Golden Ark Lodge#595

TRESTLEBOARD

                october 2009

Volume 12, Number 09     

Trestle-Board

05/OCT/09 – Regular Communications 7:00 pm

12/OCT/09 – Annual Table Lodge – 6:30 PM

19/OCT/09 – FC Degree 6:30 pm

26/OCT/09 – FC Degree 6:30 pm

02/NOV/09 – Regular Communications – Annual Business – Lodge opens at 7:00 pm

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
       - Buddha,

The test we must set for ourselves is not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us.
       - Hubert Humphrey, U.S. vice president, senator

He that would be a leader must be a bridge.
       - Welsh Proverb

The best leaders of all, the people know not they exist. They turn to each other and say, We did it ourselves.
       - Zen Proverb

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
       - Anatole France

Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more wisely.
       - Anonymous

Great changes may not happen right away, but with effort even the difficult may become easy.
       - Bill Blackman

Whoever said anybody has a right to give up?
       - Marian Wright Edelman

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.
       - John Quincy Adams

Greetings from the EAST      

Brethren, Family, and Friends

This year is really flying by, but we still have alot of work to do. I was recently asked at lodge if I was still going to come to lodge after my year as WM was over, My answer was very quick and sincere, Yes I will.

We've had a great year so far, but like I said in the beginning I and we still have a lot of work to do.

As you are reading this letter some of our brethren will have been suspended for non-payment of dues. As this is very unfortunate, it is something that has to be done.

We had to cancel our tour of the Masonic Pathways due to lack of participation, maybe we can reschedule.

Ok enough of the negative.

We have to concentrate on the positive things going on at Golden Ark, like the new brothers coming in to our lodge and the old brothers coming back.

There is talk in lodge about having a Texas Hold ‘Em fundraiser. I personally feel, from what I know and have heard, that it sounds like a very good thing to do, but it is up all of us to make it happen or not. If we go ahead with it we will need volunteers to pull it off.

I'm sure there will be more discussion about it.

Until Next Month

Fraternally,

Russell D Ouellette WM

You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!

Writings from the WEST

Brethren, Family and Friends

Since it is very close to our Annual Communications, as well as 2010 dues, I feel that we all need a little reminder. As most have heard, the delegates voted for a per capita increase at our Annual Communications. The original proposal was for a $50 increase, but that was amended to $25, which will be spread out over the next 4 years. This means that our dues will increase $6.25 each year for the next 4 years. Please feel free to contact myself, our WM, or Secretary for any further information.

The last 3 SW dinners of the year are scheduled for this month – Plymouth Rock 47, 15/OCT/09, Hiram 110, 19/OCT/09, and Trenton –Wyandotte 8, 28/OCT/09. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. Ladies are welcome to all of the above dinners.

Until Next month – stay on the Level, and live by the Square

WB John R Miller, SW

Ramblings of the SW…………..

Brethren,

Over the past few months, maybe a bit longer, I have struggled with some of the things that have been going on within our world. I am distressed over the way that people are treated, the way that people act, the way that people talk, and the way that it has all become “accepted”. I find it hard to believe that we, as a society, have accepted the fact that it is okay for some of us to lie, cheat, and steal. We tend to make excuses, and reason that it was justified. We have allowed others to tell us what we can and cannot do, while, seemingly, doing so against our better judgments and principals. We, as a society, have neglected our responsibilities of raising our children and teaching, as well as showing, them good moral values and principles. Some of us have forgotten these values. Some of us have abandoned them.

Freemasonry was founded on the ideals that men with good moral values should be able to come together, as one, and have a POSITIVE effect on their community. This is one of the reasons that we were all drawn to the fraternity  - We all wanted to have a positive impact. Freemasonry has, or should have, taught us that men of all religions and creeds, regardless of their position outside of the Lodge, can unite and live by a moral code founded on the highest moral standards – Honesty, Integrity, and Strength of Character. We, as Masons, can pave the way for those around us. We have the opportunity to make a change and have that POSITIVE impact.

During our initiation, passing, and raising, we learn that Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are three of the greatest principals of Masonry. We are taught to show these, not only to our Brothers, but, to all of mankind. We are taught the four cardinal virtues – Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice – and how they should help us to regulate our lives and Square our actions. We are taught that we should whisper good console and be there for each other, Admonish ourselves to walk upright.

My Brothers, this is where I struggle. Some of us have forgotten these teachings. Some of us have abandoned them.

It is my HOPE, that each of us will take a moment to reflect on ourselves and the things that we have been taught during our Masonic endeavors. That we will then take those GOOD moral values and principles out to the community and show them that we are Free and Accepted Masons by who and what we are, what we say, and how we act - not just by what we wear.

“Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

salutations from the SOUTH

Greetings Brothers,

I would like to take the time to thank everyone that showed up to the picnic and also thank all the people that helped set up and clean up we had good food ,

Lots of fun and great fellowship!!! And a great turn out.

 I would like to announce that we are having another child ID program with the Inkster Police Crime Prevention Unit it will be held on  Saturday October 17 2009 10am till 2pm at the Inkster recreation complex 2025 Middlebelt  Rd. Inkster  MI 48141 phone # 1-734-7283730

Paul Loudon– JW

Joy can be real only if people look on their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness

Secretary Scribbles