Pioneering Masonry Forward

Experiences and Gratitude from the Grand Master

I have often referred to “life is a highway” and shared a lot of my Masonic experiences along the Masonic Trail. I am so thankful for this opportunity, the trust and confidence you have placed in me as your Grand Master. As my wife, Sherri and I travelled across this great state of ours and visited your Lodges, we enjoyed all the hospitality and fellowship we received. I had 65 official visits, the memories made will last a lifetime, including five Lodge anniversary events. I had the honor of presenting several 50-, 60-, and 70-year Jewels saluting our Brothers for their years of Masonic service.

I also represented the Grand Lodge of Oregon in several other Grand Jurisdictions, providing a critical network of Masonry beyond just our stateline.

This will be my last article as your Grand Master, and I would like to leave you with this thought:

Continue to set that bar high, with the utmost respect and integrity. Always remember your Masonic obligations and practice Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. And bring a Dusty Mason to Lodge!

Continue to be active in your community by supporting your local schools with programs like Bikes for Books, Kindles for Books, Robotics and other after-school programs. I encourage you to award scholarships to high school students in your communities. Support a community function or have a booth at the county fair. Creating A Partnership funds from the Grand Lodge are available to support your community involvement.

Continue to support our youth organizations. Become active in supporting Rainbow, Job’s Daughters, and DeMolay in your area. By doing so we are helping set the foundation for the future.

I am so thankful and blessed for all the support I received this year from the Trustees, Grand Lodge Officers, District Deputies, Grand Lodge Committees, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer and the Grand Lodge staff. It truly is a great team and I appreciated everything you did in supporting me and Pioneering Masonry Forward this year.

I extend my deepest gratitude to the Freemasons of Oregon for their invaluable support throughout the year. Their unwavering dedication has been the cornerstone of our achievements. It has been a profound honor to have served as your Grand Master, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity bestowed upon me.

I look forward to seeing you down the Masonic trail.

Sincerely and Fraternally,Craig A. Sipp Grand Master 2023-2024