Part 3: Recognizing Individual Excellence Greetings, Sir Knights! For December in Maryland, it’s been a bit blustery. Some areas around Baltimore have even had flurries (nothing sticking–so far). Something to be said for warmer climates, even if I do like the change in seasons. We’ve looked at accountability and how we can build ritual teams…
Category: English
Encouraging Ritual Proficiency – Part 2
Part 2: Building Ritual Teams We’ve looked at accountability and how we can build ritual teams and partnerships. This week, I’d like to share some thoughts This week, however, I’d like to suggest there are ways to build and structure Ritual teams. We all want our officers and members to be proficient in the work….
Encouraging Ritual Proficiency-Part 1
Part 1: Accountability Greetings, Sir Knights! As this hits the interwebs, we are just 263 days from the start of the 69th Triennial Conclave in Salt Lake City, Utah. In some ways, it feels just like yesterday we were departing Minneapolis. It’s hard to believe we are on the downslope now. One of the topics…
Are we “Frugal” or are we “Cheap”?
Our good old friend, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, offers the following definitions of the words frugal and cheap: Frugal: means an absence of luxury or simplicity of lifestyle is described with the words such as thrifty (good management), economical (lack of waste), or sparing (as in restraint) Cheap: is described as stingy (not generous), depreciated (lower and honor or esteem),…
Why I am passionate about Freemasonry
I became a Freemason because of family tradition. That’s a true statement. I have remained a Freemason because I have come to love the teaching, lessons, and values I have learned over the 40 years I have been a Freemason. We have challenges/weaknesses/opportunities in a lot of areas–recruitment, ritual, and programming to name three. Today,…
Former KTEF starter grant recipient, Dr. Megan Collins- 31 October 2023
Happy Hallowe’en! Or, Happy Reformation Day! In any case, another month is coming to a close and we draw even closer to gathering in Salt Lake City for the 69th Triennial Conclave. I hope many of you will plan to attend and participate in the work we are called to accomplish for the good of…
Our Charities and how we support them – 24 October 2023
Why are we Templars: Our Charities During my 40-year Masonic journey, 38 of which have been dedicated to the Templar Order, I have witnessed a reluctance among our leadership to make crucial decisions and implement necessary changes. This hesitation has led to a loss of purpose within our Order and a neglect of our duty…
Why Leadership Must be Engaged – 17 October 2023
Engaged Leadership Should Be Expected I have great admiration for Jeff Bolstad. He is a man of strong faith and character. However, it’s essential to acknowledge our differences, both as members of the clergy and fellow Knights. I didn’t originally embark on my campaign for the office of Deputy Grand Master for the Grand Encampment…
Being a Mason Means Never Being Among Strangers – 10 October 2023
Freemasonry connects us together One of the joys of my Masonic membership is knowing that I can find a safe place with good men wherever I travel. As a young Mason and Air Force officer, I knew I would be moving every 3-4 years, and every move would mean establishing new roots and connections in…
My Masonic Journey Part 2- 3 October 2023
Standing in the Northeast Corner I’ve been told that every Amish quilt has at least one intentional error in it because “only God is perfect.” That must have been in the back of my mind last week when I wrote that Springfield/Cedarville were in southeast Ohio. I know better. I should have written southwest Ohio. At least…