MASTER Worshipful

Brethren:

As I’ve shared before, “Choose the Future” is the theme of my tenure as your Grand Master. It is a mantra to look forward and take the steps to implement the core principles, values and expectations associated with living as upright men and Freemasons. From all corners of our state, we encourage our Brethren to seek out opportunities to make a positive impact on our fraternity, families, workplaces and communities. We accomplish that important work by investing our time, talents and resources to improve ourselves and with that combined strength, serve humanity. Through our Masonic ritual experience, we learn to trust other good men from different backgrounds. When we internalize those teachings, we also embrace the ability to harmoniously work together and build something bigger than any of us can accomplish alone. That is living as a Freemason!

To effectively govern our grand jurisdiction, the Grand Master has the power to address disciplinary situations of varying form including those that result in the expulsion of a member or taking back the charter of a subordinate Lodge to end its existence. Now, I’ve got to address a less motivating topic which can be off-putting for many of the fellow workmen in this quarry of Freemasonry who are doing the work and championing the fraternal experience highlighted above. At times, some of us, including your Grand Master may have days where the “D” word is present. That word is “Discouraged,” and on those days we can feel a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; basically, being disheartened. Wait, you might be thinking that the Grand Master must always be upbeat and positive, right? Perhaps it is not feeling 100% due to a nagging cough which is dampening my spirits or a number of recent issues that I’ve had to deal with that detract from the Light that our great fraternity has to shine brightly for our Brethren and the world around us. The danger, I have found, with being Grand Master or a key leader of any part of our fraternity is getting to see the bad or very bad which, if not careful and quite diligent, could lead to despair. Rest assured that your Grand Master is not at that point; admittedly, there are days that challenge even my fortitude. That said, I’m bringing up this topic as a reality check for all of us not to accept the bad as normal or dim our internal Light because of these isolated negative situations that can feed disharmony and strife.

With that perspective shared, I offer you the “W” word instead. That word is “Worshipful,” and we see it in so many parts of our fraternity. However, an individual Brother may overlook it or not recognize its full meaning and power. Given the age of our ancient and honorable fraternity, we have to go back, back in time to understand this word’s meaning. “Worshipful” was a term used to highlight a person or group of people who were deserving of high respect, worthy of veneration and honorable. Therefore, when we see that word placed within the title of various Masonic leaders, it should be a reminder to the Brother carrying that title to uphold our standard of honor and respect; said simply, he should consistently live, act and behave in a manner worthy of being called “Worshipful.” That same meaning and expectation is provided to “this Worshipful Lodge” which we see and hear referenced throughout our Masonic ritual. Yes, a Worshipful Lodge is a group of honorable men who are expected to live and act as such. Therefore, in-fighting amongst clicks in a Lodge and other forms of un-Masonic conduct should not exist if we hold true to being honorable men and Freemasons. Starting today, I challenge every Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason in this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge to reinstall the expected standard of how we should live and work harmoniously together as a family of honorable men who are seeking to positively move our legacy, that has been built for more than 182 years, forward in Illinois.

To help all of us be more visible to several audiences around the state, tell the amazing story about the life-enhancing value of being an active Freemason, and inspire deeper pride and respect for our great fraternity, your Grand Lodge Officers are innovating and investing to achieve those goals. How? We have determined that it is time to engage a firm to help guide us in the most impactful ways to present Illinois Freemasonry (e.g. who we are and what we do) to the residents of Illinois. For many years, we have relied on volunteer labor from our membership with varying degrees of success. These volunteers have worked very hard and produced great things for us, and we owe them all our sincerest thank you. The main drawbacks for the use of “free labor” are their availability to work and navigating around capacity constraints due to other priorities in their lives. That is not a good way to do business. We have chosen and engaged CerconeBrownCompany (CBC) to help us plan and implement a new course into the future to meet our goals. They are the same firm that worked with the

Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction on the “Not Just A Man. A Mason” program. They are also currently working with the Grand Lodge of Ohio. So, they have the experience and expertise we need.

Your Grand Lodge Officers in collaboration with CBC will help our brotherhood move forward, always forward to reveal the amazing experiences and stories associated with being a valued member and supporter of Illinois Freemasonry. The road ahead is ours to design. Remember, you have an important role to play as well — uphold and live by the expected standard as a Brother of this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.

Fraternally and sincerely,

Michael E. Jackson, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M. “Choose the Future” — Advance our Masonic Legacy!