The last stated meeting of 2006 for Lodge Vitruvian was a terrific evening of fellowship, fun and enlightenment. Many thanks to our speaker, Wbro. Jon Porter, Past Master of Mystic Tie Lodge No. 398 in Indianapolis, for his fascinating and entertaining paper on the origins of Masonic Templarism. This was Jon's first visit to Vitruvian, and we hope it will not be his last.
I am honored to report that our lodge's newest member by affiliation is Wbro. James Dillman, Past Master of Major General John A. Logan Masonic Lodge No. 575 in Indianapolis. Jim is one of the most accomplished, talented and well-traveled Masons in the state, and his services are in constant demand for degrees. More important, Jim is a good friend and an outstanding Mason, and we are privileged to welcome him as our newest member.
Tyson Johnston, star of the Grand Lodge of Indiana's video and a member of Calvin Prather Lodge No. 717 made his first visit to Vitruvian as well.
As always, dinner at Capri was outstanding. Arturo and his talented, friendly and very efficient crew always do an excellent job for us, and his restaurant just keeps getting more beautiful with each new addition and expansion. I can't recommend it enough.
Most important, last night we held our elections, and I want to congratulate Brother Phillip A. Garver on his election as the fourth Worshipful Master of Lodge Vitruvian. He is an endlessly fascinating man with an impressive and extensive background in religion, philosophy, history and initiatic societies, and we are all looking forward to the coming year working under his leadership.
Congratulations also to Wbro. Dale Adams, PM on moving to the SW position, and to Wbro. W. Keith Stiner, PM, our new JW. Wbro. Timothy R. Brinkmeyer, PM, will be our Chaplain. I will be loitering in the Treasurer's chair, and Wbro. Nathan Brindle, PM, will remain in the Secretary's position.
On a personal note, as I said at last night's meeting, I thank all of you for the opportunity to serve as Vitruvian's Master for two years. It is interesting to note that had it not been for my association with this lodge, the events of the last four years of my Masonic life would have been very different, and undoubtedly I would not have had the chance to write a certain book. I value the friendships I have made in this lodge, and I am proud to be associated with each of you.
The influence of this little lodge literally worldwide is beyond comprehension for me. I commonly receive notes from all over the Masonic world asking about some of our practices, customs and vision for masonry's future. Visitors come from all over to see what we are doing.
No, we are not taking the world by storm with hordes of new members joining us. In fact, they are NOT joining us - they are doing something far more important. They are taking what they see us doing back to their own lodges and making changes there. They propose what others in their own lodges may believe to be radical, and saying "I've seen it work at Vitruvian." Brethren, that is a greater success than if we packed our lodge with new members. What we do here is indeed spreading. Our mission is succeeding. And for my money, that's something of which we can all be proud.
So thank all of you for your support. I am very much looking forward to the coming year, and beyond.
Posted by Chris Hodapp at October 25, 2006 01:46 AM