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,

Spring is seen as a time of growth and renewal; a time of new life, for both plants and animals. Spring provides us the opportunity to reflect on the obligatons we assumed at the Holy Altar of Freemasonry. I challenge all members of Ionic Lodge to come out to YOUR lodge and see the work we are doing. We would love to have you become a renewed part of our programs and share in the fellowship lodge offers.

With the plans for our Table Lodge on May 20th complete, all that remains now is for your to make sure you are there. The Table Lodge will begin at 6:30pm, and be held on the Entered Apprentice Degree. Our speaker for the eveing will be Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33*, Grand Cross, the Editor of The Scottish Rite Journal and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry. The cost is $20 and includes dinner, your cannon and beverages. Brother Morris' book will be available for sale and he will autograph it for you. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Masonic Home.

May Stated Communication

On Thursday, May 7th, we will be having our annual Memorial Night where will will remember all our brethren who have passed on. Lodge opens at 5:30pm, dinner at 6:30, and reconvening again at 7:30pm. The Rev. Robert Broesler of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will officiate.

Upcoming Events

June Stated Meeting: June 4th will be our annual election of Officers. The meeting will be followed by special refreshments of strawberry shortcake.

Past Masters' Night: June 10th will be a Special Meeting of Ionic Lodge, where the Actual Past Master's Degree will be conferred upon the Worshipful Master Elect. The Lodge will open at 7:00pm on the Master Mason Degree, and then a Lodge of Actual Mast Masters will be opened. Only brethren who are actual Past Masters may be present. All PM's are invited to attend and assist in the ceremony. Refreshments will follow the meeting.

Recent Activities

Masonic Home Service: On February 15th, Ionic Lodge sponsored the Religious Service at Highfield. Many thanks to The Reverend Robert J. Broesler, Rector of St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church for conducting the service, and to all the Brethren and Ladies for being there.

Special MM Degree Conferal: On April 22nd, Brother D. Edward Wright, PM and his assembled cast members from the NUR Shrine conferred the MM Degree on two members of Ionic Lodge. It was a great degree!

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 2009 calendar year have been mailed out. If you do not have a 2009 Dues Card, then you need to pay your dues. Please contact the Secretary if you have any questions.

Lodge of Instruction

The Lodge of Instruction will now be meeting on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7pm at the Newport Masonic Building. The chairman for the LoI is Mike Matteo (remove "NO_SPAM" from the address).

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 February 17, 2008 Wilcox (Bill) W. Held Sr. May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on November 15, 2008 Alfred H. Schick, Jr. May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor in May 2009 David C. Matthews, Sr., 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 May 25, 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