Welcome to the New Trestle Board!
Over the past year, there has been a revival taking place. Covid halted a great deal of momentum and progress for our lodge. Thankfully, because of strong leadership, we were able to come together and build back this brotherhood one brick at a time.
Today we're seeing new faces, young and old, who are witnessing the impact we're making in our community and they want to be a part of it! We couldn't be happier with the direction this lodge is heading, but this is only the beginning.
During these last 12 months, we've created a new lodge identity and social footprint, renovated the common room and kitchen, created new lapel pins, and now a new Trestle Board. While these changes continue to bring new life to this lodge, there's nothing greater than seeing Brothers fill these seats and experience fellowship with one another.
If you haven't been here for a few weeks or even a few years, we invite YOU to come back and experience this metamorphosis firsthand and be part of the change. |
From the East
Brothers,
I am honored that the craft has voted me to be Worshipful Master of Oviedo. This is an amazing opportunity to have and I will not take the job lightly.
My focus for 2023 will be to help grow our lodge, not only focusing on our membership but also working to strengthen our brotherly bond both inside and outside of the lodge. I intend to do more small social outings after meetings to help strengthen that bond. We have a great line of officers this year, many of whom are newly raised master masons. I am confident that all of them will make great leaders and I look forward to working with them and watching them grow as both men and masons as they work their way to the east.
We have our first big event coming up on April 1st. Our lodge picnic will be held at Lake Mills park on Saturday, April 1st at 1:00 pm, so come join us for great food and great times. I look forward to seeing everyone there. Keep your eyes on our Facebook, and Instagram for more announcements.
If you need anything at all please reach out to me. I'm just a text or phone call away. I look forward to serving our craft.
Fraternally,
Hunter Rigdon
Worshipful Master
E: W...@OviedoLodge.org |
Secretary's Desk
My Brothers,
Many thanks to those of you who have paid your lodge dues for 2023. Timely payment helps to keep Oviedo Lodge financially sound, and able to continue our long-standing tradition of contributions to our members and the community.
If you haven’t already paid your dues, it's easier than ever now to pay your dues, as you can pay with a credit or debit card by going to our website at www.oviedolodge.org. Just click on "Credit Card Payments" in the top banner.
As mentioned previously, due to some significant delays in processing, we would prefer that you NOT pay through Circumscribe at this time. If you have any questions about whether you’ve paid this year’s dues, Dues Cards, Circumscribe, etc. please reach out to me.
If you are interested in sharpening your Ritual skills and are in need of a new Masonic Code (Red Book), Masonic Monitor (Blue Book), or the combined Floorwork & Masonic Code Book, please see me as I have copies available for $10 each.
Fraternally,
W∴ Steve Kimball
Secretary, PM
E: Secr...@OviedoLodge.org
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- March 4th - Masters and Wardens
- March 8th - MLT @ Winter Garden No. 165
- March 13th - Stated Communications (DDGM Visit)
- March 22nd - District School of Instruction
- March 27th - Stated Communications
- April 1st - Oviedo Lodge Picnic @ Lake Mills Park
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Charity of the Month
For the month of March, we are proud to support Lawton Chiles Middle School's Angel Tree program. This is a local charity run by Oviedo Police Department's School Resource Officer, Officer Ashley Pierce. This organization is dedicated to supporting at-risk youth, or those financially less fortunate, who are interested in participating in after-school activities and organizations. For more info on how you can support this incredible cause, please contact W. Wayne Grigsby. |
Five Masonic Thoughts
by Brother William A. Carpenter, R. W. G. M.
OUR BASIC FUNCTION.
The basic function of a Masonic Lodge is to make Master Masons. This does not mean the formality of raising candidates. It extends far beyond that period in the life of a Mason.
The task of making Master Masons must be directed toward all of us, those who are Master Masons and those who are in the process of becoming Master Masons. The fruits of our efforts to teach and to learn about Freemasonry, the interest that we show the candidates as we welcome them into the new world of Freemasonry, will be evident in the years to come. If we sow well, we are bound to reap well.
BEING WELL AND DULY PREPARED.
Being "Well and Duly Prepared" is a Masonic expression. Masons understand its significance in the Lodge Rooms. However, they may also interpret it outside the Lodge. No Mason enters even the ground floor of the Lodge unless he is "Well and Duly Prepared."
So simple is his dress that it provokes no envy. He is dressed properly for the occasion, and everyone so dressed feels perfectly at ease among his Brethren. No place here for the rich to boast of fine raiment and resplendent jewels, nor for the poor to envy his more fortunate Brother or covet his wealth. Their clothing in each case symbolizes labor and innocence. With hand and brain, each is ready to serve his fellowman with forbearance and tolerance, each is willing to forgive the crude and ignorant everywhere.
To carry the symbolism of Masonic investiture still further, every Mason should be clothed in the habiliments of truth. His wardrobe should contain the robe of justice, with which to protect those who, for any reason, have been deprived of their just rights the mantle of charity, with which to comfort those made destitute, many times by no cause of their own the tunic of toleration, with which to hide the weakness of the wayward, and help them to the road of recovery the cloak of mercy, with which to cover the wounded and suffering in mind or body with unstinted sympathy and kindness. These garments are all of genius quality, measured and cut by a Master Tailor. They are serviceable and in good taste on every occasion. They, too, may be had without money and without price, and, the man who wears them is truly "properly clothed," and "Well and Duly Prepared" as a Master Mason.
FREEMASONRY IS MANY THINGS.
Freemasonry is a Story of Life with all its joys, its heartaches, its failures, and its final triumph over all earthly things. Anyone can read it, in countless books. Its teachings, its symbols, and its ambitions are open for general observation. They are practiced in the light and held up for all the world to see. Freemasonry is not practiced in the dark, neither are its teachings the dogma of some forbidden cult. We, as Freemasons, are required to reflect the light to practice its teachings and love by their direction.
No greater thing can be said of Freemasonry than that it is an ideal way of life. No other fraternity offers such profound lessons in its Ritual or Work as does Freemasonry. Each word and each act in the ceremonies of the Lodge carries a true lesson to each of us if we will but open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our hearts to accept. We can study Freemasonry for years, as we attend its meetings, and each time we stop to think on the things said and done, we get a new meaning and inspiration from them. There is a never-ending source of pleasure in the various shades of meaning that can be read into each line of our work.
Each new meaning and interpretation that we put into some word or act will make that passage live for us, and we will begin to see Freemasonry for what it is intended. Great men have devoted many years of study and meditation to the cause of Freemasonry and when their work is finished they realize that they have only begun to see the light and that they have only started to uncover the true meanings of the work. Freemasonry has been talked of and written about by countless men in every country of the world. Its members have been persecuted in all lands at one time or another other but it still grows and flourishes as no other fraternity on earth today.
There must be something good and great in Freemasonry, for it to stand through the years as a beacon of light to its members and as a symbol of the true way of life for all to see and follow. Its greatness is not due to its secret teachings, its mysteries, or fanfare of its deeds, but rather to the profound lessons taught to its members and to the comfort, inspiration, and enlightenment brought to all who will but study. Freemasonry offers comfort to those who sorrow, hope for those who despair, wise counsel for those who err, and the joys and contentment of life to all.
SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND.
The making of a Freemason consists of a continued course of education, and character forming. While it may be accepted that it is an innermost desire, followed by obligations that make one a member of the Craft, yet in a truer form and better sense, a man is never a Freemason until he truthfully and loyally lives up to his obligations. And he cannot do that until he understands them, and eventually knows their scope and real meaning.
Freemasonry can very well be divided into many phases. Its landmarks, its customs, its constitution, and its laws, just to mention a few, if studied and mastered, can provide a most interesting course for the Master Mason seeking Masonic knowledge. Its historical background can provide an interesting program of investigation to the member attracted to a desire for research. One peculiarity about Freemasonry is that it will stand investigation. The deeper the research, the more extensive the knowledge of its hidden art and mysteries, and the more highly it is appreciated.
A member of the Craft who merely takes his degrees in a listless, careless sort of manner, and then remains as just a spectator at Lodge meetings, may hold to the opinion that Freemasonry differs little from other societies. To the contrary, the Master Mason who delves deeply into Masonic literature takes a lively interest in every part of the Ritualistic and lodge Work, and learns the origin, meaning, and moral bearing of its symbols, cannot possibly fall into such an error. To him, Freemasonry has a refining and elevating influence not to be found in the ordinary run of organizations. The philosophies of Freemasonry, when discovered and then accepted and practiced, provide that simple but profound solution to the problems of human relationships.
May it be accepted that Freemasonry is a way of living to the Master Mason who is interested enough to appraise and value the wealth that is his, and his alone, by virtue of his Masonic Membership. The best-informed Master Mason is the Master Mason who reads and studies. Consequently, if we want Freemasonry to be of practical usefulness and cultural attainment, we, as Freemasons, must not neglect our Masonic reading, our Masonic studying and our research for more Masonic Light.
NEEDED: A KNOWLEDGE OF FREEMASONRY.
At no time in Masonic history has there been a greater need for understanding of what Freemasonry is and what it stands for than there is today. Much has been left undone in the education of Members of our Lodges. The first essential in Masonic education is that desire to become interested and enthused in Freemasonry followed by a thirst for knowledge as to what Freemasonry is all about. Here is where the instructors can serve well and can influence the candidate in a continuous search for more Masonic Light.
The qualifications for instructing are less exciting than may be imagined. What is essential is a basic knowledge of Freemasonry by the instructor. In this day and age, with so many counter attractions, it becomes more evident that greater efforts must be put forth to instruct our new Members in the ideals and fundamentals of Freemasonry. Every Lodge should have a definite program along authentic Masonic educational lines. We must understand what Freemasonry really is before we can practice Freemasonry in our lives. We must remember that Freemasonry is judged by the actions of its individual members. We must set an example to those outside the Craft at all times.
The need for Masonic knowledge is often evidenced in our Lodges, This can be alleviated where dedicated members qualify as instructors and then serve in teaching the principles and fundamentals of Freemasonry to all who will listen. |
2023 Oviedo Lodge Officers
Hunter Rigdon
Worshipful Master |
Wasgar Aquino-Nivar
Senior Warden |
Greg Connell
Junior Warden |
- Secretary: W.Steve Kimball
- Treasurer: W.Chuck Shiery
- Chaplain: W. Tim Shelton
- Senior Deacon: Jeff Blakey
- Junior Deacon: Bailey Glessner
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- Senior Steward: Steven Duda
- Junior Steward: William Rojas
- Marshal: Ralph Ramos
- Tyler: David Sermersky
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Our goal is to provide our members with the best monthly resource this district has to offer. If you have any feedback or ideas regarding what you would like to see in the monthly Trestle Board, please contact Br. Bailey Glessner directly. |
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Oviedo Masonic Lodge No. 243 F. & A. M., 534 King St., Oviedo, FL 32765, United States
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