Video from the Grand Master about the Grand Communication

Important: Grand Communication Hotel Reservation

Brethren, the following has been transmitted from Grand Lodge regarding your hotel reservation at the Rosen Plaza for the Annual Grand Communication.

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Brothers, we have made arrangements for all room reservation made through the Rosen using our room block to be cancelled. There is not a need for you to contact the hotel. There will not be a charge or any penalty for this cancellation.

The Rosen has proved over and over again that they are a great partner.

Fraternally,
John W. Westerman III, Grand Master
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Florida

2020 Grand Communication CANCELLED and Directive No. 4

Brethren,

Please be advised that the Annual Grand Comnunication at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando has been CANCELLED. Grand Lodge has advised that you should NOT contact the hotel about your reservation, further information about this will be posted shortly.

Attached is the notice about the Grand Communication cancellation and Directive No. 4 from the Grand Master. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

Important message from the Grand Master / Directive No. 3

First of all, we are wishing everyone well and sincerely hope you are faring the storm of this faceless enemy called the COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to the lack of public/Masonic meetings we ask that any contributions to the First Lady’s Project that may have been held to present in person be mailed to the Grand Lodge Office and note checks for this designation. I wish to express my sincere thanks and your support and all you do for Florida Freemasonry.

On another note, I have had many inquiries as to INITIATION AND ADVANCEMENT of the current candidates and advance of the Degrees. Please see the attached Directive No. 3.

Directive No. 3 Suspended all Masonic Meetings from March 17th through May 4th in accordance with the Florida Governor’s order referencing social gatherings causing the balloting and advancement of candidates to be delayed; and whereas, Regulation 32.02 requires balloting and advancement to take place within 6 months will cause a burden on the Lodge and further delay the progress of our Fraternity.

I hereby waive this requirement for any process that was in effect on March 15, 2020, through the date the Lodges are authorized to hold meetings.

CHAPTER 37
INITIATION AND ADVANCEMENT

INITIATION

Regulations 37.02 When a ballot is taken on a petition of a candidate to receive the Symbolic Degrees of Masonry, and become a member of any Particular Lodge in this Jurisdiction, if the ballot is clear the petitioner shall be declared elected to receive the Three Degrees; provided, that when a petitioner has been regularly elected to receive the Three Degrees and fails to present himself for the E.A. Degree within six months after election, or fails to qualify for advancement, or to present himself for advancement within six months after having received the preceding Degree, the Lodge shall cause investigation of the petitioner to be made and shall again spread the ballot, but without a new petition, and if the ballot is clear, the Degree for which the petitioner is then next in line may then be conferred, assuming he has passed a satisfactory examination in the preceding Degree, if any.

Fraternally,
M:.W:. John W. Westerman III, Grand Master
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Florida

Important Message: Passing of M:.W:. Roy Connor Sheppard

We are very sad to inform you that M:.W:. Roy Connor Sheppard, Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary Emeritus, passed away last night. M:.W:. Sheppard was in an assisted living facility and his health has been declining for some time. He was a very distinguished man and Mason that will be sorely missed.

Important message from Grand Lodge

M:.W:. Joseph C. Fowler, P:.G:.M:., has been admitted to the hospital to undergo a procedure. Please keep M:.W:. Joe in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Upcoming Open Book

There will be two open book sessions held this month, these sessions are open to all Florida Masons in good standing who have a current lodge dues, Circumscribe or Perpetual Membership card in hand to enter the lodge room and check out books.

April 18th - Sebring Lodge No. 249 from 8:00am to 11:00am
April 22nd - Lakeland Lodge No. 191 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

If you have any questions please email us at office@21stmasonicdistrict.com.

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 to the craft.

Signs that you're a Freemason

From the home office. The 21st Masonic District's "Signs your're a Freemason"

1.  You don't like to go counter-clockwise.
2. The words regular and irregular mean something else.
3. You tailgate the car ahead of you to see if the bumper sticker is Masonic.
4. The car ahead of you has a Square and Compass sticker, you honk three times and sincerely wonder why the driver is giving you an odd look.
5. Your children have biblical names
6. Your children have the names of Greek gods and godesses
7. You love and hate Dan Brown
8. If you eat one more bite of pulled pork for dinner at the lodge your going to scream (For Florida masons).
9. If you eat one more hot dog with sauerkraut at your lodge your going to scream (For New Jersey masons).
10. You check to see if the refined looking gentleman sitting inside of the bus station is wearing a Masonic ring.
11. You spend time scrutinizing old buildings looking for the symbol of the craft.
12. Your favorite chair in the family dining room is situated in the East.
13. You Google historical figures and notable celebrities to see if their Freemasons.
14. You do not talk about politics or religion in the Masonic Temple or lodge room but eagerly await the closing of the lodge so you can talk about politics and religion.
15. You laugh hysterically every time you see a goat.

A Mason and a Man poem

Freemasonry will continue to survive

From a post on the Grand Lodge of Kansas A. F. & A. M.  Facebook page.

Masonic words for April 2020 Pandemic Edition

Masonic words for April 2020

Grand Master calendar for April 2020

Click on calendar to display a full screen version.