Freemasonry Today
Freemasonry Today
Grand Master’s Message
Brethren,
As we reflect upon 2024 and prepare for the New Year, I am grateful for our many accomplishments.
Our Blue Lodge Revitalization and Membership Engagement committees have been doing an outstanding job rejuvenating lodges statewide by helping them become more active and financially secure. As a result of lodges following our charge to Ignite the Light Within and working hard to re-chart their journey in a positive direction, we have not had any mergers or loss of presence in our local communities. I am enthusiastic about this trend and confident our efforts will result not only in an increase in membership, but greater involvement and heightened membership satisfaction.
Leadership is a core component of any organization’s success. I am deeply appreciative of the steadfast work our District Deputy Grand Masters have committed to; it is a challenging, but integral role requiring extensive time, training and dedication. On Dec, 27, we will welcome 12 new District Deputy Grand Masters to take the reins from those who selflessly served our lodges in that capacity before them. I encourage you to show your support by attending their presentations.
We should be proud of our fraternity and our good works. I’m excited to share that we’ve brought back the Grand Lodge float, which any lodge or district can reserve for parades in their local communities by contacting Brother John Cook, P.D.D.G.M., at Jcook@ pagrandlodge.org or the Grand Secretary’s office at gsoffice@pagrandlodge.org. We recently enjoyed an amazing cheering squad during the Little League World Series Parade in Williamsport. Spectators sang along with us to “Sweet Caroline” as we waved and handed out candy to the crowd (see p. 7).
The Liberty Tree initiative, in partnership with America250PA, has been a resounding success across the Commonwealth, allowing us to play an integral part in our nation’s upcoming Semiquincentennial celebration. To see where these trees have been planted so far or to sponsor a tree in your area, visit PaGrandLodge.org/resources/liberty-tree-plantings. Upcoming liberty tree plantings are listed here: PaGrandLodge.org/events.
Another way for lodges to involve their communities in a meaningful opportunity and showcase their good works is to host a blood drive. Not only will each donation save lives, but hosting lodges receive $10 per pint of blood from the Masonic Blood+Organ Donor Program, which can be designated for the lodge Almoner’s Fund to assist our brethren and their loved ones in need. Visit MasonicBloodandOrganDonors. org/contact to get started!
One of the most amazing aspects of this fraternity is knowing you have brothers all over the world. We are looking forward to hosting Unity Day at our Masonic Temple in Philadelphia on Jan. 25, 2025, with our brethren from Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico.
As we ponder our resolutions for 2025, I encourage you to include among yours a renewed dedication to your lodge, your brethren and your own Masonic enlightenment. May you and yours be blessed with health, happiness and a heart for charity.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Larry A. Derr
R.W. Grand Master
Freemasonry Across the State
IMG_5398
Brother Eric Downs, D.D.G.M., hosted the Fifth Masonic District Picnic on July 28, during which 150 brethren, family members and friends enjoyed fellowship, food and fundraising. Eric was the first to enter the dunk tank to raise funds for the Centennial DeMolay Chapter, and R.W. Deputy Grand Master Rob Brink sent him under on his first throw. Brother Rob and his wife, Allison, as well as other district members, also took turns in the tank to cool off while supporting the youth.
thumbnail_image2
On April 20, members of the 47th Masonic District visited Pride of the West Lodge No. 84, Prince Hall, in McKeesport, PA., followed by a picnic at the Dravosburg Masonic Grounds.
Fletcher St Riding Club 2
Members of Lodge No. 2, Mitchell Lodge No. 81 and William L. Elkins Lodge No. 281 spent a hot summer day constructing a hay stall for the Fletcher Street Riding Club in North Philadelphia, a nonprofit which has been teaching underserved youth in the city to ride and care for horses for 20 years.
Star Wars Program1
Rochester Lodge No. 229’s June stated meeting featured a program about the 501st Legion, a charity organization whose slogan is “Bad Guys Doing Good.” Families were invited to join for the program. While the lodge was conducting business, the families enjoyed Star Wars activities and games.
20240803_092120
The 2024 Grand Master’s Ride took place Aug. 1 - 4 in Gettysburg, PA, hosted by the PA Widows Sons. The event included a motorcycle ride by the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial and other historic sites; an opportunity to enjoy vendors, food trucks and music; and of course, quality time with brethren, their families and friends.
20240813_173046
On Aug. 13, Grand Lodge representatives participated in the Little League World Series Grand Slam Parade in Williamsport, PA, honoring the late Brother Carl E. Stotz, founder of the Little League.
7th Annual Grand Lodge Sporting Clays Results
Thanks to our generous sponsors, these events netted $29,894 to support Grand Lodge Operations.
Shoot Sponsor:
- Mill Creek Capital Advisors
Breakfast Sponsors:
- Ballinger – Tun Tavern
- Boyd Watterson Asset Management
- Christenson Investment Partners
- Matterhorn Capital Investments
- River Road Asset Management, LLC
- USI Insurance Services
5-Stand Sponsor:
- Packwood USA Ltd.
Station Sponsors:
- 5th Masonic District
- 8th Masonic District
- 10th Masonic District
- CWP Industries Inc.
- Catering By Design
- Dallas Lodge No. 231
- Robert Dunkle
- Haja Lounge, Inc.
- Informed Systems, Inc.
- J. Simpson Africa Lodge No. 628
- King Solomon’s Lodge No. 346
- Koehler Marvin Realty
- Laurel Nursery Garden Center
- Manoquesy Lodge No. 413
- McFadden Funeral Home
- National Investment Services
- New Temple Lodge No. 720
- Pen Argyl Lodge No. 594
- Pocono Lodge No. 780
- Porter Lodge No. 284
- Portland Lodge No. 311
- Rego Enterprises
- Dennis Robinson
- Harry Rutter
- Smith Elliott & Kearns
- Super Duper Roofing & Construction
- Regis Synan – Murraysville Mayor
- Dennis Robinson
- Whitfield Lodge No. 622
Western Shoot Results
High Shooter: Ken Heese
High Lady: Emily Ryan
High Team: Bryan Hynicka, Ryan Hynicka, Daryl Mull
Eastern Shoot Results
High Shooter: Aaron Rogal
High Lady: Lynn Nahrgang
High Team: Bill Nahrgang, Lynn Nahrgang, Gary Wisser, Will Carvinous
Thank you to Brother Alan Beidel, P.M., for chairing the Eastern Event, and to Brother Don Edmonds, P.M., and the brethren of Saucon Lodge No. 469, Coopersburg, for preparing the food.
Education
Membership
Philanthropy
Philanthropy
Newly Renovated Apartments Coming to Elizabethtown in 2026!
The first phase of a multi-year renovation of several buildings in the Village Green area of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown will begin in March 2025, resulting in one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with a kitchen, living room, washer/dryer and modern technology. Pennsylvania Masons will be given the first opportunity to reserve one of the 19 new apartments in the first phase prior to marketing to the general public. Entrance fees and monthly service fees are moderately priced compared to other homes on campus.
Philanthropy
Introducing Our New Look
We are excited to announce that beginning in early 2025, the Grand Lodge will unveil new logos for each of its Masonic Charities: the Masonic Villages; the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum; the Masonic Blood+Organ Donor Program; the Masonic Children’s Home; and the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. This initiative began with the rebranding of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania Masons earlier this year.
Philanthropy
Competing in the Transplant Games
Brothers Bill Soloway and Cameron Smith competed in the Transplant Games as part of Team Philadelphia. The Transplant Games are a biennial summer Olympic-style competition that raises organ and tissue donor awareness by showcasing the abilities of individuals who have undergone life-saving transplant surgeries.
Philanthropy
A Phillie “Fan”Tastic Event
Thanks to donors, youth from the Masonic Children’s Home and adult residents of the Bleiler Caring Cottage traveled by charter bus to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies beat the Miami Marlins on Sunday, June 30, at Citizens Bank Park. They were joined in a private suite by Masonic Villages and Grand Lodge leadership, as well as Masonic Children’s Home staff and board members.
Philanthropy
PMYF 2025 Scholarship Opportunities
The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation (PMYF) needs your help! We’re in the midst of our 2025 Scholarship Application season, which runs until March 15, 2025, and we want your help in growing participation in this exciting opportunity for undergraduate students.
PMYF Summer Fun in Photos
2V9A1814-Edit
LifeSkills 2024
2V9A2194
Girls’ Leadership Camp
2V9A1783
Girls’ Leadership Camp LifeSkills 2024
2V9A2076
Girls’ Leadership Camp
1W8A5354
KeyMan 2024
2V9A1336
Knights of Pythagoras
For more information on any of the Masonic youth groups (DeMolay, Knights of Pythagoras, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow Girls and Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girls Youth Department) or how you can volunteer to support them, contact the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation today at 1-800-266-8424 or pmyf@pagrandlodge.org.
Follow the foundation’s happenings on social media:
Giving is Mutually Beneficial
DONORS SHARE HOW SUPPORTING MASONIC CHARITIES HELPS THEM MEET THEIR PERSONAL & FINANCIAL GOALS
Let us help you find a meaningful way to support your favorite Masonic charity and fulfill your objectives. Contact us at MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org or call 1-800-599-6454.
“Giving through the Cornerstone Circle makes donating to Masonic Village a seamless process. I get to give a decent amount on a frequent basis, but not have a large impact to my personal finances at the end of the year.
“Moving to Pennsylvania from out of state, the seminars we attended were extraordinarily helpful in understanding everything that had to be changed. From the get-go, the gift and estate planning resources have been incredibly helpful, and we feel very fortunate to have had them at our disposal. Nick explained the various Masonic Charities and provided us with a list of vetted attorneys and accountants whose expertise, combined with that of our financial advisor, helped us get our gift plan in order. We are thankful for all their support and guidance as we completed our bequest.”
“I am a 52-year Mason, so supporting the worthwhile causes through the Masonic Charities is important to my wife and me. Contributing to the charities with a required minimum distribution from our IRA allows us to give without our gift being subject to tax. The staff at the Masonic Charities office has always been thoughtful and warm in showing their appreciation.”
“My experience with the Office of Mission Advancement and Development was terrific! Nick came to my home and helped me with the details of my bequest to the Masonic Village. I had a very enjoyable afternoon attending my first Franklin Legacy Society reception. It was great getting to know the Masons and their wives at my table, and of course, the food was also scrumptious! I can hardly wait for the next one.”
“We’re grateful to Linda for helping us with our Charitable Gift Annuities. Her advice to take two rather than one with both our names turned out to be the answer we were looking for, because it provided us a greater tax deduction and a guaranteed monthly income stream while accomplishing our goal of supporting Masonic Village. We appreciate her time and effort in helping us complete the forms and get it all set up. It was truly a win-win.”
View our charitable solicitation disclosures by visiting MasonicCharitiesPa.org
Autumn 2024 Issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason is published quarterly by the Masonic Villages, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Articles and photographs to be considered for publication should be sent with local Masonic authority to the address above, to the attention of The Pennsylvania Freemason or emailed to pafreemason@masonicvillages.org. Except by special arrangement, all articles, photographs and artwork become the property of the Grand Lodge.
Published by the Masonic Villages, owned and operated by the Grand Lodge of F.& A.M. of Pennsylvania, as a means of soliciting the physical and financial support of the members, their families and the public in general. Periodical postage is paid at Elizabethtown, PA, and additional mailing offices.
We appreciate the many submissions we receive for consideration. We apologize, but due to space constraints, we are not able to publish every submission we receive.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
(Act of Oct. 23, 1962; Section 4369; Title 39, United States Code) Summer 2024, The Pennsylvania Freemason, published quarterly by the Masonic Villages, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Publishers: The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Editor: Larry A. Derr. Owner: The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Known bondholders: none. No advertising handled. Free distribution averages 82,000 each quarter. I certify that the statements made by me are correct and complete.
Larry A. Derr, Editor