April 27, 2024
Brethren and Other Friends of BA Lodge,
April 30 (Tuesday) – Family Night Bingo. Just before dinner at 6 pm, we will be presenting a Masonic Funeral remembrance for Brother Joseph Feghali. This will take approximately 15 minutes. This is open to all. If you have never seen a Masonic Funeral Service, I urge you to attend. It is a very meaningful and moving experience. Afterwards we will eat and then play bingo. Bring your favorite side-dish and/or dessert to share.
Sorry if you missed the Student and Teacher of Today. We had a great turnout. MWGM was in attendance. He and his wife are retired teachers, so they were very impressed with the program and the turnout of students. A shout out to our Secretary Bob McLeod for all of his hard work getting the certificates together.
Prayers and good thoughts for our SW’s mother and her health issues.
My Ramblings – Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care? (Song Lyrics by Chicago, 1969)
By W:. Scott A. MacDonald
“You don't find time, you make time. Prioritize relative to importance.” ― Brandon Garic Notch.
“Putting things off is the greatest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future.”- Seneca.
“Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”— Epictetus.
“Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.”— Seneca.
This year is almost one-third gone. Oh My! How quickly time seems to move!
In today’s society, we all seem to have too much to do. It is therefore important to prioritize our time and do the things most important.
You can choose to play video games or you could call a friend who you haven’t talked to in a while. You can watch TV instead of moving and doing important things.
It is often said that you are known by how you spend your time. I also believe your life’s direction is determined by the people you associate with.
I’m as guilty as anyone of sometimes being too lazy to get up and do something useful. I spend far too much time on social media, and I also tend to do my job continually. But I make time for the most important things in my life.
There are numerous scientific studies showing just how isolated men are, especially young men. Brothers, find a good friend and good man and bring them to lodge for dinner. You may help someone who feels alone.
Lord, help us to understand how best to use our time. Let us see the value in a righteous group of men working in the community and building everlasting friendships. Amen.
Jaunts with your Junior Warden: To Be or Not to Be Jack – JW Aaron Walker
The phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none” entered my mind this week. The added “but often times is better than being a master of one” is forgotten in the quote but I’ll get to that in a moment.
Taking that quote and applying it to anyone’s Masonic career can be helpful. With lower membership comes an increased workload for each member and soon the quality of the work can suffer. New master masons are given a dozen petitions really fast and sometimes even on their degree night.
For some, they know the word “no”. Others, including yours truly, want to do it all and join up. Pros and cons are in each choice but that’s another topic (hey maybe that’s next weeks jaunt). I have enjoyed being in so many bodies and that can be overwhelming. My involvement is what’s weighing me down. Even with simply time as an excuse, I’m a jack of all bodies but master of none.
The point I think the quote is making is to really focus on that quality and be thoroughly versing in all nuances of a given topic or field. Read the book not the cliff notes. But now add in that last part so often forgotten. Does this mean we can become master of something and then have time for more? So, while one can become the worshipful master of his lodge, can he not continue on and be the master (or title equivalent) of another body?
We do so many things at once and sometimes we should slow down, do one piece really well, but then go onto other tasks and do the same. Slowing down to do it right is not wrong. But to me, the forgotten quote shows that stopping is never an option.
Lodge Calendar
Month of April – Fishing Tournament. Fish must be caught in Oklahoma. $35 to enter. Contact the lodge for more information. Only 3 days left to catch the fish.
April 30 (Tuesday) – Fifth Tuesday family night dinner at 6 pm. We will have Bingo Night. So come and join the fun. We will also have a short masonic service for Bro. Joseph Feghali.
May 4 (Saturday) – Camp Bandage – Child ID event. Location: Events Park, 21101 E. 101st St., Broken Arrow. Noon to 4 pm. We will need volunteers for this event. The purpose of Camp Bandage is to provide a vehicle to enable community professionals to provide safety, health and first aid training to its citizens in a safe, moral, and cost-free environment. https://campbandage.org/#section-1 .
May 7 (Tuesday) – Stated communication. Dinner at 6 pm. Lodge at 7 pm.
May 14 (Tuesday) -Food and fellowship. Dinner starts at 6 pm.
May 16 (Thursday) – Masonic Night at Drillers Baseball. Tickets are $35 each. Masons and their wives/significant others are invited. Food and drink included in the ticket price. Tickets on sale at https://balodge243.square.site/ .
May 21 (Tuesday) - Stated communication. Dinner at 6 pm. Lodge at 7 pm.
May 28 (Tuesday) - Food and fellowship. Dinner starts at 6 pm.
June 3 (Monday) – District 12 meeting at Pilgrim Rock #522 – 1630 S. 101st E. Ave, Tulsa. (Freemason Hall)
August 28 (Wednesday) – District 12 meeting at Akdar #555 – 5925 E 9th St., Tulsa
December 12 (Thursday) – District 12 meeting at Tulsa #71 - 5925 E. 9th St., Tulsa
Other Business
Please remember to pay your dues. They were due by January 1, 2024. You can pay dues or at https://balodge243.square.site/ . Or mail in your dues to 117 W. Commercial St., Broken Arrow, OK, 74012.
Another quick note, to sit in lodge you technically must be “in good standing” which means being up to date on your dues.
If you are having trouble paying your dues, we will be happy to work with you. Please contact the lodge office at 918.251.9282 to make arrangements or email us at brokenarrowmasons@gmail.com . You may also call me at 316.209.7400.
As most of you know, our BA Member RW:. Don Stanton is Senior Grand Warden this year. So, in November 2025 we would expect him to be Grand Master. There are significant costs associated with his endeavor, including a reception the Sunday after he is installed. That reception will no doubt be in the Tulsa area. We have set up a way for you to contribute to help defray these expenses at https://balodge243.square.site/ . Any contribution would be appreciated.
Please note we are making every attempt to keep our meetings to one hour. However, if you attend and the meeting is going long, you can certainly excuse yourself from the meeting at any time.
As always, if you need a ride to/from any of these activities, please call or text me at 316.209.7400, or email me at scott@alphamac.com .
Sincerely,
W:. Scott A. MacDonald, Treasurer and Membership Calling Chairman
Copyright © 2024 Broken Arrow Masonic Lodge #243 AF&AM - All Rights Reserved.
117 W. Commercial St.
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
918.251.9282. After Hours: 539.204.4547