Brethren – From time to time, it is worth asking an important question: Is the time we spend at Lodge worth it? Not in dollars, but in meaning. In memory. In the experience of having been present for something that mattered.
A Lodge that does not provide memorable in-person experiences should not be surprised when Brothers derive less value from membership and begin to see Lodge as anything but a can’t-miss expenditure of their time. This is not a criticism; it is a reality. Men today have no shortage of demands on their evenings. If we expect attendance, engagement, and loyalty, then what happens inside our Lodge room must justify the effort it takes to be there.
One of the (many) primary goals this year is to make Lodge programming a focal point of our work. Thoughtful programming creates value. It sparks curiosity. It fosters Brotherhood. It reminds us why we sought Freemasonry in the first place.
We are pleased to announce that February’s program will be presented by members of the National Sojourners. Their presentation, “General George Washington & Old Glory Speaks,” will be delivered by the Isaac Craig Camp. This Camp serves as a visible public-facing unit of the Pittsburgh Chapter, sharing educational and patriotic programs within the community. It promises to be engaging, educational, and well worth your time.
Future months will feature a variety of programs – fun, educational, and distinctly Masonic – presented by speakers and bodies from across our Fraternity. But programming does not succeed by announcement alone. It requires attendance. It requires participation. And increasingly, it will require ideas and contributions from the Brethren themselves – officers and members alike.
If Lodge is to be valuable, then value must be created. That work belongs to all of us, and it is worthy. Let us meet it together.
