The Plumb Line 01-30-07

MN River Valley Lodge #6

2007 The Plumb Line

Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6

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

Plumbline for January 30, 2007

Fraternal Greetings!

On January 20th, 49 men were made Master Masons at the One Day to Masonry Class and it is my desire that you take every opportunity to welcome them to the worlds’ oldest and largest fraternity. They came from 32 lodges to witness our Masonic ritual at its finest. It is our job to see that that experience is continued and enhanced.
A special thanks to the scores of brothers who give of their time and talents to make the day a success.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of a great leader in Minnesota Masonry on that same day, January 20th. Worshipful Brother Charles W. Nelson held many titles in Masonic circles including that of Past Commander of the Knights Templar in Minnesota and past member of the Board of Directors of Minnesota Masonic Homes. At his passing, he was serving as a Director of Minnesota Masonic Charities and Executive Director of Minnesota Masonic Museum and Historical Society. A historian by training and vocation, he will live on in our memories for his passion for preserving our Masonic heritage. We are richer for having known him.

Calling all ritualists. The Board of Custodians assemble the first Friday and Saturday of February every year to examine the Brothers who wish to become Monitors of the Ritual Work, or to reexamine those Monitors whose three-year commission is expiring. They will be meeting at the St. Paul Masonic Center, 200 East Plato Boulevard, Saint Paul, at 8:30 a.m. on February 2nd and February 3rd. To those Masons about to become certified for the first time as a Monitor (meaning they are proficient on one entire degree including the floor work and the lecture), I offer you my hearty congratulations. To those Monitors about to be recertified, I say thank you for your continued help in keeping our ritual work the best it can be. By the way, some may be curious about the process of becoming a Monitor. All Master Masons are welcome to attend and witness the work.

Are you reading this at your computer in Texas or Arizona? With the cold weather finally arriving here in Minnesota I am looking forward to making the Grand Master’s annual pilgrimage to visit with the snowbirds in the South Texas and Phoenix areas. I will be in Harlingen on Saturday night, February 3rd and over at El Zariba Shine Center in Phoenix on Tuesday, February 6th. Time is short, but I would love to see you there. If you have not made your reservations, for the Texas Reunion you can call Ward Sonsteby, 956-781-1901; Alyn Dull, 956-787-2257; Elmer Schultz, 956-797-9999 or Jay Ipsen, 956-583-9364. For the Phoenix dinner, give Ben Holt a call, 480-598-3468.

Grand Secretary Doug Campbell has asked me to give a special thank you to the Secretaries reading this, particularly those 145 who filed their annual reports on January 15th or shortly thereafter. For those 15-20 Secretaries who have not yet found the time to comply with this important annul requirement, I do ask you to make an effort to submit your return as soon as possible so that the work of updating all of the Grand Lodge records for your members can proceed. Doug tells me that in some cases we don’t even know who the newly installed lodge officers are so we are unable to prepare the invitations and notices of the upcoming Annual Communication.

One O’Clock, Two O’Clock, Three O’Clock, Rock!!!
The Minnesota Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star invites all to find your leather jackets and your gals’ poodle skirts and dance your way to the “All American OES Bandstand Sock Hop” on Saturday, February 10th at Zuhrah Shrine Center (2540 Park Ave South; Minneapolis). Social at 5:30, dinner at 6:30 and a program at 7:30 followed by dancing. Silent and live auctions!
Not only a good time but all proceeds go to benefit the Masonic Cancer Fund’s Partners for Life campaign. Cost is $20 per person which includes admission and a burger basket. Your check is your reservation; you can send it to Becky & John Madson; 1455 Willow Drive; Long Lake MN 55356.

The Partners for Life campaign is in need of the support of you and your lodges too! Set a goal of having at least one fundraiser in the coming months. Also, give careful consideration in making a pledge of your own to this worthwhile project. Contact Minnesota Masonic Charities at www.mnmasoniccharities.org for details. Remember MMC has committed to matching your contributions.
The campaign has made adjustments to its efforts that makes me solidly confident of its worthiness of your support. Stay tuned as important announcements are undoubtedly forthcoming from the Masonic Cancer Fund and the University of Minnesota!

Speaking of Minnesota Masonic Charities, be sure to check out their website and surf the pictures of MMC’s gala held November 11th. I am certain you’ll recognize a few of them. Perhaps, next year your picture will be among them! It is a premier event in Minnesota Masonry! The web address is http://www.mnmasoniccharities.org

Congratulations and best wishes are the greetings generally hailed a brides and grooms. In this instance, allow me to use them for the newly installed Shrine Potentates in Minnesota: W. Brother Don Wurden at Zuhrah Shrine, W. Brother Franklin Peterson at Osman Shrine and Brother Randy Skowlund at Aad Shrine. A personal and fraternal congratulations and thank you to my friends, the outgoing Illustrious Sirs: Bill Glas, Charles Ferguson and Steve Kovich of Zuhrah, Osman and Aad Shrine Temples respectively.

“Souper” Bowls, Hot Dishes and Cold Nights are an ideal time to have a Masonic guest night….is your lodge planning one? Contact the Grand Lodge office at 952-948-6700 or 800-245-6050 if you need a speaker. Remember, if you are having a guest night that you are planning for growth!

While you are in the “planning mode,” why not plan an event to raise funds for the Partners for Life Cancer campaign. By doing so you will simultaneously raise awareness of Masonry’s impact upon the quality of life in Minnesota as well as benefit the Partners for Life fund raising efforts.

Mark April 12-14 down on your calendars and make arrangements to come to the “Other Twin Cites” of Mankato and North Mankato for the 154th Annual Communication. Information is forthcoming in the next Minnesota Mason that will be in your mailbox in the next few days!

KidsID - State Fair Time? The KidsID booth at the 2006 Minnesota State Fair was very successful again last year. We hope that everyone who participated last year had as much fun as we did organizing it and special thanks goes out to everyone who donated their time. As in previous years, lodges or individuals interested in volunteering can sign up for one of three shifts of four hours each. The shifts are from 9am-1pm, 1pm-5pm, and 5pm-9pm. Lodges that sign up for an entire shift should be able to provide eight workers per shift. If you have a favorite time or shift, it’s not too early to contact The State Fair KidsID Coordinator, Brother Bruce Clarke. His e-mail address is strait_ap@yahoo.com.

Steve Johnson,
Grand Master