2020 Christmas Letter

Brethren, ladies, and friends of Myrtle Lodge,

Christmas quickly approaches and I pray you all are well. This has been an odd year and I’m sure many delight at seeing it come to an end. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a foolish optimism -- most times. The timing of the initial response to this pandemic seemed to be more than coincidence, considering we had just entered the Lenten season. It was quite appropriate for a fasting season. While our diets may change and church services increase, the secular world would chug along at the same rate. Not this year. We all fasted. Unfortunately, we did not get to behold that Paschal joy as we would have, in years past. Instead, we have continued to fast all year long, with brief reprieves scattered about, that were pale shadows of their former glory.

Now we find ourselves in the darkest, coldest days of the year. As we know, a star had shone in the darkness. In the depths of a cave, the King was born. Similarly, this Christmas has been stripped of much of its material and spiritual adornment. Families are cancelling their usual gatherings, and many have lost their livelihoods, if not their lives. It is my prayer that, like that moment over two millennia ago, we too may see a Light in the darkness.

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There is much need in our own communities. Let us empty ourselves to fill the needs of others. If you are in need, or know of a need in our community, please, let us know how we can help. Allow your Brothers to fulfill their obligation and give relief. Feel welcome to reach out to either myself or the Secretary.

Lastly, Most Worshipful Brother Craig H. Maison has announced another ruling in response to Governor Whitmer’s latest directives which allows for in-person Lodge communications to occur again. Barring no changes to that, I look forward to seeing those able to attend our Regular Communication on January 7th.

I pray that you all remain safe, healthy, and well during this most special time of the year.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Jake A. Foster

Worshipful Master

Myrtle Lodge No. 89, F&AM

COVID-19 Update

Brethren, ladies, and friends of Myrtle Lodge,

I pray that you all are well. Per the Grand Master’s latest ruling, I find myself unceremoniously thrust into the position of continuing to lead our beloved Lodge through an international pandemic. It is surreal, but at least we have nearly a year’s worth of experience. Governor Whitmer has extended her order until 20 December and I do not foresee the Grand Master contradicting our elected officials.

What that means for us, in a practical sense, is that all Masonic meetings will continue to be cancelled. While the Grand Master has empowered the Worshipful Master, Treasurer, and Secretary of each Lodge to pay the bills and keep the lights on we will continue to hold regular Teams meetings. I prefer for there to be transparency. The meetings will serve to keep everyone abreast of communications from the Grand Lodge and any necessary business, such as the paying of bills, that was conducted, as well as an opportunity to catch-up with one another.

However, that does not mean that the Lodge is closed, shutdown, &c. The Lodge is much more than a building, though they are especially important to us, and business meetings. It is a place we learn and practice virtues that we are then to take out into the world. Times of great difficulty are times when great virtue is most necessary. With a charitable heart we must concern ourselves with the most vulnerable in our communities, especially considering the Christmas season we are in. Therefore, our regular Food Drives on the third Tuesday of the month (15 December) will continue without interruption. I beg of you; please make yourself available, if possible, to help. I do not know if we have seen a greater need for this manner of neighborly love in recent times.

Lastly, if you and your family are struggling, please, let us know. Several of our members have access to various resources such as clothing closets, food pantries, &c. Our Grand Master has also instituted an almoner’s fund for the welfare of Brothers in distress. We should all recall that moment we found ourselves penniless. There is no shame in it, especially in our present circumstances.

I pray that you all remain safe, healthy, and well during this special time of the year.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Jake A. Foster

Worshipful Master

Myrtle Lodge No. 89, F&AM

Update, March 25, 2021:
Per the extension of the State of Michigan’s public health guidance, and the Grand Master's March 15th communication, our in-person meetings may consist of up to 25 members while wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. As usual, our monthly Food Drive remains uninterrupted. Of course, if you are sick at all please remain home until you are well again.

2020 Thanksgiving Letter

Brethren, ladies, and friends of Myrtle Lodge,

This year has been hard. There’s no shame in saying it. Pandemics are hard. Lockdowns are hard. Economic crises are hard. I set clarity as my theme for 2020, with the hope that a calendar full of clearly laid out events would guide us through a year of renewed vitality and enthusiasm, and what I got was a trestleboard wiped clean by a global pandemic. However, as hard as things have been, I find myself hesitant to describe my year in the East as “bad.”

It’s true that we didn’t get to do much of what I had planned. Early in the year we did manage to take part in a public ceremony honoring Worshipful Brother George Washington, carry out a memorial service for a dear brother, and host a successful LAN party, but even after the pandemic took hold of the world we didn’t stop, we kept moving forward. We served our community by delivering food as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) despite the risks. We met online and shared fellowship with our brothers, including some that distance had kept from us for a long time. We upgraded our security. We cleaned up our lakefront and parking lot. We welcomed our new police chief. We restored our historic lights to the front of the building. We investigated and initiated Entered Apprentices, while doing our best to navigate the appropriate guidelines. We supported a vaccine with promising results. We said goodbye to those we’ve lost in a ceremony as uniquely poignant as it was needed in this year so marred with loss. I bring this up in a Thanksgiving letter of all places to say that despite this year being a hard one, I remain thankful for it.

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Some suggested early on that I take another year to make up for one in which I missed out on many of the things that come with the office of Worshipful Master, but I have to admit, I’m thankful for the unique opportunity to lead our lodge through this pandemic and I take a bit of pride in leaving the East with a distinction few others had the opportunity carry.

Similarly, I think it would do us all some good to take a moment and truly be thankful for what we have. We’re not out of the woods yet, as new cases of COVID-19 surging across the country readily indicate, but none the less, if you’re reading this letter you’ve survived a harrowing experience. In ancient Israel it was common for the Jewish people to offer a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving or “Korban Todah” when they found themselves delivered from peril. I talk about this concept in detail in my Illustrious Grand Chaplain’s Thanksgiving letter found here. But none the less, we would all do well to follow their example, looking at our troubles with a thankful heart, acknowledging God’s hand in keeping us from danger, and finding the blessing in being tasked to serve in a trying time.

I am reminded of Worshipful Brother George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation found here where on a Thanksgiving taking place on the 26th like this one, he reminded us that it is the “duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.”

I now wake to a Thanksgiving where, due to a fever, I’m forgoing the usual festivities in favor of a quiet dinner at home, but none the less I’m thankful for the technology which will allow me to contact family across the border, and across town, and wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving, however impacted by the pandemic it may be.

Similarly, in light of the Grand Master’s order our December meeting will be held via Teams where we will discuss, among other things, plans for installation and the year to come.

Stay safe, stay healthy and Godspeed.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Brandon Mullins
Worshipful Master
Myrtle Lodge No. 89, F&AM

2020 Easter Letter

Brethren, ladies, and friends of Myrtle Lodge,

We live in an unusual time. For Christians in the West, today is Maundy Thursday, and we are in the midst of Holy Week. For Jews it is the beginning of Passover. This is usually a season for family, friends and reflection, but in this time of social distancing the former two may be in short supply, and those of us who aren’t on the front lines fighting this pandemic may be feeling an abundance of the later. Your otherwise busy life may have just slowed dramatically, and the religious services that usually mark this season have been canceled in person. Governor Whitmer announced today that the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order will continue until at least May 1st, and for many of us that’s not welcome news.

So, what do we do with this time? Well for starters, if you’re working right now, do your best to stay safe, but if you’re at home, furloughed or otherwise, my advice is to not obsess over your time at home. There is a temptation to believe that this unexpected free time means that you should take on some herculean task, or else you haven’t made the best of it. That’s setting yourself up for failure. My suggestion is to first, take a moment to relax, enjoy the slowness of this time if you’re able, and to then do what you can to embody the lesson of Maundy Thursday.

The Last Supper (1886), by Fritz von Uhde

Maundy Thursday receives its name from the mandatum (commandment) in the Bible given by Jesus Christ: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). We should emulate that great lesson and do what we can to help those around us. Maybe that means doing some shopping for those who cannot go themselves or helping with your neighbor’s lawn given landscaping services are closed. At the lodge we put up white ribbons to show support for medical professionals on the front lines of this pandemic, and you can do the same.

As you may have seen in the paper we have decided to continue our Food Drives as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and we have a Food Drive coming up on April 21st. If we needed help from younger members before we certainly need it now that the pandemic is reaching its peak. These are all ways we can help love one another.

My last bit of advice is to stay connected. I enjoyed toasting with all of you last week and invite you all to reach out if there is anything you need, or you just need to chat. This pandemic is affecting us all in different ways, and if you need help in any way, that’s what we’re here for. It is our job to be whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrow, to whom distress may proffer its suit, whose hand is guided by justice, and whose heart is expanded by benevolence.

With that said I hope this season brings you joy despite the crisis, and I look forward to when we can meet again.

Stay safe, stay healthy and Godspeed.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Brandon Mullins
Worshipful Master
Myrtle Lodge No. 89, F&AM

COVID-19 Update

Brethren, ladies, and friends of Myrtle Lodge,

You’ve no doubt learned of the COVID-19 pandemic which has recently been declared a National Emergency. In light of that I have decided to suspend all remaining lodge activities for the months of March and April with the notable exception of our Food Drives scheduled for March 17th and April 21st. Many of our communities’ most vulnerable residents rely on such food distributions and now, more than ever our assistance is required. As such, if your work commitments and health concerns allow please participate in the food drives. Many of our members who regularly participate are at a high risk for developing complications from COVID-19 so we would like to relieve them as much as possible with younger members.

Our officer corps will continue to monitor the situation and inform you of any future events that need to be postponed or canceled. In the meantime if you or your loved ones need assistance during this trying time please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or our secretary and we will help in whatever way we can.

Stay safe, stay healthy and Godspeed.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Brandon Mullins
Worshipful Master
Myrtle Lodge No. 89, F&AM

Important contact info:

James Piper, PM
Secretary
(734) 777-6744

Brandon Mullins
Worshipful Master
(734) 644-1166

Update, April 27, 2020:
In light of the continuation of the Governor's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order, and the Grand Master's Edict 2020-4 our in-person meetings remain suspended through May 15th. As a result, we will be holding an untiled business meeting online via Teams in May. The link for the web conference will be provided the day of the meeting. You do not need to download the Teams app to join but you can if you like.

We'll be handling a few housekeeping items and enjoying one another's fellowship. If any brothers from other lodges would like to "visit" feel free to join us.

Update, May 15, 2020:
Per the extension of the Governor's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order, and the Grand Master's Edict 2020-5 our in-person meetings, save the Food Drive remain suspended through May 28th. Please join us for our Food Drive on May 19th if your work commitments and health concerns allow. You can participate by coming to the back of Eloise at 30712 Michigan Ave, Westland, MI 48186 at 10am. A mask and gloves are required.

Update, May 21, 2020:
The Governor's Executive Order 2020-97 (COVID-19) and the Grand Master's Edict 2020-6 allow us to return to in-person meetings in June with some limited restrictions. In light of that, the Master has called an online meeting set for May 28th at 6pm to discuss our plan to reopen and have some fellowship with brothers online. This meeting will be conducted via teams and the link will be sent out the day of the meeting. Officers and members of Myrtle Lodge are requested to attend, and brothers from other lodges are more than welcome to visit us as well.

Update, May 28, 2020:
Per the discussions had at our planning meeting we’ve decided to begin holding regular meetings again adhering to all state restrictions including masks and social distancing.

Update, August 17, 2020:
The Grand Master’s Ruling No. 1 allows us to confer the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees, but not the Master Mason Degree, so we intend to confer the Entered Apprentice on our candidates in waiting in September with the Governor’s orders in mind.

Update, October 8, 2020:
The Grand Master’s Ruling No. 2 lifts the ban on conferring the Master Mason Degree. All meetings, whether regular or special are now permitted, so long as State guidelines on mask wearing, social distancing, and personal hygiene are followed as well as State restrictions related to building capacity.

Update, November 17, 2020:
Per the Grand Master's order, in accordance with the Michigan Department of Health's directive, all in-person meetings are hereby canceled until further notice. Our December Annual Communication will be held virtually via Teams. Per Ruling 2020-4 this cannot be an official communication but we can still ensure “usual and ordinary business” is conducted. As with previous orders, our food drive will continue unimpeded.

Update, December 3, 2020:
The Grand Master’s Ruling No. 5 installed the officers previously elected at our November business meeting, effective December 1st. As a result the duties of Worshipful Master fall to Worshipful Brother Jake Foster, and I doubt not that he will discharge his duties with fidelity, with honor to himself and with profit to the craft.

2019 Christmas Letter

Brethren, ladies, and friends of Myrtle Lodge,

I’m Brandon Mullins, Master of Myrtle Lodge for 2020, and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I would like to congratulate all of our officers and thank them for stepping up and taking on a leadership role, and would also like to thank all those who contributed to our installation of officers in one way or another, whether that was setting up, taking a role, or just showing their support. Our first bowling Christmas party went very well, and all the kids had a great time. I look forward to a year of fun, fellowship, and fraternity.

As I mentioned at our installation, my theme for this year is clarity, making reference to the year 20/20. Pursuant to that theme, our calendar which is available at https://www.myrtle89.org/calendar has been updated with all the events we have planned for 2020 and those events will also be listed in our trestle board which will be mailed out as soon as possible. In addition our online calendar will be updated with any changes or additional events promptly and you can expect regular reminders through our Remind app which you can sign up for at https://www.remind.com/join/myrtle89.

In the meantime, as we sit in anticipation of Christmas morning, it is my hope that all of you would take the time to slow down and truly enjoy Christmas. It is far too to easy to rush through it, and not only miss the meaning of the season but leave it feeling more stressed than when you entered it. So, if I can give any recommendation it would be to actively resist that temptation and find time with family, friends or privately to calmly reflect on he who has brought life and immortality to light, and take peace in this season of miracles.

See you in 2020.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Brandon Mullins
Worshipful Master
Myrtle Lodge No. 89, F&AM