From the East
In every season of our Lodge, we are invited to reflect not only on who we have been, but on who we are becoming. That reflection includes our traditions, those habits and practices that have grown with us over the years and the theme of last month’s “From the East.” Traditions provide continuity, but they must also be examined from time to time to ensure they are serving us well.
One tradition familiar to many Lodges is the idea of a “progressive line,” where officers advance year by year until they reach the East. Beaverton Lodge has carried another custom for over a century: an unbroken succession of non-repeating Masters. These patterns have brought us stability and identity. But stability and identity are not ends in themselves. Their purpose is to build up the Lodge and to strengthen the Craft.
In my Lodge Education reading at Stated this month, I shared a reminder from the essay The Level of Leadership (by MWB Dwight Smith, past Grand Master of Indiana): the vitality of a Lodge depends more on the quality of its leadership than on the endurance of its officers. A Brother may serve faithfully in each chair, but if he is not prepared to lead, the Lodge suffers. Conversely, a Brother may bring vision, wisdom, and skill even if he has not climbed every rung of the ladder.
Our Lodge is in a season of growth and change. New Brethren are bringing energy and ideas, while long-serving Brothers are offering wisdom and care. This makes it an opportune moment to ask: how do we ensure the best leadership for the future of our Lodge? Are our current customs of non-repeating Masters and a progressive officer line serving that goal, or is it time to consider new approaches? We had a lively discussion about those very questions at Stated this month.
None of this diminishes the traditions we have inherited. They are part of our story, and they deserve honor. But they are not the destination. They are tools and like all tools, their value lies in how they help us build.
My hope is that we will have the courage to look thoughtfully at our leadership practices, honoring where they have brought us, while being open to what may serve us best in the years ahead. In doing so, we continue the true work of Masonry: building wisely, with an eye toward both the present and the future.
August Stated Communication Highlights
We had another good turnout for a summer Stated and the evening was cool enough that we didn’t even need the air conditioning on (a rarity for midsummer!). We balloted favorably on a petition for the degrees of Masonry for a candidate who has been coming around the Lodge most of this year. His Entered Apprentice degree is set for Thursday, August 21 at 7pm
WB Adam Bayer joined us to make a presentation to Bob Madson. Brother Bob completed the Torchlight program, doing all the studying on his own, and received his certificate and pin. Lodge Education was a reading of an article on Lodge Leadership (see link in the “From the East” column above) and a lively discussion of its implications for the non-repeating Master and progressive line customs at Beaverton. The Worshipful Master then passed out a survey to all present for each man to indicate where he is willing to serve the Lodge in the ensuing Masonic year (see below for a link to the survey)
Where Will You Serve?
As we look ahead to next year’s officers, and even further into the years beyond, it’s vital that we make the best use of every Brother’s willingness and capacity to serve. To that end, please complete the short survey linked below where you can indicate which officer roles, non-officer roles, and committees you would be open to serving on next year. By gathering this information, we can assemble an officer line and supporting committees that not only meet next year’s needs, but also set our Lodge on a healthy trajectory for the next five years.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by September 1. Your response will help shape the future of our Lodge.
OES BBQ
Beaver Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star is inviting Beaverton Masons to join them for a BBQ at the Lodge on Wednesday, August 20th at 6pm. The purpose is purely social! We had such a good time staffing the Fireworks tent together, that we want to create other opportunities to interact.
Eastern Star is providing the mains. Masons with last name A-L should bring a side to share; M-Z please bring a dessert. The event is open to families. Please RSVP to the Lodge Secretary by Monday, August 18 so we can transmit a headcount to Eastern Star.
Pay Online
You can now make donations to the Lodge online, using the Lodge’s Square account:
Each item includes a processing fee, calculated into the total amount, so that your entire gift is received by the Lodge.
Calendar
Access the full calendar online here!
- Every Monday – Monday Morning Coffee, 8-10am – Social Hall
- August 20 – BBQ with OES Beaver Chapter, 6pm – Lodge
- August 21 – Entered Apprentice Degree, 7pm
- August 28 – Officer’s Meeting, 7pm
- September 4 – Stated Communication, 6pm Dinner, 7pm Stated
- September 6 – Beaverton Celebration Parade, 9am, Griffith Park