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Join me in my optimism as I bring you up to date on our membership program, Operation Rescue/Recovery. Grand Lodge has been reporting on an increasing number of petitions received by lodges across the state. As the lodges returned from the summer darkness to meetings in September, there were approximately 300 prospective new members who have petitioned Freemasonry in Pennsylvania and had not received any degrees yet. It shows that there are many good men who want to belong to this quality fraternal organization. I've gotten some exciting comments from the deputies and lodge officers about the membership activities and the Friend-to-Friend meetings. That's the positive news, but there still is one problem on the negative side. We have too many brethren who have been suspended for non-payment of dues. Our Membership Committee is working diligently to have those suspended members contacted personally. Brethren, there's where we ALL can help. If you know of a brother who has been suspended for non-payment of dues, talk to him. Maybe he has just forgotten to pay his dues. Maybe there is a circumstance of need that the lodge should know about. In any case, you'll be extending a helping hand to one you've called "brother." (see related story) Here's another positive topic. The youth programs that were presented in our Blue Lodges during the month of September were very well received. There were so many good comments by members about the video that was shown. Continuing on the topic of youth: As I have traveled throughout the jurisdiction, I have heard nothing but positive comments about 18, 19, and 20 year-olds being eligible to petition Blue Lodges in Pennsylvania. I call your attention to the opinion of the Rajah Shrine Chaplain, Bro. and Rev. Bill Harner, that is reprinted in this issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason (click here). Again, I feel it is so positive that a young man can become a member of this Fraternity before he goes off to college, becomes a member of our armed forces, and, importantly, to afford DeMolay youth the opportunity to mature uninterrupted from DeMolay to Masonic membership. It will be an exciting future for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania between now and January 2004. That's when the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown, the Masonic Eastern Star Home East at Warminster, and the Masonic Village at Sewickley and the Masonic Home of Pennsylvania at Lafayette Hill will become one "Masonic Homes Family." Between now and that time, extensive review and work will be done to bring about the union effectively. Two years ago, I was honored to be a guest speaker at one of our Shrine clubs in the Philadelphia area. Two brothers approached me and asked, "Is my dues card different from yours?" "No," I said, "it looks the same." Then, the brother said, "Well, why aren't we the same here at Lafayette Hill as are those at the other Masonic Homes?" Well, brethren, with everything going as planned, by January 2004, no brother will have to ask, "Why aren't we the same at all of our Masonic Homes?" Please see the articles about this in this issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason (click here). It is with gratitude that I call your attention to another important article in this issue reporting that you, the Freemasons of Pennsylvania, contributed more than $318,000 last year to the 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund via the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (click here). As your Grand Master, I enthusiastically express gratitude for your generosity and assistance. Sincerely and fraternally, I say "thank you!" The two Grand Master's Charity Golf Outings in the West at Sewickley and in the East at Lu Lu Country Club were both successful and enjoyable. The Masonic Village at Sewickley and the Masonic Children's Home at Elizabethtown were the beneficiaries and they appreciate the support. Please note that the next Quarterly Communication will be at 10 o'clock a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. Brethren, we have passed the first anniversary of the evil events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. Let us continue to stand firm in our patriotism and maintain a remembrance of our heroes who served mankind so valiantly. Likewise, let's not forget that November is the month we honor all of our veterans.
God Bless America!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., |
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Brethren,
