Message from the East

George N. Arthur, Worshipful Master 2009

Brethren,

I can’t begin to express what an honor it is to be entrusted with the responsibilities of Master of Williamson Road Lodge. I will need the full support of each of you to fill the shoes of those who have served before me. I pledge that I will do my duties to the best of my ability. Please be patient and don’t hesitate to communicate with me any ideas or concerns you may have.

To Wor. Art Pendleton, I am not sure at this point in time if I should thank you or not. The standard you have set is incredibly if not impossibly high. I will need your special guidance and friendly counsel. This great Fraternity is far better because of your devotion and loyalty.

I wish to thank the installing officers who are handling the ceremony tonight. I especially want to thank Most Worshipful James Milton Scearce, Jr. The tragedy you have so recently suffered can be comprehended by only a few. Your willingness to participate this evening is special beyond expression.

Brethren, Wor. Art Pendleton has crafted many ideas and programs that need to be continued and expounded upon. Among these are the outreach to our Masonic widows and compiling a print directory of our Lodge membership (to be used for Lodge business only.) Please participate and supply the information we need to make the directory happen. This directory may help us to help you in the future. In addition to completing these ideas, I have a few of my own. I would like to connect the Lodge digitally to the outside world. Many people use the Internet to find information, and this includes information about us. This will also allow us to be connected better to our Brethren, our community and our world.

The symbol I would like to use for “my year” is the sprig of acacia. I hope it will be a symbol of rebirth, change and growth. “Achieving new growth by connecting to our past and our roots” would be the theme to tie our actions to the symbol of the sprig of acacia. Through this theme, I hope to attain the most important goal for the year. That is to increase the attendance at every stated communication and school by 100%. This means we need to reach all of those on our roster and move them, if they are able, from their easy chairs and family rooms to the sidelines of the lodge room and join us for Friendship and Fraternity. Let us reach out and get our members active in the Craft again.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

George N. Arthur
Worshipful Master 2009