Erik Marks, member of Alpha Lodge, brings into focus the subject of Masonic Relief in his expanded article, "In Darkness, Wishing for Light" published on The Midnight Freemasons and first published in the Trowel Magazine in the Fall of 2018.

The expanded article provides advice and strategies for reaching out to those in need who may not be able to do so for themselves. We commend our brother for this contribution and look forward to seeing more from him in the near future.

On October 11, 2018, the Worshipful Master and five members of Alpha Lodge met at Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, for the service of Brother and Colonel Lee Dickson, after which Brother Dickson was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

The fact that the members of Alpha Lodge had never met Brother Dickson in person, and that only a handful of the brothers had the pleasure to have spoken to Brother Dickson during our regular calls to members, was not of consequence. This was going to be both an emotional and poignent day, but also a day where the light of Freemasonry and humanity shines brightly.

Read more: Alpha Says Goodbye at Arlington National Cemetery

Right Worshipful Robert E. Havener will be installed Potentate of the Aleppo Shrine this month. Brother Havener was raised in Alpha Lodge in 1993 and is a Past Master (1999, 2011); he is also our acting Treasurer. Rob has served as both an officer of and a representative to the Framingham Temple Association and has done so for many years. He was District Deputy Grand Master for the 15N Masonic District in 2009, and he is a founding member of Scimitar Lodge.

Brother Havener will be installed as Potentate Saturday, January 19, 2019. Please mark this date and consider celebrating this milestone with your Brother.

For more details, please visit the Aleppo Shriners website: https://nobles.alepposhriners.com/event/aleppo-january-2019-ceremonial/

Alpha Lodge has been named a nominee for the Golden Gavel Awards, being held on January 26, 2019, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum in Lexington. The Golden Gavel Awards is a new event meant to showcase outstanding programs and activities by lodges in the jurisdiction and are presented to those “advancing our Craft and the lodges.” Alpha Lodge has been nomination in the category of “Activation” for the work done to promote Freemasonry via our technology and web site.

Framingham Freemasons announce their M.A.S.O.N. program, which stands for Medical Apparatus Servicing Our Neighbors.  Lee Cleveland, founder of the program and member of Middlesex Lodge, describe the program's mission: "To lend at no cost home-use health/hospital equipment to those in need."

The requirements are simple, "a need for equipment and a willingness to promptly return the equipment when no longer needed." This program is for anyone, not just for Freemasons.  It is supported by Freemasons from Framingham but also from the metrowest area. The equipment is for home use only and may not be transferred to another individual or party. For detailed information, please visit the website for the M.A.S.O.N. program: https://www.mason-metrowest.org

The members of Alpha Lodge escorted three candidates to the 2018 Fall 2019 reunion of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Right, which boasted one of the largest classes in recent memory at 212 candidates (and more on a waiting list).

Behind the scenes, Alpha brothers worked as members of the Knights of St. Andrew, with Craig Rothman, Rich Goetz, and Bill Gianoukos assisting. Al Grenier and Adam Marks worked as part of the degree team. If you have interest in joining the AASR or in working within one of the bodies, please contact Adam Marks, our AASR district champion.