A Flip of the Coin

Masonic Reflections at Jennings McCall

During the first week on March, I found myself moving from my home community of Salem to the Jennings McCall Center in Forest Grove. Settling in, I began wandering around to get the lay of the land, so to speak. In the process, I was greeted by several residents who asked the normal questions one would expect. One thing was “Are you a Mason?” I said “Yes”.

That opened the door to a growing number of Brothers, and we started to talk about our Masonic journeys. I asked if they had the opportunity to attend Lodge in Forest Grove, most replied they had not. “It is hard to get out at night and most of us don’t drive” was a common remark. This made me start to think of ways to solve this dilemma.

I went and asked these Brothers how they felt being at Jennings McCall and got a positive response. However, they missed the camaraderie and friendship with their Brother Masons. Two old adages came to mind when I heard this.

Like a coin that has two sides, I feel that these two adages reflect how my Brothers here seem to feel. The first: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” While visiting, my brother reflected on the feeling of belonging to the Brothers in their Lodges. The second: “Out of sight, out of mind.” This struck me as being a sad view of our Brotherhood. Yes, we may not be able to be out visiting with our Brothers, however, that shouldn't mean that we ought to feel forgotten. It shouldn't depend on the flip of a coin.

My Brothers, stop and think about this and help me find a way to reconnect with those of us who miss the friendship and Brotherly Love we are taught in our Tenets.

Fraternally,W.B. Jerald “Jerry” D. SchierlingPast Master of Vista Masonic Lodge No. 215 and Jennings Lodge No. 9