Worshipful Master John Traveres III

Worshipful Master John Traveres III

Acceptance Speech

October 2, 2015

The 85th Worshipful Master of Sheba Lodge #7

WE CAN DO MORE!!

To the Senior and Junior Wardens, Past Masters, Grand Lodge Officers and Brothers of Sheba Lodge # 7,

Good Evening.

20Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, and the world without end. Amen

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Let us Pray”

Thank you FATHER, for giving me the opportunity to serve this great lodge, SHEBA #7, during this 200th year anniversary of Prince Hall Masons in the State of Pennsylvania. I humbly ask for YOUR continued strength, support, & guidance.

Dear Heavenly FATHER, You know the times I have been ungrateful, You know the times I complain and grumble about life and its circumstances, about suffering, going through what seem endless trials and tribulations.
Yet GOD You are and always will be there with me, even when it seems like I am forever in the wilderness, running further and further from You, You, my GOD are there guiding me back to Your loving arms.
I am thankful Lord for everything that You allow to cross my path. Thankful for the decisions that You allow me to make and the lessons that come from these decisions.
I’m thankful, Lord, that I do not have to live under condemnation anymore, that You have truly set me free, Thankful Lord that You have given me joy unspeakable. Thankful Lord that You are longsuffering, allowing me to mature in You!
Lord, words do not express my thankfulness. For Your mighty power is at work in me, transforming me, renewing my mind. To You Lord belong thanks eternal.
Thank You LORD for instilling in me that I CAN DO MORE!!

In Jesus’ name, Amen., So Mote to Be.

I also want to thank all of you, my Brothers for your faith, confidence, & trust to lead you in the ensuing year. It is Truly an Honor to represent the Past, Present, & Future Men of Sheba.

To My Past Masters:

William B. Miller, James Century, Albert Swann, Keith Sheppard, Charles Colbert, Isaac Andrews, Hubert Baxter, James Harris, Charles Gibson Sr., Jeffrey Lewis, Melvin Davis, Keith Green, Nathaniel Holmes, Jacob G. Marley, the old soul Terrance D. Green, and last but not least my sponsor William Mangum, who had the faith and confidence in me. To all of you I say the wise counsel has been greatly appreciated through my Masonic Journey. I look forward to your continued guidance and support. It truly takes a Village. Thanks for keeping me in line with my motto for this year, WE CAN DO MORE!!

Special Thanks to our honorary member, Worship District Deputy Grand Master James Spruill who has been my deputy since I joined this great lodge. I look forward to working with you this year.

To my classmates: The Past Master Dennis Taylor Class of 2010; its been a whirlwind journey but without you guys I wouldn’t be here. Hector Flores, welcome back, Albert Blair the calm and steady, Gaye Wilson, Rest in Peace, overlooking us, and my stalwart, Douglas Fields, thanks for keeping me motivated.

Brother Senior and Junior Warden, congratulations on yet another milestone in your Masonic Career. Brothers, I’m certain that I speak for the other two pillars when I express a sincere “Thank You”, the officers and members of this great lodge, for the trust bestowed upon us and I assure you that the trust is accepted in a spirit of unity. I am honored and privileged for the confidence and trust you have conferred upon me, by electing me as your Worshipful Master for this ensuing year. Most importantly I solicit your prayers throughout this administration.

I truly believe that leadership and cohesiveness begins at the top and it travels down through each officer and member of this Lodge. I want the three pillars of this lodge, whom you have elected to serve as WM, SW & JW to be your servant leaders to the Officers and members of this great lodge. Not by words but by our actions because We Can Do More!! Certain positions come with commitments and requirements. I’m confident that this team you have elected will work together to accomplish the task at hand, which I believe will continue to stabilize our lodge. I believe that this team will continue to lay the groundwork for improving the consistency and stability of our lodge. However, we can’t do it alone. I stand before you tonight humbly requesting your continued support and heavily depending and relying on your individual commitment to the endeavors we have planned out for this year. How successful we are as a unit, as a team, as a lodge depends largely on what we do collectively as members of Sheba #7.

I strive to get Sheba #7 back to days of exemplifying outstanding Masonic ritualistic work, both inside and outside our lodge room. Exemplifying outstanding Masonic ritualistic work inside our lodge room will get us that shining “Jewel” back because We Can Do More! I need your continued support and commitment.

I humbly embrace this challenge to ensure nothing but the best for this, our lodge. I ask that you continue to pray for my family and me so I can continue to represent Sheba Lodge #7.

In closing, I accept the challenge and the responsibility as well as all the duties that come with the office of Worshipful Master.

Fraternally Submitted,

Worshipful Master 2015

John Traveres III

Sheba #7