a Mentor Program for use by mentors as a way to provide candidates with an understanding of Masonic light, and process, visits to other lodges, a special relationship between mentor and candidate.

The only thing that rivals the importance of strengthening our bond with new brothers is the importance of renewing the bonds with whom we have already called brother.

ALL ABOARD!  ALL ABOARD!   This Train is now open for boarding.  All

Freemasons have tickets. Come ride - Come stoke the boilers.... and drive this train to its destination. These committees will be excellent and are the product of much of what I have heard from you this last year.  It's time to turn plans into action.  We can anticipate good and true work from our outstanding lodge.

The Chaplain’s Corner

Thanksgiving

After a long and warm summer, Fall is finally upon us and with it, the joys of the season. Thanksgiving is high on the list (as is deer hunting opening day) with thoughts of family gatherings, turkey with that secret dressing, sweet taters, tater tot casserole, and of course pumpkin pie piled high with whip cream. As our forefathers did, we celebrate the harvest of the year’s efforts.

The English colonists, we call Pilgrims, celebrated days of thanksgiving as part of their religion. But these were days of prayer, not days of feasting. The “first” thanksgiving was more a celebration of the grace given them by God for their safety in crossing the sea to this fair land and the bountiful harvest. It wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln’s time that it became a national holiday.

It is a time during which we too can contemplate our “harvest”. It is stated in our Book of Sacred Laws, that we “shall reap what we have sown”. How have you sown, Brethren? Have you shared of your harvest with those less fortunate? Have you offered your friendship and comfort to those in pain? Have you offered your time to a poor distressed Brother?

We as Masons do have much for which to be thankful. We can be thankful for the teachings of Freemasonry which make us better men, for the glory and beauty of each new day, and for the brotherly love which will nourish us more deeply than that turkey leg. As Albert Mackey stated, “That sacred and invisible bond that unites men of the most discordant opinions into one band of brothers, which gives one language to men of all nations and one altar to men of all religions, is properly, from the mysterious influence it exerts, the mystic tie; and Freemasons because they alone are under its influence, or enjoy its benefits, are brethren of the mystic.”

Albert Mackey [33rd degree Mason and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the thirty third degree Scottish Rite], 'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry'. Vol 2 778

Every Lodge has a veteran or veterans, and we have our share of them -- both from current and earlier battlegrounds. Be sure to honor them during November in Thanksgiving for their service to our country and for their safe return from war, and provide them with the recognition they so justly deserve.

"No man could tell me what my soul might be;
I sought for God, and He eluded me;
I sought my Brother out, and found all three."

Prayers for our Brothers and their Families

Please feel free to send me the names of any of our Brothers and/or their family members, who may be in distress as we pray to our creator for their comfort and relief. When we think of our experiences in taking the third degree, we cannot help but remember the words from Ecclesiastes: “Remember now thy creator . . .”   and please remember those listed below in your prayers. We name the welfare of our brethren in our petitions because we love them; and knowing our own need of their prayers, we realize their need of ours.

Be still – and know. . .

chaplain@mn-rivervalley.org

Report on the West Metro Masters and Warden's Association 

The West Metro Master's and Warden's Assoc. came into being last year like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of a similar organization from some 10 or 12 years before. If I am correct, it now has 24 West Metro lodges as members.

It met 2 times last year and sketched itself into a workable idea. In '05 Your Master, Wardens and LEO attended these initiating meetings and backed the concept behind its creation.  Its purpose is to share and encourage interlodge activities. It will disseminate a West Metro Calendar with dates for lodges Pancake breakfasts or a notice of Kolacky Days to other lodges to all enjoy.

It has met for 3 of the 5 scheduled meetings so far in '06.  Its by-laws are established.  There have been many exchanges between the Grand Lodge and the Assoc. fortifying their respective roles in advocating Masonry.  It will present to the Grand Lodge suggestions, concerns, or ideas important to lodge life. It will take input from us to the Grand Lodge. 

The immediate benefit to this lodge from being a member of the Assoc. for this, it's first  year has been through the Association's Lodges of Instruction which has displayed how very well MN River Valley does perform it's degree ritual.  It imparts a finer appreciation for the reason behind our ritual as well as polishing our fine work.

Further it is a resource. For instance, I intend to use it to help locate one who is articulate on creating an advertising block for our newsletter.

One who will come and discuss the pros and cons of an advertising section.  The Assoc. as it matures will become a very good resource both for our interlodge communications and as an advocate to the Grand Lodge.

As you probably remember reading in the Minnesota Mason there is a Combined East and West Metro Assoc Meeting in Mille Lacs on Nov 18th which your Master and Wardens will attend along with anyone of you who wants to see what it is all about and also enjoy the Grand Casino which is hosting the afternoon of meetings from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

This Metro wide meeting is intended to bring us up to date with what the Grand Lodge is doing and assist our lodge to plan and get ready for 2007.

Passing of a Brother

It is with heavy heart that we announce the death of Brother Bill Tarbell of pancreatic cancer on November 14, 2006.  He was born in 1942, or about 64 years old.  Bill had planned to be initiated into Masonry, but had to have surgery the day of the ceremony.  During surgery it was discovered he had pancreatic cancer.  During his remaining time to he chose become a Mason.  A special ceremony was conducted in his home.  Bill was a retired Chaska Police Department officer.  He later worked at the customer service counter at the Chaska Home Building Center where he loved the social interaction as much as the pay.  During his final weeks, he was adopted by the Mdewakanton Sioux and was given a healing ceremony.  Bill spent only a few weeks with us as a Mason but when he was initiated he very engrossed in the ceremony.  Bill Tarbell was not with us long, but he was very active while he was with us, as you will see Bill in the photos from the Kids ID Event in Burnsville that he was an active participant.

He will be missed by his family and friends.

Sincerely, Daryl

Membership Rosters Available

A current membership roster is now available to all members of our lodge. 

If you would like to receive a copy, please get in touch with me and I will send you one.

I will also have additional copies available at the next several Stated Communications and Steering Committee Meetings.

Grand Lodge Office has Moved

The Grand Lodge of Minnesota Office is moving to the Minnesota Masonic Home Campus in Bloomington, Minnesota on October 15, 2006

Our new address is

The new, main phone number is 952-948-6700.
The fax number will be 952-948-6710
Our 800 number will stay the same, 800-245-6050
 

Our preferred E-mail address stays the same,

grandlodge@qwest.net

Ashley Bican’s Term Plans – Jobs Daughters

• SUNDAY, November 19^th –
  1. Go to Church at Masonic Home (Service from 9:45 – 10:15 – Girls should be there by 9 a.m. for practice)
  2. Parent Masonic Family Dinner at 1 pm at the Bethel with Meeting to follow (Note location change!)
• MONDAY, November 27^th at 7 pm – Regular Meeting with Elections – THEME: Backward Day (wear your clothes backward)
• MONDAY, December 18^th at 7 PM – Christmas Party – Bring a favorite doll
• FRIDAY, December 29^th at 6 p.m. – Ashley’s final meeting

To be determined:

Surprise

Family Event

Chloe T Program Service Project – December?

Contact BG Linda Bican at (612) 743-5326 if you have any questions.

December Birthdays

 Our best wishes to the following brothers who will celebrate their birthday in

December:

KID ID Event at the Home Depot in Burnsville

The photos below are from the October 7th at the Kids ID event held at the Burnsville Home Depot in conjunction with a kid’s workshop.  The gentleman in the wheelchair is one of the lodge's newest members, Brother Bill Tarbell.  Bill has a special story and it was featured in the October newsletter and now he wanted to get out and participate in a Masonic Project.  The young lady in the crown is the current JP Kellie Seberson, granddaughter to Brother Bill Tarbell.

Photos from the 2006 Kolacky Days Event in Montgomery

As winter approaches here are a few photos to help warm you up again.  These were submitted by Lew Price.

Gulfport, Mississippi Trip

Dear Brothers,

            We are taught to walk uprightly before God and man as well as to help, aid, and assist all poor, distressed brother Master Masons, their widows and orphans.  We are required to help other Mason and not prevented from helping others who are poor and distressed.   Sometimes what is out of sight is out of mind.  I am writing this to bring what is out of sight to your attention.  I recently tried walking uprightly in Gulfport, Mississippi by helping to rebuild houses damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  I am not writing this for a pat on the back but to help you see need around you.  I went with a group from Wisconsin, who drove straight south to the Gulf of Mexico to Gulfport, Mississippi. 

On our way down, while still half an hour from Gulfport, we stopped at a gas station.  A man and woman asked where we were going.  When we said we came to help rebuild, they thanked us profusely for coming to help.  After we arrived in Gulfport a couple hours later another car arrived from Wisconsin.  They related a similar story.  The first major building we saw in Gulfport without walls and without a roof had been used prior to the storm to feed the poor.  The Federal Job Corp Building, located nearby, is also still in taters and without windows. 

            We stayed at the armory and in F.E.M.A. trailers.  We had the top of the line F.E.M.A. trailers which are about 7 feet wide inside and about 30 feet long.  The trailers shook when the door is open or closed.  The shower stalls were so small I could not bend over to wash my feet.  A local resident told me that the F.E.M.A. trailers are constantly needing to be repaired, but are built to RV standards so parts art not available at the local building supply store.  There are two lower grades of trailers which are even lower in quality.

            A 32 foot tide surge hit Gulfport.  The first block from the gulf is a sandy beach and a divided highway.  North of the highway the elevation is 15 ½ feet above sea level.  The next 2-4 blocks from the ocean there are no building to the east and to the west for miles and miles,.  Over a year later, in this building free zone, there are only big oak trees with pale, tiny clumps of leaves, dry weeds, concrete slabs for basketball and tennis courts, and a few concrete steps leading nowhere.  Near the Gulf most of the lawn grass was washed away.  There is a coastal island about 3 miles off shore.  It is covered with semi-trailers, cars, washing machines, and parts of houses washed out to sea by Hurricane Katrina.  Swimming in the Gulf is prohibited because of the debris which is constantly being washed back to shore. There is a railroad track levee located 5 -7 blocks from the coast.  South of the levee the houses were soaked by the tidal surge.  The house I worked on near the coast was 2 feet off the ground and the inside still had 3-4 feet of water.  The houses north of the rail line suffered wind and rain damage.  Houses without storm shutters had the rain blow in the windows on one side and out the other side.  Mississippi had 49,000 houses suffering damage.  After the storm, the houses were “mucked out” or had their sheet rock removed by people wearing biohazard suits and respirators.  The 2 X 4s were then sprayed with bleach to kill the mold and mildew.  City block after city block, have houses which are repaired but many others still have bare stud walls.  Initially refuse was hauled out of Gulfport, but now only south of the levee.  Enough refuse has been hauled out of the city to cover 230 football fields 50 feet deep.  I put shingles on a house which had a pile of refuse next to it as high as the eaves on the house.

            Very little was covered by insurance.  People were paid for loosing their windows or roof but not for the walls and contents of their homes.  Some people hired contractors and never saw the contractor and their money again.  Other people have tried to hire a contractor but have been unable to find anyone to hire.  There is a wide range of stories from black to white with a lot of gray in between, with dark and light speckles across the continuum.  The people requesting assistance have been investigated to make sure that they are not landlords and that they plan to stay in their homes.  It sounded like assistance is given on a pro-rated income scale.  In general people are very appreciative of any assistance they are receiving.

            There are many groups which are helping to rebuild such as Samaritan’s Purse (started by Billy Graham’s son), North Carolina Southern Baptist Men’s Builders, and the Board of World Missions.  The groups try to supply the volunteers with major tools and building materials.  Workers needed are skilled trades people, then people familiar with construction, then workers, women to paint and spackle sheetrock, and a few to do domestic work for the workers.  

            Again this is not to solicit a pat on my back but it is meant to solicit aid and assistance others who are less fortunate.

Submitted by:

Daryl Bren

Refreshment Recommendation

            We are taught to divide our time into three equal parts.  Eight of the hours are for refreshment and sleep.  As part of your refreshment, I recommend that you visit and promote two local Ebert and Gerbert’s Restaurants owned by our Brother Joshua Boxx.  The more noble and glorious quality of his food and service have allowed him to open two restaurants in the last 10 months.  The one of the two restaurants is located at 17714 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, MN.  It is located just off Highway 35 on the north side of Kenwood Trail next to the Rainbow Foods Grocery Store.  The other Ebert and Gerbert’s Restaurant is located at 12575 Castlemoor Drive, Eden Prairie, MN.  It is located just southwest of the Eden Prairie Shopping center, on the west side of Flying Cloud Drive next to the Famous Footwear Store.  The menu includes a variety of sandwiches, soups, chips and beverages.   The bright and clean restaurant was inspired by fantasy stories told by the father of the chain’s CEO.  Each of the delicious sub style sandwiches is given a name along with a paraphrased terrestrial or celestial odyssey.  The characters and stories are partially based on history and science, and based partially on the spirit of childhood adventure.  At night, Ebert and Gerbert would climb aboard Halley’s Comet and fly at the speed of light to travel back in time to visit places near and far.  I went to the Famous Footwear store to buy some shoes.  Susan Palaia, the manager of the Famous Footwear store next door to Ebert and Gerbert’s, volunteered that she was “very happy to have a restaurant which serves fresh to order made food and that the staff is extremely accommodating and friendly”.  When in need of refreshment, please remember these two restaurants.

Submitted by:

Daryl Bren

KidsID

This past summer and fall your lodge has been very active with KidsID.  In July members and families from both MRVL # 6 and Bethel # 85 (Jobs) staffed KidsID booths at both the Scout County Fair and Kolacky days.  In August, they provided KidsID to the public at the Derby Days celebration in Shakopee and staffed two shifts at the Minnesota State Fair.  In October our Lodge was invited to provide this valuable public service at the Burnsville Home Depot during their Child Safety weekend. 

We received a letter of thanks from Grand Master Steve Johnson for the service our Volunteers provided at the State Fair.  Here are the Grand Master’s great words, which I couldn’t have said better:

“How do I thank you and all of the other State Fair KidsID volunteers for contributing so greatly to the safety of children in the name of Masonry?  I could say that 8,500 kids might be a little safer in their beds tonight.  I could say that the parents of those children have been reminded that responsible parenting is foremost for the protection of our kids.  I might even say that the world has been brought a little closer because folks like you have given their time and thoughtfulness to others.  Whatever words I choose, they could not express the level of gratitude that I have. 

How good it is to be able to bring this vital service to the public.  How good it is to think that Masonry is allowed to openly show the character of the fraternity at the Great Minnesota Get Together.  And how good it is that we could rely on volunteers like you.”

I, too, want to personally thank all who volunteered their time and energy for this important service.  I also want to specially thank “Gizzy” the clown (Bro, Gordy Bane) for helping at the Derby Days and Home Depot events. Having Gizzy around is always a highlight for both kids and adults alike.  I also want thank Bro. Bill Tarbell for coming to the Home Depot to help.  His determination of getting involved with Masonic activities, although in failing health reminds me what Masonry is all about.   Lastly, I want to thank Bro, George Miller for all the coordination he provides at the state level and the Scott County Fair, at the local Lodge level.

Future events scheduled

We have one more KidsID event scheduled as 2006 comes to a close.    We are planning on have a booth during the Shakopee “Winter Fest” on Friday night Dec. 1^st and Sat. December 2^nd.   We are asking for extra help from Eastern Star and Jobs members for Saturday, sine there is a 3^rd degree taking place at the lodge during the same time.    If you are interested in helping out, please call or email me. 

Thanks again, JW –Lew

(Lew.Price@Target.com  / 952-210-4193)

List of Upcoming Events:

November

19^th – Bethel Event - Church at Masonic Home
Service from (9:45 – 10:15 – Be there by 9 a.m. for practice) – Meeting and Parent Masonic Dinner (Meeting and Dinner will be held at the Masonic Home if the meeting room is available)

22^nd – Thanksgiving Day

27^th – Bethel Event - Elections – Backward Day (wear your clothes backward)

28^th – 6:30 P.M. Steering Committee Meeting - Light Supper Provided

December

5^th – 7:30 P.M. Stated Lodge Meeting

9^th – 8:30 A.M. Lodge of Instructions

15^th – Articles Due for Newsletter

18^th – 7:00 P.M. Bethel Event - Christmas Party – Bring a favorite doll

24^th – Christmas Eve

25^th – Christmas Day

26^th – 6:30 P.M. Steering Committee Meeting - Light Supper Provided

29^th – 6:00 P.M. Bethel Event - Ashley’s final meeting

31^st – New Years Eve

Visit the Lodge Website and view the Lodge calendar for our complete list of events.

http://my.calendars.net/mrvl_6