The Plumb Line 11-01-06

MN River Valley Lodge #6

2006 The Plumb Line

Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6

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

Plumbline for November 1, 2006

It’s not too late!!!
“What so proudly we hailed” is the theme of this year Minnesota Masonic Charities Gala to be held on Veterans Day, November 11th at the historic Minneapolis Club.
It promises to be a memorable evening with special appearances on the evening’s agenda by the Metropolitan Boys Choir and Miss Minnesota. A great raffle prize donated by Past Grand Master Andrew Rice and a wide array of fantastic silent auction items are sure to delight.
Reservations for the Second Annual Minnesota Masonic Gala can still be made by calling Sara Beddow @ 952-948-6202 or e-mail her @ Sara.Beddow@mnmasonic.org. But do so no later than Wednesday, November 1st.

Speaking of the Minnesota Masonic Charities Gala and the great raffle prize donated by M. W. Brother Andy Rice, maybe you would like to take a chance on it now if you are not able to attend the Gala: Pre-Sale! Take advantage of this early-bird opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win the Minnesota Masonic Charities 2006 GALA Raffle! You need not be present to win! Win TWO SEATS in a LUXURY SUITE at the Metrodome to see the Vikings vs. the Jets on Sunday, December 17, 2006.

Join PGM Andy Rice and Chris Rice for a very special day, as they host this exciting gridiron match up in a luxury suite at the Metrodome. Enjoy food and drink while watching from the best seats in the house! PLUS Eclipse Transportation, courtesy of Bernie Fautch, will provide elegant transportation within the Twin Cities, to and from the game. You will arrive and depart in style for a uniquely memorable occasion. Open your best holiday package early and have a great time, or surprise the special sports fan in your life.

A $1200 value at $10 a ticket! Tickets may be purchased by cash, check or credit card. Call 952-948-6004.
The drawing will take place November 11, 2006 at the MMC 2006 GALA. All proceeds will directly support programs and services of the charities of Minnesota Masonry.

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And it’s not too early!
Make plans to have your candidates at the ready for the annual One-Day-to-Masonry Class to be held at the Minneapolis Scottish Rite on Saturday, January 20th. Wouldn’t it be neat to have a record number of candidates this year? Your candidates can use a regular petition or the special One-Day-to-Masonry petition found on the website. The day’s agenda will run from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon. The completed petitions and the fee will be due in the Grand Lodge office by January 11th. This year’s fee is $250.00. For answers to all of your questions, contact the Grand Lodge office.
The degree teams and behind the scene workers are also getting organized, with the first meeting for this year’s event scheduled for November 20th at the St. Paul Masonic Center on Plato Boulevard. If you would like to take part in one of the many teams, contact Chairman of the Board of Custodians David E. Olson, dave-olson@mywdo.com.

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It’s happening right now!
Thousands of members of the Order of the Eastern Star have descended upon the City of Minneapolis to observe the 45th Triennial Assembly headed by none other than Minnesota’s own, Most Worthy Grand Matron Pat Rasumussen of Elk River. It was on honor to extend greetings on behalf of you, the Masons of Minnesota, to the representatives of the “fabulous fraternal family” attending the gathering at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Your Grand Master enjoyed an intimate dinner with 3,100 attendees on Sunday evening. Planning and behind the scenes work has been going on for years to insure that the meetings and events were enjoyable and successful. As always, it is not wise to to try to name names out of fear of forgetting someone, so I will just say to all who had a hand in this work: Well done!

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Know of a Brother serving our Nation in combat?
If you have not yet done so, please get their names and addresses to the Grand Lodge office so that a special greeting can be extended during the upcoming Holiday Season.
At the OES gathering I had the pleasure of seeing Staff Sgt. & W. Brother Mike Pierce, who is home safe from the theater of operation

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And it already happened!
The Grand Lodge office ha moving to the Minnesota Masonic Home campus in Bloomington, Minnesota on October 15, 2006. The move went pretty smoothly and the office is open for business at the new location. If you are in the area, stop and say hello. The office is located in the Heritage Hall building, near the front of the building, just inside the Heritage Hall entrance before you come to the Town Square.
The new address is 11501 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437-3699.
The new phone number is 952-948-6700. The fax number will be 952-948-6710. The 800 number will stay the same, 800-245-6050.
And our preferred E-mail address stays the same, grandlodge@qwest.net.

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The Roll of the Workmen has been called…
The working tools of W. Brother Vern Christianson have been laid down and we honor his service and contributions to our Gentle Craft.
One of Brother Vern’s greatest contributions to Minnesota Masonry, in addition to his ten years of service as a Grand Lodge District Representative, was none less than his son, MWB J.V. Christianson, who served as Grand Master in 1997. Please remember his widow, Bernice, J.V. & Judith in your prayers.

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Some find it…some have lost it…Who Moved My Cheese??
Maybe it is time to once again refresh our attitudes by reading (or re-reading) the delightfully insightful book, “Who Moved My Cheese.”
As I travel, I find that many lodges are pleasantly surprised to have had men expressing an interest in Masonry. They have degree work in progress. The “cheese” actually found them.
Imagine what would happen if every lodge started “looking for cheese” instead of commiserating about the lack thereof. Pick up a copy of this book. It’s a quick read and can be applied to our lodges and our lives. Haw, one the characters in the book wrote, “ Imagine myself enjoying new cheese even before I find it, leads me to it.”
Now, imagine your lodge…

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And it will soon be happening!
It’s time for the vast majority of Minnesota lodges to hold their annual election of officers and soon thereafter, their annual installation of officers. To those lodge officers who have served with distinction this past year, I salute you. And to those hundreds of Masons about to assume a new office, I wish you all the best as you lead your lodge into 2007 and beyond.
Many of those lodge officers have attended the Area Leadership Conferences held at various locations around the state, one a month since last July. The last two conferences are a joint session for the Metroeast and Metrowest Areas and it will take place at the Mille Lacs Grand Casino Conference Center on November 18th. If you missed the conference in your area and you would like the details on this one, just contact the Grand Lodge office. And for you officers of the Metro Area lodges, I look forward to greeting you at Grand Casino Mille Lacs.