MWB David J. DeChant, Grand Master, is scheduled to attend the following Instructional Meetings during January (schedule subject to change)

Jan 4th - 14th District at Ruff Lodge 240
Jan 4th - 25th District at Marlboro Lodge 88
Jan 11th - 10th District at Columbia Scottish Rite...
Jan 11th - 29th District at Myrtle Beach Lodge 353
Jan 13th - 23rd District at Great Falls 277
Jan 16th - 17th & 18th Districts at Scottish Rite Greenville
Jan 17th - 3rd District at Cottageville Methodist Church
Jan 18th - 8th District at Cayce Lodge 384
Jan 18th - 13th District at Palmetto Lodge 19
Jan 20th - 4th District at Port Royal Lodge 242
Jan 23rd - 1st & 2nd Districts at Charleston County Masonic Center

Ahiman Rezon, Constitution and Code
37th Edition, 2012
597 Pages

Available from your local Lodge Secretary or a member of the Masonic Education Committee

One of the features of Grand Lodge is the awarding of the H. Dwight McAlister Plaque for the best Lodge Newsletter for 2013. We need at least four of your newsletters for the year.
Also, the awarding of a Plaque to a Lodge for Community Service. You may send a letter, articles and/or pictures of your Lodge members contributing to community service.

These awards will be presented at the Grand Lodge Banquet in April.

They can be sent to:
Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina
1445 Pisgah Church Road
Lexington, SC 29072-8937
or
P0 Box 2185
Lexington, SC 29071-2185

On Sunday, December 8th, CBS Sunday Morning aired a segment about Freemasonry.

Click on the photo to view and read the story.



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-the-secret-world-of-the-freemasons/

The Masonic Information Center recently published a pam­phlet entitled "What has Masonry done for the world?" It points out very clearly that Freemasonry has done more for the world in which we live than most people or even most Masons realize. In a quote from his book The Beginnings of Freemasonry pub­lished in 1924, Illustrious Brother Melvin M. Johnson, PGM of Massachusetts has this to say, "A Study of the tremendous influ­ence which Freemasonry had in the pre-Revolutionary days, in the years of that war, and throughout the formative period of American Institutions, will demonstrate that Freemasonry has exercised a greater influence upon the establishment and devel­opment of this Government than any other single institution. Neither general historians, nor the members of the Fraternity, since the days of the first Constitutional Convention have ever realized how much the United States of America owes to Freemasonry, and how great a part it played in the birth of the Nation and the establishment of the landmarks of that civiliza­tion which has given to the citizens of this great land the liberty which they enjoy."

We realize that actions done in the past, laid the foundations for us to build on in the future. The future is now and the ques­tion arises, "What are we doing for the world in the 21st century?" Education is an important part of any institution. Are we fulfilling our obligations to our Brothers by giving them ade­quate opportunities to gain education? In January, every Lodge member will have the opportunity to participate in an educa­tional session. In addition, most Lodges have programs to inter­face with and serve their communities. Grand Lodges partner with educational, health and many other initiatives to make Masonry visible to the general public.

But, will education and our current efforts be enough to sus­tain our Fraternity? Clearly, the world is changing. While we tell our Fifty-Year members that Masonry is the same as it was fifty years ago, our members are faced with a whole new list of concerns and obligations. Our Lodges are challenged to respond to these new concerns by providing instructions, programs, and help to meet the needs of our current membership. The preser­vation of Masonry and our country will say much about how we meet this challenge.

When future Masons look back at the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, what can they say to con­vince the world that we have done our part in keeping this nation great? It is up to us now to see that this assessment is positive.

Fraternally,

William R. Logan
Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee

The official Grand Lodge Flags is now in stock and available for purchase from the office of the Grand Secretary
.
3'x5' - $50.00

Brethren; we are now approaching the end of another Masonic year. I hope that you, your family and your Lodge have had a good year. We will soon be electing and installing a new slate of officers for our Lodges, and we need to remember that all newly elected officers must have a current dues card. As of October 31st all too many Brothers throughout our Grand Jurisdiction were erased from the Lodge rolls because of not paying their dues. Although no longer in good standing as a Mason they still have a grace period -- until December 31st to come and pay their dues for the ensuing year and they will be automatically reinstated. Remember Brethren, those who do not pay by December 31st; in order for him to be reinstated, he must submit a reinstatement request accompanied with the dues for the year that he was dropped and for the current year's dues. The Lodge must formally read the request, assign a com­mittee of investigation and the committee must return a favor­able recommendation before the Brother is balloted upon by the Lodge at the next regular meeting.

Brethren, we took an obligation, so please don't let this happen to you. If you do lose your membership in your Blue Lodge, you will also lose your membership in all of the appendant bodies in this Grand Jurisdiction. I truly feel that no Brother should be dropped for nonpayment of dues without the Secretaries and Brethren of each Lodge doing everything possible to assist in reaching out to all who may need our assistance; he is your Brother, you promised to befriend and relieve every Brother who should need your assistance. Find out why this Brother is getting ready to go N.P.D. Call him or go see him in person and encourage him, maybe he is having some difficulties or he may have health problems; there are several reasons why he has not paid his dues, the only way to be sure is talk to the Brother face to face.

Brethren, December is the time of year when family and friends get together by way of Christmas cards or in person to let them know how much they are loved. We, who are Christian, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ while our Jewish Brothers celebrate Hanukkah. Free Masonry accepts men of high moral character from all Faiths and only requires that he believes in a supreme being, regardless of his religion. Brethren, it is my hope and prayer that each of you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. To our Grand Lodge ladies, Debbie, Sandra and Connie, there are no words that can thank you enough for what you do for this great Fraternity, you are all the greatest, thank you for your dedication.

Fraternally,

David J. DeChant, Sr.
Grand Master

Remember "Educate and Communicate"