GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE

Michael D. Nicholas, Sr., Grand Master

Brethren all,

This issue of The Voice of Freemasonry is about celebration. We celebrate the resiliency and vibrancy of Freemasonry in Washington DC, and we celebrate the life of one of our Masonic luminaries, RWB Dean Clatterbuck.

I am excited to say that in this issue you will find great content, contributed by talented members from all over our Grand Lodge. I am also proud of the education efforts that continue, despite all of the pandemic challenges.

You will see examples throughout this issue of how our Brethren have labored to continue the work of our gentle Craft during the past few months. Not long ago, the word “zoom” was a verb. Today it is more well-known as a noun. It is not the only communications tool out there, but the availability of video conferencing has transformed and expanded our approach to Freemasonry.

We have learned to include others outside of our geographic area, and the quality of our Masonic education and lectures has improved! We have reached out and found long-lost brethren who had been separated from our Lodges. And now that our Lodges are meeting virtually, there is something almost every night. In fact, I sometimes try to attend more than one presentation at a time (see picture). I have not yet perfected that technique, but it beats trying to physically be in two places at once!

I am not sure why it took a pandemic to realize this potential. I choose to believe that it was caused by our passionate desire to maintain our Fraternal ties. All of you refused to let the pandemic restrictions stop you. You turned a negative event into a positive outcome. It is for this reason that I truly believe we can overcome any future challenges, any future outbreaks, and that we will simply find a way to persist.

We still have much work to do. We must figure out when and how to meet again and how to conduct Degree work. Most importantly, we need to continue to lead interested men who have knocked on our door to the light of Freemasonry despite the restrictions. I applaud your enthusiasm and imagination in this area.

With regards to our dear departed brother RWB Dean Clatterbuck, there is much

The Grand Master's Zoom setup

here that describes his amazing life, and his impact on our Craft in Washington, DC. He was loved by so many of you, and he returned that love with a gentle spirit backed by a steel spine. I trust that many of you will continue to keep his memory and legacy not only alive, but as a force to be emulated in your Lodges.

Finally, my brethren, I cannot ignore the current social and political climate. Most of my messages have urged calm, compassion, and love. These are all needed now more than ever. I believe that we are all physical manifestations of the same spirit. We are all born of the same light, but we are gifted with different physical forms. We must be the Light in this confusion.

But Freemasons are not characterized by their timidity or lack of resolve. On the contrary, we are rightfully respected for our ability to craft bold solutions and our willingness to confront difficult challenges. Much of the world’s history that was written by Freemasons is a legacy of personal courage. Action will be required. Our time will come.

May our Grand Architect continue to bless you and your families and loved ones.