Brethren,

I have been wondering where the time goes. Sometimes it seems as if we have just had one meeting, when then next comes up. Many of us are living busy lives and find it hard to regularly attend Lodge, particularly in this economy. RW Bro. Jim McWain brought this topic up for discussion at our last meeting. While we miss your company and enjoy the fellowship of having you with us in lodge, we all need to remember that you are living the life of a mason. You are putting the priorities of you and your family first - we all were taught to do that in the entered apprentice degree.

RW Bro. Jim made a heartfelt request to all of us at the last meeting: Keep in touch with our brothers, but let them know that they are not letting the lodge or themselves down by not attending lodge. Each of us spreads the light of masonry differently. I, as Master of the lodge initiate, pass, and raise masons. I honestly don't think that what I do is any more important than what the brethren do every day by living by the square, caring for others, and ensuring that you are taking care of those closest to you, including yourself. There can be no better example of masonry than men living as caring husbands and fathers, active citizens, and compassionate leaders. Others will simply want to emulate your good works.

To close, we miss your presence brothers when you are not in lodge, but that is purely selfish. You are our friends and we like to see you. The pain of separation is tempered by the knowledge that your are living the life of a mason, demonstrating to the world the difference a single mason can make.