MWSA District No. 108 - Issue No. 29
May 2021
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@karateclarient.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
District 108 May Stated Meetings
Katy Lodge Fish Fry - 5/1/21
Pleasant Hill Lodge Annual Chili Cookoff & Car Show - 5/8/21
Rosenberg Lodge Scholarship Presentations - 5/18/21
Waller Lodge Sporting Clays Tournament - 5/22/21
Rosenberg Lodge MM Education and Re-Obligation Event - 5/26/21
Hempstead Lodge Blood Drive - 17 July 2021
Waller County First Responder's Event - 7 August 2021
Personal History & Funeral/Memorial Service Planning Guide
Upcoming Cornerstone Events
Lodge Suspense Dates
Charitable Raffles
Kumntakit Grotto
Upcoming MWSA Meetings
Fun Facts
L.I.F.E. Program - 22 May 2021
New app from the Grand Lodge of Texas
Grand Master's Proclamation - 25 March 2021
Degree Team/Esoteric Survey
MWSA Business Meeting Rotation Schedule
Committee on Work, Southeast Texas - Forum & Exam Schedule
Morton Lodge History Book
Other Upcoming Events
Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay
Newsletter Archive
President's Message
Brethren,
I pray this message finds you well. I just want to mention a couple of things and I promise to keep it short.
First of all, thank you to Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 380 for hosting the MWSA Business meeting on Tuesday 27 April 2021. We had approximately fifteen Masons present and the hospitality was excellent. We couldn't have done it without you!
Secondly, thank you to our District Instructor, Brother Cody Cockroft, for stepping up and providing an excellent class and discussion on the Masonic Burial Service, Part 1. Part 2 of the Spring Workshop will be conducted before the end of the Masonic Year. Information will be sent out once the arrangements are finalized. This section will be provided by our District Education Officer, Brother Albert Davis.
The topic of burial services is not discussed very often, if at all, but it is very important for us as Masons to discuss and be prepared for each other and our families when the time presents itself. I ask that each of you discuss your wishes with your families so that we, your Brothers, can honor you and your family in their time of need (May it be a very long time from now).
And last but not least, thank you Brother Sharbrough for your work with keeping us informed of events in our District. You are an awesome person and Brother to us all.
Don't forget our next Called Meeting is scheduled for 28 May at Katy Lodge. This will be an opportunity to get Vanguard Credit for your Lodges. Our DI will be conducting a forum consisting of opening and closing all four Lodges and will be able to sign off on your new officers. See you all there and God Bless!
Your Brother in Masonry,
Brother John Bradley
Called from Labor
Brother Ted Brown - Rosenberg Lodge No. 881 - 3 April 2021
Brother Paul Germany - Morton Lodge No. 72 - 18 April 2021
Brother Jim Starks - Morton Lodge No. 72 - 28 April 2021
District No. 108 Upcoming Stated Meetings
Katy Lodge Fish Fry - 1 May 2021
Katy Lodge will hold its Fish Fry fundraiser on 1 May 2021. More information will be forthcoming.
Pleasant Hill Lodge Annual Chili Cook-Off & Car Show - 8 May 2021
See below for information and the packet for Pleasant Hill Lodge's Annual Chili Cook-Off & Car Show taking place on 8 May 2021.
2021 Car Show info packet.pdfCook-Off & Car Show Information Packet
Cook-Off & Car Show Flyer
Rosenberg Lodge Scholarship Presentations - 18 Mary 2021
Rosenberg Lodge No. 881 will present their Scholarship Awards at their Stated Meeting on Tuesday 18 Mary 2021. We hope you will be able to join us!
Waller Lodge Sporting Clays Tournament - 22 May 2021
See below for information and the packet for Waller Lodge's 1st Annual Sporting Clay Tournament scheduled for Saturday 22 May 2021.
Waller Masonic Lodge 1st Annual Sporting Clay Tournament packet.pdfSporting Clay Tournament Information Packet
Sporting Clay Tournament Flyer
Rosenberg Lodge MM Education & Re-Obligation Event - 26 May 2021
Rosenberg Lodge No. 881 will host a Master Masons Education and Re-Obligation Event with R:.W:. Kenneth Young of the Committee on Work on 26 May 2021. This program will cover the history and development of the Texas Ritual and go over the "changes" over the years.
We hope that all Master Masons can join us! Dinner will be at 6:30 PM with the program starting at 7:15 PM.
Hempstead Lodge Blood Drive
Hempstead Lodge No. 749 will be hosting a blood drive on 17 July 2021 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the lodge building. If you are able, please come donate!
Waller County First Responder's Event
Hempstead Lodge No. 749 will participate in hosting the Waller County First Responder's Event on 7 August 2021. For details, please contact Hempstead Lodge.
Rosenberg Lodge Fellowship Hall Renaming Ceremony - Saturday 29 May 2021
Rosenberg Lodge will be renaming their fellowship hall on Saturday 29 May 2021 beginning at 4:00 PM. Imperial DeMolay, Fort Bend Commandery, and Rosenberg OES will be involved in the ceremony. The hall is being named in honor of Margaret and Burienne Stuart, who have been huge supporters of the various Masonic bodies in Fort Bend County and specifically at Rosenberg Lodge for many years.
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.pdfUpcoming Cornerstone Events
Rosenberg Lodge will be conducting two Cornerstone Events, most likely in June. Once the date is finalized, we will let everyone know!
Lodge Suspense Dates
May 31 – W. B. and Brandon Carrell Award nominations may be submitted to the Grand Lodge committee on Public Education for evaluation and recommendation to the Grand Lodge Trustees (Article 14b)
Mid-June – Look for Annual Returns Format from GL. (Downloaded from the Grandview System after June 24th. Notify the GS staff if you need the returns mailed as a printout).
June 23 – Lodge elections must be completed at the last stated meeting prior to midnight of June 23 (Art. 292). Notify us of new Lodge Officers immediately so they can be printed in the Directory of Constituent Lodges (do not wait for installation). Submission will be available on the Grandview System from May 24 through midnight June 23.
June 23 – Endowed Membership checks must be in the Office of the Grand Secretary by June 23 to start earning interest in order to receive returns by the next year (Art. 318a). Changes to the amount of endowments must be voted on at the same meeting as the Lodge elections, and notification to Grand Lodge must be before June 24th. Endowed Membership applications received at the Grand Lodge on or after June 24 must be for the amount that the Lodge reported.
July 15 – Resolutions and Statements of Availability due to GS Office. (Articles 172 6a).
July 31 – Lodge installations must be performed from June 24 to prior to midnight July 31 (Art. 298).
August 15 – Annual Returns Report due to Grand Lodge (Art. 493).
August 15 & August 31 – Vanguard Applications are due to the DDGM NLT August 15 and to the Grand Secretary NLT August 31 (refer to Vanguard Application Instructions).
September 1 – Lodge By-Laws that must be reviewed by the GL Committee on By-Laws due to the GS Office NLT September 1 (Art. 219).
September 15 – Lodge Minimum Audit Report 71 are due to the GS Office NLT September 15 (Art. 284).
November 15 – Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard), must be filed with the IRS by Lodges that have gross receipts of $50,000 or less, or do not meet the requirements for filing the IRS 990 or IRS 990EZ. Lodges must file the appropriate Form 990 no later than the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of the organization’s fiscal year.
December 28 – Proxy Certificates are due to the GS Office NLT December 28 (Art. 4). You should always appoint a Proxy (in case of an emergency) but he would not vote if any of the top three officers were available. Remember, each Brother can have no more than four votes. Therefore, a sitting Worshipful Master cannot be proxy for another Lodge.
Charitable Raffles
Brookshire Masonic Lodge is holding a charitable raffle to benefit their scholarship fund for Royal ISD. For information, please contact Chad Peschke at 713-725-7612 or chadpeschke@gmail.com.
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.
Upcoming MWSA Meetings
We will hold a Called Meeting of the MWSA for the purpose of conducting a ritual form on the opening and closing of all four Lodges. Our District Instructor will conduct the forum for all incoming officers on Friday 28 May 2021. A meal will be served at 6:30 PM with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
An added bonus of this forum is that a qualification for the Vanguard Award this year is to have the top three officers certified in opening and closing by the District Instructor.
Fun Facts
Have you ever wondered how far your Lodge is from any given Lodge in the District?
L.I.F.E. Program - 22 May 2021
R:.W:. Tyksinski will be offering the L.I.F.E. Program to anyone who needs it. The class will be held on Saturday 22 May 2021 at a location yet to be determined. Capacity will be limited to maintain social distancing. The class will begin at 8:30 AM and be finished around 5:00 PM. Be ready for a full ay of training!
Please click below to sign up for this class. Sign up will end on 17 April. 2021 to allow time to gather the necessary materials.
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
Grand Master's Proclamation - 25 March 2021
Please click the image to the right for an excerpt from the latest proclamation from the Grand Master of 25 March 2021.
Degree Team/Esoteric Survey
We are attempting to aggregate the esoteric abilities from around the District to provide a common resource to help find Brothers to help in Degrees and Burial Services when needed. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below regarding your esoteric abilities in regards to those goals. Your information will be kept secure and only made available to members of our District in need of it.
MWSA Business Meeting Rotation Schedule
Please click the image to see the rotation schedule for MWSA Business Meetings through 2022.
Committee on Work, Southeast Texas - Forum & Exam Schedule
Please click on the image for the complete 2021 schedule of R:.W:. Ken young, Committee on Work. The Forum & Exam for District No. 108 will take place on Saturday 2 October 2021 at Katy Lodge.
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, May 3, 2021 - Park Place Commandery #106 Stated Conclave - 6:30 PM
***Tue, May 4, 2021 - Katy Lodge #1439 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***
Tue, May 4, 2021 - Waller O.E.S. Stated Meeting - 6:30 PM
Wed, May 5, 2021 - Matagorda Lodge #7 Stated Meeting
***Thu, May 6, 2021 - Brookshire Lodge #1066 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***
Sat, May 8, 2021 - Melrose Commandery #109 Stated Conclave @ Melrose Lodge - 6:30 PM
Mon, May 10, 2021 - Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay Stated Meeting @ Sugar Land Lodge - 7:00 PM
***Tue, May 11, 2021 - Morton Lodge #72 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***
***Tue, May 11, 2021 - Waller Lodge #808 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***
Tue, May 11, 2021 - Sugar Land OES Stated Meeting - 6:30 PM
Tue, May 11, 2021 - Westside Assembly No. 233, International Order of Rainbow for Girls @ Katy Loge - 7:00 PM
Wed, May 12, 2021 - North Houston Chapter & Council Stated Meeting @ Melrose Lodge - 6:30 PM
Thu, May 13, 2021 - Richmond Chapter & Council Stated Meeting @ Morton Lodge - 6:30 PM
***Thu, May 13, 2021 - Hempstead Lodge #749 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***
Fri, May 14, 2021 - Ruthven Commandery #2 Stated Conclave @ Holland Lodge - 6:30 PM
***Sat, May 15, 2021 - Pleasant Hill Lodge #380 STATED MEETING - 11:00 AM***
***Mon, May 17, 2021 - Sugar Land Lodge #1141 STATED MEETING @ Morton Lodge by Special Dispensation - 6:30 PM***
***Tue, May 18, 2021 - Rosenberg Lodge #881 STATED MEETING - 6:30 PM***
Thu, May 20, 2021 - Katy OES Stated Meeting - 6:30 PM
Fri, May 21, 2021 - Houston Commandery #95 Stated Conclave @ Conroe Lodge - 6:30 PM
Mon, May 24, 2021 - Fort Bend Commandery #74 Stated Conclave @ Rosenberg Lodge - 6:30 PM
Tue, May 25, 2021 - Imperial Chapter, Order of DeMolay Stated Meeting @ Sugar Land Lodge - 7:00 PM
Tue, May 25, 2021 - Westside Assembly No. 233, International Order of Rainbow for Girls @ Katy Loge - 7:00 PM
Thu, May 27, 2021 - 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 David Berndt, 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.