Some weeks seem to gather several paths together all at once. This past week felt like one of those moments where lodge, community, and everyday life all intersected in unexpected ways.
Courthouse Paperwork and Lodge Trustees
The week actually started with something far less ceremonial than most people imagine when they think about Masonry: paperwork.
As a 501(c)(10) fraternal organization in Virginia, the lodge is required to register any change in trustees with the Clerk of Court. It sounds straightforward, but the process isn’t something the local office encounters very often. When I first went in the previous week to file the paperwork, it took some time for everyone—including me—to figure out exactly how it needed to be handled.
During that first visit, one of the main questions the clerk asked me was whether the lodge was a religion.
Why Freemasonry Avoids Religion and Politics
I explained that it wasn’t. While we do have a Bible present at our meetings, a chaplain who offers prayers, and we meet in a Masonic temple, Freemasonry itself is not a religion. Members are required to believe in a Supreme Being, but the organization focuses more on personal character, moral conduct, and how one carries oneself in the world rather than on promoting any particular religious doctrine. We are also often encouraged to attend church, even if some members haven’t been to one in quite some time.
If a man joins the lodge from a different faith, the Volume of Sacred Law from his own tradition would be placed on the altar alongside the Holy Bible used by most of the members. Locally, ours is the King James Version, but any Mason who prefers a different translation is welcome to recommend a Bible that is meaningful to him.
Freemasonry is built on common ground, allowing people of multiple religions to work together in harmony. This is a simplified explanation, but the history behind it is much deeper than can be covered here. Historically, the fraternity’s traditions trace back to stonemasons who traveled between regions, building large structures such as churches and cathedrals. Those craftsmen often came from many different regions and religious backgrounds, yet they still had to cooperate on the same projects.
Over time, that environment fostered a shared space where people of different beliefs could meet on common ground. Rather than focusing on theological differences, the emphasis became moral character, respect for a higher power, and the ability of people to work together in harmony. That’s also why discussions of religion and politics are traditionally avoided in lodge—so that differences don’t get in the way of cooperation and friendship.
Civil War and Masonic Harmony
Even during the Civil War, when West Virginia broke off to align with the Union, lodges in that region continued to operate under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, which had aligned with the Confederacy. Again, the history is oversimplified here and complicated by jurisdictional issues, but Lodges often continued meeting with members who had mixed loyalties in the mountain communities, while other lodges suspended meetings altogether as members left to serve in the armies, making communication with the Grand Lodge difficult or impossible. Our own lodge was formed shortly after the Civil War ended and was largely composed of veterans.
The avoidance of political discussions was important. It was literally a time of “brother against brother” outside of the lodge. Many Masons who later found themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield had once sat together in the same lodge rooms before the war, which made the commitment to harmony within the lodge all the more meaningful. Having a place where individuals could speak in harmony with one another was an important principle then, just as it is now.
That shared ground can sometimes make Masonry appear religious from the outside, even though it isn’t a religion itself. In fact, that openness to men of many faiths working together is also one of the reasons some religious groups have historically been cautious or critical of the fraternity.
Returning to the Courthouse Question
At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure why the clerk’s question had come up.
Later, once we discovered how the paperwork was filed, it made more sense.
In the court’s filing system, fraternal organizations like ours are processed under the same category used for church trustee filings. Once we figured that out, they were able to locate records from the last time the lodge updated its trustees—something that apparently only happens every decade or so.
That rarity is partly by design.
In many lodges, once someone becomes a trustee, it is often a long-term commitment—sometimes lasting for the remainder of their life. Trustees are responsible for overseeing the lodge’s property and long-term legal responsibilities, so continuity is usually preferred over frequent turnover. Quite often a change only happens when a trustee passes away or can no longer serve.
Another detail that sometimes surprises people is that the trustees are separate from the lodge officers. In many nonprofit organizations, the trustees and officers are the same group of people serving in different capacities. In Masonry, however, they are typically distinct roles. Lodge officers manage the lodge’s operations and meetings, while the trustees focus on the stewardship of the lodge’s property and legal obligations.
Looking at the earlier filings, the clerk asked for a few additional items: the lodge seal on the documents and the meeting minutes showing where the trustee change had been approved.
So I coordinated with the Master to have the documents sealed, then reached out to the Secretary to obtain the relevant minutes. By Tuesday afternoon, I returned to the courthouse with everything in order and finally completed the filing.
It was one of those quiet but necessary tasks that keep the organization running properly behind the scenes.
Lodge Meeting and Learning the Duties of a Junior Warden
Earlier in the week, I had planned to attend Royal Arch, but the evening took an unexpected turn at home.
An Unexpected Wardrobe Problem
At some point, it appears my dog managed to get hold of an ink pen, and it didn’t end well for my pants. By the time I discovered the situation, the pen had apparently exploded, leaving a rather impressive ink pattern across them—something that might have passed for a Rorschach test if anyone had been analyzing the personality of my pants. That effectively ended my plans for attending Royal Arch that evening.
The next day I went out looking for a replacement pair of pants. That turned out to be more of a challenge than expected. Being a fairly large gentleman, my clothing options tend to be somewhat limited, and finding something that actually fits well can take some effort.
I did manage to find a pair, though they were a bit tighter than I would have preferred. Fortunately, the story didn’t end there.
Later that evening, I arrived early for dinner and fellowship before the lodge meeting began. Another brother who had recently lost weight brought along a few extra pairs of pants that happened to be my size and offered them to me. It was one of those small but meaningful reminders of the way Masons often look out for one another.
Now I’m fully recovered in the wardrobe department.
Moments like that are easy to overlook, but they’re part of what makes the fraternity feel like a genuine brotherhood. When someone sees a way they can help—even with something as simple as a spare pair of pants—they’re often more than happy to do so.
The evening ran long, as good lodge nights often do. I stayed afterward, speaking with several of the officers. As Junior Warden, I’m still learning my way through certain responsibilities, and each meeting seems to present new situations to navigate. Fortunately, the brethren are patient teachers.
Saturday Breakfast and Officer Training
Earlier in the week, we also had our “Last Saturday” breakfast at the lodge, which we open to the public. These breakfasts have become quite popular, and this one drew an especially good crowd because we were hosting our Subordinate Lodge Officer Training (SLOT) immediately afterward.
The training is designed to help officers understand their responsibilities and prepare for future leadership roles within the lodge. Since I’m currently serving as Junior Warden and will likely progress through the officer line in the coming years, I’ve been working closely with the Master to better understand how the lodge operates and what will eventually be expected of me.
During the training, I raised a few questions that had come up while I was studying and learning more about my duties. What was interesting was that even he wasn’t entirely certain about some of the details and had to dig deeper into the sources to find the answers. The Master decided to present those questions to the group to see what others thought.
Before long, those questions began to cascade into other questions. What started as a few points of clarification turned into a much broader conversation about how different lodges handle certain practices and why.
In fact, the discussion ended up taking up most of the training session. The materials the Master had prepared almost became secondary because the conversation had become so engaging.
For me, it was fascinating to see how simply trying to understand things more deeply could spark broader discussion and learning among the group.
Moments like that remind me that learning in Masonry isn’t just about memorizing procedures. It’s about asking thoughtful questions and helping each other grow along the way.
Serving at the HARTS Shelter
The following evening was our lodge’s monthly service at HARTS, the Hope and Rest Temporary Shelter. Many people still remember it by its former name, the Front Royal thermal shelter.
The shelter operates during the colder months, and this visit marked our final one for the season.
Normally, the food preparation is handled by one of the brethren who brings and heats the meal, and I often assist and serve alongside him. He had already started things earlier in the evening, but needed to attend to other matters, so he arranged for me to come in earlier to heat the food that had already been prepared. I found another brother who also agreed to assist in serving the food.
When I arrived, the Master of the lodge was already there, which gave us time to talk about ways to continue building relationships with the community and appendant bodies, and to get in some practice.
Serving dinner was a rewarding experience. A few of the guests recognized me from previous visits and other circles of civic involvement, which is one of the things I appreciate about living in a smaller community. Before I joined the Lodge, I began volunteering at the thermal shelter after realizing I was feeling lonely one Christmas and knew the shelter needed help. I decided it would be better to do something meaningful than to sit at home alone.
I already knew the director from the Chamber of Commerce’s weekly Coffee Break check-in meetings over Zoom while the community was still coming out of the pandemic. When I asked when they needed the most help, she said Friday evenings. So I started coming back every Friday to serve food. If another group arrived to volunteer, I would usually slip out a bit early, so I didn’t feel like a fifth wheel overshadowing their charitable efforts.
I also had a chance to speak with the shelter’s director. The previous week, I had formed a team for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser. It was reported at the time that the community had raised around $35,000 during the event itself. She shared that additional donations had come in afterward, bringing the total closer to $40,000.
During our conversation, she also handed me a beanie from the previous year’s event. There had been some confusion at the time about whether the fundraising goal applied to individuals or teams, and she said that, based on how things were counted, I likely should have qualified for one then as well. Last year, I donated $146 to match our lodge number—Unity Lodge No. 146, but that left me about $4 short of the individual goal to qualify. This year, I made sure to exceed the threshold.
Coffee & Conversation
The Chamber’s weekly Coffee Break Check-Ins on Zoom eventually evolved into the monthly Coffee & Conversation meetings held in person. These gatherings take place at On Cue Sports Bar & Grill on Main Street on the first Friday of each month at 9 a.m.
Friday morning was spent speaking with Leslie Currie from People, Inc., who shared how her organization supports local businesses by helping connect them with banks for lending and providing guidance to fellow business owners. It sounded similar in some ways to what the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center offers. Afterwards, I spoke with several leaders from local businesses, nonprofits, and government.
During those conversations, I also gained some clarity about an issue that has been circulating online regarding blocked access to one of the downtown businesses and the cessation of a permanent easement. Seeing the updated survey plat and plans that morning made a recent judge’s decision much easier to understand compared to an earlier version I had seen.
The monthly meetings are open to the public and are one of the best ways to have direct, one-on-one conversations with local officials and community leaders.
Before leaving, I also spoke with the Director of the Chamber and let her know I would like to sit down sometime to discuss ways she might be able to help with my own business.
A Scottish Cèilidh and a Kilt Pin
Friday evening brought a bit of scheduling gymnastics.
The library was hosting its Scottish Cèilidh (pronounced “Kaylee”) fundraiser, so I arrived wearing a kilt to help with the event. Around the same time, the Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star had invited me to attend the open installation of their officers.
One small detail about the Cèilidh made me pause for a moment before leaving the house.
The only kilt pin I currently own is my square-and-compass pin. I usually wear a kilt for Robbie Burns nights, which the Shriners often host, and the local museum here in town hosts one every year as well. Those evenings are lively events with bagpipes, Robert Burns’ poetry often recited in Scottish accents, and the ceremonial presentation of haggis.
When I was getting dressed, I realized that the Masonic pin was the only thing I had available to keep the kilt from flapping about. So I went with it.
At the same time, I try to be mindful not to let any single part of my life become the only thing people associate me with.
That’s part of the reason I don’t plaster my car with symbols or bumper stickers for every organization I’m involved in. I care deeply about many of them—Masonry, the library, community work—but I also enjoy connecting with people through a wide range of interests.
Life tends to be richer when conversations can wander through many subjects rather than staying on just one.
Attending an Eastern Star Installation
As the evening progressed, the Cèilidh was running smoothly, so I said my goodbyes and headed home to change before attending the installation.
The Worthy Matron had suggested I could simply attend in my kilt, but by that point, I was already home and decided to arrive in a suit and tie instead.
While there, I asked for a pamphlet to share with someone who had been asking me questions, so I could provide information directly from the chapter rather than trying to explain everything myself. While I can’t actively ask people to join Freemasonry or its appendant bodies, I try to be open about my affiliation and carry myself in a way that invites people to ask questions once they feel comfortable doing so. Like many people, I had my own misconceptions about Masonry before joining. In reality, it’s not nearly as mysterious as people sometimes imagine once you understand what it’s about and how it works.
The installation was very well done, and afterward I sent a follow-up message thanking the Worthy Matron for the hospitality. Taking the time to express appreciation helps maintain goodwill and strengthen relationships between our organizations.
Planning for the Apple Blossom Parade
Meanwhile, other Masonic obligations were beginning to stack up.
The Apple Valley Shrine Club had received approval to participate in the Winchester Apple Blossom Parade, and with that approval came authorization for the various Shrine units to participate as well. As parade coordinator, that meant I now needed to complete the applications for the club and the different units involved.
Shrine Mug Fundraiser
At the same time, I’ve been working on a small fundraising effort for the club.
Recently, we started producing custom mugs, and they’ve been selling surprisingly well. Demand has been high enough that many people who missed the meeting still want one. Because of that, I ordered additional mugs so we can continue making them available.
The sublimation printer, heat press, and other equipment I ordered for the project began arriving at my house on Friday and Saturday. So while everything else was happening this week, I’ve also been stacking boxes of equipment and materials, getting ready to start producing another batch of mugs.
I initially ordered a dozen more, though I suspect that might not even be enough based on how quickly they’ve been moving.
Interestingly, I also noticed one of the shops in town selling similar sublimated mugs for about fifteen dollars. That observation might actually be helpful for the fundraiser.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed a few quality details that I tend to pay attention to that may not be immediately recognizable to most people—mainly how the logo aligns on both the front and back when the mug is held naturally. I hadn’t initially thought much about this detail, but I had already been paying close attention to alignment and appearance from the viewing angle most people use. That extra attention to presentation adds value through both quality and customization.
Because of the price and attention to alignment, I recommended that the club consider raising the price closer to that amount, which would allow more of the proceeds to go directly toward supporting the club and its activities.
Since this is still a fairly new effort for us, it’s been interesting to see how quickly something as simple as a mug can become a meaningful way to raise funds.
Leadership Conference in Waynesboro
One of the brothers asked whether anyone was attending the District Education Leadership Conference (DELC) the next morning in Waynesboro, Virginia.
A brother who lives about halfway there said he would go if someone else was going, which meant waking up around five in the morning so I could arrive at his house by seven.
From there, we still had about an hour’s drive, giving us some time to talk with others before the conference began.
When we arrived, he set up a table representing the Shriners, along with a hat from the Hillbilly Clan. Several other Masonic organizations were also represented, including Royal Arch, Commandery, Rainbow Girls, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
lapel pin & challenge coin
There was also a fundraising effort underway for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, hosted by a brother with a familiar face. I purchased a lapel pin and a challenge coin, and inquired about a large project they have underway to celebrate the occasion in 2028. Many of the lapel pins and coins in Masonry and its appendant bodies are simply collected and stored away. One day, I’ll have to find a way to display them in my home, and perhaps write something about each occasion in which they were acquired.
Lapel Pin for 2026
I attended a couple of sessions focusing on finances, fundraising, and membership retention. From what I saw, it was very similar to the challenges other nonprofit organizations face. It was interesting to see the parallels between different groups and how they approach training and leadership development. I also listened to the Grand Master speak and even managed to receive one of his pins when he began handing them out around the room.
By the end of the conference, I had picked up a few books, a challenge coin, written down a number of notes, and came away with plenty of questions for the brothers I often seek advice from. Several of the books focus specifically on lodge leadership, which will be helpful as I progress through the officer line and plan for my year as the Master of the lodge.
Many of these educational booklets were $5, while one was $8. Many of them come from materials in the presentation guide that most Masons already have, but these editions focus on specific topics in a format that’s easier to keep on hand. Others are pulled from the Methodical Digest, and most are available for free download to members. However, I prefer physical copies for offline reading and taking notes.
Books that I purchased included:
- Lodge Leadership & Officer Development
- Master Masons and Prospective Lodge Officers: A way to better understand the expectations placed on officers before moving further up the line, helping me see the bigger picture of lodge leadership.
- A Primer for Masonic Lodge Wardens: Since I’m currently serving as Junior Warden, this booklet stood out as a practical guide to the role and how it fits into preparing for the responsibilities that eventually lead to the East.
- A Primer for the Worshipful Master: Even though that chair is still a few years away, I picked this up out of curiosity to start understanding the scope of the Master’s duties, so I’m not completely learning it all at the last minute.
- A Guide for Planning Your Year as Worshipful Master: This one seemed especially useful because planning and organization appear to be half the challenge of the East, and seeing how others structure a successful year felt worth studying early on.
- Lodge Management Certificate Program: This one provides a more systematic way to learn the administrative and leadership skills that keep a lodge functioning well.
- Lodge Administration & Operations
- Lodge Financial Manual: The Master ultimately bears responsibility for the lodge’s health. Understanding finances ahead of time seemed like an important area where I don’t want to be caught unprepared.
- Jobs To Keep Our Brethren Active And Our Lodges Healthy: One of the challenges of every organization is keeping members engaged, and this booklet looked like a useful source of ideas for building participation and keeping brothers involved.
- Masonic Etiquette Protocol and Decorum: Good meetings depend on good conduct and understanding traditions, and this book looked like a helpful reminder of the small details that help lodge life run smoothly.
- Tradition, History, & Reference
- Kidd’s Self-Pronouncing Masonic Dictionary: A useful reference to keep nearby whenever unfamiliar terms or pronunciations come up while studying ritual or reading other Masonic materials.
- Ceremony for Laying Cornerstones: One of the more visible public traditions of Masonry, I was curious to better understand how they are conducted.
- The Table Lodge: I picked this up out of curiosity about the festive board tradition and how it contributes to fellowship and shared experience among the brethren.
Realistically, I may not read every one of these books from cover to cover with everything else happening in the community. But knowing the information is close at hand makes it easier to look things up when questions arise, and that alone provides some reassurance as I continue preparing for the responsibilities that lie ahead. They will also be easy to lend or pass along if another brother finds them useful or has a greater need for them.
Upon leaving the DELC, a couple of brothers also handed out pocket booklets titled George Washington’s Rules of Civility, provided by the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. Portraits of George Washington appear in most lodges, as he remains one of the most respected figures in the fraternity’s history. The booklet itself is a short collection of principles about conduct and character, which felt fitting given the themes of leadership and preparation discussed throughout the conference.
Ending the Week with a Little Magic
By the time I got home, the week had finally caught up with me. I had slept very little the night before and ended up collapsing for a long nap.
In fact, I almost missed a birthday party that afternoon.
I managed to arrive about thirty minutes before the end of the gathering—just enough time to wish my friend a happy birthday and spend a little time visiting with everyone.
A young girl was performing magic tricks for the adults, and I couldn’t resist sharing a small trick of my own and showing her how it worked.
It seemed like a fitting end to a week that had been full of unexpected intersections.
Some weeks are quiet.
Others seem to weave together service, fellowship, learning, and the occasional bit of improvisation.
This was definitely one of the latter.
Looking Ahead to the Week
Sunday brings church, which is work in itself. I usually pick up one of the church members on the way before setting up the audio system and preparing the livestream. The pastor may also spend some time discussing an effort to digitize historical church records—something I’ve been involved with through the Archives Committee at the Warren Heritage Society and through a proposal I previously prepared for another local church. I’ve mentioned the idea of digitizing the records a couple of times, and he’s beginning to show interest in exploring what’s involved.
After church, I often like to stop by the Stone Branch Center for the Arts, where they host a variety of events such as a writers’ salon, drum circles, and an open microphone for musical artists. Tomorrow they’ll be hosting a Death Café, where tea is often served along with small treats while participants talk about their experiences with death and grief—or simply listen to others who wish to share.
Conversations there sometimes lead to helpful advice for my own projects supporting local nonprofits. Lately, those ideas have included fundraising through printed ink blocks based on local newspaper advertisements from 1881, screen-printing full-page circus posters from the same era, contributing a piece to an upcoming gallery exhibit titled Behind the Mask, and a small phone project where visitors can dial a rotary phone to hear a prerecorded audio story. That last idea uses a Raspberry Pi with open-source Private Branch Exchange (PBX) software and adapters that allow multiple analog phones to operate over Voice over IP (VoIP).
Monday will take me over to Fairfax for a regularly scheduled medical checkup and to discuss plans for replacing my pacemaker later this fall. I still feel a bit of anxiety about it. The path that led to receiving a pacemaker at a relatively young age was long and, at times, difficult to talk about.
Normally, I try not to schedule anything after appointments like this. The drive, bloodwork, medications, and conversations with my doctor often leave me physically and emotionally drained. However, the bimonthly trustee meeting at the library falls on the same day, and I can’t miss it. Life doesn’t always arrange itself around our comfort, so sometimes we simply show up and do what needs to be done.
Tuesday brings another round of community activity. During the afternoon, I’ll be volunteering at the library’s “What the Tech!” program, where we help people troubleshoot problems with their phones, tablets, and computers. Later that evening, there is a Board of Supervisors’ work session where they’ll go over the budget outlook, capital improvement plans, and an asset replacement plan. Following that, I’ll be attending an Exploratory Music Jam at the Stone Branch Center for the Arts. I’m debating whether to bring my Chaos Beans noise box or something else equally strange and whimsical.
Wednesday evening I’ll be traveling to Manassas for a meeting of the Shriners Clown Club. I’ve seen a few photos, awards, and even a video of one of the skits performed by members who attended Clown-a-Rama hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Shrine Club Association (MASCA) this weekend, so I’m looking forward to finally seeing the group in person.
On Friday, several of my Masonic brothers and sisters from the Order of the Eastern Star will be joining me at the senior center, where we spend time visiting with some of the residents.
Then on Saturday I’ll be driving a few hours to visit my dad and his wife. She has been receiving hospice care for some time now, so it’s important to check in on them both and see how they’re doing.
Looking ahead, the coming week already seems to be shaping up as a crossroads—church, community work, Masonry, family, and the occasional long drive. Some weeks seem to gather all of those paths together at once.
