Merry Christmas, Happy, Hanukah, and Happy Kwanza:
Where has the past year gone? It seems like yesterday we were kicking off 2011. Now there are a little more than two weeks left in “THE YEAR OF THE PAUSE” before we welcome 2012. Lodge activities have continued in abundance since our last Trestleboard communication. Degree work continues at a frenetic pace as we passed 5 Fellowcrafts in October and initiated 4 Entered Apprentices in November. You’ll see pictures of our candidates and degree teams later in this issue. Please join me in congratulating these 9 Brothers in their progression towards the sublime degree of Master Mason and thanking the degree teams who perform the work.
Officer Elections were held at our November Stated Meeting. Congratulations to our 2012 elected and appointed officers - Jeff Day, Worshipful Master; Paul Tourville, Senior Warden; David Alderfer, Junior Warden; Jerry Reick, Senior Deacon; Mike Burnham, Junior Deacon; Brian Jahns and Jasen Groves, Stewards; Brad Smith, Tiler; Kevin Harger, Treasurer; Paris Procopis, Secretary; and Jan Talaga, Tom Curtis and Mike Reindl, Trustees. By the time you read this edition of the Trestleboard, our 2012 slate of Lodge Officers will have been installed (Officer Installation is Wednesday, December 14, 2011) in their respective stations and places. Worshipful Master Elect Jeff and his officer team have a busy and exciting year planned in 2012 and we look forward to the great work they will continue to provide to FM 363.
After the November Stated Meeting, FM 363 held a Table Lodge honoring our Past Masters. We enjoyed the company of 35 Lodge Brothers, including 7 Past Masters. Table Lodge is always one of the highlights of our year, and the 2011 edition was no exception. The chants of “VIVAT, VIVAT, VIVAT” are still resonating throughout the lower dining room as the customary, and some spontaneous, toasts were presented with appropriate reverence and splendor. Thanks to all who attended and made this a memorable evening.
On Saturday, November 5, eleven members of our Lodge, including their families, joined members of several other SE Wisconsin Lodges in attending the Milwaukee Veteran’s Day Parade in a show of support for our Veterans. We have a couple pictures from this great event later in this Trestleboard, and even a few more pictures can be found if you visit the FM 363 Facebook Page.
Our Lodge Holiday Party was held following the December Stated Meeting. While Lodge was in session, our ladies were treated to a splendid presentation by Brother William Barnes, Director of Development for the Wisconsin Masonic Charities, regarding the history of Freemasonry, our Masonic charities in Wisconsin, and the Three Pillars Senior Living Communities in Dousman. Thereafter, over 50 Brothers and their ladies adjourned to a wonderful dinner at Old Town Serbian Gourmet House. The evening
was filled with good cheer, laughter, and camaraderie. Following dinner, Illustrious Brother Norm Christensen was presented with his 50 year service certificate and pin by Past Grand Master Joe Harker. Three brothers were also recognized with the “Distinguished Service Award” for their tireless contributions to FM 363. Congratulations go out to Brothers Bill DeLind, Mike Burnham, and Jerry Reick for their well deserved recognition in making a positive impact to our Lodge’s success. Thanks to all who attended.
2011 now draws to a close. As I put my parting thoughts into words, I can’t help but compare the honor of serving our wonderful Lodge as Worshipful Master to the sun rising in the East at the start of the day and setting in the West at day’s close. Our opening/closing ritual at each meeting reminds us of this ongoing cycle of beginnings and endings. We had ambitious goals when the sun rose on my year in the East – continually improve our degree work, recognize those who have made significant contributions to our Craft, honor and support our military, and take time to PAUSE. Now that the sun is in the West at the close of my year, time to PAUSE and reflect on how we did.
As discussed in previous Trestleboards, our degree work, while always good, has really started to shine. We have been told by several visiting brethren, some of whom might even have a tie or two to Grand Lodge, they would put our Lodge’s degree work up there with some of the best they’ve seen in the state. What a compliment, not only for the Brothers who have actively tackled new and difficult roles, but also for the impression instilled on our candidates as they receive the various Masonic degrees. The purpose of wanting to improve our degree work was focused specifically on making a memorable and lasting impression on our new Brethren to reinforce their decision to become our Brothers. Perhaps part of the reason we’ve seen improvement is reflected in the old saying “practice makes perfect”. We certainly had plenty of opportunities to “practice” having conferred 16 EA Degrees, 18 FC Degrees, and 8 MM Degrees during 2011. Thank you to all the Brothers who have made our degree work so special.
One of the ways we wanted to recognize those who have made significant contributions to our Craft was through our “Heritage Club”. The thought behind the “Heritage Club” was to have some of our long-tenured Masonic Lodge Brothers share the history surrounding their Masonic journeys. We had a tremendous presentation in April by Illustrious Brother Bill Day, and we thank him for sharing his thoughts with us. As well-received as Brother Bill’s presentation was, I’m sad to say, his was the only time we were able to present the “Heritage Club” this past year. Of course, there are always one-on-one opportunities to discuss the Craft with our Brothers at our various events. I’d encourage all of us, old and new, to find out more about how and why Masonry has touched the minds and hearts of some very great men.
Our outward show of support in honoring our military didn’t get started until the latter
half of 2011, but it was worth waiting for. Earlier in this Trestleboard, we shared information regarding our participation at the Veteran’s Day Parade. In addition, we kicked off the ESGR campaign in October, thanks to the initiative of Illustrious Brother and Past Master Bob Roth. ESGR stands for “Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve”. The program was established in 1972 as a Department of Defense activity supporting employers who have or may have employees serving in the National Guard
or the Reserve Components of our various military branches. Wisconsin Masonry, with FM 363 at the forefront, involves our Lodge, and Lodges throughout the State of Wisconsin, signing Statements of Support for the ESGR and encouraging Lodge members to have their respective employers also sign, and proudly display, a Statement of Support or SOS as well. Our goal is to raise awareness for the ESGR program, show our support for our troops and their families, and to positively impact the morale of our Wisconsin service members as they begin to see more and more organizations displaying their Statements of Support. It will also lead to heightened awareness in “Pentagon Circles” of these efforts, which will result in further funding in support of our state ESGR program. The Masonic ESGR Campaign is just getting started and we hope to see this important initiative grow and prosper in 2012.
Our last goal was to take time to PAUSE during 2011. This was designed to be a personal goal, one where each of us remembers to take time in our busy lives to remember what’s truly important - our family, our friends, and the beauty provided by the Grand Architect of the Universe which surrounds us daily. I hope each of you made an attempt at achieving this goal. I’m not convinced I approached anything close to goal achievement in this regard, but attempts were made and benefits resulted. And isn’t that truly the point? Each of us may PAUSE in different ways. In reflecting upon this wonderful opportunity to serve our Lodge this past year as your Worshipful Master, PAUSE’s definition to me has evolved from just taking time to appreciate the truly valuable aspects of life to actively participating in making our immediate world a better place. Although we didn’t accomplish all we’d hoped, I’d like to think we leave FM 363 a better place at the end of our year compared to where it was at the beginning. Not an easy task when you consider the rich history of success enjoyed by our Lodge since its inception. Whatever success was achieved this year would never have been possible without the help of our tremendous officer staff and our members’ support. Thank you Brothers for all you did to make this a memorable year and for what you will do in making 2012 even better!
In closing, it has truly been an honor to serve our Lodge as your Worshipful Master in 2011. There are not enough words to sufficiently express my gratitude for bestowing me this opportunity. I am humbled by your confidence, appreciative of your support, and blessed by your friendship. May you and your families have a Blessed Holiday Season and a Happy New Year in 2012.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Mike Reindl
Master Mason
