St. John’s Officers Installation for 2019
December 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
On this coming Saturday, December 8th – St. John’s Lodge No. 1 will be holding its Officers Installation for 2019. This is a semi-public event. The Installation ceremony will be followed by a light meal.
Help Support our Lydia’s House of Hope Christmas Shopping Day
December 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Brethren,
Last year, we took the women of Lydia’s House of Hope shopping at Toys-R-Us with money do- nated by our Lodge and St. Andrew’s (and also graciously donated by you brothers.
This year, instead of bringing an unwrapped toy or gift, please make a donation of just $10.
Once again, we will take the women shopping for Christmas presents for their children. This gives the women a feeling of involvement, empowerment and participation in picking out the presents themselves.
December Master Masons Class !
December 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The class this month will be at Star in the East Lodge in Exeter. As we prepare to end my time as Moderator, our subject will be a Smorgasbord of items. I will bring my list of items to discuss, you bring yours and we will fill the time with items that need to be emphasized. Right ?
The Masters Class is designed for those who will, or might, work their way to the East but also contains important information for any MM. All are welcome to join the circle for an open and free discussion. This is not a class room setting with a lecture. It promises to keep you awake ! We all learn from a discussion.
- What is so important about the Trestle board ? Do we really have to spend the time and money to communicate this way ? Wouldn’t a calling list be better ?
- I’ve been a Mason for some time now, why should I plan my year ? Isn’t it better to take it as it comes ? Since everything can’t be planned, why waste the time on much planning ?
- Just why are the Special Ladies special ? We give them a meal once a year, why do we have to provide anything else ? What about their family, shouldn’t they take care of them ?
- I know my Junior Deacon can not make many meetings based on his job but he’s a friend of mine, can’t I just appoint him and hopefully it will work out ?
- Time is short during my year in the East, can’t we just skip the Veterans Program and spend the time on other important items ?
- I’ve heard that Grand Lodge is hard to communicate with, should I just go ahead with the events without checking with them ? The GM has a busy schedule, why bother him with our Lodge events ?
- Why can’t we discuss the ballot ? Even if the ballot has only one black cube, can’t we discuss why it was dropped ?
- I’ve know the Lodge Master for many years, why should I address him as Worshipful Master while in the Lodge and not by his real name ? Why do we have to be so formal in Lodge ?
And the questions go on. The program is set in a round table format with comments from all.
Please join us for the Master’s Class in Exeter starting at 7pm with coffee and donuts. The Lodge is two doors to the left of the IOKA Theatre in Downtown Exeter. Parking is on the street or in a lot diagonally across from the Lodge. Come on by, you won’t be disappointed.
Click on the Grand Lodge site for articles about our District and others in NH. Then search the web site for other important news and the Grand Masters recent postings.
Last Chance for the Masonic Dinner at the William Pitt Tavern.
November 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Brethren,
The Special Masonic Dinner Night at Strawbery Banke scheduled for the evening December 6, will be cancelled unless we get 60 additional reservations in by this Friday (November 30). If you are not aware of the Dinner Night please scroll down to the announcement just below the November Masters Masons Class Announcement and you will find all the details. If you want to attend this special event evening notify the Secretary of the Valley of Portsmouth Dover Scottish Rite, Jeff Brown, by e-mail, right away, at jbrownlaw@comcast.net with a follow up Check being made out to the “Valley of Portsmouth-Dover S.R.” and immediately mail to Jeff Brown, PO Box 1992, Seabrook, N.H., 03874-1992. Again reservations are $75 person , for a five course meal, drinks, and and evening of entertainment that will take you back to experience a 18th century holiday season being celebrated in a 1766 tavern! (This offer is open to all Masons and their families). Tickets for the seven evenings of the regular candle light stroll dinners held in December sell out within hours after being made available. The Valley of Portsmouth Dover was able to schedule one special evening just for N.H. Masons and families. This may be the only opportunity to attend an event that is normally near impossible to get tickets for.
Master Masons Class for November 2018 –
November 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Where?: Star In the East Lodge, Exeter, N.H.
When?: Wednesday, November 28th starting at 7pm.
The Theme?:
Preparing for and Running a Masonic Meeting
This class will discuss Preparing for and Running a Meeting which hopefully will prevent the awkward situation of being “Boring.” This is not just for the Master, it is for all of us.
Let’s make a concerted effort to get the Junior Officers of your Lodge at these classes. It’s great to have The Past Masters present but the current Junior Officers will be leading you in a few years and we all need them to be well prepared.
The Master’s Class is designed for those who will, or might, work their way to the East but also contains important information for any MM. All are welcome to join the circle for an open and free discussion. This is not a class room setting with a lecture. It promises to keep you awake !
If you are to be installed into the East or just want to be part of a good meeting, don’t miss this open discussion.
- What is the interaction between the Master and Secretary. When ? Why ?
- No Roberts Rules in Masonry. Who then leads the meeting ? Only him ?
- No glue on the Oriental Chair
- If you don’t have a regular kitchen staff, how do you handle the food ?
- What’s the difference between “Converse and Pronounce” ? Why is that important if the Master is always in charge and always right Or is he ?
- If you have a special meeting, is it necessary to notify all members ?
- How do you get the word out ?
- What is the seating arrangements in the East ?
- How do the Brethren ask questions on the subject at hand ?
- What needs to be voted on.? What is just approved by the Master.?
- Should the Master have an agenda so that all will know what is going to take place that evening ?
- Should the Master allow any question from the Brethren at any time ?
- How are the Brethren recognized before asking the question ?
- Can the Master, ask the question, second the motion and vote on the question ?
- What if the vote is not acceptable to the Master ? Can he stop the action once the vote has happened.?
- Can he delegate part of the evenings work to others ?
- Can he skip reading the minutes from the previous meeting ? Can he skip the Treasurer report ?
- What about scheduling the vote for the new candidate ? Does it have to be done ASAP after the 28 day waiting period ?
- How should the Master handle those odd things that happen from time to time ?
- What about a Brother who does not “take no for an answer” ? How should he handle that situation ? What about a Brother who does not stop talking when asked ?
- Is the Master required to have Masonic Educational as part of the meeting ?
- Stated meeting are required as part of your by-laws. How can the time of those meeting be changed ?
- Should I plan for meetings over the next 6 months or is planning only needed for the next month ? What if my plans are altered by events beyond my control ?
- How long should my Masonic meetings last ? Is there a cut off time for the meetings to end ?
And the questions go on. The program is set in a round table format with comments from all who want to participate. No pressure.
Please join us for the Master’s Class in Exeter on Wednesday, November 28th starting at 7pm.
Please Note: Coffee n’ donuts are always available at 1st District Master Mason’s classes, but no meal is served
Rare Holiday Season Opportunity for area Masons and their Families
November 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Don’t know if you have ever tried to get tickets for Strawbery Banke’s Annual Candle Light Stroll Dinner Nights at the William Pitt Tavern, but if you have tried you probably found out they are very difficult if not impossible to come by. This year’s tickets (for Dec. 2018) were sold out almost immediately after being put on sale. There are now no tickets available anywhere -HOWEVER- there is a special opportunity (arranged by the Valley of Portsmouth Dover- Scottish Rite ) available for N.H. Masons and their families. Please click on the “Holiday Dinner Announcement” below for details . Note: This opportunity is limited and the cut-off number as well as the need to make reservations is absolute . There will be no at-the-door ticket sales or admissions, so please act “fast” if you are interested.
