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…
Tag: 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…
My Masonic Journey – Part 1 – 26 September 2023
Freemasonry Family Style It was a great weekend in Arlington/Crystal City, Virginia, at the Mid-Atlantic Department Conference. We had one of the largest attendances that I’ve seen in the almost 15 years I have been attending these events. Even with the challenging weather (not quite as rough as expected), we had a great time. This…
Freemasonry a Family Tradition – 22 September 2023
Freemasonry through the Generations One of these days, I’ll actually catch all the “Oops!” in these missives. Last week, for those of you keeping score, the issue was tagged as “Part 16,” when it should have said “Part 17.” I think I’ve done that at least twice now. Well, at least you know these are…
4 Minutes with Art – 12 September 2023
Change? Why should we change anything? It’s been an interesting week since I last wrote to you. First off, I had to miss joining everyone in the North East Department for their last department conference of the Triennium because I was on Maryland’s Atlantic coast to officiate at the wedding for a wonderful couple. The…
The “Third Rail” of Freemasonry: Dues – 5 September 2023
The “Third Rail” of Freemasonry: Dues and Per Capita BEFORE MY REGULAR MESSAGE, AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: It has been brought to my attention that a rumor is circulating that my candidacy for Deputy Grand Master has been “orchestrated” by one or more Past Grand Masters of the Grand Encampment, and that I am “in the…
Doing the Same Thing Over and Over and … – 29 August 2023
Was Albert Einstein talking about us? For the past couple of weeks, I’ve shared some thoughts about why I am running for Deputy Grand Master and some things that are worth considering were you to elect me to that role. Today, I’d like to “rip off the bandage” and share more behind my decision to…
What Might We Change to Improve the Templar Experience – 22 August 2023
Some ideas for your consideration There are a number of things I have thought about over the years that the Grand Encampment might be able to facilitate or do that would be of benefit to the Grand Commanderies, Commanderies, and individual Knights that are somewhat out-of-the-box and not part of the “normal” things one might…
Masonic Charity: A True Story – 15 August 2023
Masonic Charity to a Brother – A Personal Testimony The calendar tells me we are 364 days from the start of the next Triennial Conclave events getting underway in Salt Lake City. The pace is starting to pick up, and I am looking forward to meeting many of you before we gather there, and even…