Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Trestleboard

  Volume No. 11               June 2011                    Issue No. 6

George M. Otis P.M., Publisher
Stephen D. Vining P.M., Webmaster

   

Frank W. Lutze
Worshipful Master
517-563-8338

Dear ,

Ask, Seek, Knock - My quest for the Inner Door

Some of you may have heard me recount bits and pieces of my quest for the Inner Door.  If there is a typical way that a man finds his way to Masonry I believe that mine was anything but typical. 

My quest for the Inner Door actually began two years after I was born.  That was the year that my father became a Master Mason.  From an early age I recall the Square and Compass lapel pin that he wore on his suit coat whether he was going to the office, out to dinner on Saturday evening or church on Sunday.  I never saw him without it.  I proudly wear his pin to this day.  There were evenings that my mother would say "Dad has Lodge tonight" to explain his absence.  I can not recall how I learned that I wasn't to ask my father questions about Masonry or Lodge but I learned and I never did.

As a youth I recall observing an encounter with the shoe salesman and my father in J. L. Hudson's department store.  Somehow they recognized each other as Masons.  I remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday.  (If you would like to hear the rest of this fascinating story .................just ask)

I went away to college, married and had a family.  During that time I learned that one of my father's favorite activities was attending High Twelve but I had no idea what that was and wasn't interested enough to inquire.  I recall walking into a discussion between my father and a cousin, who is a Mason from New York state, and hearing my father say something about "visitors being required to knock".  The discussion ended as I entered the room.  I also recall another discussion where the cousin was encouraging my father to pursue York Rite or Scottish Rite.

Years later, as my father neared the end of his battle with a debilitating illness, we had some memorable and deep father - son discussions but never did either of us bring up Masonry.  As my mother and I sat with the funeral director to make final arrangements he revealed that he was a brother Mason.  He asked if my mother wanted a Masonic memorial service.

Fourteen years later (1998) and my mother had just passed away. I was sorting through a lifetime of accumulations from my parents.  Tucked away in the back of a dresser drawer was my father's lambskin apron and Masonic Bible.  I opened the Bible and learned the dates of his Initiation, Passing and Raising.  I also learned that the cousin that I overheard discussing Masonry with my father had signed the page titled "visiting brethren".  Neatly folded inside the Bible were two letters informing my father that he was to receive his Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees.  I also discovered a Master Mason certificate for my grandfather that had passed away before I was born.  The year is 1998. 

Now my desire was clear but how to accomplish it.  I remember hearing my father mention "knock"  but where? Twice while out of state I saw the Square and Compasses on rings. I ask the men wearing them how do I join the Masons?  They asked what state I was from and when I told them Michigan they said that they couldn't help me. I tried looking up Masonic Lodge in the phone book but that didn't provide much guidance.I saw a picture of a recently installed Worshipful Master in the Citizen Patriot, cut it out and kept it for a while trying to figure out my next step.  Then I discovered the website for the Grand Lodge of Michigan. I filled out the online form and waited for a response.  Nothing came, no one contacted me. Again I filled out the online form and soon Jerry Williams, Secretary - Jackson Lodge #17 was sitting at my kitchen table handing me a petition and a return envelop. The year was 2006.

"Ask, and it shall be given you;

Seek, and ye shall find;

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For everyone who Asks receives, and he who Seeks finds, and to him who Knocks it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7~8

Fraternally,

Frank W. Lutze

Worshipful Master

When Are You A Mason?

When are you a Mason?
When you go to Lodge
If there is a meeting
That you cannot dodge?
When you wear your button?
When still up you climb?
The way to be a Mason
Is to be one all the time.
 

When are you a Mason?
When there's fun and feast,
Or when you can bolster
With a word at least
Some poor devil's spirits!
The real help you give.
The way to be a Mason
Is to be one as you live.
 

When are you a Mason?
When some gossip spreads
Of another brother,
Are you the one who heads
Off the hurtful babble,
And helps make things right?
The way to be a Mason
Is to be one day and night.
 

From The Secretary's Desk 

Brother's,

Here are the results of the Grand Lodge Annual Communication on May 24 & 25, 2011.

This is a recap of the legislation only. A more extensive report will be delivered to the Lodge secretaries by the Grand Secretary later in the summer.

Election of Officers:

Elected to the open chair:

Joshua Wookwyk, PM, Doric # 342 in Grand Rapids

Grand Master:

Frederick E. Kaiser Jr., Berkley Lodge # 536

The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation elected the following as trustees:  

Ronald Jelinek, Three Oaks Lodge # 2 3 9

Archie Canterbury, Mt. Morris Lodge # 535

Amendment # 1  

Allowing Life Membership from another jurisdiction:  

Passed  

Amendment # 2 

Out of order

Amendment # 3 

Out of order  

Amendment # 4

Out of order

Amendment # 5

Mileage and Per Diem would be determined by the Finance Committee, failed.

Amendment # 6 

Change to the Grand Masters Authority as it regards individual Masons, Passed.

Amendment # 7

Change to the Grand Masters Honorarium, passed.  

Amendment # 8 

Background Check Legislation, failed.

Amendment # 9 

Change to non payment of dues suspension and reinstatement process, failed.

Resolution # 1

Optional Charge, failed.  

Resolution # 2 

Out of order

Grand Lodge District News 

Most Worshipful Master Frederick E. Kaiser Jr., P.M.

Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Center
Lodge Blue Room
 

Stephen D. Vining P.M., Secretary

Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M.

Region No. 4 Grand Lecturer

Grand Lodge of Michigan

(517) 914-8400

2011

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

17-1/2 (Social Evening), 7:00 p.m.

Membership Committee Meeting 

Sunday, June 5th, 2011  

Jackson Rose Parade

Float Line Up, 10:30 a.m.

Parade Start, 1:00 p.m.

Party In The Park

after the Rose Parade.

Any help is needed and appreciated.

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

No Dinner This Week

Regular Communication, 7:30 p.m.

Special Short Talk by the W.M.

Those in attendance will get a lapel pin 

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Annual Strawberry Festival and

Membership Awards Dinner, 6:00 p.m.

Past Master's will confer the

Fellowcraft Degree, 7:30 p.m.

| Officer's & Degree Team should wear tuxedo or dark suit |

Call J.W. Adam Wygant for reservation at 517-745-1699 

Friday, June 17th, 2011

LODGE WILL BE DARK JULY & AUGUST 

Annual Strawberry Festival

And Awards Dinner

| Prior to Degree |

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Annual Strawberry Festival and

Membership Awards Dinner, 6:00 p.m.

Past Master's will confer the

Fellowcraft Degree, 7:30 p.m.

Dinner will consist of Chicken Cordon Bleu,

Salad, Yeast Rolls and Butter,

Au Gratin  Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables,

Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream 

Contact Adam W. Wygant, Junior Warden

517-745-1699 or you can email him at

wetlandwaterfront@sbcglobal.net

2011 Line of Officer's
 

• Frank W. Lutze, Worshipful Master
• Lyman S. Robertson Jr, Senior Warden
• Adam W. Wygant, Junior Warden
• Dale D. Brown PM, Treasurer
• Stephen D. Vining PM, Secretary
• George M. Otis PM, Chaplain
• Richard G. Shea PM, Senior Deacon
• David G. Shea PM, Junior Deacon
• Eric J. Cole, Senior Steward
• Andrew S. Marlow, Junior Steward
• R. Todd Rubert PM, Marshal
• Thomas E. Royce PM, Tiler
• George M. Otis PM, Publisher
• Stephen D. Vining PM, Webmaster
   

 Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M. 

Contact Masonic Bodies 

• Visit Our Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Website 
• Contact Jackson-Coolidge Trestleboard Publisher 
• Contact Secretary - Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M. 
• Contact Secretary - Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M. 
• Contact Recorder - Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M. 
• Contact Recorder - Jackson Commander No. 9, K.T. 
• Contact Secretary - Jackson York Rite College No. 3 
• Contact Secretary - Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66, O.E.S.
• Contact Secretary - High Twelve Club No. 16
   

SPECIAL MONETARY APPEAL

Brothers of Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M.

Companions of Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M.

Companions of Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M.

Sir Knights of Jackson Commandery No. 9, K.T.

Companion Sir Knights of Jackson York Rite College No. 3

Sisters of Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66, O.E.S.

• Clean the entire building and replace the furnaces. Install new  rooftop heating and air conditioning units with new air ducts.
• Throw away a lot of items that are of little use to us anymore.
•  New Hanging Sign out front and in the very near future a new Masonic/York Rite/Eastern Star lighted sign on the building.

Masonic Sale Items 

phone: 517-262-0147 

Table

                                 Your Help Is Needed and Appreciated. Thank you.