The Future Begins Now With a New Year! - Fresh Start Initiatives
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. As
previously stated, I believe that fear is the most crippling attitude
that must be removed before our Lodges can progress and increase
our member value. Often Lodges are crippled by fear of trying new
things or trying to raising the quality standards of the Lodge, and it
is true that not all will like changes, changes are needed to continue
to improve our Masonic Experience for our current and future members. Indeed change is happening whether you plan for it or not!
Men are changing. Complacency is our number one issue. Choose
not to be complacent! It will take work and working together!

EMBRACING THE YEAR TOGETHER!
As we all begin our new year, with our officers taking their respective
leadership roles in our Lodge, it is important that we take time
to plan for this year! Will it be better than last year? Will our Lodge
make a difference to our existing members?

Your Lodge can greatly prepare for success by ALL officers attending your District Instructional Meeting together. Your experience is important so that you can lead the Craft of your Lodge. To prepare for your Instructional Meetings, review 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 with your officers to plan and lead discussion in your Lodge.

Several key events are planned for your Instructional Meetings with time set aside for your specific office and materials for your use this year. If you are a first time officer in any chair in the Masonic Lodge, your will get specialized training for your specific office. We ​will also have time at your meetings to discuss common items, and some of the best instruction from the Masonic Education Committee on the standard Lodge practice and procedure.

Finally Gentlemen, remember that we learn best from each other, so offer to share your experience and your Lodge History with your members. After all, that is the way we have taught for centuries! Many great Freemasons have passed through your doors. Document and share your Lodge history before it passes another generation.

​I hope to see many of you at your District Instructional Meetings, and Worshipful Masters, the upcoming Grand Masters Workshop for Worshipful Masters on January 28, at the Columbia Scottish Rite Center.

Chairman, Masonic Education Committee
Michael D. Smith, Sr., Senior Grand Warden

​MASONIC EDUCATION CORNER HOLIDAY PRAYER 
Brethren, as we enter the Holiday Season, a time for Thanksgiving for our many blessings, a special time with family and friends to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and the coming of a New Year, take time to reflect on your personal commitment to God, your Family, our Nation and our Fraternity. So, as you close a year, celebrate your accomplishment, and look forward to the potential of a new year, take time to pause and reflect. In considering what to share with my Brethren, I am led to simply offer a prayer that I hope will inspire you and your Lodge as you celebrate 2016 and prepare for 2017.  Most Holy and Glorious Lord God of Heaven, thank you for the beginning of a new day, as we renew of our vow of service and labors as Free Men and Free Masons, to share your Love, Mercy, and Grace among those that we may touch each day and one with the other. I ask for forgiveness for our errors, and mistakes that have hurt others, while we give thanks for the great compassion that men of faith have for one another.  I ask your infinite blessings upon all members of our Gentle Craft this day, as we prepare for the New Year, as we reflect on our principle role as men of Faith and Love. Today, I ask that each of our members feel your presence and understand the great role each has to love one another, to be the shining example of what is right and true, an example of love, an example of strength and an example of faith.  Guide our thoughts, words, and actions all the days of our lives with that great purpose of teaching and guiding our families and our Lodges, as well as those we influence, to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth. We give thanks for these gifts and the wisdom to properly use our gifts for your honor and glory. Aid us, O God, to learn and use our gifts wisely and well in the coming days.  I ask for your gifts of patience, steadfastness, endurance, wisdom, love and grace upon all my Brethren every day, but more especially as we celebrate this season and accomplishments. Touch each of them with the great sense of purpose as we claim your promise of great success as a body of faith. Lead us every day in the paths of truth, guide the steps of the faithful, to remember our duties to our children, our families, each other, our nation and in the world. Aid us, O God, to learn and use these gifts wisely and well in the coming days.  Lord God, I pray that you imbue our Nation, with the realization that our nation is only as strong as our Faith. Strengthen our members to be the Fatherly example in our homes, communities, churches, states and our Nation.  Remove from among us, those that sacrifice our honor and integrity for their selfish greed and evil motivation, send to us the leaders of faith, leaders who will stand, leaders who will lead and leaders who will pray for strength and guidance every day.  I ask your grace and mercy upon those among us that are suffering from ill health, loneliness, ill fortune, and even estrangement from their families. Guide them to the place in your will and paths that will be pleasing in your sight. As men of faith, we acknowledge that all will be healed in time, according to your purpose, and whether here, so as to be called to further service, or when we claim the promise of joy and fellowship for eternity.  We give humble thanks for all the days of our lives, and all those that have touched our lives, provided guidance and wisdom to us along our journey. May they know that they are truly  Loved. I ask for your finest blessings each of those that have shared of themselves to help us along our journey as men of faith. 
​Amen! So Mote It Be! Amen! 

Our lesson plan for the month references some ways to jump start your New Masonic Year.  Find the Masonic Light Lesson plan under the resources tab at www. scgrandlodgeafm.org. Salve! Salve Frater!   
​
Michael D. Smith   
Senior Grand Warden   
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee 

​Friday, November 4, 2016:
 
In recognition of and appreciation for the service of our Masonic Brothers, James Island Lodge No. 396, AFM of SC will be conducting a Special Communication on November 4, 2016 at the Veterans Victory House under a dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. Starting promptly at 7:00 PM, the purpose is to honor the Military and Masonic service of resident Veterans Victory House Brothers. All Masons, family and friends are invited to attend. The Lodge will open on the Master Mason Degree. Once open, the Lodge will move from Labor to Refreshment for an open forum of Masonic Demonstration, VVH Brother participation and then Individual Recognition of each of these Masonic Brothers. Family and friends are invited to attend this portion of the Special Communication. When completed, the Lodge will be purged and the Lodge will go from Refreshment to Labor and close on the Master ​Mason Degree. The Special Communication is scheduled to end by 8:30 PM. 

​We are honored to have MWB Barry A. Rickman, PGM (2009 - 2011) as the lead presenter for the Certificates of Appreciation and Personal Letter of Thanks to each Veterans Victory House Masonic Brother. Assisting in making the presentations will be RWB Joe Wells, PDDGM of the Seventh Masonic District and MSA Field Representative for the Veterans Victory House and RWB Dale A. Schumann, DDGM of the Second Masonic District and a member of​ James Island Lodge No. 396.

Dress is coat and tie with equivalent dress for ladies and children. Bring your Masonic Apron and Dues Card. No food or beverages will be served. There are water fountains and vending machines for your use as well as rest rooms. This outreach is supported by the Veterans Victory House Administration and the MSA in South Carolina. This will be an annual event occurring the first Friday of each November; at 7:00 PM. Other First ​and Second Masonic District Lodges will be offered the opportunity to host the Special Communication on the first Friday in November in the future.
 
Questions may be referred to RWB Joe Wells, MSA Field Rep at the VVH at [email protected] or WB Ned Balzano, PM at [email protected]
Veterans Victory House is at 2461 Sidneys Road, Walterboro, SC 29488. Click here for map: 2461 Sidneys Road

​Early Years of Masonry
            When an organization comes into being there are Individuals with great ideas and skills that work and sacrifice to make their ideas come to reality and the same is true with Masonry. South Carolina has many Brothers who distinguished themselves in the early years. On the 28th of October 1736 the first Lodge in South Carolina was opened in Charleston with Bro. John Hammerton being unanimously elected as Worshipful Master.
            About the middle of the eighteenth century the division of the Fraternity in England into two conflicting societies of the “Ancients” and the “Moderns” came into being; although by the reconciliation in 1813 uniformity was restored in The United Grand Lodge of England, which was then formed. That uniformity was restored and did not extend to other countries with Lodges. Although nearly all Lodges in the United States, before the Revolution of 1776, derived their existence from the Grand Lodges of England, the American Masons do not use the multitude of signs that prevail in the English System.   
            In the early years of Masonry in South Carolina there were the “Ancient York Masons” and the “Moderns”. Moderns were the original Grand Lodge established in 1717 in London and became known as the “MODERNS”. The Ancients were the Irish Masons who formed a rival Grand Lodge in London in 1751 and styled themselves as “ANCIENTS’. The reconciliation in 1813 restored the two Grand Lodges in South Carolina. The result of the reconciliation was the formation of “The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient and Free Masons of South Carolina.”
            The degrees of Freemasonry are the steps by which a candidate ascends from a lower to a higher condition of knowledge. It is the opinion of the best Masonic scholars, that the division of the Masonic system into degrees was the work of revivalist of the beginning of the eighteenth century. Prior to this period there was but one degree or common platform of ritualism.
            In 1717 the whole body of the Fraternity consisted only of Entered Apprentices, who were recognized by the thirty-nine Regulations, compiled in 1720, as among the law givers of the Craft. In the old charges, and approved in 1722 the degree of Fellow-Craft is introduced as being necessary qualifications for Grand Master, although the word degree is not used.
            The Grand Mastery, published in 1725, makes no reference to any degrees. The division of the Masonic system into three degrees must have grown up between 1717 and 1730, but in so gradual manner that we are unable to fix the precise date in the introduction of each degree. As late as 1735 the Entered Apprentice’s Degree contained the most prominent form of initiation and he was an Entered Apprentice which was, for all practical purposes, a Freemason. After repeated improvements, by the adoption ceremonies and new regulations that the degree of Master Mason took the place it now occupies. In 1813, the Grand Lodge of England vindicated the ancient landmark, by solemnly enacting that ancient Craft Masonry consisted of the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft and Master Mason. The most important and significant of the legendary symbols of Freemasonry is, undoubtedly, that which relates to the fate of Hiram Abif, commonly called the legend of the Third Degree. The legend has always remained unwritten, and descended, from age to age, through the means of oral tradition. It has been considered of so much importance that it has been preserved in the symbolism of every Masonic Rite. Although over time modifications or alterations have been attempted. The legend of the Temple Builder has ever been left untouched, to present itself in all the integrity of its ancient mythical form.
            The idea, therefore, proposed to be communicated in the myth of the ancient mysteries was the same as that which is now conveyed in the Masonic Legend of the Third Degree, the sublime symbolism of a resurrection from the grave to a new birth into a future life.
Fraternally,
William B. Rogers
Grand Master
 

​LODGE MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  
Brethren, I trust you had a great summer with some time to relax and enjoy family and fellowship.  While many of our Lodges, having been dark for the hot summer days, will gather again to recommence their labors in the quarries of Freemasonry, most of our Lodges have remained at labor and continued to bring in new members and work on Lodge improvement projects.  It is now time to kick off our Membership Programs as we sprint to the end of the year!  It is time to make contact our members and share what your Lodge has been doing this year BEFORE dues collection.  Will the dues notice be the first time members have heard from your Lodge this year?  It is my hope that is not the case for your members sake!
Recently, I was speaking to a Brother Mason at a conference in Denver, CO.  I was asking about his wife who had some health issues, and had followed up with him on a couple of occasions. As we sat together, he shared a sad story of how his wife had been stricken with a sudden illness and several months of recovery.  He commented how much it meant that Brother Masons had supported him and his wife.  He shared that his church, however, had not made one call, not one message, not one card during the time and that they knew about it because of the involvement both had with the church.  They called the church to let them know that they would not be able to teach or serve on committees.  His disappointment was obvious!  He went on to say the first notification from the church was the annual giving notification and the pledge card!  He indicated that he was so upset that he was seriously considered for a few moments not participating as he has always done.  We discuss how all of us fall short in our duty to each other, but thankfully his support from the Freemasons and the great lessons from his faith and the teaching of freemasonry allowed him to pause and reflect. 
What about your Lodge members that are not attending regularly? Have we forgotten them, like this example of my friend and brother?   Are we only asking for their dues money and forgetting that they too are our brothers?
My Brethren, I submit it is time now to reach out, check on our members and see how they are doing.  Some will need our encouragement, others may need our direct assistance and some may need to hear from a familiar friend from the past.  Regardless of the situation, isn’t it part of our duty to our members?  It is easy to forget those which we cannot see, especially when we are busy and focused on other things. But our “Duty is with us Always!”
So Let us take time this fall to reach out to our all of our members, establish a new habit of staying in touch, especially with those in need.  Some members may only get to interact with you my brethren.   Isn’t that what we value the most from our Masonic Journey, fellowship with good men and the Fraternity of Light!                                                                                                                           
Our lesson plan for the month references some ways to improve communication with your members.  Find the Masonic Light Lesson plan under the resources tab at www.scgrandlodgeafm.org.   Salve! Salve Frater!
 
 

​Freemasonry is based on three great principles, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. To practice “Brotherly Love” we must maintain harmony and mutual respect between individuals, no matter what their station in life; “Relief” is about giving to those whom society has failed or who have been victims of disaster, not just financially but also personally; and “Truth” the need to recognize the Divine quality which underpins all life and which is to be found in the “center”. Freemasonry is about self-knowledge and when we are initiated we can all be empowered to begin this great spiritual journey towards the “Center”.
            Freemasonry is not a religion but it requires a personal belief in a Supreme Being on the part of every candidate. Whether we be Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist we are taught respect for others, to practice charity and to live our lives by good moral standards. Whatever our walk or standing in life and the Community we can all be united in our striving towards these great ideals.
            As we pass through the entrance to our beautiful Lodges, we become overwhelmed by a feeling of peace and tranquility. For a few hours the cares of employment and the busy world are forgotten as we concentrate on the task of the promulgation of our beautiful ritual in ceremonies which have evolved over the centuries.
            There are many Masonic Organizations which we as Masons are quite familiar with that has various charities they contribute to. Some are Masonic Relief for destitute Masons, their Widows and Orphans, the Eye Foundation, Rite Care centers for speech and hearing disorders in Children, Muscular Dystrophy, and many other charitable endeavors. Some of these organizations are more visible than others. Probably the most visible in the community is the Shrine. The Shrine Masons have built eighteen cripple children’s hospitals and three burn institutes throughout North America. Those hospitals were built, staffed and are maintained by the Masonic Fraternity without any government assistance. We can proudly say no child has ever been charged for any treatment in a Shriner’s Hospital. That’s because the Shrine Masons and their friends pay for all with endowments, wills, gifts, and fund-raising activities.  There have been several hundred thousand children restored to a normal or near-normal life. Because of this great Masonic undertaking the Shrine Masons have earned the title of “One of the Greatest Masonic Philanthropies”.   
            Several of the organizations within the Masonic family are much more socially oriented than the Blue Lodge. It is the strength of the principles taught in the Blue Lodge masonry comes the foundation that creates the real bond among Masons everywhere. We all begin in the Blue Lodge and that is where it ends regardless of how many other Appendant Masonic Bodies a Mason holds membership. Look well to the East.
Fraternally,
William B. Rogers
William B. Rogers
Grand master

MASONIC EDUCATION CORNER
Duty and Dedication  
Brethren, I write this article on July 2, 2016, and it is with a heavy heart, the day after participating in a beautiful and meaningful service for my dear friend and Bro. William R. Logan, DGM.  His example of Dedication and Duty serve as a reminder of our duty to God, family, country and our fraternity.  His life reminds us of the commitment, and sacrifice for those things which are worth fighting to see prevail.  Justice, Right and Truth.  Our Deputy Grand Master believed in these things and his life showed his dedication and duty.  I recommend reading his Memoriam as presented by MW & Ill. Bro. Gerald Carver, PGM.
We learn best from the very examples we see, and as we endeavor to apply those wise principles to ourselves and our fraternity, it is important to understand that the future is firmly established by our actions today. Thus, our dedication and duty to each other, our commitment and sacrifice for a just and right cause are the very ingredients necessary for our future success.
Let’s briefly examine the process we each must undergo and understand, to be a successful contributor to progress.      
First comes awareness. We must inquire and understand what the mission, cause or results of anything that we choose to participate.  Business makes job assignments, with measurements of success.  As a fraternity, we must mutually understand and align our mission and goals.  Ultimately, we are to help our members improve themselves and hold each other accountable to be the example of a successful life.   Are we delivering the programs and activities to help all of our members perfect themselves and desire to be part of our lodge and fraternity?
Next comes analysis of the facts and details.  Only with analysis and alignment can we as a fraternity, make progress.  All too often, we fail at this point and emotion rules instead of solid and steady facts.  What does your lodge need to be successful?  Why?  Do your members agree with the priorities and critical factors for success?  See Articles 1 – 5 from 2015 as the basis to gather and share the facts and data about your Lodge current situation and future direction?
Again we should ask ourselves, are we performing our Duty and are we Dedicated to our Lodge, our Fraternity and to each other?  Our actions will show if we believe we will be successful or if apathy will determine our Lodge Future. This is personal accountability to the Craft!   
I continue to be excited about the future of our great fraternity!  Many of our Brethren demonstrate their Dedication to Duty, with the very actions that they are leading for the future health and welfare of our great fraternity!  “Duty is with us always!”  Dedication and sacrifice demonstrate how we give of ourselves to performance of duty. 
RW and Ill. Bro. Logan remains as an inspiration to so many because of his Dedication and Duty that we have witnessed for many years.  May we pursue his example of Dedication and Duty!
MASONIC EDUCATION LESSON PLAN                                                                           NUMBER 8
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
BACKGROUND:  Leadership will determine to our Long Term Success.                                                      
ISSUES:            Has your Lodge completed your LTSP? (Long Term Strategic Plan)
NEEDS:            Are your Lodge Officers leading the craft with effective plans?
It has been the strategic focus of the Lodge of the Future series to inform and challenge our Lodge Leadership and membership to consider the future of your Lodge.  We have focused on working to supply tools for the Lodges to determine where you are today and where you will be in the future.
This Lesson plan is to challenge each Lodge and the current officers to determine if you are doing your duty and are dedicated to a plan for the future.  Again this is not an option if you are an officer, it is a Duty. 
APPLICATION:  Implementation of your Lodge of the Future Plan. 
Step One:       Review the data gathered from your research of your membership                        ( Lesson Plan 1 and 2 - Masonic Light 6/2015 and 8/2015 respectively )
Step Two:       Worshipful Masters should review your Committee appointments and Ritual Assignments to see if you have delegated to more members? Are these proficient in their performance? ( Lesson Plan 3 – Masonic Light 10/2015 )
Step Three:     Has your Lodge reviewed your Income and Expense and implemented a budget for 2016?  How is your Lodge performing to budget? ( Lesson Plan 4 – Masonic Light 12/2015.)   Do you review your budget versus actual spending with your members at your meetings?
 Step Four:      Have you improved the Masonic Education program for your Lodge?  Do members acknowledge that Masonic Education is an important part of the meeting?  ( Lesson Plan 5 – Masonic Light 2/2016 )
Step Five:        Are you ready to assess your Lodge Progress?  Every Worshipful Master and Officers should be prepared to share your progress with the Lodge Members.  Can you see and feel the difference in your Lodge and mark the progress over the last year?  It is never too late to start the journey, but it is never too early to plan and communicate with your members!  
                          Brethren, it is great to be a Freemason and you can access the previous lesson plans from our website at www.scgrandlodgeafm.com under the resource tab or contact me at [email protected].   
​

RIGHT WORSHIPFUL BROTHER WILLIAM ROBERT LOGAN, JR.
DEPUTY GRAND MASTER
IN MEMORIAM
March 31, 1936 – June 28, 2016