To the Brethren of No. 15,

Well after taking my first crack at writing something for the November newsletter, I sure did receive some interesting feedback!

Apparently my wish to motivate the "Ancient and Accepted" members of the Lodge to start coming again was not popular with everyone. I have been told that because our Lodge is now thriving and because half of the elected Grand Line are Past Masters from our Lodge, that I should remain focused on the future and keep doing what it is that we’ve been doing that’s been bringing in so many members into No. 15.

Not to worry … I plan to do that as well.

However, even with an officer line as young as we have today, I still believe it is important to reach out to those who kept the flame alive during those years when Masonry was not as popular. My fellow officers and I will continue to contact those brethren who we have not seen in some length of time and encourage them to come back to the Lodge. For as long as I live, I can never forget that I am a Mason … and I don’t want them to ever forget that they are as well. I also want to ensure the Lodge lives up to its obligations for all worthy and distressed brethren, and that we also keep current with the contact information of our membership.

So what else can you expect in the coming Masonic year?

In 2008, all of our members can expect to see a regular newsletter that will inform the brethren about upcoming events as well as keep those brethren who did not attend in touch with their lodge and hopefully encourage them to attend it next time. I do not plan to be writing so much in the future because I wish to instead utilize this newsletter as a resource for sharing past Lodge presentations, as well as to publish updates about our scattered brethren dispersed throughout the world. Hopefully at least one of our members will have something interesting to share, and if not, then I may decide to make something up. A unique aspect of our Lodge is that we have members in so many different places outside Washington DC. Please send us a note to let us know how you are doing and that you are still alive. (The newly installed officers have not yet practiced our funeral ritual, so please try not to tell us anything different until after the holidays.)

Also, I do expect to make some improvements on the website and expect to have it ready to launch in January of 2008. Please visit www.benjaminbfrench.org and give me your feedback. To me, criticism just means that you care. If you have something you would like to see written in the newsletter or website, or even discussed at an upcoming Lodge communication, just let me know about it.

However, the greatest focus I expect to have next year will be on what happens on the night of our Stated Communications and in the development of our newly initiated brethren. These men joining our Craft will know what Masonry is about because we plan to have regular programs on this very subject and also because they will be given good and wholesome instruction by worthy brethren, of the variety that can only be found at No. 15. For our St. John’s Table Lodge on December 19th, our featured guest was Most Worshipful Brother Akram Elias, Past Master of Benjamin B. French No. 15. What could be better?

On Saturday, the 5th of January, at high twelve, there will be a Master Mason’s Degree and it will be done in a way that perhaps has not been seen in many years. That’s all I am permitted to say over the Internet. Just please try to make it, if it is within the length of your cable-tow — and we all know that the men of our Lodge have longer cable-tows than others.

Then, on January 16th, there will be a Fellow Craft Presentation and then a discussion about Lodge Finances. Don’t worry I promise to put in a break so that those who only care about the delicious catered food and substantive Masonic discussion can slip away before we talk about budgetary matters (painful but necessary).

Well that’s about it for now. I probably have much more to say but would be glad to share it with you when next we meet. On behalf of all the officers of Benjamin B. French No. 15, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and hope to see you soon in 2008.

Fraternally,

Worshipful Master of Benjamin B. French No. 15, 2008