Trestle Board

My Brother,

I feel a deep sense of gratitude that you, the members of Harmony Lodge, have allowed me to serve you as Worshipful Master during this past year. I hope that I have served you worthily, being faithful to the trust you reposed in me. I look back with pleasure and satisfaction at what has been accomplished during the past year in spite of its challenges.

Reminder: The Grand Lodge of NJ has transitioned to a member Database called Grandview. Each member is required to register their member account to be able to update their personal information. If you have not logged in already please do so.

Reminder: The NJ Masonic Emergency Response Team (MERT) is seeking a 5 person team from each lodge. Please contact me if you are interested.

Fraternally,

W.B. Brian C. Grodzki

My Brother,

The Grand Lodge of NJ has transitioned to a member database called Grandview. Each member is required to register their member account to be able to update their personal information. If you have not logged in already please do so.

The NJ Masonic Emergency Response Team (MERT) is seeking a 5 person team from each lodge. The mission of MERT is to:

• Check on all Lodge Brothers during Natural and man made disasters.
• Check on the Lodge Widows during natural and man made disasters.
• Assist OES with their members during natural and man made disasters as needed.
• Work with local Emergency Management to offer cooling or warming areas at the lodge if possible.
• Work with NJSP and NJ Department of Human Services during disaster with Shelter Activities.

Training will consist of computer-based training from organizations like FEMA and the NJ Office of Emergency Management as well as in person hands on training. Please contact me if you are interested.

Fraternally,

WB Brian C. Grodzki

FROM THE EAST

My Brother,

Due to the COVID 19 virus, our way conducting our everyday life, lodge meetings, degree work and fundraising has been interrupted. In some instances, permanently in what people are calling “the new normal”. Harmony Lodge No. 18, since the early 1850’s has survived many difficult times. Knowing his, we should be comforted that there is still an unbroken chain of brotherhood through the past political disputes, pandemics, wars, terrorism, and natural disasters of our history. Our duty to each other as Masons and for the future of Harmony Lodge no. 18 is to continue to build and strengthen our bonds during this time.

Fraternally,

WB Brian C. Grodzki

Ten Master Masons

Ten Master Masons, happy, doing fine; One listened to a rumor, then there were nine.

Nine Master Masons, faithful, never late, One didn’t like the “Master”, then there were eight.

Eight Master Masons, on their way to heaven; One joined too many clubs, then there were seven.

Seven Master Masons, life dealt some hard licks, One grew discouraged, then there were six.

Six Master Masons, all very much alive; One lost his interest, then there were five.

Five Master Masons, wishing there were more; Got into a Great dispute, then there were four.

Four Master Masons, busy as could be; One didn’t like the programs, then there were three.

Three Master Masons, was one of them you? One grew tired of all the work, then there were two.

Two Master Masons with so much to be done, One said “What’s the use, then there was one.

One Master Mason found a brother-true! Brought him to the lodge, then there were two.

Two Master Masons didn’t find work a bore; Each brought another, then there were four.

Four Master Masons saved their lodges fate; By showing others kindness, then there were eight.

Eight Master Masons, loving their lodges bright sheen; Talked so much about it, they soon counted sixteen.

Sixteen Master Masons, to their obligations true; Were pleased when their number went to thirty two.

So we can’t put our troubles at the Lodges door; it’s our fault for harming the Lodge we adore.

Don’t fuss about the programs or the “Master” in the East; Keep your obligation by serving even the least.

Author Unknown

My Brother,

It is with great joy that I write to you after having been able to meet in person for one of our June meetings. The fellowship on Zoom has been exceptional throughout the “lockdown”. I was even able to meet a 60-year brother of our lodge who now lives in Maine. We have learned that being present online and adapting through technology is important for the Fraternity in difficult circumstances. The Internet…another tool for our craft.

Consider this, The Grand Lodge of New Jersey has transitioned to a new member Database called Grandview. Each member is encouraged to register their member account to be able to update their personal information such as home address, phone number, email address, and even put your spouse’s information to enable us to better fulfill our obligations to our widows and orphans. Instructions for registry are on the enclosed sheet.

Business meetings will continue throughout the summer months to complete some much-neeeded business and building improvements. I will send due and timely notice.

Fraternally yours,

WB Brian Grodzki

My Brother,

On behalf of Harmony Lodge, I would like to express our concern and support for you and your loved ones during this COVID-19 pandemic. Following the advice of State and local authorities, all our fraternal gatherings and events have been postponed until further notice or replaced with virtual meetings.

A directive was issued and modified by the Grand Lodge of New Jersey on March 20, 2020 that all Grand Lodge, Blue Lodge and Appendant Bodies meetings, activities and events, will be postponed until April 30th, 2020. Exceptions will be Masonic funerals and Blood Drives (conducted under the supervision, direction of the American Red Cross).

The Annual Communication at Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, scheduled for April 22nd and 23rd, has been postponed. Voting for Grand Lodge contested Offices, and the Grand Lodge Budget will coincide with the Annual Communication, when the date is determined.

Please remember my brother, that you and your loved ones are always in our thoughts. Please contact me and we will assist you in any way we can if you have any unmet needs during this time. “And this, too, shall pass”

Fraternally yours,

WB Brian C. Grodzki

As Masons, we are always referring symbolically to darkness versus light, day versus night and the sun versus moon. So it is fitting to remind you that March is the month when we mark the vernal equinox. On this date of the equinox, the day and night will be approximately equal duration all over the planet. This year the vernal equinox will occur on March 20, 2020. Equinox comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night) . The equinox occurs at a specific moment when the sun crosses the celestial equater, the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s Equater, from south to north. At this moment, Earth’s axis is tilted neither away from nor towards the Sun but is rather perpendicular to the Sun’s rays.

On March 17, we have the honor of presenting in a 55 -year pin and a 60-year pin to two devoted brothers of Harmony Lodge. We will be having a complete St. Patrick’s Day meal to honor them. I hope to see you there.

Fraternally yours,

WB Brian C. Grodzki, WM

George Washington’s rules of civility

XXXII

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”

My Brother,

Freemasonry prides itself on making good men better. I think it is more accurate to say that we give good men the tools to improve themselves – at the end of the day it is still the man himself who has to use those tools for his own benefit. It is in the respectable character of our fellow brethren that encourages us to better ourselves and the communities in which we reside. I can list dozens of fellow Masons that have inspired and continue to set such an example for me. That strength of character is not an end goal but rather a measure of continued conduct.

Every day is an opportunity to invest in yourself, to take our lessons and teachings to heart, and to truly show the world that on becoming a Mason you have committed to becoming a better man.

Fraternally yours,

WB Brian Grodzki

George Washington Rules of Civility

IV

“Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, and walk not on when others stop.”

My Brother,

It is an honor to have been installed as Worshipful Master for 2020. I pledge that I will serve with the utmost integrity and fidelity.On behalf of our Lodge, I would like to thank Worshipful Brother Moroney for the productive and inspiring year we had under his leadership. To the line of officers this year, thank you for your commitment to our future.

We have a lot of work ahead of us including an Entered Apprentice degree already scheduled for February 18th. We will continue to press forward, be patient, learn our lessons and remember the plans that the Grand Architect of the Universe has for us.

“Being a good man is great, being a great man is a Mason” – unknown

Fraternally,

WB Brian C. Grodzki

George Washington Rules of Civility

  1

“Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present”

Dear Brothers,

A Brother’s Hand

by George R.Staff

When you’re feeling all downhearted,

and life’s hard to understand

Say, it’s fine to feel the pressure

Of a Brother’s friendly hand.

Just to know he sympathizes,

Though he doesn’t say a word

How it starts your courage climbing,

As your heart is touched and stirred.

With an arm across your shoulders,

And a grip you love to find,

How it makes you feel the bounding

of hearts of humankind.

It is just a little token

Of an ever growing band,

For there’s faith and hope and courage

In a Brother’s friendly hand.

As I leave as my time as Worshipful Master, I cherish the great moments that I have had and the great people who I had them with. But I know going on from this day forth it has made me a better man and person to all who I will come in contact with. To all my brothers I say thank you for a wonderful experience and for a wonderful bunch of brothers. Be well my Brother and may Peace and Love be with you and your family always.

Have a great holiday season!!

Fraternally yours,

WB Sean T. Moroney