Yet another year has passed and in January we will be passing the torch of leadership from me to Bro Edward Brookshire.

As I reflect over the past year, it has been an amazing year for Lisa and I, both in masonic terms and personally. The lodge initiated, passed and raised eight masons, with two EA, two FC and two MM degrees.

We started the year with a Master Mason degree with the full tragedy and raised four new brothers. Brother Edward Brookshire performed a faultless FC degree in February, passing three brothers and passing his certification to be Master of the lodge.

In April, the lodge was honored with our first Grand Master in one hundred and eighty seven years. Grand Lodge was indeed a grand affaire and having been to many, I believe it was the best I have seen. Later that month MW Bro. Jim initiated three brothers into our lodge, sitting in the East with the Grand Lodge officers sitting in their relative chairs.

There followed three more degrees all performed in excellent manner by the officers of the lodge, in front of most welcome guests from other lodges and jurisdictions.

For me, it was my twenty fifth year as a mason and one of the highlights of the year was visiting my mother lodge in England and taking friends and brothers to both Scotland and England. Witnessing the brotherly friendship to my American brothers from the brothers of Southsea lodge was a wonderful experience.

Many of you know that Lisa and I are moving to Malta. We have just returned from a trip there and have secured ourselves a home to go to. I was honored by the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta by being installed as the Grand Tyler. During the ceremony, I conveyed Fraternal greeting from the officers and brothers of Temple Lodge 65.

As I end my year as Master of our lodge, I would like to reflect on the basic tenants of Freemasonry that I learned from my mother lodge, Southsea Lodge 4071 of the Grand Lodge of England.

“Masonic Protocol, Etiquette and decorum”

“Forasmuch as our ritual is a most important part of being a Freemason, it must not be forgotten that Protocol, Etiquette and Decorum are equal partners.

The difference between the three is not always appreciated.

The practice of Protocol, Etiquette and Decorum is not left to the individual to decide according to his own taste. It is based on tradition and long experience and is not up for debate. It is a requirement based on conventional behavior and is expected of every brother whether he sees a reason for it or not.

Protocol is the established way we do things. Whether the manner of our dress, the way we greet a Grand Lodge Officer, our treatment of visitors or the way we correspond. All Lodges observe the same rules. This ensures consistency and understanding and is universal.

Etiquette is the way we do things. Some action, courteous gesture, or attention given to a brother or a non-mason. Etiquette supposes that we will always show respect to others and be respectable ourselves.

Decorum is how we do what we do. The way we speak to and of others. The way we conduct ourselves in the Lodge and in society. The way we dress and behave.

Lodge Officers should have a good grasp of protocol, etiquette and decorum in order that the Lodge is not embarrassed by inappropriate behavior, which at its worst could cause disharmony and disrespect.”

I truly believe that Brother Brookshire will exemplify all three protocols in his ensuing year and I charge all of you to give him your total support, as will I, till I leave in March.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and I thank all of you who have supported me throughout the year that I have been Master of the lodge.

Fraternally

V.W. Bro. Anthony Foote
Worshipful Master
Temple Lodge 65