Letter from Imperial Shrine to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska

Brethren:  As you know, we have been dealing with an issue regarding the Imperial Shrine since early in 2013.  You can read my post of January 18 to get further details.

This post is to share with you a letter from Imperial Shrine to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.  This letter will be read into the record at Annual Communications next week by a representative of the Imperial Shrine.  He will also be presenting the checks to Midwest No. 317 and the York Rite of Hastings.

Again, I’d like to thank all of the Brothers that helped with this issue and many thanks to the divan of the Imperial Shrine for their cooperation.

You can read the letter by clicking on the link below:

Nebraska Letter from Imperial Potentate

 

Annual Dinner with Prince Hall Grand Lodge Brothers

On 26 January, the Grand Lodge officers traveled to Omaha to dine with our Prince Hall Grand Lodge brethren.  This year, 2014, is the 25th anniversary of Nebraska’s recognition of the Prince Hall Masonry.

 

iPad App for Nebraska Mason Magazine

Now available in the iTunes app store!  This free app will allow you to read the Nebraska Mason magazine on your iPad (sorry, not iPhone compatible).  Simply search the app store for Nebraska Mason or use this link:  iPad App

An Android version is coming soon!

This app was made for us by a Brother Mason in Romania that runs twinzApp.com.  He is providing us this service Brother to Brother for no cost!

If you have any feedback on the app, please let me know!

 

Masonic Relief Quilt

The custom quilt that is being raffled off at Annual Communications is coming along nicely! The attached pictures show our quilt artist, Ruth Lindly quilting by hand on this amazing piece of work!  There are still some ticket available, please contact the Grand Lodge office or any Grand Lodge officers to get yours!

 

Midwest Lodge No. 317 and Imperial Shrine Legal Conflict

Brethren:  In the December 2013 Nebraska Mason magazine, I detailed for you the ongoing legal conflict between Midwest Lodge No. 317, the York Rite bodies of Hastings and Imperial Shrine concerning a deceased Brother’s estate.  (The article can be read here.)

Since the publication of the December NE Mason, we have continued to work on bringing this issue to a positive conclusion and I am very pleased to share the following information with you:

1.  On 13 December 2013, the legal department for Imperial Shrine asked the court to drop their petition regarding the trust and the money disbursed to the Lodge and YR.

2.  On 16 December 2013, I submitted the invoices from Midwest 317 and YR to Imperial Shrine and asked for them to reimburse both the Lodge and the YR for money spent defending themselves from the Shrine’s actions.  Imperial Shrine agree to take it under consideration at the January board meeting.

3.  On 16 January 2014, I was advised by a member of the Imperial Divan that the Divan had voted to reimburse fully both the Lodge and the YR of Hastings.  Additionally, a representative of the Imperial Potentate is now scheduled to attend our Annual Communications in February to present the checks to the Lodge and YR of Hastings.  I have agreed to make time in our schedule for the presentation during the public opening.

It is my hope that this is the end of this issue and that we will not experience this sort of discord again in this jurisdiction.  I want to thank everyone that helped in this process, it was truly a team effort.  I also want to thank the members of the Imperial Shrine for making the right decision.

 

 

Fate of Ark of the Covenant Revealed in Hebrew Text

From Yahoo! news. Thought this was interesting.

Ark of the Covenant link

 

Grand Lodge Web Site Survey

The Grand Lodge of Nebraska has launched a project to re-design the Grand Lodge web site to make it more useful and easier to use for our members and prospective members.

To help us in our design choices, please answer the following questions.  This survey should take you less than 10 min. but will be of great help to the team working on the project.

The survey is now closed.  Thank you for your participaton!

 

Mizpah Lodge No. 302 Installation

On 4 January 2014, Lady Ann and I plus several Grand Lodge officers attended the installation of WB Travis R. Bader to Worshipful Master of Mizpah Lodge No. 302.  WB Travis has virtually grown up in Masonry and it was great to see him be installed as Master by his step-father WB Steve Barchus (who also raised him a Master Mason!)  Good luck to WB Travis and his officers for a great 2014!