Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Georgia Inside this issue: 2015 KOP State Assemblage 7 2015 Youth Grand Session 9 Activities through- 11 out the jurisdiction Talent from within 25 Grand Session Info 28 Issue 2—Spring 2015 Masonic Digest Georgia Prince Hall Masons—PHA www.mwphglga.org Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Georgia P.O. Box 490750 College Park, GA 30349 To submit your articles to the Masonic Digest... Any and all articles, stories, must be submitted by email in either Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Meaning, we must be able to edit, change the font, cut and paste your submission. Photo’s must be of high quality, scalable, jpg., gif., format. ALL PUNCUATION, GRAMMAR, AND SPELLING MUST BE CORRECT. SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO: [email protected] The editors reserve the right to edit, change, delete, limit, any, and all submissions. LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Greetings my Good Brothers and Sisters! We are so excited to bring back the Masonic Digest. Our Grand Master has tasked us with documenting our rich history and legacy. We cannot do this without your help and contribution. YOU are the history of this great state of Georgia! mindful that all submissions must have correct grammar, high quality photo’s, and sent in on time. We will continue to do our best and make you proud! Thanks again!! The editors: Brian A. Garner Please be patient with us as we make sure all your needs are met and we produce a quality product. Also be Antonio Alston-Bey Ronald Skrine Antoñio White Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Georgia The Honorable Bruce A. James, 33◦ 17th Most Worshipful Grand Master RW Corey D. Shackleford, Sr., 33◦ Deputy Grand Master RW C. E Alexander, 33◦ RW Primis T. James, 33◦ Grand Senior Warden Grand Junior Warden RW Earl Perry, 33◦ Grand Treasurer RW John Jefferson, 33◦ Grand Secretary Masonic Digest Page 4 Prince Hall Grand Chapter, O*E*S Jurisdiction of Georgia The Honorable Bruce A. James, 33° Most Worshipful Grand Master Sister Deaidra P. Wilson Brother Cecil R. James Grand Associate Matron Grand Associate Patron Sister Mary P. Surry Sister Lynnette Scott Hymes Brother Sam McDonald Grand Worthy Matron Grand Worthy Patron Grand Treasurer Sister Theresa Hill Grand Secretary Sister Saundra Parks Sister Joyce C. Gilchrist Sister Sallie Mills Grand Conductress Grand Associate Conductress Grand Chairman of the Trustees Masonic Digest Page 5 Past Grand Masters J.M. Simms Louis B. Toomer John H. Deveaux Alexander Harris 1870-1872 1872-1874 1874-1883 1883-1886 A. K. Desverney W.E. Terry John D. Campbell W.E. Terry 1886-1888 1888-1889 1889-1894 1894-1901 H.R, Butler John W. Dobbs X.L. Neal Neal A. McQueen 1901-1932 1932-1962 1962-1990 1990-1995 Benjamin P. Barksdale Willie L. Williams Ramsey Davis, Jr. Douglas M. Jones 1995-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 2010-2014 Masonic Digest Page 6 Past Grand Matrons and Past Grand Patrons The following Sisters and Brothers have served as Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron respectively: Sis. D. Edwards, WGM, 1899-1902 Sis. Viola Hart Felton, WGM, 1902-1933 Sis. Mary H. Jones, WGM, 1935-1940 Sis. Ruth V. Cobb, WGM, 1941-1945 Sis. Minnie DeVaughn, WGM 1946 Sis. Mary L. Ayers, WGM, 1947-1952 Sis. P. B. Eichelberger, WGM, 1953-1954 Sis Marie B. Cooper, WGM, 1955-1963 Sis. Lillian E. Blake, WGM, 1964-1977 Sis. Florence M. Hogan, WGM, 1977-1992 Sis. Ruby C. Clayton, WGM, 1992-1997 Sis. Belle S. Clark, WGM, 1997-2002 Sis. Vashti G. Pullen, WGM, 2002-2007 Sis. Marilyn Moore, WGM, 2007-2012 Sis. Lynnette Hymes, WGM, 2012-Present Bro. W. E. Terry, WGP, 1899-1900 Bro. Sol C. Johnson, WGP, 1901-1951 Bro. George W. Smith, WGP, 1952-1961 Bro. Robert J. Walters, WGP, 1961-1970 Bro. Earnest McIntyre, WGP, 1971-1994 Bro. Willie V. Coleman, WGP, 1994-1998 Bro. Felton L. Hudson, WGP, 1998-2005 Bro. Aaron Kent, WGP, 2005-2008 Bro. Marvin Knight, WGP, 2008-2014 Bro Sam McDonald, WGP 2014-Present Masonic Digest Page 7 2015 Grand Assemblage—KOP “No man stands as straight as when he stoops to help a boy” Fred Douglas Lodge #143, located in Fort Valley, Georgia (Macon Masonic District) was the host for the 2015 Annual Knights of Pythagoras Grand Assemblage on February 28, 2015. Over 100 youth and adults attended the events making it the largest assemblage in several years. Mr. Woody Hughes of Fort Valley State University and a representative of Georgia 4-H made a presentation of Robotics with the purpose of encouraging councils to establish a robotics training program within their councils. C.V. Troup Council (Fred Douglas Lodge) has participated in the program for more than a year. Brother Aldric Little, newly appointed Assistant State Director, gave a lecture on leadership. He stated that a good leader should posses certain traits and they need to be authentic. He went on to explain each. The authentic leader must have insight, demonstrate initiative and exert influence. They are able to create real and lasting change. The measure of leadership cannot be found in the leader; it is found in the impact the leader has on his or her followers. Following a devotional song, prayer and remarks by Grand Master Bruce James, the Annual Assemblage was open in ritualistic form by Master Knight Travion Williams. Councils attending the assemblage included: C. J. Jackson, Columbus St. James, Atlanta Felton Hudson, Athens C. V. Troup, Fort Valley Michael J. Stevenson, Augusta S. P. Jones, Thomasville* Neahmia, Moultrie* John Ziegler, Augusta Masonic Digest 2015 Grand Assemblage—KOP (continued) “No man stands as straight as when he stoops to help a boy” The following Knights were selected to serve as state officers for 2015: Master Knight Jarren Copeland Senior Knight Mardell Stroud Junior Knight Jayland Copeland Knight Recorder Chris Morris Knight Treasurer Dejaun Jones Senior Knight Deacon Taquavious Reid Junior Knight Deacon Sean McDonald Senior Knight Stewart Elijah Welch Junior Knight Stewart Jonathan Butler Knight Chaplain Ethan Hollis Knight Marshall Karon Bloodworth Knight Standard Bearer Kerry Ross Knight Sentinel Jaylen Jenkins Page 8 Masonic Digest Page 9 2015 Youth Grand Session The 2015 Youth Grand Session was held at Forsyth GA, April 24-25 2015, hosted by Macon District #5. With well over 200 people in attendance, this grand session proved to be another memorable event in lives of many. Initiation was held for approximately 20+ youth on that Friday evening in addition to raising an excess of $6000.00 during the annual Kings and Queens Contest Fundraiser. Ritualistic work was conducted on the following Saturday morning followed by tearful remarks given by the outgoing Grand Youth President Maya O’Neal. Next was The 2015 Writing Contest, and this year’s topic was “Labeling Others”. The winner was none other Miss Maya O’Neal of Deaidra P. Wilson Youth Chapter, Atlanta District 3West. The topic of the 2015 Oratorical Contest was “The Effects of Bullying” and this year’s winner is Miss Jada Thomas of Rose Metter Shining Stars Youth Chapter, Statesboro District. Masonic Digest 2015 Youth Grand Session (cont.) The 2015 elected officers for the Grand Youth Chapter are Miss Kobe Wilson serving as president. Mstr Jaylene Taylor as vice president, Miss Asia Brown as Conductress. Other elected and appointed officers are Adriel Evans, Brittany Wilson, Caleb Green, Ineza Garvin, Madison Miller, Jamarcus Fisher, Tevin Smith, Pierce Butler, Jada Thomas, Ethan Hollis, Mariah Rhodes, Jadelyn Cope, Zaria Wilson, Evan Gibbons, Logan Massey, William White III, Thomas McIver, and Aaliyah Johnson. Sis Mary James serves as the Grand Youth Directress along with Sis Sherri Davis serving as Assistant Directress. Page 10 Masonic Digest Page 11 Griffin Lodge No. 317 & Chapter No. 386 The Brothers and Sisters of Griffin Lodge #317 & Griffin Chapter #386, held its 4th annual 4-on-4 Bonding Father/Son Basketball Tournament. The event was held on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Fairmont Gym in Griffin, GA. The purpose of the event is to promote, encourage and strengthen the relationship between the boys in the community of Griffin and their fathers or male mentors. This event was well attended and supported by many mothers, and by over 100 father/son tournament participants. More than 300 individuals from the community came out to partake of the food from the grill and to cheer for tournament players. And we also honored to have in our mist DGM Cory D. Shackleford Sr. and team Shack with him. Griffin Lodge looks forward to an even bigger and better event next year! Spring 2015 Quitman’s First Masonic Ball November 8, 2014 Walnut Hill #313 and LoveJoy #246 of Quitman, Georgia hosted its first annual Worshipful Master and Worthy Matron Ball at Oak Ridge Lodge. The event was filled with masonic brothers and OES Sisters from all over the district. Food, fellowship, dancing and fun were had by all. Worthy Matron of LoveJoy #246, Sister Yurshema Flanders said of the annual ball, “this is an opportunity for brothers and sisters to fellowship and enjoy one another and dance and just have a good time. I pray that this ball grows throughout the years to come.” The funds from the ball were collected to contribute to the lodge and chapters annual scholarship for graduating high school seniors. Page 12 Spring 2015 Page 13 Newnan Lodge No. 299 The Brothers of Newnan Lodge No. 299 raised and gave almost $300 from Chicken-NWaffles sales to aid in Newnan resident Ms. Dianna Anderson's post op medical expenses. Thank you to all who purchased the $5 plates, donated or simply sent well wishes. Blessings. — with Cleve LeBlanc III, PM Larry Satterwhite Sr., WM William Reese, Dianna Anderson, PM Glenn Render, SW Sean Britt and PM Delacey Jordan. Spring 2015 Page 14 Sale City Lodge No. 267 Gives back to the community Sale City Lodge #267, donated baskets to needy families for Thanksgiving. The Department of Children and Family Services helped by distributing them. Spring 2015 Page 15 Fidelity Chapter No. 45, OES Donates School Supplies to Northwest Laurens Elementary School Fidelity Chapter No. 45, Order of the Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Georgia, Prince Hall Affiliated donates school supplies each year to a local elementary school. This year’s recipient of the community service project was Northwest Laurens Elementary School. Members of the chapter recently collected paper, notebooks, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, hand sanitizer, and other supplies to help support student learning in the classroom. Pictured are (l-r): Northwest Laurens Elementary School staff and students, along with OES Sisters: Monique Lewis, Elizabeth Gallimore, Margaret Anderson, Christine Baker, and Chandra Hall. Spring 2015 Page 16 Thomasville District No. 10 "Little Children Are a Treasure"; they are the silver lining that brightens up our day. Our goals for the youth are to Pray for wisdom and discernment and set realistic goals. We were honored to share Easter Egg bags with the kids during their tutoring classes at the Greater New Corinth Missionary Baptist Church. Along with the kids were the members of Thomasville District #10 District Worthy Matron, Sister Shirley Hopkins, Sister Mary Green, Worthy Matron, Brother LeeVon Lurry, Worthy Patron, and Past Worthy Matrons, Sister Sharon Greene and Sister Ruby McClinton (Gold Card Member) and other members of Dorothy Edwards Chapter No. 36. Attested by: Sister Chriseen Johnson, PWM, Dorothy Edward Chapter #36, Chapter Secretary. Spring 2015 Page 17 Walnut Hill Lodge No. 313 Brothers from Walnut Hill #313 in Quitman Georgia collect food items to serve underprivileged families in the community. Right to Left: Bro. Jerry Denson and Bro. Jerry Alexander. The lodge was able to feed several under-served families in and around Quitman and Morven Georgia. Spring 2015 Central City on the move! From the Desk of Mary L. Stephens, Worthy Matron Central City Chapter #46: It is with great pleasure that I update you on the Ins and Outs of what’s happening with Central City Chapter #46. Since last we touched base we have assisted with Anita Ponders’ Annual Christmas Event, donated school supplies to Burdell Hunt Elementary School, and Assisted Flaming Knights Motorcycle Club with The Mighty Rock Annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt. Presently we are gearing up for our First Annual Central City Lodge #12 and Central City Chapter #46 Anniversary “ Weekend Celebration in the City” to be held October 16-18 in Macon, Georgia. Save the Dates October 16, 2015- Lovely Ladies and Gents Masquerade Party @ Howard Community Center Admission: $10 plus 2 nonperishable food items. Saturday Oct 17, 2015-Chapter/ Lodge Community Service Followed by Bowling and Fellowship (Times TBA) Sunday October 18, 2015: Lodge/ Chapter Anniversary @ Greater Bellevue Baptist Church 4041 Mumford Rd Speaker: MWGM Terrence Jackson, Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Colorado. Guest Musicians: Cedartown Male Chorus and Central City Chapter #46 Singing Stars. Page 18 Spring 2015 Page 19 Villa Rica Lodge No. 584 On March 2, 2015, the brothers of Villa Rica Lodge #584 PHA awarded PM Gary Sparks #584 with a Excellence in Community Service and Law Enforcement Award. PM Sparks serves as the Deputy Chief of Police for the city of Douglasville. His commitment to the youth includes: Youth Against Violence (YAV) and numerous other activities which serves as a second chance for young adults to avoid spending time in jail. During the award presentation, PM Sparks thanked the brothers for acknowledging his efforts and stated that " he wishes not to be just a dues paying member but a active member in the lodge". At the conclusion of the presentation, Mayor Harvey Person, along with several of the city council members, thanked PM Gary Sparks for his efforts and bestowed kind words for the brothers of Villa Rica Lodge #584 for presenting the award and offering praise to the police department for their superior level of service. Pictured: Back Row: Douglasville City Council Members. Front Row: Brothers of Villa Rica Lodge #584, Mayor Harvey Persons and PM Gary Sparks Deputy Chief of Police for the city of Douglasville. Masonic digest Page 20 “Men coming together showing that we care about our community" Griffin Lodge #317, Adopt-a-highway The Brothers of Griffin Masonic Lodge No. 317, Prince Hall Affiliated Saturday, May 16, 2015, rendered charitable service in our community for Adopt-A-Hwy street clean-up for the community. Griffin Masonic Lodge strives to continue charitable services to the community and to its members. Our lodge is enormously large in spirit and dedication. Service to the community and all of mankind is always the focus of this organization. The principal officers are Worshipful Master Brother Abdul R. Salaam 32°, Senior Warden Brother Donnie L. Baulding Sr. 33°, and Junior Warden Brother Kenny L Harris 32°. Spring 2015 Page 21 Lovejoy Chapter No. 246 On October 18, 2014 the Valdosta Lowndes Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. held its annual Bethune Leadership Banquet at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta, Georgia. Of those nominated in the category of Community, LoveJoy Chapter #246 Worthy Matron, Yurshema Flanders was recognized as one of the nominees. The events purpose is to recognize women throughout the community for their leadership and service in the community. Flanders was nominated by her chapter and is pictured with her husband, Bro. Roy Flanders III of the Walnut Hill #303 Lodge in Quitman, Georgia. Masonic digest Page 22 Carrollton Masonic Family Church Visitation The Brothers of Carrollton Lodge #57, Sisters of Carrollton Chapter #28, and the youth of Deaidra P. Wilson Youth Chapter came together on Sunday, March 29, 2015, to enjoy a dynamic service at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Roopville, during their quarterly church visitation. This church has been a long-time supporter of Carrollton Lodge and chapter and bears a cornerstone that was laid by Carrollton Lodge #57. The “Carrollton connection” enjoyed the dynamic preaching of Pastor Frederick E. Ricks and enjoyed a wonderful fellowship with the congregation that included singing and lively praise. The Church’s motto “No ship sails like fellowship” is in line with the beliefs of Carrollton Lodge, Carrollton Chapter, and the Deaidra P. Wilson youth chapter. Some of the grand lodge and chapter officers that attended the service members included Grand Associate Matron, Sister Deaidra P. Wilson and Grand Assistant Lecturer and Worshipful Master of Carrollton Lodge #57, Brother Dwight Hartage. The Grand Youth Chapter President, Maya O’Neal, and the Vice President, Kobe Wilson, also enjoyed the phenomenal experience. The Carrollton family ended the wonderful day with lunch and fellowship at a nearby restaurant. The family is looking forward to their next opportunity to fellowship and worship with the members of the Carroll County community. Submitted by Bro. Bertram Thomas, JW. Masonic Digest Page 23 Newnan Lodge No. 299 Newnan Lodge #299 still continues to show their love in the community. Our annual Easter Egg hunt was an success. We had friends and family supporting the cause as well as the kids and neighbors around the Newnan area. We ate, laughed and most importantly we showed unity and love!! Masonic Digest Page 24 Dublin District No. 19 Scholarship Benefit Banquet 2015 The Dublin District No. 19 Masons and OES held their Annual Scholarship-Benefit Banquet on May 16, 2015 at 5pm. Hosting was Irwinton Light Chapter #324(Worthy Matron Dorothy Boston) and Calvin McCarthy Lodge #310(Worshipful Master Rogers Smith) of Irwinton, Georgia. It was an evening of love, joy, peace, happiness, and some good food. Our Souvenir Journal was beautiful. We thank District Worthy Patron Royce J. Hall and Souvenir Journal Committee for doing an outstanding job on the Journals. District Deputy Grand Master Joe Coates and District Worthy Matron Dorothy Boston awarded the $300 Scholarship to Mr. Javalen Stevenson. He will be graduating May 23, 2015 from Wilkinson County High School in Irwinton, Georgia. He will be attending Clayton State University in the fall 2015 while majoring in Nursing. Also, Right Worshipful Master Johnny Reese of the Past Masters’ Council awarded Mr. Stevenson a $200 Scholarship to partnership with the Dublin District No.19 Scholarship. Our OES Queens’ Contest was a success as well. We had queens for all our 6 Cities in Dublin District 19 representing. The Queens were: Dublin-Sister Monique Lewis, Cochran-Sister Eva Ates, Dublin-Sister Ina Cooper, Eastman-Romona Johnson, Soperton-Sister Ruby Merrion, and Irwinton-Sister Carolyn Ingram. The Dublin District No. 19 OES winner of Queens is Soperton-Sister Ruby Merrion! Food was deliciously catered by Past Master Vince Smith of Slabhouse BBQ and Catering. Spring 2015 Page 25 Talent from within… GLMD’s expose’ on the gifts and abilities of our membership: Sis Mari Blue, Griffin Chapter #386 “I paint mostly about my memories. It helps to keep the things that made me who I am concrete. This piece, Multimedia (oil and other media) on masonite is 24 x 30. represents my family's church in rural Georgia. The church was established after Emancipation in 1865. As in most black churches, the female elders of the church sit on the right of the pulpit. It is considered an honorable position. My grandmother sat in that position and I remember after her passing how empty that church felt after she was gone. I poured my feelings into this piece and have won awards for it. Art is life to me.” “Bio: I am mostly a self taught artist, however have studied at the Cooper Art School in Cleveland Ohio and majored in Art Instruction at Kent State University. I am mainly interested in painting in oils, however a burst of inspiration while painting one day, lead me to start adding other materials to my work. My works are dimensional, and are raised from the surface of the canvas. They are best viewed in person as photography does not do them justice. I have obtained a Masters degree in Education and I have traveled and shown my work all over the state of Georgia and in other states. I have garnered several blue ribbons at the state level for my work and have sold pieces to collectors all over the country. “ Masonic digest Page 26 “Do you know any of these Brothers”: Watch Out For the Five Types of Brothers Who May Be In Your Lodge Submitted by Bro Joel Baker, H.R. Butler #23 Do we know the Brothers who are in our Lodges? Do they have their own personal agenda or are they there to support the will and pleasure of their Worshipful Master (WM)? Sometime we may wonder whether or not Brother So-in-So is actual a Brother who is there to subdue his passion or are he there to encourage, the behavior of “Tomfoolery.” Unfortunately, I submit to you that there are five types of Brothers in our Lodges, whereas there should only be one type. The five types of Brothers are [the first four are not in any particle order] Brother Dread, Brother Organizational Terrorist (OT), Brother Pessimist, Brother Retired-On-Duty (ROD) and finally Brother 99%. Please, allow me to introduce you to Brother Dread, we all know him. He’s the Brother who dreads coming to our meetings, because we may ask him to fill-in on one of the vacant stations or places in the Lodge due to one of our Brothers being excused from the meeting due to a family emergency. Brother Dread is one of the Brothers who do not want to fill-in as an Officer, because he has not study his Masonic Ritual and he knows that we do not allow any reading from the Masonic Ritual handbook doing our meetings. Brother Dread is also a Brother who may dread coming to the meeting because of all of the newly Raised Brothers are being asked to seek a leadership role on the degree team and he wanted one of those leadership role for himself, but was denied one, because everyone knows that Brother Dread will not show up for practice, because he dreads being around those newly Raised Brothers, because they study their Masonic Ritual and are excited to support their Worshipful Master. So instead of coming to the meetings and getting more engage with his Lodge, he has decided to email Brother OT and ask him what he should do. [Does your Lodge have a Brother named Dread?] Brother OT assures Brother Dread that he will take care of his problems within the Lodge. So, Brother OT quietly meet with the newly Raised Brothers and tell them that they have not been in the Lodge long enough to be on the degree team and that those [degree team] leadership positions are for those Brothers who have been in the Lodge longer than them. Do you know Brother OT? Of course you do. He is the Brother that is always standing up in the Lodge making those comments that goes against the will and pleasure of the WM. He is also the Brother that will try and terrorize others by embarrassing them when they make a mistake with the opening or closing of the Lodge. Brother OT is the Brother who makes it a habit of making negative comments about what others Brothers in the Lodge are doing to enhance the Lodge, but he will not take on any leadership positions himself, except the leadership role of criticism. Brother OT will criticism every committee, every lecture, every submission to the Masonic Digest and every Brother who does not subscribe to his behavior. But Brother OT will not criticize Brother Pessimist, because they have made an alliance to support each other behaviors. Brother Pessimist is known as that Brother who expects the worst in everything the Lodge tries. He’s the Masonic digest Page 27 “Do you know any of these Brothers” (continued) Submitted by Bro Joel Baker, H. R. Butler #23 ...Brother who willing tell the other Brothers in the Lodge that the Lodge’s initiatives for giving away bikes during Christmas and turkeys during Thanksgiving; and feeding or clothing the homeless; as well as volunteering for other communities charities or donating money to renovate their own Lodge, is a waste of time and energy. He’s the Brother who does not believed that the Lodge fundraiser for the annual college scholarship will raise enough money. So why does Brother Pessimist even come to the Lodge meetings? Well he wants to make sure that the Brothers know that they will fail so he can say I told you so. Brother Pessimist only feels this way because he is gloomy; joyless; unhopeful and expects only bad outcomes from the Lodge leadership. However, when he was the WM of the Lodge he was doing everything right and he could not understand why other Brothers had such a pessimistic behavior [Dose your Lodge have a Brother named Pessimist?] There is no need to feel sorry for Brother Pessimist, because he has a favorite Brother by the name of Brother ROD. Brother ROD is a professional “card carrier,” who carries around his blue card just to show it off at work or in front of the QuikTrip gas stations. I am sure you have met Brother ROD, since he is also the Brother who never shows up when the WM request the Brothers to assistance with cutting the widows grass on weekend or picking up one of the elderly Brothers for a ride to the Lodge meetings. Brother ROD has officially “Retired-On-Duty,” and has committed to doing nothing but sitting in the Lodge and sucking up the good vibes from those other hard working Brothers who have committed to supporting their Lodge. Brother ROD has also made a silent pledge to being in the amen corner for his other Brothers who are members of the 1% club (e.g. Dread, OT, and Pessimist). In most cases, Brother ROD will not cause as much of a havoc as his other Brothers who are in the 1% club, he will however; do his share to ensure disharmony prevails in the Lodge. Brother ROD shares of disharmony is in his silence; although he has the knowledge, skills and abilities to be a role model to the many newly Raised Lodge Brothers who crave his assistance. He has opted not offer them any relief, but will give his amen to the 1% club in a low breath, but loud enough for them to hear it. But wait, this is not the end of our Lodges! We still have other Brothers within our Lodges that are known to us as Brother 99%. In other words, 99% of all of the Brothers within the Prince Hall Lodges, under the leadership of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Bruce James are committed to ensuring that the Prince Hall Lodges and Chapters, as well as other Houses of the Craft maintain its abilities to improve, prove and sustain our historical self-worth, as well as demonstrate their loyalty to the Prince Hall Affiliation of the Jurisdiction of Georgia, Districts Deputies, Local Lodges and their Worshipful Master. The only complaints we will hear from Brother 99% is that we [leadership] spend too much time and energy trying to convince the Brother of the 1% club to get involved and more engage with the mission and vision of their Lodges. It is my assumption [albeit right or wrong] that if we the Lodge leadership continue to spend too much efforts on the 1% we will eventually begin to recruit those Brothers who we name Brother 99% to change their membership to the 1% club. It is not my intention that we should totally forget about our Brothers who has selected of their own free will and accord to start a 1% club, but we can only meet someone on the five points of fellowship so many times before we have a whole Lodge of 1%. So what is the solution to resolving the issues with the five types of Brothers? The answers will be in my next article. But my question to you is what name dose your Lodge calls you . . . Brother _____________________. Masonic Digest Page 28 2015 Grand Session Info 2015 Grand Session in Atlanta, GA June 9th – 12th Social Events Host Hotel Atlanta Airport Marriott 4711 Best Road Atlanta, GA 404-766-7900 Over Flow Hotel Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport Hotel 1900 Sullivan Road Atlanta, GA 770-994-2510 The meetings will take place at the: Georgia International Convention Center 2020 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337 Parking Fee Information $15 per day / $40 for the entire week Community Service For the 2015 Grand Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the Prince Hall Grand Chapter –Order of the Eastern Star, the committee has recommended to the jurisdiction our support to the Ronald McDonald Charities of Georgia in Atlanta, Ga. This organization will be the flagship of this Jurisdiction’s giving. Tuesday, June 9th 70's/80's Party! Prince Hall Grand East 7340 Old National Highway, Riverdale, GA 30236 9:00pm to 2:00am Admission: $10 , Prizes for Best Dressed! __________________________________________________ Wednesday, June 10th Grand Session Family Outing Beach at International Park (St. Kitts Pavilion) 2300 Highway 138, SE, Jonesboro, GA 30236 11:00am to 5:00pm Please bring: (chairs, umbrellas, sunscreen) Activities: (DJ, games, horseshoes, cards, etc.) *Beach Access is PROHIBITED! All-White Masquerade Party Prince Hall Grand East 7340 Old National Highway, Riverdale, GA 30236 9:00pm to 2:00am Admission: $10 Attire: Classy-Chic & “White Mask” Prize(s) for Best Mask! __________________________________________________ Thursday, June 11th Wind Down Party Prince Hall Grand East 7340 Old National Highway, Riverdale, GA 30236 10:00pm to 1:00am $5 Admission!! Out of all that I do and see Day by Day I’m buIlDIng me. I alone have the right to choose, What to reject and what to use. It’s noboDy’s workmanshIp but mine, That can keep this structure true and fine. Strong or feeble, false or true, I build myself by the deeds I do.
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