We will be conducting an EA Degree at 7:00 PM on the 24th of September at Mt. Rushmore Lodge 220. At that time we will also be saying good bye to Brother Terence Satchell who has been and will always be a dependable brother in our lodge. Terence will be commissioned in the U.S. Army very soon. Please join as after the EA Degree for fellowship and to wish our brother God's speed in his endeavor.
We have completed and will be mailing out a member interest survey that I request you fill out and return or email. This survey will strictly be used to gather information from our members to help plan activities to further our efforts to get our members back in lodge and active again. I thank you in advance for your support.
Ray Harmon, WM
Mt. Rushmore Lodge 220
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
"The critics of our fraternity claim that Freemasonry has outlived it's usefulness"
My Brothers, these are indeed strange times we live in. The economy has been shaken to its foundation, people are out of work, companies are closing their doors, morality is crumbling, we have considerable political wrangling and backbiting underfoot, we have grave concerns about health care and the national debt, the country is still on guard against terrorism, and the nuclear threat has never dissipated. Obviously, we can ill-afford to conduct business as usual. If we are to survive, we must find new and imaginative ways to grow and evolve. Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option. As we have learned, stagnation means death. The critics of our fraternity claim that Freemasonry has outlived its usefulness; that it is no longer in step with the times; that it is actually an evil society that must be stamped out. I vehemently disagree. Although we are an imperfect society with our own unique set of problems, I hardly believe we are an obsolete institution. Now, more than ever, the world needs more Freemasonry, not less. We need more patriotism and civic pride, not less. We need more cooperation, loyalty, and teamwork, not less. We need more religious tolerance, not less. We need more Faith, Hope, and Charity, not less. We need more positive examples of ethics and pride in workmanship, not less. We need more Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love, not less. To do all this, we need more honest and respectful debate, not less. Yes, we need more Freemasonry, not less. Maybe I’m old fashioned; maybe I’m wrong, but this is how I see True Masonry; a universal and beautiful concept embraced by men around the world. We must remain the example for others to emulate. We must practice what we preach. And Brothers, consider this: If not us, who? Our Politicians? The media? Religious zealots? Who? Freemasonry is uniquely qualified to lead the charge. We are not a religious or political organization, we represent a cross-section of people from all social strata, located around the world, with honorable intentions. We are well established and have a strong historical background. As long as we do not deviate from the basic tenets of Freemasonry, we’ll be fine. I therefore admonish all of you to redouble your efforts as Masons and help perpetuate this great fraternity and make the world a better place. Thank you. Keep the Faith! NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body.
Article reprinted with permission of the author and “Freemason Information”
http://www.FreemasonInformation.com/
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A note from the Master
My brother's,
As you are all aware that attended our last stated meeting on Thursday, July 25th, a motion was approved by all in attendance to send a message to the Grand Lodge of South Dakota with a request to issue a statement on the events of discrimination that occurred in Georgia over a black man being accepted into masonry. Our Grand Master called me today to inform me he was contacted by the Grand Lodge of Georgia with a request to allow them to handle this delicate situation appropriately. As you can well imagine this is both a travesty and embarrassment to all Mason's especially to our brother's in Georgia. While I am proud that situation does not exist here at our lodge I can also understand the Grand Master of Georgia wanting to handle this without outside interference. We all need to keep in mind discrimination occurs in all facets of life not just in relation to a person's color.
Fraternally,
Ray D. Harmon, WM
Mt. Rushmore Lodge 220
Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, SD
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Installation of officers for 2009/2010
The members and Past Masters of Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 will be presenting the installation of it's new officers on Thursday evening, July 9, beginning at 7:00 pm. The installation program is open to all Masons, visitors and guests and will be held at the Rapid City Masonic Center at 618 Kansas City Street. Light refreshments will be provided in the downstairs dining area following the installation ceremonies. Stop by, meet your new officers and visit with long time friends.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Upcoming Events
Greetings Brothers,
Our "Books for Bicycles" program is in progress in several of our Rapid City elementary schools. The goal of this program, started by Worshipful Brother Ben Kirkland, is to get the children interested in reading and build an atmosphere of fun competition. Each child from kindergarten through 5th grade is given an opportunity to have their name entered into a drawing once for each book they complete with the teacher's approval. At the end of each school quarter, a drawing will be held and four students will be awarded a new bicycle and riding helmet courtesy of Mt. Rushmore Masonic Lodge #220 of Rapid City. One bicycle and helmet is given to a child from kindergarten through 2nd grade and another is awarded to a child between the 3rd and 5th grades. The Rapid City Journal, in addition to KOTA and KEVN television stations have expressed an interest in this program and will cover the presentations. The first presentations will be made on Friday, April 17th beginning with an assembly at Wilson Elementary School starting at 10:30 a.m. followed shortly after by a second presentation at Grand View Elementary School. All members of the Masonic Fraternity are invited to attend and support this fun and important program. Questions can be directed to WB Ben Kirkland, 716-2189 or WB Lee Mai, 393-9850. Hope to see you at school!
Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 will be presenting an Entered Apprentice degree for two new candidates on Thursday, April 23rd beginning at 7:00 p.m. Worshipful Master Ben Kirkland would be pleased to welcome all Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Masons who would like to attend and help us welcome these two new brothers.
Our "Books for Bicycles" program is in progress in several of our Rapid City elementary schools. The goal of this program, started by Worshipful Brother Ben Kirkland, is to get the children interested in reading and build an atmosphere of fun competition. Each child from kindergarten through 5th grade is given an opportunity to have their name entered into a drawing once for each book they complete with the teacher's approval. At the end of each school quarter, a drawing will be held and four students will be awarded a new bicycle and riding helmet courtesy of Mt. Rushmore Masonic Lodge #220 of Rapid City. One bicycle and helmet is given to a child from kindergarten through 2nd grade and another is awarded to a child between the 3rd and 5th grades. The Rapid City Journal, in addition to KOTA and KEVN television stations have expressed an interest in this program and will cover the presentations. The first presentations will be made on Friday, April 17th beginning with an assembly at Wilson Elementary School starting at 10:30 a.m. followed shortly after by a second presentation at Grand View Elementary School. All members of the Masonic Fraternity are invited to attend and support this fun and important program. Questions can be directed to WB Ben Kirkland, 716-2189 or WB Lee Mai, 393-9850. Hope to see you at school!
Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 will be presenting an Entered Apprentice degree for two new candidates on Thursday, April 23rd beginning at 7:00 p.m. Worshipful Master Ben Kirkland would be pleased to welcome all Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Masons who would like to attend and help us welcome these two new brothers.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Lodge of Instruction
On Thursday, March 26th, at 7:00 p.m. MDT, Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 will hold a lodge of instruction. This meeting is open to all Master Masons in the area who would like to brush up on their ritual work and learn something new. Bro. Jeff Simmons, one of the members of the Board of Custodians, will be present to assist with the instruction. You are invited to bring your toughest questions about the ritual so that they can be answered. Refreshments will be provided and the evening promises to be a night of learning and fellowship.
The lodge building can be found at 618 Kansas City Street in Rapid City, SD. We hope to see you there!
The lodge building can be found at 618 Kansas City Street in Rapid City, SD. We hope to see you there!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Working Together, We Can Succeed
Over the last several months, I've been contemplating as I'm sure many brothers do from time to time, the reason our members lose interest in attending our local Lodge meetings. I've recently had the opportunity to visit with a number of the members of several different Lodges from the surrounding area. There seems to be a general consensus among those members that there just isn't anything interesting enough going on at those meetings to make them get off the couch, get dressed up and brave the world outside the comforts of home, especially following a hard day at work.
One brother I spoke to early last week, stated he had been raised in the mid 1960's in another state, and hadn't attended a lodge meeting in over 15 years. When I asked him to tell me why he had never visited one of the many lodges in the Black Hills, he could only say that he didn't really have a reason. He just seemed to lose interest after a while, and didn't see a need to show up just to listen to someone read the minutes of the previous meeting, and then shake a few hands and go home. We continued to visit for some 40 minutes or so and discussed all the usual reasons that some brothers have become Masons, and why some complete one or two degrees and then disappear. I believe there are as many various reasons for this as there are lost candidates or brothers.
Perhaps one of the problems lies in a lack of attention some give to the important task of making the new candidate or newly raised brother feel like a part of the group. None of us is perfect, and there are always things we could do better. If we have done our job properly, and have truly done a proper investigation on the candidate, we should know something about him, his career, family, hobbies, leisure time activities, etc. Perhaps when we agree to sign a candidate's petition, we don't really take the time to find out why he wishes to join our fraternity. On a number of occasions, I have been asked to sign a petition for a candidate who knows only that he needs to be a Mason to be accepted into the Shrine and the potential Masonic Candidate knows almost nothing about Masonry. This is when we should be willing to set down and visit with the candidate and attempt to share with him, our own knowledge of our fraternity. Only after we are sure that the candidate is informed and is able to make a commitment to the tenets of our fraternity, should we be willing to add our name to his petition.
Once a brother is raised, the important work should begin. If the new brother is given the opportunity to not only attend our meetings, but to stay in contact with a knowledgeable brother who is willing to become a source for information and a source for answers to his questions, he will then perhaps begin to feel like he is an important member of the Lodge. Some brethren have suggested the best way to retain a new member is to put him right to work and give him a responsibility. This idea may have some merit, but perhaps it is just as important to make him feel comfortable in the Lodge, invite him to attend our meetings and to set with a knowledgeable brother who can explain the procedures which take place during a meeting. In this way, the new brother is given an opportunity to experience the meeting and thereby become more comfortable in his new surroundings. Eventually, the new brother will begin to feel like an equal among the brethren, and will hopefully begin to express his interest in assisting in the Lodge.
Maintaining a brother's interest in attending our meetings is equally important. If a Lodge can work together to plan and complete special projects, visit other Lodges as a group, become involved in community affairs and activities, and find new things that excite it's members, perhaps then will that Lodge be able to count on the continued attendance and participation of all it's members. Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 is trying to turn that corner this year. With the creation this year by our Worshipful Master Ben Kirkland, of a new reading program for Rapid City's elementary school aged children, we have an opportunity to do good things in our community. This program, combined with the SDChip program, is giving us a new opportunity to increase the community's awareness of the good and positive tenets which we subscribe to. With the recent input of the members of the Lodge over our last two meetings, Mt. Rushmore #220 is attempting to re-awaken itself. I for one, have felt the new excitement and exuberance which seems to have been present at our recent meetings, and I would ask every local member of this Lodge, to attend our next meeting. Come see and feel for yourselves, the renewal we are attempting to generate. As we continue through the 55th year since receiving our Charter, we have new hope, new ideas and a renewed interest in this great fraternity. I leave you with my simple wish, that you will join us and help us make Mt. Rushmore #220, a great place to belong. Our next meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12th at the Rapid City Masonic Center, 618 Kansas City Street.
Fraternally,
Lee A. Mai, PM
Your Humble Secretary
(605)393-9850
One brother I spoke to early last week, stated he had been raised in the mid 1960's in another state, and hadn't attended a lodge meeting in over 15 years. When I asked him to tell me why he had never visited one of the many lodges in the Black Hills, he could only say that he didn't really have a reason. He just seemed to lose interest after a while, and didn't see a need to show up just to listen to someone read the minutes of the previous meeting, and then shake a few hands and go home. We continued to visit for some 40 minutes or so and discussed all the usual reasons that some brothers have become Masons, and why some complete one or two degrees and then disappear. I believe there are as many various reasons for this as there are lost candidates or brothers.
Perhaps one of the problems lies in a lack of attention some give to the important task of making the new candidate or newly raised brother feel like a part of the group. None of us is perfect, and there are always things we could do better. If we have done our job properly, and have truly done a proper investigation on the candidate, we should know something about him, his career, family, hobbies, leisure time activities, etc. Perhaps when we agree to sign a candidate's petition, we don't really take the time to find out why he wishes to join our fraternity. On a number of occasions, I have been asked to sign a petition for a candidate who knows only that he needs to be a Mason to be accepted into the Shrine and the potential Masonic Candidate knows almost nothing about Masonry. This is when we should be willing to set down and visit with the candidate and attempt to share with him, our own knowledge of our fraternity. Only after we are sure that the candidate is informed and is able to make a commitment to the tenets of our fraternity, should we be willing to add our name to his petition.
Once a brother is raised, the important work should begin. If the new brother is given the opportunity to not only attend our meetings, but to stay in contact with a knowledgeable brother who is willing to become a source for information and a source for answers to his questions, he will then perhaps begin to feel like he is an important member of the Lodge. Some brethren have suggested the best way to retain a new member is to put him right to work and give him a responsibility. This idea may have some merit, but perhaps it is just as important to make him feel comfortable in the Lodge, invite him to attend our meetings and to set with a knowledgeable brother who can explain the procedures which take place during a meeting. In this way, the new brother is given an opportunity to experience the meeting and thereby become more comfortable in his new surroundings. Eventually, the new brother will begin to feel like an equal among the brethren, and will hopefully begin to express his interest in assisting in the Lodge.
Maintaining a brother's interest in attending our meetings is equally important. If a Lodge can work together to plan and complete special projects, visit other Lodges as a group, become involved in community affairs and activities, and find new things that excite it's members, perhaps then will that Lodge be able to count on the continued attendance and participation of all it's members. Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 is trying to turn that corner this year. With the creation this year by our Worshipful Master Ben Kirkland, of a new reading program for Rapid City's elementary school aged children, we have an opportunity to do good things in our community. This program, combined with the SDChip program, is giving us a new opportunity to increase the community's awareness of the good and positive tenets which we subscribe to. With the recent input of the members of the Lodge over our last two meetings, Mt. Rushmore #220 is attempting to re-awaken itself. I for one, have felt the new excitement and exuberance which seems to have been present at our recent meetings, and I would ask every local member of this Lodge, to attend our next meeting. Come see and feel for yourselves, the renewal we are attempting to generate. As we continue through the 55th year since receiving our Charter, we have new hope, new ideas and a renewed interest in this great fraternity. I leave you with my simple wish, that you will join us and help us make Mt. Rushmore #220, a great place to belong. Our next meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12th at the Rapid City Masonic Center, 618 Kansas City Street.
Fraternally,
Lee A. Mai, PM
Your Humble Secretary
(605)393-9850
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