Masonic Culture Workshops Scheduled In Four Areas To Assist Lodge Officers
Five members of the Rodd family, all Officers of Chartiers Lodge No. 297, Canonsburg, are shown with Bro. Eugene G. Painter, District Deputy Grand Master for the 29th Masonic District. Front row, left to right: Bro. Robert C. Rodd, Senior Deacon; Bro. Painter, and Bro. John T. Rodd, Worshipful Master. Rear row, left to right: Bro. John R. Rodd, Past Master and Secretary; Bro. Howard J. Orr, Past Master and Secretary Emeritus and cousin of Bro. John R. Rodd; and Bro. Robert C. Rodd II, Junior Warden. Bro. John R. Rodd is the father of the three Rodds.
Membership Statistics
Number Of Deaths Decreased During 1974 The number of deaths decreased in 1974 to 5,889 - the lowest number of deaths since 1965. In 1974 there were 4,860 initiated in this Jurisdiction, 145 less than in 1973. Bro. William A. Carpenter, R. W. Grand Secretary, reported there were 232, 139 Masons in 600 Symbolic Lodges in Pennsylvania, as of December 27, 1974. Bro. Carpenter pointed out that the figures may change slightly after a complete study of the general returns. The statistics for 1974 show:
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Eli<abethtown, Pa. 17022 (Send FORM 3579 to Above Address)
Admitted in 1974 . Initiated in 1974 Increase
694 4,860 5,554
Suspended in 1974 Resigned in 197 4 Deaths in 1974 . . Decrease
1,389 735 5,889 8,013
This reflects a net decrease in membership of 2,459. Additional information on membership in 1974 will be printed in the Proceedings.
Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Eli<abethtown Pennsylvania
The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Culture h as divided the Jurisdiction into four areas, one more than was previously announced. Masonic Culture Seminars are being conducted in these areas to assist Lodge Officers to prepare interesting Lodge meetings. The agenda for the Seminars covers introduction materials and services provided by the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Culture. A " Packet" of informative papers, pamphlets and other helpful guides is being distributed to those attending the Seminars. The four Area Chairmen, Members of the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Culture, are responsible for the following Masonic Districts:
FREE1VIASON AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME XXII
H e announced that Master Masons who attend the Stated Meeting of their own Lodge in October will be given a special privilege-an outstanding opportunity.
Bro. Jay F. Shaffer, Past Master of New Bethlehem Lodge No. 522, New Bethlehem, has been appointed as a Grand Lodge Chaplain by the Grand Master. Bro. Shaffer is pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, Pa. -
ATTEND YOUR LODGE"How can you be a Brother to someone you don't even know?"
1975
the Grand Master. In making the announcement, Bro. Rochester B. Woodall, R. W. Grand Master, said:
Area "B", Bro. Howard 0. Stahl, Chairman. Districts: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 35, 45, 46, 50, 58 and 59 .
Area "D", Bro Robert Batto, P.D.D.G.M., Chairman Districts: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 37, 44, 52, 53 and 56. The Area Chairmen will be responsible for coordinating the Grand Lodge Masonic Culture programs.
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NUMBER 2
1976 Lodge Programs Grand Master Calls Craft to Labor Are Being Distributed October has been designated " ReBy District Deputies dedication to Freemasonry" Month by "It is a month to reaffirm our dedication to Freemasonry as a prelude to 1976-our Nation's bicentennial year."
Area "C", Bro. Walter L. Sykes, P.D.D.G.M., Chairman. Districts: 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 3 1, 32, 34, 38, 39, 41 , 43, 47, 48, 49, 51, 54, 55 and 57.
MAY
"Rededication Month"
Area "A", Bro. Edward A. Hagel, P.D.D.G.M., Chairman. Districts: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 36, 40, 42, and 60.
Bro. Shaffer Appointed New Grand Chaplain
POSTMASTER: Please Include Complete Imprint of Address on Your Postal Return Clipping.
The PENNSYLVANIA
The Worshipful Master of every Lodge in this Jurisdiction will have an adequate supply of specially designed 1976 Masonic lapel emblems available at the October Stated Meeting. Those attending their Lodge can purchase one of these 1976 lapel emblems for $2 .00. Visitors will not be permitted to obtain the emblem. They must attend the October Stated Meeting of their "mother" Lodge. There is no other way for Masons to obtain this emblem in 1975 . It can only be obtained at October Stated Meetings.
Recommended Masonic Lodge programs for 1976 have been sent to District Deputy Grand Masters for distribution to all Lodges in this Jurisdiction. There are eleven suggested programs, complete for presentation if the Worshipful Master in 1976 so desires. They include :
1976 Masonic Emblem
The Grand Master has announced that no exceptions can be permitted oi1 the rules to obtain emblems. The emblem shows the Liberty Bel I, and is antique yellow gold plated. The honor to wea r the emblem in 1975 has been restricted to those who have attended the "Rededication:' meeting of their own Lodge. At the meeting in October, there also (Continued on Page 2)
January -Birth of a Nation - The Declaration of Independence February - T he Struggle for Freedom, Valley Forge, Bro. George Washington . March - Our Constitution and its Masonic Heritage, The Men Who Planned Our Future As A Nation. April - Bro. Benjamin Franklin, His Contribution to Our Na tional and Fraternal Beginnings. May - Law and Order - Magna Carta Reaffirmed in America. June - Our Masonic Presidents Their Times and Loyalties to the Craft and to the Nation. (Continued on Page 2)
President Ford Declared:
"Masonic Precepts Can Help America" "Masonic precepts can help Amel'ica retain our inspiring aspirations while adapting to a new age."
When entering the Memorial's auditorium, the President of the United States received a "thundering" applause.
This was part of an inspiring address delivered by President and Bro. Gerald Rudolph Ford at the annual meeting of the George Washington National Mem orial Association on February 17 , 1975 , in the Memorial at Alexandria . Virginia .
He was greeted on the stage by Bro. Raymond C. Ellis, M. W. Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York, p resident of the Memorial Association, and other officers, including Bro. John K. Young, R. W. Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl-
vania, second vice president of the Memorial Associa tion. The President assisted in the unveiling of a Galvano medallion that will take its place in the auditorium with those of the thirteen other Masonic Presidents. Bro. Ellis presented the President to the huge gathering of Masonic leaders, (Continued on Page 3)