We have just gone through two wonderful seasons of the year—Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We have so much for which to be grateful—our freedoms, our families, and the food we have to eat. Many less fortunate are hungry while our tables are laden with all kinds of good food. Our men and women in Armed Services have made our freedoms possible.  Many of them have come home with missing limbs, burned beyond recognition, head injuries, and too many of them have come home in coffins or body bags.  The cost of our freedoms is high.  Christ’s death on the cross was the price paid for our salvation.  So we have so very much to be thankful for.
  As you celebrated Christmas, I hope you remembered the “Reason for the Season”…the Birth of our Savior.  Sometimes we forget when we are so busy finding those special gifts for our loved ones, all the baking of good foods to be enjoyed, the musical programs we attend and decorating our homes and yards.  Christmas is a season of giving.  It is a joyous time of the year.
As you know, my New Year didn’t start off so well with my fall on New Year’s Day.  Since I have been homebound, I have had time to reflect on what is really meaningful in my life and the many wonderful blessings I have. Jeanne has been a good nurse. My Brothers have been so good in providing a wheel chair and a walker for my use, repairing my security camera at the front door of our home (the cause of my fall) and giving me other help.  They have really lived up to what the Fraternity stands for.  I also appreciate all the calls, cards, inquiries, and especially your prayers and every expression of love and care in my behalf.  It means so much to Jeanne and me to know how much we have been blessed with so many good friends.
I hope to be able to be with you at the Masters’ Workshop at the end of this month with the help of some of the Brothers who have volunteered to chauffeur me.  I continue to be amazed at your generosity.  Words can’t express my appreciation for all you have done and continue to do for me and Masonry.
I hate that I have had to miss the Instructional Meetings in the Districts this month but I truly appreciate the Brothers stepping up to fill in for me. 
As we stand on the threshold of this New Year, I hope 2016 will be a year filled with many privileges and opportunities to serve our fellowman.  We will be attending Grand Lodge functions and local Lodge meetings.  April will be a busy month as we plan for upcoming Grand Lodge Communication to be held in Greenville at The Embassy Suites Hotel in Greenville. I hope to see all of you Brothers there.
Fraternally,

William B. Rogers
Grand Master
 

​HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FREEMASONS! As we begin the new Masonic year, it is a great time to embrace and improve the Masonic experience for your Lodge Brothers and Visitors. I believe that fear is the most crippling attitude that must be removed before your Lodge can progress. We often see Lodges that are crippled by fear of trying new things or trying to raising the quality standards of the Lodge, and while it is true that all may not like changes, changes are needed to continue to improve our Masonic Experience for our current and future members and indeed change is happening!

Lesson 5. Enhanced Masonic Education
Recently, Most Worshipful, William B. Rogers and RW Bro. William R. Logan and I were discussing the lack of quality Masonic Education in some of our Lodges. All too often Masonic Education in the Lodge is considered risky business to our Lodge officers, when most members, especially our youngest members, are literally begging for more from their Masonic Experience. Why? Perhaps it is a lack of confidence in leading an educational topic or a genuine fear of displeasing our members with any changes. I contend that it is our duty to further enlighten our members and create a desire to learn more and improve ourselves in Freemasonry.

Is it possible that your Lodge has become complacent about Masonic Education? If so, it is time to lead an effective educational program each month. By offering a l0-15 minute program each month, you will create a new experience every month for your members. Vary the programs by delegating to your officers and members, including new members to encourage more research, or have a young member interview a Past Master and share a presentation about his Masonic experience and history. You will be amazed by what you and your younger members will learn. Alternate between history, symbolism, current topics, and consider having a guest speaker on occasion for a special event.

Many resources are available for your use with Grand Lodge Publications, including Masonic Light, Ahiman Rezon and our Educational materials, Masonic Service Association of North America Publication, Scottish Rite Master Craftsman Program called “The Symbolic Lodge”, Video programs and the “Transactions” from South Carolina Masonic Research Society.

If you have not yet discussed the first 4 lessons in the “Lodge of the Future” series of Lesson Plans and Lodge Education Topics, you may find these at www.scgrandlodgeafm.org under the Resources Tab. Use these for enhanced education, analysis and discussion in your Lodge.

Finally Gentlemen, remember that we learn best from each other so offer to share your experience and your Lodge History with your members. Many great Freemasons have passed through your Doors. Document and share your Lodge history before it passes another generation.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Michael D. Smith
Senior Grand Warden