Greetings, Brethren! It is my pleasure to provide you a summer update on the activities of Raytown Lodge #391.

We recently completed our annual fireworks tent fundraiser.  As you may be aware this activity is the primary fundraiser to support operation of our Lodge. This year for the first time we operated just the smaller tent on our own property.  Business was stronger than normal and our year was very successful.  I’d like to extend our sincere thanks to our friends at Christian Lodge #392, Mt. Washington Lodge #614, Ivanhoe Lodge #446, Prince Hall Freemasonry and Boy Scout Troop 550 for helping us make this a successful event.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Raytown Lodge and our entire fraternity.  We are holding our stated meetings, but for now to help promote social distancing and reduce risk we are not providing dinner before meetings.  The Grand Master has issued an edict which guides Masonic activities and your Lodge complies with this edict as well as with governmental directives and requirements.

Due to pandemic concerns the lodge made the difficult decision to cancel our annual Raytown Community BBQ contest.  We had a number of contestants willing to participate but ultimately decided to cancel for the safety of all involved.  We look forward to returning stronger next year.

For many years Masonic ritual excellence has been a hallmark of Raytown Lodge. The brothers of our Lodge pride themselves on being among the best in the state at ritual.  Earlier in the year we were able to achieve the Bronze ritual award.  The brothers were hard at work practicing for the Silver and Gold awards, but in the interest of safety from COVID-19 we are not able to test for those awards this year.

We are also not able to complete any degree work at this time due to social distancing requirements. We have a sizeable pipeline in that we have two Fellowcrafts awaiting their Master Mason degrees, two Entered Apprentices, one candidate and an Entered Apprentice transferring in from another state.  Once we are allowed to complete degree work again it will be a very busy period for the Lodge.

Your Master-elect, Brother Doug Jonesi, is planning a tremendous Lodge year for 2020-21.  He has announced that the annual installation of officers will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2020.  The type of ceremony remains to be determined based on safety considerations.

Your Lodge officers continue to work diligently to constantly improve Raytown Lodge #391, even with the challenges of the current unprecedented circumstances. 

Fraternally,

RWB Rick Kingcade
Worshipful Master