A P R I L

Dear Brethren:

I like to offer messages here that inspire some thought and reflection about our lodge. We have come a long way, but there are always some bumps in the road. Some brethren have not been able to make meetings as we all would like to do as there have been some circumstances that are out of our control. We had a couple of bad snow storms and just the other week, a rain storm that shut down a lot of businesses and electricity to homes throughout the state.

The consequence of this is people are trying to catch up in their personal lives and lodge events have suffered in turn. We usually make the best of our resources when giving degrees, but it has gotten more difficult with last minute changes. I ask for the benefit of the candidates and for the lodge's prosperity that comes with raising new masons that we as individuals consider this more closely.

We will also keep business at a minimum when giving candidates examinations before their degrees as we can see these exams can take up considerable time when there is more than one or two going through them. Also as I mentioned in the past, the mentoring process should be diligent so the candidates feel comfortable with their exams and get through them easier, especially since they are more demanding now. We all, not just the mentors, should try to help them, even if just with a sentence or two before or after a meeting. It all adds up to a more efficient exam process but also gives them a sense of greater support and brotherhood.

We will get another round of degrees in before the summer, so I ask all to think along these lines and help get those who are struggling to feel supported and mentored.