Master’s Messages

December 2011 Master’s Message

Posted in: Master's Messages by Worshipful Master on December 1, 2011 | No Comments

When I accepted the Chair, as Worshipful Master, I wore the chain of office on my shoulders. This chain identified me as a humble representative of King Solomon. This chain of office could have hung heavily, like a fetid yolk around my neck. This did not happen, for one simple reason – My Brothers! In this lodge, the brothers carried out any and all of the commands which I gave them. They were willing and able to do the tasks, and they made it look easy. So Brothers, Thank all of you for making that chain of office not a yolk but a very light necklace.

Thinking back over the year, one of my hardest tasks to carry out was splitting the work to be done between the older more accomplished Brethren and the new Brothers. I like to think that in this, I managed quite well.

This lodge that I will be handing on to my successor is very vibrant and successful. The only advice I can give is, keep it that way! But put your own stamp and style onto the chair.

Merry Xmas to All,

Yours Fraternally,

Franklyn Johnson, W.M.

November 2011 Master’s Message

Posted in: Master's Messages by Worshipful Master on November 1, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

What a step’up meeting! lf this is a sign of things to come then our Lodge can only grow and prosper. Icongratulate Bro Senior Warden and his team for their work.

As the seasons change and Fall comes upon us, I cannot but feel the end of many things – the summer’ the trees showing their magnificent colors of their dying leaves. Boats, campers and golf clubs put away and that all important harvest which we rely on safely taken in. One thing I do miss of the old country is the harvest festival, when the local church would be covered in corn dollies and all God’s gifts of the harvest. Amidst all this talk of endings, there is one constant to me that is unwavering – F’reemasonry. No matter the seasons, the work of Freemasonry goes on endlessly, changing so little over the years that one must scour the old rituals or minutes, or chat with a very senior Brother, to detect these changes.

This, to me, is one of the great beauties of Masonry as we know and practice it.

Yours Fraternally,

Franklyn Johnson, W.M.

October 2011 Master’s Message

Posted in: Master's Messages by Worshipful Master on October 1, 2011 | No Comments

There is a feeling that I get while I am in lodge; not every lodge and not often enough, but something is triggered in my mind when everything comes together. It might be the way the work is being done, or a good paper. It is just as likely to occur watching a degree, but it happens and when this takes place it is like having my batteries recharged. This feeling, to me, is the essence of Freemasonry. It gives me such a sense of wellbeing, a sense of belonging, of knowing that we are not alone.

That sad part of this is, that when I sit in the Master’s chair of my own lodge, I am too busy to be aware of any feelings of such magnitude.

I do feel it when sitting in the East as a visitor but alas, not in my own lodge. I know that it will return when I no longer have to run the lodge and I am looking forward to its return!

Yours Fraternally,

Franklyn Johnson, W.M.

September 2011 Master’s Message

Posted in: Master's Messages by Worshipful Master on September 1, 2011 | No Comments

I hope you have had a good summer and that you are well rested for the balance of the year’s challenges. This summer, brother J.W. and V.W. Bro. Ron James re-introduced the Car Rally, which was greaty enjoyed by all who participated! Never have I driven so slow yet had so much fun. If you think there is a hidden meaning in signs and symbols of Masonry, then try to find the hidden meaning in Bro. James’ clues.

For the remainder of the year, we have the official visit of our DDGM in September and a presentation of the DeMolay Degree.

October brings us to step up night and a Second Degree, with the drunk dinner, I mean, Duck Dinner the night before!

November will be, we hope, a 3rd degree, to be put on by our Past Masters. This takes us into December and the Installation of new officers.

This letter is about how fast my year has gone. I am looking forward to this part of the year after, the turmoil my body and mind went through in the early part of the year. Thank you all for your support.

Yours Fraternally,

Franklyn Johnson, WM

June 2011 Master’s Message from the West

Posted in: Master's Messages by Brother Senior Warden on June 6, 2011 | No Comments

Thank you Worshipful Master, for allowing me the opportunity to address the Brethren through the Master’s Message.

Traditionally, the upcoming summer solstice has represented many things to many people, and as a celestial event, formed one of the anchor points for some calendars of the past.  It also represented a change of time, and was worthy of celebration, and as I look around our Lodge, I begin to understand how this time of year has come to be associated with so many positive events.

This June was a rare month for Commercial Lodge, beginning with the Initiation of new brethren and concluding with making of new Master Masons.  Both joyous events for the newer Brethren, and for the Lodge.  But the good times don’t stop there, with more than half a dozen events planned around Edmonton throughout the summer as our Lodge goes dark there are plenty of things to do and enjoy! 

And as I survey my surroundings, I am overwhelmed by the growth around me, growth of the Lodge, growth of Brothers and perhaps less recognized by myself, my own growth.  Recently one of younger Brethren relocated out of the district after having demonstrated eagerness, enthusiasm and desire to learn the Craft.  It was not too long ago that I too left my Mother and landed on the shores of Edmonton

When I arrived, I had started my lessons of the Craft, but was still rough in form, and had very little confidence my role as a Mason, and especially as a member or Commercial Lodge.  How was I ever going to sit comfortably among my “betters”?

I’d like to thank the Brethren of University Lodge #496 for watering the seeds that I had sown when I first knocked upon that door.  I’d also like to thank the Brethren of Commercial Lodge #81 for their continued care and support of that crop.  Commercial Lodge has taught me many things, not the least of which has been, that the members of Commercial Lodge are not my “betters”, they are my Brothers.  Together we will toil, suffer, grow and celebrate. 

With this recognition I found a new confidence, what was there to be uncertain about?  With the support of my Brethren, my work can continue, unfettered by hindrances and obstacles. With my support my Brethren can do the same. And together we form a Lodge that’s strong, resilient, and will continue to grow and endure.

Brethren, the soil is good, the seeds have been planted well, and whether they be seeds from afar or near, they grow with the care of their Brethren. 

On behalf of our Worshipful Master, W. Bro Franklyn Johnson, I wish you the best of summers, and hope to see many of you throughout.  But if not during the summer, it will be happy to meet again in September.