Debate Night: The Templar Connection - October 23rd

Brother Carl Cloudy suggested in his work "The Master's Book" that there is nothing like a debate night to stir up conversation. Bro. Cloudy was right! Bro. Mark Robson and W:. Nathan A. Shoff debated the connection of the historical Knight Templars and their connection to Freemasonry. This is a topic many feel very passionate about. The best part of this debate is that there is not a ton of hard historical data to support one point of view, pro or con. This leads to some very opened ranges of debate and that is what we saw. Bro. Robson took the debate in a direction most would never see coming. That the Templars were not the Christians we though they were that their time and exposer in the holy land changed them into something else, something that found its way into Freemasonry.  While W:. Shoff went the road less traveled using real Masonic history and refuting the legionary history to supporting his position of the Templars not effect the the foundation of the Craft.

So often the Lodge holds programs the  Brothers enjoy but are very limitedly engaged afterwards. This program got the whole room involved. So rarely to we have conversation that involve all that are in attendance two hours after the program ends. It was wonderful to behold. The Lodge was honored to have many Sir Knights as visitors and supporters of Bro. Mark Robson (A Knight himself.) Even more auspicious we welcomed the Past Grand Commander, Sir Knight David Shire and his historical Templar re-enactors. The attendance was wonderful, more than any other program this year. We filled the Lodge room during the communication and the Festive Board during the program.

Sir Knights with our Master and our Debaters 

We are seeing a huge response from Brothers that attended with how much they enjoyed the program. Many Brothers have commented on how lively the exchange was and wished all program caused the same response.  One thing can be for sure, that there is not end in sight to the debate.

Weapons! 

Bro. Robson lays it down

Head to Head 

"Wine With Neal: Lady's Night Adventure" October 20th

Wine with Neil, the second of our lady's night adventures this year and our most successful. The Lodge welcomed around twenty Brothers and their ladies to The Wine Room, owned and operated by Bro. Neil Kratzer (http://www.neilswineroom.com.) This was not your average wine tasting. Bro. Neil went over the different types of wines in flights and helped discern what wine you enjoyed the most. It was not just drinking but learning about what it was you were drinking and how you could find that in other wines. The ladies just loved the event and are now demanding that we start running this quarterly!

We will very much try to do that for them. After the tasting the group went over to the Creekside Restaurant next door. We shared in a wonderful meal and good fellowship between all. I very much look forward to our next gathering. Our Lodge is a family and any strong family needs to meet about the table and dwell in peace, love and unity.

Bro. Neil teaches the glory of wine! 

The Master's Lady rocking the R.J.K Fez

The JW stock up.

W:. Daniel J. Di Natale wear the R.J.K Fez

Meet the Kaminskis 

The Brothers and their ladies

“The Scripture Lessons: The Great Light and its use in America and Aboard” Presented by. Brother William B. Chapin II, Chaplain

The Volume of Sacred Law, the central Masonic symbol and reference to our allegorical system, how much do we really know about its use in Freemasonry? In American Craft ritual it is not uncommon to have sections selected for very symbolic reasons as part of the Three Degrees. Why are these verses selected, what do they mean and are they the same in all our ritual sets? Bro. William Chapin II, our Chaplain, covered these topics and more in his presentation on the Great Light and its use in Masonic Ritual. This was Bro. Chapin's first presentation to the Lodge and was just wonderfuly done.  It left much food for thought as to the history of the verses, how they are used and how they are different across the Craft. I very much hope he does further flushing out of his presentation into a full research paper.  If your Lodge is looking for a program that is abut the Ritual and gives you something different to think about, this is the program for you.

W:. Daniel J. Di Natale

Bro. William Chapin

Western New York Masonic Ball - October 6, 2013 in Honor of Most Worshipful James Sullivan, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York

The Dance Floor

What a wonderful evening. I know many Brothers had deep apprehensions about attending the revival of the Masonic Ball. This event used to be the social event of the year for Masons in Erie County and abutting counties. A real who's who of the Masonic community on this side of the state. As the wheels of time turned and Masonry started to go into a backslide this was one of the first events to fall to the wayside. How appropriate that this is the time that it returns as what I hope to be its rightful place as a staple of our community's events calendar. Worshipful Kuhn and Worshipful Tetro need to be thanked highly for their efforts and the efforts for their team to get this to work so well.

This was a wonderful night held at Classic V on the Boulevard. The Grand Master was in attendance as well as a delegation from Ionic Lodge No. 88, Prince Hall Affiliated. It was wonderful to hear the Grand Master speech on Masonry's dedication to veterans and our service to them. It was also an amazing honor to speak with our Prince Hall Brothers. Something I hope to do more of in the future.

At the next Masonic Ball, Harmonie Lodge will fill a table. It was a night of wonderful Brotherhood.  Of 1st Erie only two Masters of Lodges were not in attendance with well over 300 guests. It was a night to remember and I look forward to the next Ball.

Worshipful Daniel J. Di Natale

Wor. Geiger of Washington Lodge No. 240 and his lady.  

Very Wor. Gaskill and Wor. Geiger

Most Worshipful Sullivan, Wor. Geiger and the Brothers of Inonic Lodge No. 88, P.H.A. 

The Masters of Sweet Home Temple

The Storcks cut a rug