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 2006 Newsletters
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Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6 October 2006 Volume #8, Issue #10 "Issued with the Permission of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Minnesota"
So you want to become a Mason The reasons for wanting to become a Mason are as varied as the candidates themselves. It can be the brotherhood, the fraternal spirit, the moral values we teach, our honor, or the good works we perform. All that Masonry requires is that we be good men and true, men of honor and honesty. Regardless of our personal opinions on subjects that may be controversial, we meet as brothers and friends. Masonry is not about getting benefits; Masonry is about what you can do for others. As brothers we offer each other fraternal affection and respect. Together we will support each other in adherence to this creed, so that we and our communities will be the better because of our fraternity and its principles. You can learn about Masonry, but the only way you can understand Masonry, is to join. This was the situation for our newest Brother, Bill Tarbell. He was recently scheduled to be initiated as an Entered Apprentice, but health issues intervened – he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. When a death sentence is laid on one, after the anger and the grief, one begins to plan their remaining time very, very carefully – how to best use the time our gracious Lord has given us. Time becomes a commodity we cannot waste. Bill felt that one of the best ways he could utilize a portion of his time was to complete that initiation.
Our newest Brother will not have long to stay with us, but his inspiration on what makes a Mason, will stay with us forever.
Respectfully submitted; Alan Greene, Chaplain Chaplain’s Corner
Masonic Light "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light’; and there was light." Freemasonry is grounded by light: light (knowledge) in Masonry, that shining beacon of light at the end of our journey through life, light in the glory and beauty of each day, and the blazing light of our Creator and God. At the Masonic Altar, all Masons have knelt before their God; and on it is the Holy Scriptures, our book of sacred law -- the Great Light of symbolic Masonry. We are taught never to loose sight of it's teachings. With it, we are bound together as brothers, and without it, no man can be a Mason. Contained within the covers of these sacred laws, are those principles of morality upon which lay the foundations of a righteous life -- our Masonic life. And so we come away from the Alter not with just a catalogue of moral precepts, but with a glimpse of the everlasting truth of one God who is Love and who requires men to act justly, be merciful, and keep themselves untainted by evil and walk humbly before Him. Fiat Lux! - Let There Be Light! Three times we hear that proclamation on our journey from that of a candidate searching for light to the High and Sublime degree of Master Mason. Light was also the great object of attainment in all the ancient religious Mysteries. It was there, as it is now in Masonry, and has been made the symbol of truth and knowledge. This was always its ancient symbolism, and we must never lose sight of this emblematic meaning, when we are considering the nature and significance of Masonic light. When the candidate states his desire for light, it is not just to remove a physical darkness; but also their need for illumination to dispel the darkness of mental and moral ignorance, and bring to their view, the sublime truths of religion, philosophy, and science, which it is the great design of Freemasonry. Be still – and know. . . 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.
The LEO Corner Last month's question was: Why is Acacia a Masonic symbol? In putting acacia at the Master's temporary grave, Freemasonry follows beliefs which go back to the captivity of the Jews in Egypt. Here acacia was supposed to have grown about and protected the chest into which Osiris had been tricked by his jealous brother, Typhon. Searching for her husband, Osiris, Isis discovered the tree in the home of a Phoenician king: for service she rendered the king, he gave her the tree and thus the body of her husband. Like the evergreens of this country, acacia is hardy. Sprouts come often from the beams and columns made of acacia, the shittah wood of the Old Testament. The Jews planted it on graves as the symbol of life, and to mark the resting place of the dead that footsteps profane it not. As myrtle was to the Greeks, mistletoe to the Scandinavians, and lotus to the Egyptians - symbols of immortality - so is acacia to Freemasonry. The question for this month is: How old is Masonry? You may submit the answers or your questions to me by one of the following methods: Email - leo@mn-rivervalley.org Mailing Address: John Loutzenhiser 5154 Edgewater Drive Savage, MN 55378
Submitted by John Loutzenhiser
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. Richard Friend, Secretary 2264 Pinewood Dr Shakopee MN 55379 952 496 1910
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
11501 Masonic Home Drive
The new, main phone number is 952-948-6700. Our preferred E-mail address stays the same,
Ashley Bican’s Term Plans – Jobs Daughters
To be determined: Surprise Family Event Chloe T Program Service Project – December?REMINDER: Dates are subject to change!! If in doubt, contact HQ Ashley Bican at (952)440-5221.
From the Secretary: In accordance with Article V, Section 3 of our By-Laws, we have scheduled a vote on a proposed dues increase to take effect in 2007. This vote will take place at our next stated communication on November 7, 2006 at which time a favorable vote of a majority of brothers present will be required for passage. It is important to mention that our dues are comprised of 2 items: The Lodge portion PLUS the Per Capita assessed by the Minnesota Grand Lodge. The lodge portion of our dues has remained at $20.00 since our merger in 1999. This proposed dues increase of $10.00 will result in annual lodge dues of $30.00 (plus the 2007 Grand Lodge Per Capita of $ 29.00) making the total dues for 2007 $59.00.
November Birthdays Our best wishes to the following brothers who will celebrate their birthday in November:
Newsletter
Articles for the next newsletter will be due by November 14th. You may send articles to me for the newsletter; by any method you desire (email, fax, regular mail, etc…). Articles that are not received by the due date will be held over for the newsletter. We would also like to encourage the other organizations that are affiliated with MN River Valley Lodge #6, such as the Jobs Daughters, Eastern Star, Demolay, etc… to feel free to contribute items to our newsletter and to our Lodge’s Web Calendar. Highway 212 Clean-up Project On October 14th a group of Brothers and a future Brother met to clean up Highway 212. The temperature was cool but the friendship was warm. The clean up crew consisted of Gordy Bane, Steve Procenko, Steve Sorenson, Jeff Bican, Daryl Bren, J. Eric Menge, Mike Pierce and Mike's son Chris. Most of our mile of highway is involved in the new Highway 312 construction. With the help of the Highway Department having removed the hill side next to the shoulders and the help of all of those participating picking up what was left, we finished in record time. Thank you to all who came and helped.
Daryl Bren, Highway 212 Chairman
List of Upcoming Events: October 22nd - Bethel Event - Friendship - Disney Theme (Time: To Be Determined) 24th – 6:30 P.M. Steering Committee Meeting - Light Supper Provided 29th – Day Light Savings - FALL BACK 31st – 6:30 P.M. West Metro Masters and Wardens meeting 6:30 P.M. dinner 7:30 P.M. meeting. OPEN TO ALL (Location: To Be Determined) 31st – Halloween November 6th - Bethel Event - Election Talk - Wacky Hat Day 7th – 7:30 P.M. Stated Lodge Meeting 7th – Election Day 11th – Veterans Day 14th – Articles Due for Newsletter 19th
– Bethel Event - Church at Masonic Home 22nd – Thanksgiving Day 27th – Bethel Event - Elections – Backward Day (wear your clothes backward) 28th – 6:30 P.M. Steering Committee Meeting - Light Supper Provided
Visit the Lodge Website and view the Lodge calendar for our complete list of events. (Select link)
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Worshipful
Brother Mike Sullivan and Brothers Mike Kottwitz, TJ Berg, Daryl Bren, and
Alan Greene, came together to deliver an abbreviated ceremony for the
initiation of Bill in his home. He followed the words more carefully than
I have ever seen by any candidate. His eyes shone with the intensity of
his emotions.
All of the Brothers were at peak form and Brother Berg was
never more inspirational in his lecture. We could not help but be moved at
the intense feeling, commitment, and grace that flowed through the room.
Watching over the degree work were his Father and grandfather, represented
by their lambskin aprons. It was probably one of the most uplifting pieces
of degree work that I have ever attended let alone in which I was
privileged to participate. 
