Shiloh Lodge #327
June 2004
 Trestleboard

From the East

“Community Awareness” 

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss our lack of involvement with the community.  The same communities we live in, raise our children in and are willing to protect it from others, but we are not willing to be involved in.  Some 260 years ago the foundation for the present day structure was 'poured.'  For the first fifty years our Brethren cut and tried, fitted and revised, adopted and discarded many ideas and procedures.  Since that time, some 200 years, we have, more or less, let things drift.  Our forefathers of the revolutionary days were extremely active in community and accomplished much outside the lodge room.  It would appear that Freemasonry has resigned itself to those accomplishments and is unwilling to do much.

We, of the present day, need to bestir ourselves and begin to do something besides expressing lovely platitudes and referring to ancient accomplishments.  They were great and we should not forget them.  On the other hand, we should use their accomplishments as incentives to attain greater things in this age.  We should try to do as much under present day conditions as they did in the past.

If we are to regain the stature of former years, we must move Masonry out of the lodge room and make it a powerful, constructive influence in community.  We must speak out through community events and activities.  Hopefully, such action will provide a powerful modern awakening for Masonry today.  The time is coming when societies like ours must come out in the open with a public declaration of aims so all men may see in all this confusion that there is one body with strong and worthy ideals.

Our real community responsibility is to convince the world by our actions that we are Masons.  We should do those things which provide leadership in improving the physical, moral and emotional status of our environment.  We should support community drives for blood banks, traffic safety and community beautification.  We should support our DeMolay, Rainbow, and Job's Daughters, not only with advice and money, but with our presence.

We should provide, with our actions, the kind of a public image which the whole world can admire and will wish to emulate.  The things each of you do everyday define the community’s experiences with Masons.  Our goal is to give the community a Masonic experience that is better than anything else available.

This year we will have more community involvement.  The fist step was the Shiloh Basketball team which plays every Monday.  The Shiloh Sting captain is Brother Josh Long, one of our new members at Shiloh Lodge.  He will be having a car wash fund raiser to help support the cost to enroll our basketball team in different leagues.  I would like to thank Brother Josh for his hard work. 

The next community event I would like to be involved in is the Juneteenth celebration.  I would like to inter Shiloh Lodge No. 327 in the Juneteenth Parade. 

The celebration will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2004 from 10:00am – 7:00 p.m.  The location for this year’s festivities is the North Omaha Boys and Girls Club, 2606 Hamilton St.  The parade will kick off the Juneteenth Celebration.  Line-up will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Kountze Park, Florence Blvd. & Pratt Street.  Following the parade will be live entertainment, guest speakers, drill teams, break dancing, exhibits, carnival rides. 

If any Brother would like to be involved in the parade please call me ASAP.  

Fraternally Yours,

Cleo M. Miller, Sr.

Worshipful Master-2004

Examples 

I remember in my youth, a wise old gentleman told me, “If you have good examples to follow the rest comes naturally.”  At the time I had no idea what this old man was trying to tell me, but as I started my advancement through life, this simple phrase started to become more apparent each and every day at home, through school, and at work.  I began to realize that examples are what shape and form what and who we will eventually become.  Not only are our minds shaped solely from examples taken from home, school, and work, but also from situations impressed upon us throughout our daily lives; moreover, the people whom we come to know, love, admire, and dislike.  It’s these encounters and examples projected internally (that) form a basis in our minds of what we are to become.  Fortunately, most of us have the insight and forethought to see bad examples for exactly what they are, and do our utmost to exclude them from our daily lives, while remaining true to good examples.  Having grown up in the late 1960’s, I saw, heard, and experienced many things, good and bad.  During this time my mind was open and idealistic, seeking examples from which my potential could be realized and expanded upon.  I found many, mostly revolutionary and radical, but good and honest all the same.  All are created equal, all should be treated as equals and regarded as equals in the eyes of God and man.  Simple words, but extraordinary in meaning, I have always followed this example and passed it on by setting worthy examples myself.  As I travel along the roads of freemasonry, I encounter many worthy Brothers and sisters with the same insight as I hold close to heart: set good examples and good examples will be followed.  I only regret that it took me so long to understand what the wise old man had shared with me so long ago, and why the simple ring on his finger he held so dear. 

Brother Beau Nolan  32^○

We would like to provide support to our brethren in times of distress and celebrate with them in times of gladness. Please immediately inform any of your lodge officers of such information regarding yourself or a brother.