Cover Notes

Voice of Freemasonry Volume 24, Number 3, 2007

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert B. Heyat, Grand Master

MANAGING EDITOR Mansour Hatefi, PGM Grand Secretary

The Voice of Freemasonry is an official publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (F.A.A.M.) of the District of Columbia. Unless otherwise noted, articles appearing in this publication express only the private opinion or assertions of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through the Grand Master and the Executive Board and, when attested to as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary. The editorial staff invites contributions in the form of

informative articles, reports, news and other timely information (of about 500 to 1000 words in length) that broadly relate to Masonic law, lore, customs, history, symbolism, philosophy, responsibility of membership, etiquette, current events, and/or general public interest. When possible, photographs that illustrate these informative articles should accompany the submission. Pieces submitted should be typed, double-spaced and preferably accompanied by a computer disk in a neutral PC format or via e-mail to:

grandlodge@dcgrandlodge.org

Articles are subject to editing and, when published, become the property of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of the District of Columbia. No compensation is allowed for any articles, photographs, or other materials submitted for publication. Permission to reprint articles will be granted upon written request to the Editor from recognized Masonic publications and others. When reprinted, articles should note: “Reprinted with permission of the Voice of Freemasonry in the Nation’s Capital, (month), (year).”

Please direct all correspondence to: Managing Editor: The Voice of Freemasonry 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, DC 20016-2524

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

The Freemasons of Washington, DC can frequently be found

Volume 24, Number 3 2007 AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA working alongside their brothers and neighbors in an effort to improve the human condition. Whether it is feeding Special Olympics athletes and their families, helping parents to register their children with the important Child Identification Program

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

The Voice of Freemasonry 1

(CHIP), inaugurating the first National Masonic Trail or supporting and participating in the Palisades neighborhood’s Independence Day celebration, DC Masons are serving the community. The photos featured on the cover of this issue of the Voice illustrate but a sampling of these activities, with more to follow in the succeeding pages.

Table of Contents

Page

Cover Notes........................................................................................................2

Grand Master’s Message .....................................................................................3 Looking Ahead to the Annual Communication.......................................................5 A Future Worthy of Our Grand Lodge ...................................................................6 The Essence of Masonry....................................................................................10 Masonic Family Day of Thanksgiving ..................................................................11 The Power of Love ............................................................................................12

Universal Brotherhood Celebration 2007–Universal Lodge...................................14 The Twinning Ceremony and the Miracle of Freemasonry ....................................15 The Table Lodge: In Praise of Diplomacy ............................................................17 National Masonic Trail ........................................................................................20

Universal Brotherhood Banquet..........................................................................21 Sojourner Kilwinning in Trinidad and Tobago .......................................................24 Combined Federal Campaign.............................................................................27 Independence Day Parade and Picnic ................................................................28 Special Olympics of DC .....................................................................................30 2007 Grand Visitations.......................................................................................31

Photo Credits: All photographs in this issue, unless otherwise indicated, were provided either by Brother Sviatslov V. Voloshin, Grand Lodge Photographer, or Worshipful Brother William D. Means. All other images were provided by the individuals concerned or derived from open sources on the internet.