Greetings Brethren,
It is my sincere hope that you and your families have been able to weather our recent challenges safely. COVID-19 is a serious issue and hopefully our Masonic family has been spared from the worst of it’s impact.
In keeping with the directives of the State of Missouri, Jackson County and the Grand Lodge of Missouri we were unable to meet from March until mid May. Your lodge officers kept in contact through electronic communications to assure the critical aspects of lodge business were addressed.
Based on the reopening guidelines established by Jackson County we are now able to resume meeting, and gathered to do so on June 4. Although we can now meet our practices will be different for the time being. For now we will not serve dinner before the meeting. We will follow social distancing guidelines. Pursuant to the edict of the Grand Master we will only open lodges on the 1st degree, and temporarily are unable to perform any degree work or ceremonies. It is my hope that these restrictions will be able to be eased as we progress through the summer.
I am happy to report that our lodge is growing in that we have two Fellowcrafts, one Entered Apprentice and one candidate awaiting degree work. We also have one Entered Apprentice who is in the process of transferring in from another state. Once we can again perform degree work we can help these brothers along in their Masonic journeys.
At our stated meeting on June 4 we held our annual election of officers. I am pleased to report that the following individuals were elected to serve as your lodge officers for the 2020-2021 lodge year:
- Worshipful Master Douglas Jonesi
- Senior Warden Michael Gatschet
- Junior Warden Brandon Burkitt
- Treasurer WB Steven Holbrook
- Secretary WB Hank Bedsaul
Please join me in congratulating these brothers on their election. I look forward to an exciting lodge year in 2021 under their guidance.
As mentioned earlier Raytown Lodge will again be operating a fireworks tent this season. We will be operating the tent on our lodge parking lot. We are no longer involved in the tent at 350 Highway and Blue Ridge. WB Tony Mesa has prepared an online signup sheet for the work schedule. If you are able please sign up. We have posted the link on our lodge Facebook page and in the Greater Kansas City Masonic Calendar group. If you need the link please get ahold of myself or Tony.
We are also on track to complete our barbecue contest on August 8 and 9. We will again partner with the Raytown Main Street Association and will conduct our contest alongside their Raytown Live! Concert event. Many thanks to Brother Brandon Burkitt for taking the lead in this endeavor.
A lodge is only as strong as its membership. We realize these are unprecedented times with unique risks and challenges. Please keep your Lodge in your heart and mind, and join us if you feel comfortable doing so. We miss seeing our Brothers!
Fraternally,
Rick Kingcade
Worshipful Master