Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M.

This website has been published on behalf of Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M., and is intended to inform all Masons and non-Masons via the Internet about Freemasonry and the activities of our Lodge.

We proudly announce that this website meets the rules established by the
Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Delaware for content of Masonic websites!

Our Stated, or Regular Communications are held at 7:30 PM on the first Thursday of each month, except July and August.

Brethren,

At out December Stated Communication, we will have a presentation by Brothers James E. Duck, PM & Benjamin H. Deeble, Jr. PM on how to conduct an examination of a person who may visit a lodge.

I'd also like to wish all our Brethren a Happy and Safe Holiday season!

December Stated Communication

Our meeting will be on Thursday, December 4, 2009. Lodge opens at 7:30pm.

Upcoming Events

Newport Activities Christmas Party: This will be on Saturday, December 12th at the Newport Masonic Temple.

Grand Master Visitation: To be held on February 4th, 2010. Lodge will open at 5:30pm, break for dinner at 6:30, and then reconvene at 7:30 for the reception of the Grand Master and his Staff. Ladies are invited as well, and a special program is planned for them.

Recent Activities

November Stated Meeting: We presented a program for recipients of the Medal of Honor from Delaware. This included Service Members back to the Civil War. It was a very informative presentation.

Fellow Craft Degrees: On November 18th, we conferred the FC Dgree on three brothers. Bro. Jim Duck, PM conferred the degrees, and Bro, Eric Thompson, SD presented the Stair Lecture, both in fine form.

Special Recognition: On November 21st, members, families, and other guests attended a special dinner, hosted by Bro. Robert Wood, WM and Bro. Jim Duck, PM. This event was held to present Bro. Benjamin H. Deeble, Jr. PM his 50 year service award. Following dinner, prepared by Five Points Chapter, OES, everyone retired to the Lodge Room, where M.W. Donald D. Thomas, PGM, Bro. John Bednash, Deputy Grand Master, & Bro. Terry C. Martz, JGD presented the 50 year service award to Brother Deeble. Brother Deeble and Lois also received several other presentations from the Brethren and family members, including a magnum of champagne, a box of assorted cigars, flowers, cards, and specially crafted pins made by Bro. Eric Thompson.

A Message From Our Secretary

Any member with an email address is requested to advise the Secretary so he can update his records and add you to the Lodge's "Buddy List".

A Message From Our Assistant Secretary

Dues notices for the 2010 calendar year have been mailed out. Please pay your dues quickly to ensure that the Lodge is properly funded through the holidays and beyond.

Lodge of Instruction

The Lodge of Instruction has been very busy lately. An updated schedule will be posted shortly.

Your Help is Still Needed

The MSA needs your help at the Veterans Hospital in Elsmere, DE on Sunday mornings. Contact a Lodge Officer if you can volunteer an hour or so on a Sunday morning.

Called From Labor on July 7, 2009 George P. McCrone, Jr. May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on August 15, 2009 Richard Smith, PM May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Here is a complete listing of our Past Masters.

July 4th Parades

In an effort to get ourselves more noticed by the community (in a good way of course!), Ionic Lodge #31 has fielded a car in the Hockessin July 4th Parade since 2001. Piloted by brother Bill Held, Jr. and his family, they threw candy out to the crowd. Although the pictures aren't the greatest, they do show Ionic getting out in the community.

Masonic Tags

As many of you know, the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicle is issuing Masonic license plates. "MM tags" are available at a one-time cost of only $20 ($10 goes to Grand Lodge and $10 to DMV). This is an excellent opportunity to show you are proud to be a Mason. And did you know that a Freemason can have more than one tag? - one each for as many vehicles as he owns. From a personal perspective, I have found that my driving habits have improved knowing that I have a "MM tag" on the back of my cars. If you are a Delaware Freemason (or a PA, NJ, or MD Freemason living in DE) and would like information about getting a "MM tag", please email the Secretary (remove "NO_SPAM_" from the link), and he will provide you with the contact person's name and number. This is an excellent opportunity to show you are proud to be a Mason.

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All information and opinions expressed in this web site are the sole responsibility of the writer. Nothing in this web site should be construed as an official statement of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Delaware, Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M., or any other concordant or appendant body.

Last updated Deecember 2, 2009.

This website is maintained by Bill Held, Jr. (remove "NO_SPAM_" for link to work), who welcomes any questions, comments and suggestions about this website.

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The Silent Summons

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master's visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I'll be back in our Lodge next meeting."

- Author Unknown

copyright © 2009 Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M., Newport, Delaware USA