Seasons Greetings and Current Events

Post date: Dec 02, 2022 8:54:25 PM

In hopes this message finds you and your loved ones as well, healthy, and happy as possible. It has been another turbulent year all around for most of us and know that keeping our heads up, communicating as clearly and often with others as posible, and staying the course to always do what is right over what is easiest, will all lead us to the best possible destination in every sense.

To add a bit of fun to the holiday season, we will again be having our annual Christmas party at the Lodge next Saturday, 12/10, from 12p (noon) until about 4p, or so, and we hope to see you there! This will be a potluck and all are welcome to bring any dish or dessert as desired, nothing is particularly required or being coordinated otherwise as the goal is simply to try to get as many of us and our loved ones together to have another great time, significant others and children are very much welcome. There will also be music, a white elephant gift exchange, other games, and we have extended the warmest of invitations to our DeMolay, Rainbow, Eastern Star, and Pride of the West Lodge brothers and sisters in hopes of our whole "Masonic family" in St. Charles joining in the festivities as was quite common in years long since passed.

Holidays aside, annual dues are currently due for all who remain unpaid since the close of the annual Grand Lodge session. The amount remains $150 again for this current year, by check payable to "St. Charles Lodge #241 AF&AM" delivered to our Lodge Secretary (John Wimberly) by mail or in person. We still always meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7p and the address remains at 2051 Collier Corporate Pkwy, Saint Charles, MO 63303. If unpaid by January 01, dues are considered late and you should expect to be contacted by our Secretary and or the delinquent dues committee accordingly. If unpaid by April 01, suspension will occur and any involvement in appendent bodies will also be barred for any Brethren who are not in good standing as a Missouri Freemason. Any additional questions or concerns pertaining to dues should be directed to the Secretary, in Lodge or by email at Secretary@StCharlesLodge.com.

If you have not been to Lodge in quite awhile, we certainly hope that all is well and that you may find your way back as there are tremendous things happening. We hosted a fantastic open house and barbeque early October with frequent fellowship at meals before meeting and after practices on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. Degree work is underway for a couple new candidates, including our own DeMolay and State Master Councilor; Marty Trimble. Masonic education is frequently offered during meetings on some very interesting and engaging topics, and we expect to hold a Lodge by Candlelight in the near future. We are coordinating a phone tree to foster more outreach among all the members and planning a Widow's brunch to take place mid-February. Salvation Army bell ringing is well underway every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas, as is tradition, and we are also hopeful that another opportunity to host a MOCHIP will arise in the coming months. Freemasonry is alive and well but Brethren make it happen and your help is more welcome than ever. If you are concerned for forgotten passwords or ritual, there is no reason to stress whatsoever, as we are all certainly imperfect and human, and there are many in regular attendance who would be most happy to assist with catching anyone back up. Logging into the Grand Lodge web "Member Portal" at www.momason.org and ensuring your details are all kept up to date is the best way to be sure you are not missing out on anything important as well as ensuring your Masonic history is in good order for your and your family's future use.

Please feel free to reach out info@StCharlesLodge.com for anything you may need otherwise and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Have a merry Christmas and God bless!