Fiat Lux!

Another year has started, my brothers, and Corinthian Lodge No. 67 is again seeming to go onto limitless heights. With four candidates newly initiated, one having completed the One Day to Masonry class, one waiting to take his EA degree, and many more waiting to join this fall, we are truly seeing another great year on the horizon.

We were fortunate enough to have hosted a very well-attended Entered Apprentice degree. This degree was also combined with a Table Lodge, the first time in our 142 year history. The brothers in attendance included the Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota, Most Worshipful Brother Tom McCarthy, the Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother John Cook, the immediate Past Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Tom Jackson, and a Custodian, WB Foster Solem. The Table Lodge was interspersed amongst the degree work allowing the candidates to see both the serious and fun aspects of our Fraternity. With the tables set and the cannons charged, the tenets of Brotherly Love could not have been felt more strongly. I hope our four newly admitted brothers, Jon Simon, Darren Simon, Scott Cummings, Brad Swager, along with our newest Master Mason, John Freeburg, had a great time and I’m certain that we will do this again.

Of course, we’re not done with this year but already the officers and I have planned even more interesting things for the coming months. We will be having an educational meeting opened on the first degree during the first meeting in February to present the candidates with the second and third lectures. One of my goals this year is to slow degree work down to a month at a time so that our new brothers can absorb the lessons of Masonry more thoroughly. The Fellow Craft degree will be on February 16th with the entire staircase lecture presented. We will then present another educational event around the teachings of the Second Degree on March 2nd. We then have a Third degree planned for the 16th of March at which time we will have raised six brothers just this year with many more waiting at our door.

On the 27th, we will be hosting the annual Sweethearts’ Night at “the Black Stallion” in Hampton. This is the time when we bring our wives, girlfriends, or significant others and allow them to share one special evening with their Masons. This year, we need an accurate count to help the restaurant plan. We will be ordering with separate checks so bring money for your individual meal. The room is separate from the rest of the restaurant and is sound proof making for a private experience. Contact me and I will deliver your name to Wayne.

We also have a new website. If you visit http://www.corinthian67.org, you will see our new format. We have created sections for the membership inquiries, a calendar of upcoming events, a page on recent events and pictures, as well as a section dedicated to our dearly departed brothers. You can find this and more at the website.

We are also starting three major initiatives. The first is we have decided to rededicate ourselves to the goal of fundraising. Brother Rick Vance is the new head of the fundraising committee and has great ideas going forward. He will be sending out an email inviting you to take a survey on what you would like to see in our new fundraising endeavor. I would like to see us focus our efforts on continuing to raise money during these uncertain economic times. I really think that Rick is the man to lead us on this new endeavor. If you want to join the fundraising committee, contact Rick at rvance(at)corinthian67(dot)org. Brother Wayne Sisel, our Junior Deacon, will be our mentoring and membership coordinator for the ensuing year. He has put together a number of great materials to aid our mentors and our new brothers. If you would like to serve as a Mentor or know a man who would like to join, you can contact him at wsisel(at)corinthian67(dot)org. Thirdly, our very own Worshipful Brother Lee Soberg has agreed to help with our newly reconstituted Charity and BenevolenceCommittee along with Worshipful Brother Bill DeJohn. I have asked them to look at the many charitable opportunities available in the central Dakota County area and toinform the brothers when a good opportunity presents itself as well as continuing to plan and coordinate those projects in which we already participate.

A 4th School of Instruction is also scheduled for February 18th. This School will not focus on degree work but rather those things that a Lodge does during business meetings such as balloting, receiving Grand Lodge officers and visitors and opening and closing a Lodge. We are fortunate to have Right Worshipful Brother Brian Beermann, the Southeast Area Custodian, attending to help us with this School. If you would like to help with this event, please contact me. We’d like to see as many brothers as possible attend this School so please plan on attending if you can.

Finally, if you haven’t been to Lodge in awhile, we would love to see you. If you need a ride, we can pick you at your house. We want all our brothers to feel that they are participating in our good works. If you would like to see a change or have any questions or concerns, you can call me or you can send me an email at master(at)corinthian67(dot)org. Farmington is again serving as a central point for Masonic light and I am proud to be serving as Master at this moment.

Nick Johnson
Worshipful Master, Corinthian Lodge No. 67