The qualifications for membership are pretty simple: Male Over the age of 18 Belief in a Supreme Being Good Moral Character Sounds pretty straight forward right? Let’s take a dive into each of those requirements and discuss what they mean. First, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania only admits men. Worldwide, the largest and most recognized Masonic Lodges are men only. [...]
Three Brothers were elected and installed Worshipful Master and Wardens in Deitrick Lamade Lodge No. 755 in Williamsport. The evening of Dec. 21, 2015 Brother Kenneth L. Porter, a 48 year member of Lodge 755, and his wife Patricia were very pleased and proud to see their three sons take on the challenge of leading the Lodge. Bro. Michael D. [...]
On December 27, 2015, Bro. Emilio V. Sforza, District Deputy Grand Master of the 27th Masonic District, assisted by Bro. John L. Coulter, III, Worshipful Master, and the officers and members of Kiskiminetas Lodge No. 617 F. & A.M., Vandergrift, PA, was honored to present the Samuel Davis Bequest award to the family of the late Edwin L. Barclay, PM. Presented [...]
From February to October 2015, J. Simpson Africa Lodge No. 628, in Stroudsburg, ran a program called “JSA Soup-er Bowl.” Bro. Brian Massie, then Worshipful Master, challenged all members to bring a canned good to each stated lodge meeting. At the end of the program’s run, the lodge membership surpassed the previous year’s donations by about 26 pounds - donating [...]
Caption: Bro. Ned Boonie, Worshipful Master, receiving an American flag from Bro. Tyler Wagner on behalf of the Lodge. Brother Tyler Wagner, a member of Middleburg Lodge No. 619, Middleburg, PA, presented his Lodge with an American Flag that was flown for 6 hours of missions over Afghanistan in the Black Hawk helicopter he piloted. Wagner made the presentation in [...]
Much like anything that has existed for more than 300 years, it’s hard to find exact proof or provide one specific answer to the question that often mystifies the minds of many: “Where does Freemasonry come from?” This question has prompted thousands of books, movies like “The Lost Symbol” and “National Treasure” and conspiracy theories galore. On the bright side, [...]
While there is so much beauty to be found all throughout our Masonic ritual, there is no place where it is more prevalent than in the Masonic Funeral Service. The heartfelt words of farewell spoken by the Worshipful Master, the humble prayer recited by the Chaplain, and the unison echoes of the assembled Brethren combine to make that ceremony one [...]
Over the last 300 years, Freemasons in Pennsylvania have been active members of their communities. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has built and invested in five Masonic Villages; founded and maintained the Masonic Children’s Home; given out more than $1 million in scholarships to students; assisted parents and children with problems like bullying and drug abuse; and saved and restored [...]
Congratulations are in order for Bob Gingrich, a member Prince Edwin-Spring Creek No. 486, Middletown, and a resident of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. He recently received the Century Club award from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for conferring 100 Masonic degrees. Two months after becoming a Mason in 1988, he conferred his first degree and has continued every year [...]
Credit: Kevin Jones, D.D.G.M. 35 On Sept. 8, 2015 Oriental Lodge No. 460, Orangeville, sponsored a program prior to its stated meeting for all members and guests. Members of “Thompsons Battery C” Civil War reenactment unit performed a wonderful demonstration of how Union Army Artillery units worked and fought using an authentic 12 Pound model 1836 Field Howitzer cannon. The [...]
