"Its Tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth."

We hear these words every time a candidate is initiated into the mysteries of the Craft, but what is meant by brotherly love, relief, and truth. Like most things in Masonry their meaning is open to interpretation, but I'd like to share a recent experience that demonstrated all three of these tenets to me.

I had the pleasure of being asked to assist in the ceremony to install the newly elected and appointed officers of a Lodge. This was my first time to assist this particular Lodge, and so I dressed in my finest suit to reflect the honor I felt at being asked.

As we gathered with wives, children, family, loved ones and friends for the evening meal prior to the ceremony, a Brother whom I knew but not well stepped from the crowd and approached me. His expression did nothing to give away his purpose as he stopped before me, placed his hand upon my shoulder, leaned close and whispered, "Zip up your fly."

I was, of course, immediately mortified as I quickly turned and did as he suggested. The rest of the evening passed without incidence and on the drive home I reflected on the occurrence.

To me, the Brother's action demonstrated Brotherly Love because he cared enough to minimize my embarrassment. A less courteous person might have allowed me to wander around in ignorant bliss. I was most certainly Relieved that I was spared the memory of having performed the Installation Ceremony with the barn door open. And, you just have to Love a Brother whose willing to tell you the Truth.

I realize, of course, that this is not the most profound example of our principle tenets, but I think it demonstrates that the teachings, tenets, principles, and ideals of Freemasonry can be exemplified in all sorts of ways.

Following the incident I contacted the Brother to thank him for his kindness and for sparing me further embarrassment. And, in the spirit of true Brotherly Love and Truth he informed me that it was not he who noticed my predicament, but his wife.

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

Now, on with the news........................

Brother Commodore Eugene Stewart was relieved of the working tools of life on December 22, 2011. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 27, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Burial will be in Spokane Cemetery.
Brother Stewart was a longtime member of Solomon Lodge No. 271 A.F.& A.M. and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason of the Valley of Joplin.
So Mote It Be.

Brother Shorty Cooper of Forsyth Lodge No. 453 was relieved of the working tools of life on December 20, 2011. Shorty was a longtime member of Forsyth Lodge and father of Worshipful Brother Clayton Cooper. Plans for a memorial service are at a date yet to be announced.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011: St. John the Evangelist Day: "By history, custom, tradition and ritualistic requirements, the Craft holds in veneration the Festival Days of St. John the Baptist on June 24th, and St. John the Evangelist on December 27th. Any Blue Lodge that forgets either of these important Festival Days forfeits a precious link with the past and loses an opportunity for the renewal of allegiance to everything in Freemasonry symbolized by these Patron Saints." Click here for more information on our two Saints John.

Thursday, December 29, 2011: Billings Lodge No. 379 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Brother Aeron Michael Borich will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft. Refreshments will be available at 6:00 PM and Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM. Your attendance and participation is always appreciated.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012: Republic Lodge No. 570 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry. Brother John Denny will be presented for advancement to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM.
Republic Lodge is located at 141 ½ N. Main, Republic, MO.
All the help we can get will be very much appreciated!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012: Friend Lodge No. 352 will meet at the Sparta Lodge hall in Sparta, MO for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, January 14, 2012: A MOCHIP (Missouri Child Identification & Protection) Event will be held today from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at Pathways United Methodist Church located at 1232 East Dale Street in Springfield, MO. This event is hosted by Boy Scout Troop No. 494. Contact Michael Whitescarver (417-350-1906) for information and to volunteer for this event.

Announcing the formation of the Buckeye Ritual Club! Interested in Masonic Ritual? Want to learn more? Just want to have some fun? Well, you've come to the right place. The Buckeye Ritual Club is centered in the 44th Masonic District of Missouri, but of course all Master Masons are welcome. The club will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and will travel to differing lodges within the 44th District. Click here to see the 2012 schedule. Mark your calendar and plan on coming out to have some fun learning our beautiful Missouri Masonic Ritual.
The Buckeye Ritual Club is also on Facebook. Click here for the Buckeye Ritual Club Facebook page.

Saturday, January 21, 2012: The Knights of Seven Chapter of DeMolay will have a Chili Supper fundraiser at the lodge hall in Sparta. Mark your calanders now and come help support our Masonic youth in southwest Missouri. If you can't make it but would still like to donate to the Chapter contact WB Philip Wood at (417) 766-3135.

Monday, January 30, 2012: Webb City Lodge No. 512 will host a Region 'F' School of Ritual Instruction. Dinner at 6:00 and instruction will begin at 6:30 PM. The Webb City Lodge building is located at 401 West Broadway Street in Webb City, MO.

Saturday, February 4, 2012: RWB Robert C. Floyd, Grand Lecturer of Missouri Masons will conduct a School of Ritual Instruction and Regional Round Robin Ritual Competition at Monett Lodge No. 129. Lunch will be available at 11:30 AM and instruction will begin at 1:00 PM. All Missouri Master Masons are encouraged to attend.
The Monett Lodge building is located at 501 13th Street in Monett, MO.

Saturday, February 11, 2012: Monett Lodge No. 129 will host a MOCHIP (Missouri Child Identification & Protection) Event from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the lodge hall located at 501 13th Street in Monett, MO.

Save the Date! Saturday, February 18, 2012: Webb City Lodge No. 512 will host the 97th Annual Washington's Birthday Celebration with Masonic Degree work by three different States. The 1st Degree will be performed by Grove Lodge No. 187 of Oklahoma; the 2nd Degree by Pittsburg Lodge No. 187 of Kansas, and the 3rd Degree by Webb City Chapter No. 119 Royal Arch Masons of Missouri. The 3rd Degree will be done in full costume and promises to be most impressive.
Webb City Lodge building is located at 401 West Broadway in Webb City, MO. and the event will start at Noon.

Please Note: Due to acts of God and Government this year the date for the drawing for the new Chevy Camaro has been changed to March 17, 2012. Please help the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin in their efforts to preserve and repair the beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral in Joplin, MO. And, in helping preserve this piece of American history you could win a brand new Chevy Camaro. Tickets are just $50 each and only two thousand tickets will be offered. There will be cash prizes awarded, as well. For all the details on how you can help us preserve this beautiful and unique building please go to WWW.WIN-CAMARO.COM. or find us on Facebook and "LIKE" the page at Facebook.com/WinANewCamaro. We're a long way from our goal so please help spread the word. We truly appreciate your assistance. Thank you very much.

As you can see there's lots of Masonry going on in Missouri. See the links below to keep up with the latest or to submit information for your upcoming meeting.

For more news of upcoming events and special communications visit the Upcoming Masonic Events page on Masonsmart.com

For a calendar of Stated meetings for many of the Lodges and Masonic bodies visit the Masonic Calendar page on Masonsmart.com

For help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com

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