MWSA District No. 108 - Issue No. 37

January 2022

Click the image below to be taken to the District No. 108 MWSA website.

Want to be added to the mailing list for this newsletter? Please email Past Master Berndt at david@karateclarinet.com and let him know your name, email address, and home lodge and he will add you to the list!

District Service Team

Your District Service Team is here to assist our Lodges in any way they can. Pictured from left to right: Past Master Albert Davis, District Education Officer, R:.W:. David Berndt, District Deputy Grand Master, Past Master Cody Cockroft, District Instructor, & Past Master Carter Sharbrough, District Communications Officer

MWSA Vision

EXCELLENCE BY VIRTUE: Lead with our HEARTS; Think with our HEADS; Work with our HANDS

MWSA Mission Statement

Through education and in consequence of our streamlined focus in pursuit of Masonic excellence, Masonic District No. 108 will work in harmony as a common mass to reinforce our District Lodges in support of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Contained in this Issue

  • President's Message

  • Called from Labor

  • Waller Lodge Clay Shoot - Saturday 2 April 2022

  • Upcoming Degrees/Proficiency Exams

  • District 108 Upcoming Stated Meetings

  • Personal History & Funeral/Memorial Service Planning Guide

  • Lodge Suspense Dates

  • Kumntakit Grotto

  • Fun Facts

  • New app from the Grand Lodge of Texas

  • MWSA Business Meeting Rotation Schedule

  • Morton Lodge History Book

  • Other Upcoming Events

  • Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay

  • Newsletter Archive

"Masonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw Masonic wages in gold and silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are in the dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason."

- Benjamin Franklin

President's Message

Brethren,

Reflection is a vital element of human growth. As I look back one last time over the past year, I am overwhelmed by the tragedy of another year of COVID-19 and the toll it has taken on society at large. It should always be remembered that life is fragile, finite, and sacred. Thus, we should stive to utilize our talents and resources to further the principles of masonry, namely brotherly love, relief, and truth. Therein, life is given meaning. As you begin your new year, I challenge each of you to let these principles be the catalyst for actions that are personally communally transformative.

Your Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association (MWSA) exists for the benefit of all lodges and brothers of Masonic District No. 108. Your district is one of the best districts in the State of Texas. Supporting this belief is the fact that 50% of the lodges in our district are 2021 Vanguard Award recipients: Morton No 72; Rosenberg No. 881; Sugar Land No. 1141; and Katy No. 1439. In 2021, this award was earned by only 22 out of 764 constituent lodges, meaning that Masonic District No. 108 comprised 18% of the overall recipients. No other district held such a concentration of Vanguard Award recipients. Congratulations are in order, and it is with pride that I enter this year of service to the District as your MWSA President.

Serving with me in 2022 are several other distinguished brothers. First, our Past President, John Bradley, has served with distinction over the past year and is to be commended for his service in leading MWSA No. 108 in 2021. Brother Bradley is currently the Junior Warden at Morton No. 72 and as the Senior Warden at Rosenberg No. 881 and will continue to support me and MWSA No. 108 as Deputy President.

Your Vice President is Michael Spencer, who is a Past Master of Katy Lodge No. 1439. I am excited about his joining this body in a position of leadership. I am also looking forward to getting to know him better as we serve together over the next 365 days. In my limited interactions, I know that he is genuinely passionate about the craft, and his experience and knowledge will be a great asset as this year unfolds.

Handling the duties of Secretary and Treasurer is Eric Beane, Worshipful Master of Morton Lodge No. 72 and Junior Deacon of Rosenberg No. 881. I have had the pleasure of serving Worshipful Master Beane as his Treasurer during this current masonic year and can emphatically say that this brother is as hard working and dedicated as they come. His background and attention to detail will continue to serve this district in maintaining our records and finances in good order as well as contributing to the programs that are essential to this organization’s mission.

Jason Vance will continue to be our spiritual advisor during 2022, and he is a brother of many talents and capabilities. He currently is the Senior Deacon at Morton Lodge No. 72 where I have come to appreciate his strength and support of all things masonic.

Finally, I am appreciative to have the talents and experience of Carter Sharbrough, Past Master of Katy Lodge No. 1439, who has been a key figure in District 108 communications and encouragement. Over the past he is a grounding figure in our District, and his experience and wisdom will be drawn upon by me and the officers of your MWSA No. 108 in the coming year.

In conclusion, I would like to reenforce the MWSA Vision and Mission Statements, which describe who we are and why we exist.

MWSA Vision

“EXCELLENCE BY VIRTUE: Lead with our HEARTS; Think with our HEADS; Work with our HANDS.”

MWSA Mission Statement

“Through education and in consequence of our streamlined focus in pursuit of Masonic excellence, Masonic District No. 108 will work in harmony as a common mass to reinforce our District Lodges in support of the Grand Lodge of Texas.”

From a leadership perspective, these are not merely statements that are to be made and forgotten. Rather, they should be words to live by that create focus and drive our actions led by HEARTS, HEADS, and HANDS. I will strive to reinforce the Vision and Mission Statement in the coming year with the goal of propagating the greatness in our District that has been the result of the hard work that has come from brothers that have gone before.

In closing, if the officers or I can be of assistance to any of you over the coming year, I hope that you will reach out to us for support and assistance. That is why we exist, and together we will continue to make District No. 108 one of the premier districts in this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Chris Choat

eMail: chris.choat@comcast.net

Mobile: (713) 206-4242


Called from Labor

William Sessums, Sr. - 9 December 2021 - Sugar Land Lodge No. 1141

Waller Lodge Clay Shoot - Saturday 2 April 2022

Waller Lodge will be hosting a clay shoot on Saturday 2 April 2022. For more information, click on the flyer to the left.

Upcoming Degrees/Proficiency Exams


District No. 108 Upcoming Stated Meetings

Personal History & Funeral/Memorial Service Planning Guide

As was discussed at the MWSA Business Meeting held on 27 April 2021, attached below is the Memorial Service Planning Guide that is provided for the use of Brothers by the Grand Lodge of Texas. We plan to do a more in-depth presentation on this guide before the end of the Masonic Year.

funeral_guide.pdf

Lodge Suspense Dates


Kumntakit Grotto

Kumntakit Grotto was instituted on Saturday 27 March 2021 at Sugar Land Lodge No. 1141 and began by initiating nearly 40 new members and installing its new Officers. The Officers and members of the new Grotto represent several of our District Lodges, bringing our Lodges closer together.

Fun Facts

Ever wonder about the Masons involved in the government of the Republic of Texas?

New App from the Grand Lodge of Texas

The Grand Lodge of Texas has just launched a new app! It contains copies of the current law book and monitor, as well as several years worth of Briscoe Workshops. It can also serve as a communications tool between Brothers. You may find the links to the app below:

Apple App Store - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/tx-mason/id1532889175

Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gltx.app

MWSA Business Meeting Rotation Schedule

Please click the image to see the rotation schedule for MWSA Business Meetings through 2022.

Morton Lodge History Book

Morton Lodge has completed the third edition of the book on its history. Copies may be purchased from Past Master Cody Cockroft for $20.

Lodge Study Nights

Are you interested in attending a Study Night? Please join us for the following evenings of fellowship and study:


Mondays - 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Morton Lodge No. 72

Mondays - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Waller Lodge No. 808

Mondays - 6:30 PM - Katy Lodge No. 1439

Mondays - 7:00 PM - Sugar Land Lodge No. 1141

Wednesday - 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Rosenberg Lodge No. 881

Wednesdays - 7:00 PM - Sugar Land Lodge No. 1141


If your Lodge holds a Study Night that is not listed, please let us know so that we may include it here and get the word out to more Brothers!


Other Upcoming Events

Below you will find dates for upcoming events around Masonic District #108, along with other Masonic events in our area. Full calendars for events around District #108 may be found at the District #108 website by clicking the button below this list.

Mon, Jan 3, 2022 - Park Place Commandery #106 Stated Conclave - 6:30 PM

***Tue, Jan 4, 2022 - Katy Lodge #1439 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

Tue, Jan 4, 2022 - Waller O.E.S. Stated Meeting - 6:30 PM

Wed, Jan 5, 2022 - Matagorda Lodge #7 Stated Meeting

Wed, Jan 5, 2022 - North Houston Chapter & Council Stated Meeting @ Melrose Lodge - 6:30 PM

***Thu, Jan 6, 2022 - Brookshire Lodge #1066 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

Sat, Jan 8, 2022 - Melrose Commandery #109 Stated Conclave @ Melrose Lodge - 6:30 PM

Mon, Jan 10, 2022 - Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay Stated Meeting @ Sugar Land Lodge - 7:00 PM

Tue, Jan 11, 2022 - Westside Assembly No. 233, International Order of Rainbow for Girls @ Katy Loge - 7:00 PM

***Tue, Jan 11, 2022 - Morton Lodge #72 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

Tue, Jan 11, 2022 - Sugar Land OES Stated Meeting - 6:30 PM

***Tue, Jan 11, 2022 - Waller Lodge #808 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

***Thu, Jan 13, 2022 - Hempstead Lodge #749 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

Thu, Jan 13, 2022 - Richmond Chapter & Council Stated Meeting @ Morton Lodge - 6:30 PM

Fri, Jan 14, 2022 - Ruthven Commandery #2 Stated Conclave @ Holland Lodge - 6:30 PM

***Sat, Jan 15, 2022 - Pleasant Hill Lodge #380 STATED MEETING - 11:00 AM***

***Mon, Jan 17, 2022 - Sugar Land Lodge #1141 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

***Tue, Jan 18, 2022 - Rosenberg Lodge #881 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 - Katy OES Stated Meeting - 6:30 PM

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 - Houston Commandery #95 Stated Conclave @ Conroe Lodge - 6:30 PM

Mon, Jan 24, 2022 - Fort Bend Commandery #74 Stated Conclave @ Rosenberg Lodge - 6:30 PM

Tue, Jan 25, 2022 - Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay Stated Meeting @ Sugar Land Lodge - 7:00 PM

Thu, Jan 27, 2022 - Houston Valley Scottish Rite Stated Meeting - 6:00 PM

The full Google Calendars for District No. 108 may be found on the MWSA website.

Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay

Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay was set to work on Saturday 31 August 2019. DeMolay is a wonderful organization for young men from 12-21 years of age. It strives to teach virtues and help young men grow into responsible and committed members of society.


You can learn more about DeMolay here: http://www.texasdemolay.com/what-is-demolay/#


If you know anyone who may be interested in membership at Imperial Chapter, please have them contact Matt Woodard, Chapter Advisor at chapteradvisor@imperialdemolay.com.

MWSA Newsletter Archive

Need to refer back to a past issue of the newsletter? Click the button below to go to the newsletter archive on the MWSA website.