AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE G R A N D LODGE, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Volume Vl
Spring 1989
Grand Master's Message By the time you receive this issue of the Voice, we will haveentered into the sixth month ofMasonicYear 1989. Thus far it has been a very eventful year, one marked by ample portions of challenge and satisfaction. T o say the least, it has been interesting beyond expectation. On 21 April 1989 I approved the mcrger of King SolomonLodgeNo. 31 and Warren G. Harding - Brightwood Lodge No. 43, effective as of 13 May 1989. From that date forward the new Lodge is to be known as Solomon Harding Brightwood Lodge No. 43. It will meet in Naval Lodgc Hailon the third Saturday of each month at 10:OO A.M. At the Semi-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on Wednesday, May loth, the Grand Lodge Office Building Committee reported that an architectural contract had been procured; that prclimina~ybids on conceptual plans had bccn received; that the beginning of construction was targeted for September 1, 1989; and that project completion is now slated for December 1, 1989. Our new home is really taking shape! Other reports submitted to the Grand Lodge at the Semi-Annual Communication detailed progress on the Grand Lodge Scholarship effort; the naming of scverai brethren to receive the DeMolay Legion of Honor; the re-recognition of theGrand Orient of Italy; and thescheduling of the 1989 Front Royal Leadership Conference on September 22-24, 1989. I commend to your attention articles o n each of these items appearing elsewhere in this issue of the Voice. Great interest at the Semi-Annual Communication focused on an amendment to the Grand Lodge Code, submittcd a year ago, whereby any Lodge which plans to confer the Entered
Number 2
Front Royal Leadership Conference
Apprentice Dcgrce may open and close on thc First Dcgree of Masonry. It also providcd that any Lodge planning to confer the Fellowcrafr Dcgrec may opcn and closc on the Sccond Degree of Masonry for that communication. The proposal further stipulated that no busincss could be transacted at such a communication except the conferring of the degrcc of thc evening. Discussion of the proposed amendment was spirited, and following comment by numbers ofbrethren, a vote was taken and the measure carried by substantially more than the required twothirds majority. Implementation of the arncndment, however, must now await modificationofboth theritualand those pertinent Sections of the Code on which it has an impact. In closing I would like to rcmind all Worshipful Masters that the Grand Mastcr's Award Program is alive and well. If you have not yet set your sights o n winning one of the two awards available, now is the time to begin. With a little effort, every Worshipful Master can be a winner. Give it a try.
Are you a Worshipful Mastcr, Scnior o r Junior Warden, Scnior o r Junior Deacon, o r Secretary of your Lodge? If you occupy one of these positions, we hope that you have placed the Front Royal Leadership Conlercnce on your calendar for the wcek-end of Scptcmbcr 22,23, and 24. The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education and Scrvicc is making plans for thc Conferenceand they do includcyou. Wc nced you and we :ire of the strong opinion that you nccd thc Conference. Wc have arranged a spccial rrcar for you! M.W. Royal Scofield, rhc Director ofTrainingof the Grand Lodgc of Ohio, will be our "Kcynote Spcakcr." As hc plans 10 stay for the entire wcckcnd, he will bcavailable to consult with you on n one-on-one basis. Don't miss this opportunity to talk with an expcrt in thc field.
Masonic Day of Thanksgiving Our Masonic Day ofThanksgivingwas held on Sunday, April 9, 1989 in the Foundry Unitcd Methodist Church, Washington, D.C., whcrc our Grand Master, M.W. Robert A. Srarlcr ofrcn worships. O u r speaker was Dr. Edward W. Bauman, Senior Minister of thc church. The organist was Dr. Eilccn M. Gucnther and Karcn S. Bcasley was the soloist. All who attendcd wcrc impresscrl with the sermon delivered by Dr. Bauman whose topic was "He's Not Hcavy, He's My Brother."