Faith, Hope, and the greatest of these, Charity

THE GIFT OF TIME: LIVING UP TO MASONIC IDEALS

Drew Schneider Senior Warden, Federal Lodge No. 1

Brother Christian Umbria-Smith is well aware of the advantages he has being born in the United States—or maybe it’s better to say—as a natural-born citizen, he’s aware of the disadvantages immigrants and the undocumented face as they try to live and work here. From early on, Brother Umbria-Smith has taken on the good work of speaking for immigrants and helping undocumented residents find pathways to success. He went from advocacy to policy, and now to leadership positions and public speaking while working on the issue. Several years ago, after he got his start working on behalf of others, he came to Freemasonry and was raised at Federal Lodge No. 1.

In Masonry, Brother Umbria-Smith found a fraternity that shared his ideals for equality.

“We are our brother’s keeper,” says another Federal brother, Bro. Brad St. Arnold. “We have a vast network to lean on, but you have to be part of that network, you have to be someone that can be leaned on.”

Early on in his career at the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Bro. St. Arnold was “voluntold” that he’d be working on his agency’s contribution for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). For those outside the jurisdiction or new to Federal service, the CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 200 campaigns supporting more than 20,000 non-profits worldwide, raising millions of dollars each year.

“What I found is that it was a very cool thing, it was contagious. People’s goodwill towards others really is a contagious thing.” He now serves as the campaign chair for his agency, and is able to make the campaign fun and raise more money in the process.

“I’m extremely proud of the more than $1.2 million my teams have raised over the past eight-years for all kinds of worthy organizations across the country,” he said.

Bro. St. Arnold learned his appreciation for helping others through his parents, who actively gave their time to local charity and goodwill events in Florida, where he grew up. “Now, I help with food drives, delivering donations, and giving to those that minister to the less fortunate. Those all matter. To me, it’s a personal responsibility.”

As Masons, we are taught that our first duty is to our families, then to our brethren and to the Craft, and then to society, to make lives easier and to give support when it’s needed. The axiom of “the only time you should be looking down on someone is when you’re helping them up” aligns perfectly with this Masonic concept of helping your brothers. We choose to do good work not for the recognition, but for the fruits of the labor.

Which poses an interesting question: Does Masonry bring the man to community service, or does the man bring community service to Masonry?

It’s the egalitarian nature of the fraternity that attracts certain men to the Craft, and in turn, the work those men do contribute to the continued good work that Masonry and the brethren do inside and outside of the lodge.

“We’re all attracted to Masonry for one reason or another,” Christian said. “But it just so happens that there are so many of us that want civic engagement and empowerment. We feel compelled to do that work, so it feels like it’s Masonry that is encouraging service by the brethren. But it’s the members who determine the priorities of the lodge, so it’s really a self-perpetuating thing. Shared values,

Brother Bradley St. Arnold

Brother Christain Umbria-Smith second from left

whether it’s on a larger national or global scale, or a community scale. We attract similar-minded people who want to walk the same path,” he said. “We share a common struggle for advancing human and civil rights.”

That desire to help others is, at its core, a very Masonic ideal.

“More recently, I think Masonry brought me to charity,” Brad said. “You learn it should be part of your daily activity – community is part of your day. What I noticed when I came to Masonry is everyone at the lodge was doing something for their community. Some bigger things, some smaller. You learn it from the brothers.”

Every man has the ability to give something to their brothers and their community. Whether that be financial support or the gift of time — one of the most extremely valuable resources any of us have — there is an opportunity.

“You’ve got two arms, two legs and you’ve got time,” Brad said. “You have time. You have time to get drinks, to play soccer, to go fishing, whatever you have time for, you have time to give if someone asks.”

Brad also brings that energy to his lodge. “I’m a Shriner, I’m a Scottish Rite Mason…but I’m also passionate about my Blue Lodge – I want to see it continue to last another 100 years.” That passion led Brad to create a campaign to get active brothers to call a brother in good standing who hasn’t been to lodge in some time. “My first thought was, ‘Why do you always see the same 12 guys in lodge?’ Everyone walks their own path, their own mile, but we kept seeing the same people over and over. I wanted us to reach out.”

Brad got the list of brothers, broke it out into smaller, more manageable lists, and gave them out to other lodge brothers to start calling.

“As soon as you pick up the phone, and he answers and you say, ‘Hey, I’m calling from your lodge,’ and boom, the conversation opens up. I spoke to brothers in Arizona and South Carolina, and they were so happy to have someone from the lodge reach out and tell them their lodge still thinks of them and that Masonry is here for them. To be our brother’s keeper — in lodge of course that means something stronger — but it’s also for the general good. Why not be good to one another?”

We meet on-the-level so that we always remember that all men desire and are worthy of equality, respect, and the gift of our time. Christian summed up the perspective simply and directly: “I feel like a better man when I do those things that help [another] brother live a better life.”

GRAND LODGE OF DC PARTNERS WITH BREAD FOR THE CITY

Peter Brusoe, PM The Eagle Lodge No. 1893 & Peter Lynch, Potomac Lodge No. 5

This year, our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Alan L. Gordon, chose Bread for the City, a powerhouse local aid organization that provides vital services and food for needy district residents, as his official charity for 2021. He also gave the Grand Jurisdiction an ambitious challenge: raise $25,000 for the charity to name their new refrigerated store for DC Freemasons.

On May 13th, just 6 months after issuing his challenge, the Grand Master accompanied by Senior Grand Warden Annas F. Kamara, MWB Jeffrey D. Russell, Grand Secretary, MWB Jesse Villarreal, Executive Director of MESH Charities, and WB Peter Brusoe, Chairman of the MESH Board of Directors, formally presented the sponsorship check to George Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Bread for the City.

The money could not have gone to a better place. Each month, Bread for the City feeds 8,400 of our neighbors who are food insecure. Today, most of this is through pre-packaged food, but soon, thanks to DC Freemasons, many will also be served through the new state-of-the-art Refrigerated Shopping Center, located in Bread for the City’s new Southeast Center, recently named in honor of former First Lady Michelle Obama.. Here, clients are able to come in and shop for the items they want including milk, fresh meats and vegetables, and eggs. The new facility also closely resembles a standard bodega market, conveying extra dignity on those being served. All of this is accomplished through one of the most efficient charities in town, meaning that for every dollar spent by the organization, only a small percentage is for administration—so money that is donated is overwhelmingly spent on those who need it most.

“As we were thinking through the charitable project for the year, I was so impressed with the work that was being done here at Bread for the City and their incredible outreach, I knew this was a perfect project for the Grand Lodge,” said MWB Gordon. “I want to thank every brother, lodge, and chapter who helped to make today happen!”

“MESH charities is so happy to partner with the Grand Lodge to support this wonderful local charity,” added MWB Jesse Villarreal, Executive Director of MESH Charities.

“This space is amazing! It affords clients the opportunity to have what each and every one of us has when we go to the grocery store, the dignity of picking and choosing our own food to enjoy and keep us healthy,” said WB Peter Brusoe, Chairman of MESH Charities.

Our next challenge will be to go out and raise money to help fill the food shelfs.

A special thanks to the Masonic Foundation of the District of Columbia, the Masonic & Eastern Star Home Charities, Benjamin B. French Lodge, Eagle Lodge, Temple Noyes Cathedral Lodge, William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge, Friendship Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, and the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for their leadership gifts to make this happen.

A new refridgerated case waiting to be filled with fresh produce.

GRAND LODGE COMMUNITY E-CYCLE EVENT A SUCCESS!

Peter Brusoe, PM The Eagle Lodge No. 1893

Each year the world produces 50 million tons of electronic waste. At best, 20% of this is recycled, leaving the vast majority to choke rivers, fill up landfills, and at times seep into the water table. One of the most cited reasons for people not recycling is how inaccessible it is—you can’t just include your old electronics in your standard recycling bin.

Responding to this need, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia hosted an e-cycle event at the Grand Lodge Building on May 1st from 9AM to 3PM for our friends and neighbors. Over 900-pounds of old electronics were collected, including dozens of laptops and computer towers, over 30 flip phones, 3 dozen smart phones, printers, and even an old Keurig coffee machine. These items were all diverted from the waste stream and now will find a new life as they are recycled into usable components.

The Grand Secretary, MWB Jeffrey D. Russell, set up the event. He had a big assist from WB Scott Jacobs, RWB Chip Mahaney, WB Peter Brusoe, and Peter Lynch who staffed the event. And, RWB Michael Greenwald came through the biggest by donating of one of his company trucks to run the collection to the recycling center.

From left - MWB Jeff Russsell, WB Peter Brusoe, WB Scott Jacobs, and RWB Chip Mahaney

From left - MWB Jeff Russsell, WB Peter Brusoe, WB Scott Jacobs, and RWB Chip Mahaney

PHILADELPHIA SHRINE HOSPITAL DRIVERS’ LOUNGE NAMED IN HONOR OF ALMAS POTENTATE

Peter Brusoe, PM The Eagle Lodge No. 1893

Shriners International operates 22 non-profit medical facilities that provide orthopedic care for children without any cost to their families. There is no Shiners Hospital in Washington, DC, so families in our area are cared for at a state-of-the-art facility in Philadelphia, where they perform 130 surgeries a month and see around 13,000 patients a year.

As part of the Shrine commitment to care for the children, Shrine Temples provide for transportation for patients to and from the hospital. This means that in DC, an Almas Shrine Volunteer gets up early, picks up the van, and drives the patient and their family to the hospital in Philadelphia. While waiting for the patient to receive care, the driver often relaxes in a comfortable lounge area at the hospital to rest up for the return journey while providing space and privacy for the family.

In honor of Ill. Brother George Stoklas, the 2021 Potentate of Almas Shriners and Past Master of William R. Singleton-HopeLebanon Lodge No. 7 (and current Grand Treasurer), Singleton Lodge made a donation with a match from MESH Charities to name that Driver’s Lounge in honor of Ill. Bro. Stoklas.

On May 14, 2021 the check was formally presented to Hospital Administrator Krista Miller by WB Graham Keithley, Master of Singleton Lodge #7, RWB George Stoklas, Potentate of Almas Shriners, MWB Jesse Villarreal Executive Director of MESH Charities and WB Peter Brusoe, Chairman of the Board of MESH Charities. They were also able to check out the reclining chairs in the lounge.

“We do it for the children,” explained Ill. Bro. Stoklas. “But while this is all for the children and their families, its also nice to provide a little comfort to our volunteer drivers, too.”

“RWB George is a stalwart Past Master, and we were proud to be able to help the children at Shriners and honor him at the same time. We look forward to coming back, showing the lounge and the hospital to all of our brothers in Singleton when the COVID restrictions lift, and we’ll continue supporting the children at Shriners going forward,” said WB Keithley.