by Jonathan Carroll | Jun 4, 2020 | General News
Thank you to all who attended our Stated Meeting this evening. It was good to see your faces after our brief hiatus.
Congratulations to our newly elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year:
– Mike Sherman, Worshipful Master Elect
– J.B. Cloud, Senior Warden Elect
– Mitt Chorn, Junior Warden Elect
– Ron Houghton, Treasurer Elect
– Jerry Jones, Secretary Elect
– Jonathan Carroll, Tiler Elect
We will hold our Installation of Officers on Saturday, July 11 at 2:00pm. All elected and appointed officers are requested to arrive at 1:00pm to assist in closing a Lodge of Sorrow, open a Masters Lodge, and prepare the lodge room (any others who would like to participate are encouraged to do so). M.W. Underwood’s April 29 proclamation prevents us from serving any refreshments at this time, and social distancing measures will be required.
We are still operating under M.W. Underwood’s proclamation of April 29, which means there is NO Stated Meeting planned for July 2nd, and floor school and all degree work is suspended until further notice.
And finally, my thanks to the Bylaws Committee for their hard work and diligence. They have proposed new Bylaws (following Grand Lodge Form 23) and Rules & Regulations for Abilene Lodge 559 that will be voted on at our next Stated Meeting. Please reach out to this committee (Don Ballard, J.B. Cloud, and John Armistead) or Jonathan Carroll if you would like to review the proposed documents beforehand.
Until we meet again, please stay safe, and reach out to your Brothers if there is anything we can do for you!
by Jonathan Carroll | Jun 3, 2020 | General News
We will be holding our June Stated meeting tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 7:30pm. We will be conducting our annual Election of Officers at this time.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Grand Master Underwood has issued the following guidance:
We will NOT be serving dinner before the meeting.
We must keep a six-foot distance from other Masons.
Masons are strongly urged, but are not required, to wear face masks.
To maintain proper social distancing, Masons should not shake hands.
Please make your decisions based on respect, and overabundance of caution, towards your Brothers.
As well, a peaceful protest is scheduled to take place at 6:00pm tomorrow at E. Hwy 80 and Cockerell Street (near the MLK Bridge). I am unsure how this will affect traffic, but I would encourage you to avoid this route coming to and from Lodge.
by Jonathan Carroll | Mar 23, 2020 | General News, Masonic News
Grand Master Paul D. Underwood has ordered the cancellation of all stated and called meetings until further notice. Abilene Lodge 559 will NOT be holding our Stated Meeting on April 2. We will also cancel Floor School on Wednesday evenings until this order is rescinded.
PLEASE be safe, and do not hesitate to call on your Brothers if you need anything at all.
by Jonathan Carroll | Mar 16, 2020 | Community, General News, Masonic News
Abilene 559 will suspend floor school for the remainder of March. As of today, we still intend to have our Stated Meeting on April 2, which will also be the official visit of our DDGM, Right Worshipful Pat Fenner.
Today, Grand Lodge of Texas cancelled most upcoming Grand Lodge events and issued guidelines corresponding to CDC recommendations, that group meetings not exceed 50 people. Since then, CDC has already lowered this number to groups of less than 10 people. As Masons, we have a responsibility to our Brothers and to the community, and should do nothing to place their, or our own, health at risk.
The Grand Lodge of Texas has not ordered the suspension of stated or called meetings, but it has offered a blanket dispensation for any lodges that choose not to meet during this time. We will continue to monitor recommendations from our Federal, State, and Local governments, as well as from Grand Lodge, to determine if any further action will be necessary.
Please wash your hands frequently, be safe, responsible, and respectful, and do not hesitate to contact any of your Brothers should you need anything at all!
Fraternally,
Jonathan Carroll
Worshipful Master, Abilene Lodge 559
by Jonathan Carroll | Mar 6, 2020 | Community, Masonic News
On behalf of Lawn Lodge #1230, I am forwarding the below invitation to their Festive Board. It should be a great experience!
2020 Big Country Masonic Festive Board
A true celebration of Brotherhood and conviviality
Saturday, March 21
The Beehive Restaurant Downtown Abilene
Dear Brother,
You are cordially invited to our 2020 Masonic Festive Board. Our guest speaker this year is Robert Marshall. Brother Marshall is a historian with degrees in History, Great Texts of the Western Tradition, and Museum Sciences. He is Deputy Director Kansas Lodge of Research, a Member of the Texas State Historical Association, Historic Waco Foundation, and researcher/writer for Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum Member of the Austin Scottish Rite Valley.
We will have our social hour starting at the Beehive Bar at 6:30 and we’ll open our Festive Board at 7:30. We had a fantastic time last year with Dr Jim Rumsey, Committee on Work, as our speaker and will continue the tradition of this year with a fun and entertaining social and educational program. Prime rib will be served this year and have expanded the dress code to include tuxedos.
We hope you will join us. I have attached a flyer with all the information. Please call me with your reservation as soon as possible.
Fiat Lux!
Preston Curry, P.M.
Chairman, Festive Board Committee
Lawn Lodge 1230
325-338-7427
pc@prestoncurry.com
