Wardens and Brethren,
 
         The new Masonic year is rolling right along.   After a busy meeting in February, March we find ourselves making Masons.  The Officers and I have been working hard to ensure our candidates receive a great degree.   Making masons is always an exciting time, as it is up to us to teach and show these men what the craft is about. It is also a great time to for us to step back and remember what it was for us to begin our journey through masonry.  Most of us have been doing this for so long we forget what it was like to be prepared for the first time and to knock on the door for the first time. I recently had the opportunity to help a candidate get ready for a Master Mason degree at Hope Lodge.  Helping prepare him just talking with him, helped me remember how important it is to teach and show a candidate what makes masonry a great organization beyond the degrees.  We often get caught up in ritual and the work of the lodge and we forget what it was like to be a candidate.  So that’s my challenge to the brethren, put your mindset as if you were a candidate again.  We have two gentleman that are eager to join our craft, let's make them feel welcome and show them that they are important to us as the future of our lodge and freemasonry.

         But let's not forget the importance of our brethren of Franklin Lodge.  Many of whom I have not seen in a long time or have even met, and its these brothers who had helped keep Franklin Lodge going during the tougher times.    Every month I look forward to seeing the members and hope to see and meet a Brother of Franklin who hasn’t been to lodge in a while.   So, to all the Brethren of Franklin, I invite you to come down and join us for dinner, and if you feel like staying for our meeting, great, if not there is always next month.
 
May the Blessings of Heaven Rest Upon us,
Ralph Brunson
Master
Franklin Lodge #20