From the East

Brethren,

What we do not understand, we do not possess. Neither can we impart to others what we do not possess. Superficial exposure to Freemasonry will not suffice to achieve even minimum requirements of a real Mason. To be meaningful it must be more than an intellectual exercise or a passing experience. Ritualism must be supplemented and embellished by explanation, education, personal fellowship before Masonry can become a part of us and its precepts strengthened by performance

~W.M. Shane Lowe

Prayer Request

Brethren,

Please keep these families in your prayers.

Brother Philip Young - Loss in family and hospitalization of another family member.

Brother Chip Hatcher - Medical procedure.

Doug Cable - Medical procedure.

From the South

Brethren,

Here are your upcoming events.

First the Steak Dinner has been moved been postponed until September 19th.  We will be eating at 6:00pm and it will be $10 a plate.  If you would like tickets please contact a lodge officer.

We have a Master Mason's degree set for August 27th, Eat at 6:00 pm Degree to follow.

September 12th will be our quarterly lodge maintenance day.

We will also be having our biannual roadside cleanup of Russell road in September though a date has not yet been set, more to come.

~J.W.

From the East

Brethren,

The Blue Lodges of Ancient Craft Masonry have three splendid and impressive degrees. The thrust of the Entered Apprentice Degree is the teaching of great moral principles by beautiful ceremonies and lectures. These include the four great cardinal virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, together with the beloved golden tenets of Masonry--Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. The Fellowcraft Degree emphasizes the importance of the acquisition of knowledge, and that with it comes greater duties and responsibilities. The great degree of all Masonry is the sublime degree of a Master Mason. This degree reveals the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul in a very impressive manner and also charges that it is incumbent upon all Masons to continually pursue further light as we travel symbolically in our pilgrimage in life from the West to the glorious East

W.M. Shane Lowe

From the West

Brethren,

This June was a historic day in the history of Rockford masonry. The BBQ/Ice-cream social “Summer Days” Event was a huge success with hundreds turning out. We have had a few big events over the last few years but I cannot recall 1 other where every active member, and even some with other obligation restraints, EAs and FCs contributed in some way. Whether it was through donation, making sure the law was mowed, collecting money or running the kitchen, the brethren of Rockford Lodge showed as a shinning example of what we can accomplish when we all come together in the light of Masonry.  A special thanks to Brothers Mike Weems for donating the ice-cream, Joe Mencer for spending over 50 hours across two weeks running the smoker, Danny Gleason for providing running the TN CHIP machine, and the Martha Washington Star Chapter for providing most excellent sweets.

For more pics of the Summer Days Event, click here.

Brothers Shane Lowe, Mark Dixon, Chris Seaton, Scott Hopkins and myself sold hotdogs at the Blunt County Fishing Derby at the beginning of the month and were able to raise a few dollars.

Lastly, the latest masterpiece by our illustrious woodworker was taken to Sweetwater Lodge. The Swicegood alter was presented at Sweetwater’s stated meeting and is beautifully matched to the lights that were presented earlier this year.

For more pics of the Sweetwater Alter, click here.

~S.W. Dustin Wade

From the South

Brethren,

I have a few announcements for this month.

July 11^th, Don’t forget that the Community Yard Sale is this Saturday at Rockford Lodge. Vender’s will start setting up at 8:00am. We have 10 venders this year, which is 2 more than last year, and we kept the parking lot full last year.

July 16^th, We have 2 FC Degrees, eat at 6:00pm, Degree to follow.

July 30^th, We will be hosting the annual Widows and Orphans dinner/ Family night. Eat at 6:00 pm. If you know a Blunt County widow or orphan, please invite them to come and eat. Rockford lodge will be providing Fried Chicken and it is requested that each Brother attending brings a covered dish (Pot Luck). We will also be collecting donations for the Tennessee widows and orphans fund.

Aug. 15^th, We will be hosting our 2^nd annual Steak Dinner. Eat at 6:00 pm. This year we will be serving via a line rather than at the tables. Dinner will include Steak, Salad, Baked Potato and Desert for $10

Yours Fraternally,

Scott Hopkins J.W.

From the East

Brethren,

In the Master's Degree we are told to emulate the legendary Master Hiram who was faithful even though his life was imperiled. It would be well for us today to not only emulate his fidelity and courage but his industry, skill, and devotion to his work. Perhaps one of the greatest teachings of Masonry is that the building of human character is likened to that of building a great Temple. If it is important that the best designs, materials and workmanship should be used in the erection of a beautiful Temple, isn't it even more important that greater concern should be employed in the building of our own character temples, which the Apostle Paul to vividly depicts as a "house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. ''

~W.M. Shane Lowe

From the West

Brethren,

We need your help.

On Jun 20th Rockford Lodge will be hosting it's first annual"Summer Days Event".  This is a combination of the Ice cream social and a BBQ fund raiser. There will be Free Ice Cream from 2pm-8pm, 3 types of BBQ from 5pm-8pm, Live Music, and a Bounce House for the kids.  BBQ is $10 for adults and $4 for kids 12 and under. Bring every one you know!!!

If you are a member of Rockford Lodge, Brothers we will need all the help we can get. We will start setting up early Saturday Morning.

JULY 11th. We will be hosting our annual Community yard sale and we need vendors!!! if you know someone that wants to have a yard sale, have them call me, Dustin Wade, at 865-686-2064. There is no vendor fee but i do need a heads up of who is coming so we don't over book.

Stay cool rockford and well see you Saturday!

~S.W. Dustin Wade

From the South

Brethren,

First of all, I hope everyone is staying cool this summer and that you'll come cool off with us at the Summer Days BBQ and ice cream social on the 20th.

As we are in the height of summer and brothers are spending time with there families and taking vacations, we did not plan any events for this past month. Though we are an active lodge, we still want you brethren to take time and relax with those love and support you.

We did have two degrees last month so, congratulations to those brothers and we look forward to hearing those lectures.

Enjoy your summer brothers and we will see you soon.

Yours,
Scott Hopkins J.W.

From the South

Brethren,

Warm weather is upon us and there are some exciting things planned for the upcoming months.  This month we have 2 EA degrees on May 21 (this thursday)

June 6th we will be serving food at the fishing derby. This will be my first year attending this event and I have been assured that it is a lot of fun. I hope to see many of you there.

Please don't forget about the summer days BBQ and Ice Cream Social on June 20th. The Ice cream Social will be free but the BBQ will be $10 for adults, If you need tickets to sell or need to buy some. Please contact a Rockford Lodge Officer.

We also have the Annual Community Yard Sale on July 11th. If you would like to set up a booth, Please contact me at 865-686-2064. Setting up a booth is Free.

From the East

Brethren,

Masonry existed for many centuries and that great cathedrals were constructed by these craftsmen. The magnificent structures erected by them before the time of modern machinery testify to the skill and devotion of our ancient craftsmen to their assigned tasks. From this gradually emerged the beautiful symbolism of Speculative Masonry which became formally organized in the early part of the 18th Century. It has been aptly said that while Operative Masons built great temples for the worshipers, Speculative Masonry seeks to build worshipers for the Temples. Anyone who is even superficially informed as to the work and doctrines of Masonry knows that it cannot be classified as a religion or as a substitute for one. Masonry does engender Brotherly Love and Adoration to God, which should induce its members to become better members of the church of their choice

Brethren,
The degree for tonight has been move to next week April 30th

From the South

Brethren,

We have 2 degrees set for this month.  The first is a Master Masons degree on April 16th, eat at 6pm Degree to follow.
The Second degree is an EA on April 23rd, Eat at 6pm Degree to follow.

Rockford will be hosting a Turkey Shoot on April 18th & 25th at the Rockford Football Field.
We will begin at 8am  $3 - $5 to shoot.

Don't forget the district meeting on April 28th at TN204 We will eat at 6pm.

We have begun selling tickets for the summer BBQ.  It will be held on June 20th at Rockford lodge. BBQ will be sold from 5pm - 8pm $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 & under.  This day will also be our Ice Cream Social, FREE ice cream to anyone from 2pm - 8pm, No purchase necessary.

From the West

Brethren,

I am pleased to announce that we had 4 degrees last month.  1 EA, 1 FC & 2 MM; one of which was held on the beautiful Grand Lodge floor in Nashville for the last Master Mason's degree of Most Worshipful Grand Master Delbert R. Musick's Term.

Grand Lodge News will be passed at the stated meeting thursday, we will see you then.

Yours,
~Dustin Wade S.W.

From the West

Brethren,

Last month's Country ham breakfast was a blast. I've always enjoyed getting out early to meet with my brothers and make some good food.  Some money was raised and people were fed.

A lot of stuff got shuffled last month because of the bad weather but we did get in 2 FC degrees and the Awards Night.  Congratulations to the following brethren.

Billy Dunlap - Fifty Year Mason
Charlie Bean - Fifty Year Mason
Leon Stalcup - Fifty Year Mason
Philip Phillips - Fifty Year Mason
Gerald Phillips - Fifty Year Mason
Kent Mitchell - Proctor Award "244"
Dustin Wade - Proctor Award
Robert Ford - Proctor Award
Philip Young - Young Mason of the Year
Dustin Wade - Mason of the Year

More pics available HERE

Special Announcements

Brethren,
Here are a few special announcements.

The Shriners are reaching out to local lodges, they need drivers to transport children from Knoxville and surrounding areas to hospitals like Vanderbilt. If you have the availability and desire to aid this worth while cause, please contact brother Jack Haggard at (865) 453-2146; his group will also be meeting at Shoney's in Alcoa every 4th Monday.

Secondly, Our own brother Eric Middleton has started a sock drive to open for the duration of the year. We need lots of socks, Children's and adult's.  These will be donated in turn to aid the Shriners in there Shoe drive as well as other local organizations like church's and food pantries which will help get them to those who need them the most. If you would like to donate, please drop new socks off at rockford lodge. We can also purchase the socks for you if you would like to make a monitory donation.

Lastly, Brother Tim Webb has had some Rockford Lodge polo shirts made. If you would like to order one, they are $12 - $17 depending on size, please contact brother Tim at (865) 978-0792.

From the South

Brethren,

The seasons are changing and though things are slowing down, we have a lot of official business coming up.

This Tuesday Mar. 17th,  we are having a Masonic education class held by brother Carl Reneau, start at 7.

This Thursday Mar 19th, we have a MM degree, eat at 6 degree to follow, and Saturday the 21st is Lodge Maintenance Day, we will start at 9 am and be there most of the day, come when you can.

On the 24th we will be holding a degree on the Grand Lodge floor in Nashville around 8-9 pm. If you would like to participate in the degree, please contact brother Joe the degree captain at (865) 256-1357.  Grand Lodge will be on the 25th and 26th.

Next month.

The official visit will be on April 2nd. we need as many brethren to attend as possible.  For those newer masons, this is where a Grand Lodge official visits our lodge and helps us straighten out and inconsistencies in our ritual. He will also be grading us and testing any one who would like to get their proficiency or lecturer's cards.

We will be having Turkey Shoots on April 11th, 18th & 25th at the rockford football field. for more information, please contact brother Justin at (865) 712-6688.

The District Meeting this year will be hosted by TN 204 on April 28th eat at 6pm.

Lastly, a special thanks to Brother Tim Webb, who is standing in for me while I handle some family business. We all need help from time to time and its a great help to have a brother who will step in and share the load.

Yours in the light,
J.W. Scott Hopkins

From the West

Brethren,

First, the 2014 Christmas Parade pictures are now available HERE

January was a relatively slow month; however, We got a lot done. 

We made the last few batches of tamales and thank you to all the brethren that helped.

We had Officers, Families and even EAs helping out, Thank you all for your Hard work.

We have also sold a lot of tamales and had a lot of donations to the D.A.D. program, Keep up the good work and don't forget to spread the word about D.A.D.Y. 

Also, Brethren, We will be performing another degree at the Grand Lodge this year. If you are interested in participating in the degree, please contact Brother Joe Mencer as he is the degree captain for this event.

Lastly, congratulations to our new EA, if you ever need anything just ASK.

  

Country Ham Breakfast

Brethren,
This is a reminder, we will be hosting our annual country ham breakfast on Saturday Feb. 7th at 7:30am at Rockford Lodge. We are requesting a $5 donation per person. and will be serving the usual: Country Ham, Eggs, Sausage, Gravy, Pancakes, Biscuits and Juice.

From the West

Brethren,
First let me to take this opportunity to thank you for electing me to serve as you Senior Warden this year.

On to the December events,
First, the Christmas parade was a huge success. We had a lot of families turn up and ride on the float. We gave out all the candy left over from Halloween and about 30 pounds on top of that. If you missed it this year please try to make it next year because everyone had a great time.



Later that day, the 2015 officers were installed. A special thanks to everyone who brought food, we really enjoy good food and great fellowship; and congratulations to my fellow officers.

Unfortunately due to a miscommunication with those in charge of the Empty Pantry, we were unable to participate this year. The good news is that they had more than enough people participating to get the supplies out to those in need. We have better contacts for this year as well as another potential group that is in need of help during the holidays.  We also gave $200 worth of presents to the Rockford school for needy children that the school had contacted us about

In observance of St Johns day, we held a coffee meeting on the 27th. A few of us got together for coffee and donuts and pretty much did what we do every night after the meeting, talked masonry. To those of you that came, thank you; to those that couldn't make it, we understand that this conflicts with holiday plans and hope you had a wonderful time during your holiday season.

Lastly, Brother Middleton has placed a large blue bin at the lodge in front of the freezer. This is for Socks. We are collecting Socks throughout the year and towards the end of the year we will be giving some out to the homeless and donating some to the Shriner Shoe Fund so they wont have to buy as many. Socks are cheap, please pick up a pack the next time your at Wallmart and throw them in the bin.

Yours,
~S.W. Dustin Wade