Fraternal Greetings from the East.

Welcome, Brethren, to the New Year of 2011. As I return to the East for another term (my fifth), I see that we will have a few busy few months ahead with candidates receiving their degrees, many service pins that need to be presented, our annual inspection on April 14th, in the Master Mason Degree and, working with new additions to the officer line.

At the annual meeting of the Lodge on November 11, 2012, the following members were elected or appointed to the following stations:

• Master: James M. Simko, PM
• Senior Warden: Ned R. Graeter
• Junior Warden: Jack M. Harless, PM
• Treasurer: Thomas L. Rutherford
• Secretary: John A. Weyrauch, PM
• Chaplain: Thomas L. Rutherford
• Senior Deacon: Thomas R. Adams
• Junior Deacon: William D. Riffle
• Tyler: Arthur G. Camp
• Senior Steward: Christopher A. Weaver
• Junior Steward: Kenneth L. Smith
• Marshal: Robert E. Koogler
• Trustee: Thomas R. Spettel, PM

The secretary has mailed out the dues notices for 2011. If you haven’t returned your dues, please do so very soon. Not paying lodge dues can lead to loss of privileges in all affiliated bodies as well as in the Symbolic Lodge. Your dues are vital to the health of our Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

In May, we will be presenting many service pins for brethren who have served the lodge for many years. This year, pins will be presented for 25, 35, 40, 50 and 60 years. The pins for 35 and 40 years are newly created by the Grand Lodge. I will be contacting the brethren who are on the list to receive them. If you believe you are entitled to the 25, 50 or 60 year awards but haven’t received them, please contact me or the secretary by phone, e-mail or letter.

This year, Far Hills Lodge will be inspected in the Master Mason Degree in April. All speaking parts must be given by our own lodge members. I will really need your help in this area. The officers will be giving their parts in the first section, but we will need at least eight brethren familiar with speaking parts in the second section.

In Memorium

On a sad note, we announce the death of WB William D. Massie at his home in Avon Park, FL. on Dec. 13, 2010. WB Massie was A Past Master of Geo. L. Marshall Lodge, No. 734, 1972-1973. Past District Deputy Grand Master, 2nd Masonic District and Past Commander in Chief, Dayton Consistory, AASR, Valley of Dayton. A memorial service will be held in his honor in February, 2011.

Also,
William F. Schmidt, Past Marshal, Far Hills Lodge; October 1, 2010.

Holiday of Giving

Far Hills Masonic Center was taken over by the Ladies of Dayton-Victory Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as they provided food and relaxation for the police, fire and service personnel of Centerville and Washington Twp. who had to work those days. This was their second year to do this and it was greatly appreciated by their guests.

Basic Principles

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual’s dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.

The Supreme Being

Masons believe that there is one God and that people employ many different ways to seek, and to express what they know of God. Masonry primarily uses the appellation, “Grand Architect of the Universe,” and other non-sectarian titles, to address the Deity. In this way, persons of different faiths may join together in prayer, concentrating on God, rather than differences among themselves. Masonry believes in religious freedom and that the relationship between the individual and God is personal, private, and sacred.

Volume of the Sacred Law

An open volume of the Sacred Law, “the rule and guide of life,” is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law in the Judeo-Christian tradition is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the book held holy by them.

The Oath of Freemasonry

The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep confidential a Freemason’s means of recognition. The much discussed “penalties,” judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion: It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy. It offers no sacraments. It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.

Freemasonry Supports Religion

Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

To my Masonic Brethren:

Please consider donating blood to the blood bank. Brothers, wives, and/or friends etc can donate and with credit going to the Far Hills Lodge No. 784. Our I.D. No. 1418 . Ask for Nancy Blair at the Blood Center if you need help. Remember it’s easy to give this gift to others in need. It’s the “Masonic way.”

–Thanks, Ron Seigla, Blood Bank Chairman

Please notify the Lodge Secretary of all changes to your personal data including your, E-mail or postal addresses.

Lodge Secretary:

WB John A. Weyrauch, 4700 Briar Knoll Dr. Kettering, OH 45429. 434-5140

jaweyrauch@woh.rr.com

Worshipful Master:

WB James M. Simko, 1316 Southlyn Drive, Kettering, Ohio 45409. 293-8452

Far Hills Temple manager:

WB Thomas A. Spettel, 116 Sherbrooke Dr., Kettering, OH 45429. 294-8647 tspettel@woh.rr.com

Check out these Masonic sites:

www.freemason.com
www.secondmasonicdistrict.org

On The Lighter Side

“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to do so.”

- George Allen