From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

The Rainbow Girls and DeMolay will be attending a dance at the Syria Shrine, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick PA 15024 on Friday December 29th. Car pooling from Franklin Myrtle Lodge at 5 PM. Dance is from 6:30PM to 10:30 PM. Pizza and drinks provided. Young women and men must bring permission slips and emergency medical data with them or they will not be able to attend. Questions - contact Sandy Lewis 785-6795 or Rich Palm 677-5146.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

“I don’t believe in a Christmas celebration by the Lodge. (A story from Long ago) I don’t think we ought to have one, or be asked to contribute to one or in any way engage in Christmas festivities, ” said the Junior Mason, emphatically and with marked disapproval of the little ante-room group nearby, making happy plans for Yule-tide. “That’s very interesting,” commented the Old Past Master. “I like to hear points of view unfamiliar to me. Would you mind telling me why?” “Of course I don’t mind. It’s very simple. Masonry is not Christian. King Solomon, of course, wasn’t a Christian, nor was either of the Hiram’s. Masonry admits to her ranks any good man of faith; Christian, Jewish, Mohammedan, Buddhist… it makes no difference, just so he has a Faith. Then, as a Lodge, we celebrate a holiday belonging to one faith.” “Now I personally am a Christian, and of course I celebrate Christmas. But my Brother across the way is a Jew, who does not recognize Christianity. To ask him to spend his proportion of Lodge funds in celebrating the birth of a Leader in whom he does not believe would be exactly like asking me to celebrate — with my proportion of Lodge money — the birth of Confucius. Of course, I have only one vote and the majority rules, but when it comes to personal contributions to a Masonic Christmas celebration, my hands will never come out of my pockets.” He shoved them deeper into his pockets as he spoke to emphasize his intention not to spend. “Hum!” answered the Old Past Master. “So you think your Jewish Brother across the way doesn’t recognize Christianity? Don’t you mean he doesn’t recognize Christ as the Son of God?” “Oh, Brother Samuels,” the Old Past Master called across the ante-room. “Come here a minute, will you?” The Jewish Brother rose and came forward. “I just wanted to ask you if you are in favor or against the Lodge Christmas celebration?” asked the Old Past Master. “Me? I am in favor of it, of course, both for the Lodge appropriation and the individual contribution.” “Thank you,” nodded the Old Past Master. Then as the Jewish Brother went back to his seat, he turned to the Junior Mason. “You see, my son, our Jewish friend is not narrow. He does not believe in Christ as the Redeemer, but he recognizes that he lives in a country largely Christian and belongs to a Lodge largely with Christian Brothers. To him the Christmas celebration is not one of His birthday, but of the spirit of joyousness and love which we mean when we sing, at Christmas time ‘Peace on earth, good will towards men!’ If you argue that ‘peace’ is only a Christian word, he might even quote to you the words of One who said ‘I bring you not Peace, but a Sword.'” “Now let me explain something to you. The Jew has just as much right to refuse to recognize Christ as the Son of God as you have to refuse to consider Mohammed the Prophet that the followers of Allah say he is. But as an educated man, you must know that Mohammed was a good man, a devout leader, a wise teacher. As an educated man, you admit that the religion founded by Buddha has much in it that is good and you admit that Confucius was a wise and just leader.” “Were you in the land where the birthdays of any of these were celebrated, would you refuse your part in the people’s joy in their Leader, simply because you followed another? I trust not. Well, neither do our Jewish brethren or our Mohammedan brethren desire to be left out of our celebration. They may not believe in the Divinity of Him that we, as Christians, follow, but if they are good men and good Masons… they are perfectly willing to admit that the religion we follow is as good for us as theirs is for them. Then they join with us in celebrating the day which is to us the glad day of all the year.” “Believe me, boy, Christmas doesn’t mean Christ’s birthday to many a man who calls himself Christian. It is not because of joy the He was born that many a good man celebrates Christmas. It is because his neighbor celebrates it, because it is a time of joy for little ones, because it is a day when he can express his thanks to his God that he is allowed to have a wife and family and children and friends and a Lodge, because of that very ‘peace on earth’ spirit which is no more the property of the Gentile than the Jew, the Chinese or the Mohammedan.” “It is in such a spirit that Masons join, all in celebrating Christmas. It is on the Masonic side of the tree we dance, not the Christian side. When this Lodge erects its Christmas tree in the basement and throws it open to the little ones of the poor of this town, you will find children of all kinds there; black, white, yellow, and brown, Jew and Gentile, Christian and Mohammedan.” “And you will find a Jew at the door and among the biggest subscriptions will be those from some Jewish brethren. There is a Jew who rents cars for a living who will supply us a dozen free cars to take baskets to those who cannot come. And when the Jewish Orphan Asylum has its fair, in the spring, you will find many Christian Masons attending to spend his money and help along the cause dear to his Jewish brethren, never remembering that they be of a different faith. That, my son, is Masonry.” “Charity is neither Christian nor Jewish, nor Chinese nor Buddhist. And celebrations which create joy in little hearts and feed the hungry and make the poor think that Masons do not forget the lessons in Lodge, are not Christian alone, though they be held at Christmas, and are not for Christians alone, though the celebration be in His honor. Recall the ritual: ‘By the exercise of Brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and low, the rich and poor, who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other’.” “It is with this thought that we, as Masons, celebrate Christmas, to bring joy to our brethren and their little ones, and truly observe the Brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God, whether we be Jew or Gentile, Mohammedan or Buddhist.” The Old Past Master ceased and stood musing, his old eyes looking back along a long line of Lodge Christmas trees about which eager little faces danced. Then he turned to the Junior Mason. “Well,” he said smiling, “Do you understand?” “I thank you for my Christmas present,” came the answer. “Please tell me to which Brother I should make my Christmas contribution?” Peace be with you and yours this Christmas.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

Some of us will be attending a funeral for William Huber who was a member of Fraternal Lodge. For reasons unknown to me he no longer a member in good standing. However he was well known in the fraternity and though we will not be preforming a Masonic Funeral, we will attend as brothers to show our respect. If you would like to join us, we will meet at Faymoors Restaurant at 9:30AM Saturday. Then proceed to President Chapel in the Village of President off Rt 62 about 3 miles south of the Hunters Station Bridge. Dress is coat and tie.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

Venango Chapter Order of DeMolay Interest in reviving this Chapter began late in 2016 and gathered strength over the next few months. It was first brought to me by Sandra Lewis, Past Mother Advisor, and Amanda Lewis, Current Mother Advisor of the Rainbow Girls in Franklin. Their knowledge of the workings of the Rainbow Girls was instrumental in this start up. Currently, we have five young men who have petitioned, have been investigated, and approved by the advisory board and are awaiting inition and degrees. We had hoped to have the Erie Chapter of DeMolay come to initiate them on December 16th. The State Officers found out about starting up this new Chapter and made it clear the State Officers would perform the ceremonies. It has been moved to Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 7 PM in the Oil City Masonic Hall. There are two degrees the young men will receive in Pittsburgh in March. Our meeting nights will be the second Wednesday and fourth Monday of each month. Wednesday will be the stated meeting with a ritualistic open, business and close. Monday will be activities night. We have had interest from friends of our five new young men and expect the Chapter to grow rapidly. Petitioners need not have a Masonic affiliation. Requirements are: • You are a young man between the ages of 12 and 21. • You are of good moral character. • You believe in a supreme being (all religions welcome). Dues are a onetime fee of $60 for life membership. The young men, living in today’s society of broken promises, lack of trust and questionable moral values can be shown that there is another way of life. One that we Masons promote in all that we do and say. Please come on January 10th to support these young men and show them what true brotherhood really means. For more information or petitions contact: Cell Phone Home Phone Richard Palm 814-671-5146 814-677-5146 Assistant Chairman Brian Butchart (814) 516-4325 (814) 676-6247 Chapter Advisor Amanda Lewis 814-758-4439 Membership Chair

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

Congratulations to Brother Lou Carbaugh and the Shriners. See today's paper, front page. Third graders collecting items for the children at Shrine Hospital in Erie.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

REMINDER - Masonic Education tonight at 7 PM.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

The Venango chapter of the Order of DeMolay is finally getting started. Wednesday December 13th at 7 p.m. will be their first meeting at the Oil City lodge. Everyone is invited to attend if you're interested. If you have young men who might be interested this would be a good opportunity for them to see what we do.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

About 100 delinquent dues notices will be sent out in about a week. If you haven't paid your dues yet please get them in soon so we don't need to send this letter to you.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

If you would like to reserve a dinner for Lodge Tuesday night please call Jim Monson right away.

From Masonic Families of the Allegheny Valley

If you would like to reserve a dinner at lodge next Tuesday evening please call Jim Munson today.