Even better not just a man... a Mason

If you're interested in learning more about Freemasonry and live in the 21st Masonic District which includes the counties of Hardee, Highlands and Polk, please email office@21stmasonicdistrict.com.

If you live outside of the 21st Masonic District please visit beafloridamason.com or contact the Grand Lodge's Information Center by phone at 1-855-FL-MASON or email each1reach1@beafloridamason.com. This telephone number is for making new inquiries only about becoming a Freemason, it DOES NOT connect to the Grand Lodge of Florida, if you need to contact Grand Lodge please dial 1-904-354-2339.

A video message from our M:.W:. Grand Master John W. Westerman III

M:.W:. John W. Westerman, III the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Florida provides an update on COVID-19 and its current affect on Freemasonry in the State of Florida.

Perpetual Membership Presentation

Author's note: My sincerest apologizes to Bro. Coates but due to the ongoing situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I was required to post directives and letters from the Grand Master, District Deputy Grand Master and the lodges in the district which are a priority over other posts and as a result this post kept getting pushed back.

At Saturday's Stated Communication at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242, Bro. Jakob Coates was presented his Perpetual Membership by R:.W:. Perry Batson and Bro. Charlie Welborn. Congratulations Bro. Coates from all of your lodge brothers.

Florida Order of the Eastern Star Grand Worthy Matron Message

Click on the image to display a full screen version of the letter.

Special announcement from Florida Grand York Rite

The Grand York Rite Bodies of Florida will abide by Grand Lodge of Florida Grand Master's rules and has suspended all communications through May 3, 2020.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. John R. Miller, District Deputy Grand Master, 21st Masonic District G.L. of Florida
Right Excellent Grand Secretary, York Rite Grand Chapter
Right Illustrious Grand Recorder, York Rite Grand Council
Eminent Grand Recorder, York Rite Grand Commandry

Special announcement from Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa

The Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa has in accordance with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Florida suspended all activities until May 4th, This includes the April meeting and the Valley of Tampa Feast of Kadosh which was scheduled on March 21st.

Rusty Glendinning 33° Personal Representative for the Deputy of the Supreme Council
John Drewett 33° General Secretary Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa

Special announcement from the Scottish Rite Valley of Orlando

My Brothers and Friends of the Scottish Rite:

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates continue to be received, requiring updates to keep you informed.  Included with this update is the letter from Most Worshipful John W. Westerman III. After you read the letter, you will understand why we are canceling all meetings and events within the Valley of Orlando through May the 4th. Those Brothers who were petitioning to join the A.A.S.R. in the Valley of Orlando will be held over until our Fall Reunion, at which time we are pleased to welcome them into our ranks as 32° Masters of The Royal Secret.

As far as Club meetings, I suggest you follow the recommendations that were previously shared concerning Social Distancing and evaluate from month to month to determine whether it is safe to hold your meeting, and in the best interest of your fellow Brothers. Please keep in mind that the average age of our membership is 71.9, and those in the 70 or higher age range face the most significant challenge should they contract the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please keep Ill. Keith posted on plans to meet or cancel your club meeting.

Ill. Keith, our General Secretary, and I will keep the Valley office open. He will handle the business of the Rite until we can meet again.

We look forward to enjoying the fraternal fellowship within our beloved fraternity of Freemasonry. Be prudent and diligent in the actions you take to ensure you are safe. Thanks for your continued support!

Fraternally,

Ill. Chester A. "Chet" King, 33°

Personal Representative

Central Florida and Tampa Bay Shrines Suspend Activities

Effective immediately all Shrine activities at the Bahia Shrine in Apopka and at the Egypt Shrine in Tampa are suspended until further notice, this includes all of the unit and club activities at both Bahia and Egypt and the Red Fez Lounge at the Bahia.

We will keep you updated as information becomes available to us from the Shrine.

New phone... Who dis?

Brethren and visitors to our website, we want to advise you that effective March 19th we have changed our telephone number and administrative email addresses, to contact the District Deputy Grand Master, District Committeemen, website manager or general inquiries about the 21st Masonic District please visit the contact page by clicking here.

Fraternally,
Bro. Rick Schwarz, Website Administrator, 21st Masonic District

An important message from Lakeland Lodge No. 91

Lakeland Lodge No. 91 has cancelled its March 24th and April 13th Stated Communications. The next Stated Communication will be held on April 27th. We have also cancelled our monthly Spaghetti dinner which is held on the 19th of each month.

Fraternally,
W:. Humberto "Bert" Leach, Worshipful Master, Lakeland Lodge No. 91

An important message from Sebring Lodge No. 249

Sebring Lodge No. 249 is cancelling all meetings until May.

Fraternally,
W:. Gary Gordon, Worshipful Master, Sebring Lodge No. 249

An important message from Fort Meade Lodge No. 160

Update: The orders of the Grand Master suspending all Masonic activities effective on March 18, 2020 supersedes this post and this post should be disregarded.

Fort Meade Lodge has opted to temporarily close. Additionally, the Annual Outdoor degree scheduled for Saturday April 4th has also been cancelled.

Fraternally,
W:. A. Gary Cavanaugh, Secretary, Fort Meade Lodge No. 160

An important message from Tuscan Lodge No. 6

Update: The orders of the Grand Master suspending all Masonic activities effective on March 18, 2020 supersedes this post and this post should be disregarded.

For now, Tuscan Lodge No. 6 will continue to meet to have educational discussions, if only around the kitchen table. We will not be scheduling any degree work until things settle down.

Fraternally,
W:. Casey Fletcher, Worshipful Master, Tuscan Lodge No. 6

URGENT: Message and directive from the Grand Master of Florida

By order and under the authority of M:.W:. John W. Westerman III, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted in the State of Florida, all Stated and Called Communications, Masonic meetings and events are SUSPENDED at all lodges which are chartered under this Grand Jurisdiction until at least May 4, 2020.

Please find attached to this post a copy of the Grand Master's Directive No. 3. Take Due Notice Thereof and Govern Yourself Accordingly. Please keep safe during this time.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. John R. Miller, District Deputy Grand Master, 21st Masonic District
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Florida

An important message from Haines City Lodge No. 219

The steak dinner schedule on March 23rd has been cancelled. Haines City Lodge No. 219 will have their regular Stated Communication in April if all is well.

Fraternally,
W:. Paul Wilson, Worshipful Master, Haines City Lodge No. 219

Important message from the Master Masons Association

The Master Masons Association the meeting scheduled for this Wednesday March 18th at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 has been CANCELLED. Additionally the Easter program for the residents of the Masonic Home in Saint Petersburg will be rescheduled.

Fraternally,
Scott Perritt, President
Master Masons Association of the 21st Masonic District

An important message from Winter Haven Lodge No. 186

Brethren...

After hearing that Covid-19 (Coronavirus) has entered the City limits of Winter Haven, the consideration for the health and well-being of our Masonic body and their families has taken center stage. Several of our officers and many of our craft have compromised health issues and will not be able to attend lodge meetings. Sadly, I am informing everyone that the March 21, 2020 and April 6, 2020 Stated Meetings of Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 are cancelled. Stay home, stay with your loved ones and stay well... we will all come out the better for this time away while our state heals.

The next scheduled Meeting is Saturday Morning, April 18th, 2020, 8:00am breakfast and 9:00am meeting, as long as the threat of illness passing between us is past. There will be emails, call-multiplier and other communication methods used to keep you informed of the events for that meeting.

Fraternally,
W:. Dennis Wind, Worshipful Master Winter Haven Lodge No. 186

An important message from Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

At Saturday's Stated Communication the craft of Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 voted to go dark until the first Stated Communication on May 9th, additionally all lodge functions including Masonic practices and the monthly fish fry dinners are CANCELLED and the Lake Wales Masonic Temple hereby is CLOSED to the lodge members and the public.

The decision for the lodge to go dark and to closed the Masonic temple was not taken lightly or without serious thought and consideration, because of the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is spreading not only here in the United States but also across the world I and the brothers of the lodge felt that this is best of course of action.

If you have have any questions please contact me at wm242@21masonicdistrict.com or Lodge Secretary Greg Fisher at secretary242@21stmasonicdistrict.com.

Fraternally,

W:. Jacob Clifton, Worshipful Master Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 Stated Communication

Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 will be holding its Stated Communication later this morning.

Florida Lodge of Research No. 999 Stated Communication

The Florida Lodge of Research No. 999 Stated Communication scheduled for Saturday March 14th at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 in Lake Wales has been CANCELLED.

If you have any questions please contact me at wm@flor999.org.

Fraternally,
W:. Richard A. Terry, Jr., Worshipful Master
Florida Lodge of Research No. 999

Grand Master Directive No. 2 & Coronavirus Guidance

Brethren, M:.W:. John W. Westerman III, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Florida has issued Directive No. 2 and guidance for the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

URGENT! Baseball Spring Training

By order of the Commissioner of Baseball effective immediately all Major League Baseball Spring Training games are hereby CANCELLED. The March 12th game at Publix Field was officially the end of season for the 21st Masonic District concessions.

If you have any questions please contact me at ddgm@21stmasonicdistrict.com.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. John R. Miller, District Deputy Grand Master 21st Masonic District
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Florida

Master Masons Association Meeting For March

The next meeting of the Master Masons Association of the 21st Masonic District will be on Wednesday March 18th at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242, 660 South 9th Street in Lake Wales. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 7:00pm. If you any questions please email R:.W:. John R. Miller, District Deputy Grand Master and Secretary of the Master Masons Association at ddgm@21stmasonicdistrict.com.

The Winding Stairs Masonic Podcast

Bro. Juan Sepúlveda is the host of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast and The Masonic Roundtable, two programs dedicated to Masonic Education. He is a professional artist, whose paintings are displayed in collections around the world, including as part of the permanent collection of The Florida Department of State.

Shortly after becoming a Freemason in 2009 at Orange Blossom Lodge No. 80 located in Kissimmee, Florida, Bro. Sepulveda decided to begin working on a Masonic Art Collection. It was a natural progression to his work, since he has been passionate for history, Masonic education and allegorical teachings. In fact, for over a decade he has been describing his painting style as Inspirational Symbolism.

To learn more about Bro. Juan Sepúlveda, his Masonic Education efforts including his two podcasts and examples of his Masonic art work visit www.thewindingstairs.com.

Thank you from the Eastern Star Chapter 107

The Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 107 in Lake Wales wishes to thank everyone who came to yesterday's spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Lake Wales Masonic temple which was a great success and a much thanks to R:.W:. Wendell Farrow, Worshipful Master W:. Jacob Clifton and the brothers of Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 who assisted their Eastern Star sister in the kitchen and in cleanup.

Information regarding the Coronavirus

Brethren, if you or someone you know such as a family member or friend recently traveled to China, Asia or a region affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic please immediately seek medical attention, and most importantly please refrain from attending any public function such as church, parades, sporting events and all Masonic Communications until you are properly cleared by a medical professional as healthy.

Please find attached to this post information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). You're requested to take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

Important announcements from Grand Lodge

Brethren, the Grand Lodge of Florida has sent the following URGENT notifications, please take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

**Pilgrimage Day has been postponed indefinitely. We will notify you once it has been rescheduled.**

Due to the threat of the Coronavirus, Pre-Board and Board of Trustees Meetings at the Masonic Home are closed to Board Members only until further notice. We cannot afford to bring any serious illnesses to the Masonic Home and risk the health and safety of our residents as well as our Masonic Home Staff.

Announcement from the Bahia Shrine Orlando

Lakeland Lodge No. 91 Entered Apprentice Degree

Lakeland Lodge #91 will be holding an EA degree on March 16th dinner at 6 pm degree at 7 pm. We have one candidate for the night and would welcome the addition of any courtesy candidates from within the district. If you have a candidate for the EA degree and would like to join us on the 16th please contact W:. Bert Leach at 863-701-4563 as soon as possible to make arrangements.

Grand Master Calendar For March 2020

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