Michigan Masons Cornerstone

Alcona #292

Ann Arbor-Fraternity #262

Au Sable #243

Belding-Ionia #355

Bellaire #398

Berkley #536

Bridgeport #258

Brookfield #439

Cadillac Clam Lake #331

Cedar #60

Cement City #435

Charlevoix #282

Charlotte #120

Clinton #175

Coloma #162

Corinthian #241

East Bay #264

Evart #320

Farmington #151

Ferndale #506

Fowlerville #164

Genesee #174

Golden Ark #595 Hamilton #113

Hiram-Findlater #110

Holly #134

Houghton Lake/ Roscommon #579 Howell #38

Jackson #17

James E. Dillon #466

John J. Carton #436

Joppa #315

Kalamazoo-Anchor #22

Karnak #442

Lansing #33

Lincoln Park - Ionic #539

Linden #132

Livonia United #152

Lola Valley #583

Lou B. Winsor #363

Marysville #498

Mason #70

Millington #470

Monroe #27

Mount Clemens #6

Mt. Morris #535

Mystic #141

Napoleon #301

Northwood-Ancient Craft #551 Olive #156

Olive Branch #542

Ortonville #339

Owosso #81

Phoenix #13

Pontiac #21

Port Huron #58

Romeo #41 Roosevelt #510

Roseville #522 S. Ward #62

Saginaw #77 Saline #133

Smith's Creek #491

Sojourners #483 Solomon's Key #580

South Lyon #319 St. Charles #313

Star of the Lake #158

Tawas #274

Trenton-Wyandotte #8

Tyre #18

Vassar #163

Vienna #205

Volinia-Marcellus #227

Wayne #112 Welfare #517

November is a unique and cherished time of year; a time lled with re ection, gratitude, and the beginning of a season lled with timehonored holiday traditions. It is a special time when we put aside our di erences, embrace our diversity, and unite in giving thanks for the blessings of freedom, family, fraternity, and faith.

Given the crazy and sometimes tumultuous times we have had, it is more important than ever to remember all for which we are thankful and at the top of my list is all of YOU!

I o er my sincere gratitude for your continued engagement and generosity, your attendance in lodge, your leadership amongst Brothers, your attention to our widows and Masonic family in need, and of course your outreach within your communities.

By sharing the gifts of service, friendship, kindness, and compassion, we can spread the blessings of anksgiving every day of the year and, together, help build a better and brighter future for all. After all, what uni es us as Masons is not what we were, but what we aspire to be.

Sending you my warm wishes from home to home and from heart to heart.

Robert P. Conley Michigan Masons, SCEO

In scal year 2019-2020, only 140 lodges were able to participate in the matching grants programs; but just one year from the inception of the Lodge Charity Account ( LCA) program in 2021, 257 lodges are actively reaching out and embracing their communities and Masonic family members. is program has allowed all lodges, regardless of nancial status, to be a part of something bigger than themselves; an opportunity to give back, to incite change, and to make the world a better place. Whether it’s helping a Brother in need or creatively harnessing the power of LCA to touch their community, our lodges have stepped up in remarkable ways and the impact is being felt throughout the state. Here are just a few of the unique ways lodges found to utilize their funds this year! Keep up the great work, Brothers! You are doing amazing things in your communities.

For $403, Ortonville Lodge #339 sponsored a little league team. ey received a large logo banner at the eld, 25 team shirts, and 25 logoed shirts for the kids to wear o the eld.

James E. Dillon Lodge #466 in Mesick awarded six scholarships to area students to cover Driver’s Training Segments 1 and 2, plus the road test.

Wehave all said at some point, “If we can just help one person, it will have been worth the e ort.” During the last year, a year full of seemingly endless obstacles... YOU did it! Your collective e orts have helped to aid and heal not just one person, but hundreds, while providing hope to those still in need. Your collaboration through the Lodge Charity Account program inspired lodges throughout the state into action; increasing outreach, partnerships, and community involvement. Your generosity expanded support to our Brethren, widows, and orphans through Outreach and Member Care, and it continued to maintain compassionate, person-centered care to your Masonic family at the Michigan Masonic Home.

It’s moments like this, when we all come together, that prove our power to incite change. With every dollar you give, you are o ering hope, healing, and quality of life. Please consider making a donation in the enclosed envelope or at michiganmasons.org/foundation.

It is said, “People can live days without water, a week without food, but they cannot live one moment without hope,” and that is exactly what your generosity does…it o ers hope!

With an abundance of gratitude, Leonard K. Davis, MWGM

We cannot thank you enough for your commitment; but we all know, there is much more to be done.

Kelly ompson, MMCF Director

Because of You

Because of you, the Outreach and Member Care department has been able to provide exceptional care for our Masonic family. Supporting the mission to enhance lives, the Outreach and Member Care department serves as your Masonic resource center supporting our entire membership. e program is designed to help our lodges assist our Brothers in need, as well as their wives, widows, mothers, and orphans. During the past year we have been able to make a di erence for almost 1,500 members of our Masonic family. A majority of the requests for help are related to individuals experiencing hardships with meeting their basic needs, such as housing, food, utility assistance, and transportation. Senior needs are also prevalent in regards to helping nd resources that promote their independence, both in their home and community, for as long as possible. Lastly, the department works closely with the Michigan Masonic Home to assist those planning for their long term care future.

“I know who to call if I need help again! Thank you so much!”- Masonic Widow

Every month our department completes outreach calls to our new widows. We contacted a widow and discovered she was living alone and did not have family near her to assist with a variety of things, such as driving to appointments, grocery shopping, walking her trash to the curb, etc. She also was feeling out of touch with some of her Masonic friends, since her husband has passed. Member Care sta were able to help reconnect her with her husband’s lodge, who now visits regularly and o ers her assistance around her home.

We were also able to identify some community programs that she was eligible to receive services for and now has someone helping her get to the store and drive her to appointments.

"We have called many places, and you have been the first to listen to me. I appreciate the help and even the follow up to make sure all my needs were met! Thank you!" – Michigan Mason

is summer, sta received a referral from one of our lodges regarding a Brother who lost his wife and was struggling to manage his household and teen children. Between grief and continuing to work, he was having di culty with becoming a one-income household, managing the grief of his children, and the day-today household a airs. Sta were able to provide the lodge with some suggestions on how to help, as well as identify some mental health and grief resources during this di cult period of time. Connecting him to our new Masonic partner, GreenPath Financial Wellness, sta were able to help him develop a plan to meet his household expenses and work towards nancial sustainability. He expressed that he has attempted to contact some agencies, but just didn’t know what to ask for or how to access services. With the guidance of Member Care sta , appropriate resources were identi ed, shared, and implemented to help him navigate the di erent resources.

As you can see, we're your trusted resource for connecting you to programs and services. No matter your age, where you choose to make your home, or whether calling for yourself or a loved one, we are here to help you access information and help our members. Our knowledgeable team of information and referral specialists are just a phone call away. You might not need us today, but when you do, contact us!

Dave and Betty Bradley have been married for sixty- ve years, which they mutually agree is not nearly long enough! ey have lived in the Masonic Village Estates for over twentytwo years, and their generosity and passion for the Michigan Masonic Home and their community has made them friends to everyone.

When asked about their favorite holiday traditions, their special suet pudding came to mind! When their kids grew older and discovered what suet was, they quickly had to change the name to date pudding; but nonetheless, it's still enjoyed by all this time of year.

Bradleys, the sauce is what makes it special.

Dave and Betty are grateful for their good health and the health of their family. ey are also grateful for their Masonic a liation; they can't imagine living anywhere else but the Michigan Masonic Home. ough they do enjoy their winters in Florida, and have proven you don't need snow to enjoy the holiday, they love seeing the Christmas trees going up around the Home. eir favorite is the "Snowman Tree," one of the many specially decorated trees inside the Home that features boots and a snowman head in place of the traditional star.

the ones to the playing Mrs.

To the Bradleys, the holidays mean family. Gathering with their loved ones is what it's all about; but they also nd time to enjoy the simple traditions that make this season so magical, like hanging decorations. Whether it's playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus for residents and school children, or lending a helping hand in lodge whenever it's needed, Dave and Betty embody the spirit of the holidays every day.

From the sparkling drive up the boulevard, through the Grand Living Room with its twin angelic trees and replaces beautifully adorned with garland, to the festively decorated OES Dining Room and its numerous uniquely ornamented trees, there truly is no place like the Michigan Masonic Home during the holidays.

Along with the decorations, the residents seem to brighten with anticipation as the most wonderful time of the year draws near. As the year comes to a close and colder weather creeps in, some of our Masonic Village Estate residents winter in Florida, while others celebrate in their own individual way. Regardless of where our Masons spend their winters, the traditions of the holidays provide a special opportunity to re ect on the spirit of the season and the values the Craft embodies. is season we want to share some of those treasured memories, starting with four of our current MVE residents.

Jim and Jayne Peters have a holiday story better than any romantic Christmas movie! eir favorite holiday memory proves that there's magic to be found in even the most unlikely places.

Jim and Jayne had brie y met when she was fourteen and he was seventeen, when they were both in high school in Indiana. Jim only stayed at that school for one semester, and they lost contact for almost fty years. Jim had been married for forty-eight years when his wife passed, and Jayne's husband passed away in 1998. Just before the holidays in 2002, Jayne received an email from Jim on his brand-new computer saying that he was going to St. Louis for Christmas, and he wondered if he could stop by her house in Indiana on the way to get reacquainted. He did stop by, and again on the way back home... and as the best stories go, there is a happy ending. ey will be married for twenty years in April!

Holiday traditions for Jayne meant quality time with her boys. ey always had toys and lots of wrapped packages. Most of them were small gifts, but the boxes were disguised. ey would wrap bricks or rolls of pennies inside larger boxes to keep the children guessing!

Jim and Jayne are grateful to still be together at ninety-one and eighty-seven, as well as mobile and active. ey are thankful to stay at the Michigan Masonic Home with good friends, the opportunity to attend church, and participate in weekly activities. e Peters are a wonderful example of how the holiday season brings people together when we need it most.

The Army used to have a motto: “Be all that you can be.” Thomas Black became a Mason to “be all he could be” as a man. He states, “This may sound corny, but I believed that then, and I believe that to this day.”

ThomasBlack of Lisbon-Crescent Lodge #229 is a retired Navy SEAL and private military contractor. He was deployed twenty-three times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and di erent locations in the Middle East. His deployments lasted from two months to two years, with most in the three-to-six month range. He considers Masonry his life now.

When asked what Brotherly love, relief, and truth means to him he explains, “For me, the term ‘Brotherly love’ is showing pure love for a Brother Master Mason. Brotherly love is a phrase bound by conditions and a nite use of the word love. Love should be unbounded, in nite, and unconditional. We are all woven together by the all-seeing eye of God; and since God is love, we should be also. Relief is taking the load o of your Brother’s shoulders. is is not always regarding nancial assistance. e best relief is just sitting next to your Brother and listening: being happy for him when he is happy, celebrating with him when good things happen, or mourning with him when bad things happen. Taking the burden o your Brother’s shoulders, even if only for a moment, will allow him the respite needed to keep moving forward."

Tom thinks it’s very important for Masons and lodges to impact their community. He says, “It’s called the concentric circle theory. If anyone wishes to make an impact in the lives of others (especially Masons), they must rst look inward to themselves. Once that is accomplished, Masons can look to their family and friends, and then community, then city, then county, then state, then country, and then the world. Like a champagne tower that starts lling from the top, the other glasses cannot receive any champagne until the rst glass is lled. We as Masons need to start within our own communities to make life better for others through our good works, and also to lead by example. Giving to others and doing for others is an obligation we all took as Masons. To me, this is why the Lodge Charity Account is vitally important, it puts the money into the community through the local Masonic lodges.”

Tom also recommends, “All Masons who wish to further light in Masonry, join as many Masonic organizations as possible. e more degrees in more organizations will bring a better understanding of Masons and Masonry. e York Rite starts where symbolic lodge leaves o in the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. e Council of Royal and Select Masons ampli es the lessons taught from a di erent perspective. e Orders of Commandery share valuable knowledge through e Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, e Order of Malta, and e Order of the Temple. Scottish Rite also teaches valuable lessons in their degrees; from the 4th through and including the 32nd degree, each teach di erent lessons.”

When not involved in some kind of Masonic function he also builds things for others (decks, sheds, wheelchair ramps, bird feeders, etc.) and when they want to pay him, he tells them instead to make a donation to the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation for whatever they think his work is worth.

Tom spends any leftover time with his best friend and companion, Loki (pictured). ey have been together since November 17th, 2020, when Tom got him from the shelter. Loki loves going to the park and playing with all his friends for hours. He enjoys snacks after walks, snacks after Tom comes home from his Masonic obligations, and snacks for no reason at all. Loki is a rock star around the neighborhood when it’s time for walks. Everyone knows Loki and comes to say hi to him when they are out. One of his best qualities is when Tom is sitting down and Loki will run in from outside, jump on the couch next to Tom, and smile like he just heard the best joke ever and wants to share it. He also listens very well when Tom works on ritual.

Needless to say, Tom doesn’t have any trouble lling his days. We are grateful for Tom Black and the countless number of our Masonic family who work tirelessly for our Craft.

1200 Wright Ave Alma, MI 48801 michiganmasons.org