From The Worshipful Master

April 2024

Warm Fraternal Greetings from the East!

The Mosaic Pavement – a Masonic Ornament that reminds us human life is checkered with good and evil – probably best represents the month of March this year for St. John’s Lodge as we have had both sad news and glad tidings.

First, our Secretary, Worshipful Brother Tom Haslam, lost his stepson Jeremy to cancer. Our sincerest condolences go out to him, his wife Marcie, and the rest of his family.

We also laid our Brother Robert Bishop to rest with a beautiful graveside Masonic Service in Portsmouth led by Worshipful Brother Alan Robinson. The family was quite moved and appreciative, and I thank all of the officers and Brethren who braved the cold to attend.

For glad tidings, I’m delighted to report that I had the great privilege of presenting our chef, Worshipful Brother Phil Fraser, with a dues card and Grand Lodge Certificate showing that he is now an Honorary Member of St. John’s Lodge. Over the years Worshipful Brother Fraser has supported our lodge in many ways, but in particular he has cooked us hundreds of delicious meals – and our meals together have been a great opportunity for Brotherhood. Further, he has done all this work despite significant health challenges, an undertaking that at times has been nothing short of heroic. Thank you Chef Phil!

I’m also delighted to report that our candidate, Brother Alex Roberts, continues his Masonic journey apace and with great enthusiasm. In keeping with custom, our Senior Warden, Brother Mike Hudson, will the presiding Master for the degree. Thank you Brother Hudson! Thank you also Worshipful Brother Ammann (the elder) for sitting in the East for the opening and closing. Our Senior Deacon, Brother Josh Nixon, will debut his rendition of the Middle Chamber Lecture – congratulations Brother Nixon!

On another happy note, our April Stated Communication promises to be quite interesting as Worshipful Brother Cliff Hodgdon will give a presentation he calls “A Tale of Two Lodges” concerning the formation of the second lodge in New Hampshire and its relationship to St. John’s Lodge. I invite everyone to attend, especially those we haven’t seen in a while.

Finally, as we stand together amidst all the black and white tiles of life, let’s always remember the Indented Tessel that surrounds us, and the manifold blessings and comforts it represents. So mote it be.

Fraternally,

Worshipful

Alan D. Ammann.  Worshipful Master