Gateway Lodge No 8501
Newsletter No 2
Introduction
In an effort to improve communication I decided earlier this year to issue an email newsletter to the brethren twice a year, in August and in January,shortly before our mini seasons start. Hopefully it will increase a sense of involvement, particularly with the younger brethren. This is therefore my second attempt!
Lodge of Instruction September Meeting
This is cancelled as it clashes with Witney Feast
Programme for 2013 and 2014
The Lodge finds itself in a healthy position for Candidates. I have 2 off application forms for membership, also firm interest from two other prospective candidates.
At the September meeting we will Raise Bro Robin Mepham and in October Bruce Barrett. The Candidate interviewed by the Committee a couple of weeks age is a serving member of the RAF and will be in Afghanistan for our November meeting. We are interviewing another applicant before our rehearsal in September and hopefully all will go well in his interview. If we can, we plan to Initiate him in November, but we will have to wait and see. However, things do look good for 2014.
Dates for your diary
Monday, 16th September. Committee Meeting and Rehearsal (again always a 7.00 p.m. start) All Master Masons are welcome to come to the Rehearsal
Monday, 23rdSeptember LODGE MEETING, 6.30 p.m. start.A RAISING Ceremony.
Monday 14th October 7.00p.m. LOI
Monday 21st October 7.00p.m. Rehearsal
Monday 28th October LODGE MEETING, 6.30 p.m. start. A RAISING Ceremony.
Monday 11th November 7.00 p.m. LOI
Monday 18th November 7.00 p.m. Rehearsal
Monday 25th November 7.00 p.m. LODGE MEETING
Sunday 15th December Carol Night. Bring family, friends and children
In March we welcomed W Bro Gerry Hollerbach as a new Joining Member. At the September meeting Bro Rob Bolton will be proposed as a Joining Member. We look forward to him joining us in October. I know you will all make him most welcome.
The Role of Charity
In my last newsletter I wrote about the role of the Almoner, in this letter I will talk about masonic charity. Charity is a very central activity in masonry. Collectively we are the 2nd only to the National Lottery in the scale of our donation to charity. We have our own masonic charities and the Gateway Lodge gives extensively to local charities. W Bro Roger Hampshire is both our Charity Steward and the Provincial Charity Steward. He works very hard in both roles. All of us, as freemasons should be committed to give to charity, not only in money, but in time and in caring, acting always within our own personal means
Dining
To assist W Bro Roger Hampshire with the dining arrangements I am issuing the Meeting Summons much earlier than previously to give everyone time to plan their diaries. Roger’s task is thankless, so please contact him in good time, even if you do not intend to dine. Roger has many capabilities but mind reading is not one of them…………
Conclusion
As I am out and about a lot in early September the Summons will be issued earlier than usual, but an email reminder will be forthcoming a week or so before the meeting
I do hope that you have found this letter useful.Any suggestions you may have to improve it will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.
Geoff Goodman