As the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana approaches its Annual Communication in May, the sense of tradition and transition becomes central to our collective experience. The change of leadership in the Grand East is a moment of both reflection on our past and anticipation for our future. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Right Worshipful Brother John Bridegroom, 33°, Deputy Grand Master, as he stands upon the threshold of his upcoming term.

Following the March Stated Meeting on March 3rd, several key activities took place. Members and their children enjoyed a relaxed Family Movie Night on March 10, followed by Mentoring Night on March 17. The month closed with the Area Conference on March 26, at Calumet Lodge No. 379 in Chesterton, concluding with a Trustees’ Meeting on April 2nd to address Lodge business.

• 03/03/2026 …. March Stated Meeting

• 03/10/2026 …. Family Movie Night

• 03/17/2026 …. Mentoring Night

• 03/26/2026 …. Area Conference

• 04/07/2026 …. April Stated

• 04/28/2026 …. Roundtable Discussion on the EA Degree

Time is Running Out: Secure Your Piece of History

The 175th Rededication of Porter Lodge No. 137 is fast approaching, and our commemorative coins have been a huge hit. Fewer than 50 coins now remain in our inventory.

By securing one of these final pieces, you aren't just owning a token of Masonic history - you are directly supporting the milestone celebration taking place on May 8, 2027.

Note: Official invitations and event details will follow in due course. For now, the priority is ensuring you don't miss out on this limited-run memento.

Claim yours today to preserve a lasting legacy for generations to come before the vault is empty.

WB Robert Easton:

A Reflection On Brotherly Love

Every Masonic Lodge brings together all kinds of men. Some are confident speakers, comfortable in conversation and naturally able to read the room around them. Others are more quiet, more reserved, or simply different in how they interact with people. Being in the Lodge room doesn’t change these characteristics, and at times it may even highlight that we are all rough ashlars in different stages of being shaped.

Brother Jonathan Dinsmore:

Who is the Son of the Widow?

The origin of the term Widow’s Son is quite old and deep in Masonic Lore. Why does the orphan hero play such a prominent role in movies, mythology, and Masonry?

Perhaps most well known as a Masonic motorcycle club, the origin of the term Widow’s Son is actually quite old and deep in Masonic Lore. What is the significance of this term, why is every Mason considered to be a Widow’s Son? As with so many other aspects of Freemasonry, the mystery of the Widow’s Son is part of a multi-layered living tapestry of myth which is both investigated, discovered, passed on, and reconstructed over time by each Mason individually, and all Masons collectively.

SHORT TALK BULLETIN :

ALTAR

A Masonic Lodge is a symbol of the world as it was thought to be in the olden times. Our ancient Brethren had a profound insight when they saw that the world is a Temple, over-hung by a starry canopy at night, lighted by the journeying sun by day, wherein man goes forth to his labor on a checker-board of lights and shadows, joy and sorrows, seeking to reproduce on earth the law and order of heaven.

Traditions From Time Immemorial:

The Tradition of the Apron

In the Mystery traditions of the world, vesture is never a decoration; it is an investiture. The apron, the girdle, and the sash are not merely worn, they are conferred; and what is conferred is a visible covenant, a public sign that the inward man has accepted discipline, purification, and service. …

RWB CHAD M. LACEK, 33˚:

The Thumbprint on the Plans

Freemasonry has long encouraged the study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. This is not offered as a casual suggestion, nor as an academic formality. It is a directive with purpose. We are meant to study, not simply to know more, but to understand more. The world around us is not a backdrop. It is a text, and we are expected to read it.

March 18, 2026, Schererville, IN - The Traveling Gavel has found a new home once again! We are pleased to announce that Worshipful Master John Knight and the Brethren of Dunes Lodge arrived in sufficient numbers at McKinley Lodge during our Entered Apprentice degree. By virtue of their strong attendance, they have successfully captured the gavel. Congratulations to Dunes Lodge! Well done! Now the question remains: which Lodge will be the next to pursue the gavel? We encourage you to head over to Portage to visit Dunes Lodge—enjoy the fellowship, and bring that gavel home with you!

The Porter Lodge Traveling Gavel stands as a distinguished emblem of the Fraternity’s unity - a symbol of brotherly love, mutual affection, and the enduring spirit of Masonic fellowship throughout Northwest Indiana.

Originating at Porter Lodge, it was conceived as a traveling token, passing from lodge to lodge as a living testament to the bonds that unite Freemasons across the region.

The members of the Lodge - especially those who have accepted an office - are expected to participate in the ritual work. This is one of the fundamental aims of our Craft: labor combined with thoughtful study and reflection.

On March 7th, Porter Lodge #137 in Valparaiso, Indiana, opened its doors for a warm and memorable Family Movie Night, bringing together brothers, loved ones, and friends in a spirit of true fellowship.

On the evening of March 26, 2026, the Northwest Indiana Area Conference was convened at Calumet Lodge No. 379 in Chesterton. Though forecasts warned of storms and hail, the inclement weather did little to deter attendance. The dining hall was filled with Brothers whose dedication to the Craft prevailed over the elements.

The evening began in fellowship, as Brothers and guests gathered to break bread together. Warm greetings, familiar faces, and lively conversation set the tone, with updates and aspirations shared from lodges across the region. This spirit of unity and camaraderie - so central to Freemasonry - was evident throughout the hall.

You didn’t just witness the start of spring—you are the season in full bloom. While the March brothers were busy breaking the ice, you April brothers arrived to prove that what follows the thaw is something truly spectacular. You own the month where the earth finally commits to its colors, proving that patience and persistence always lead to a masterpiece.

During the April meeting, the Lodge voted on how to proceed with unpaid dues. For Brothers who have communicated their hardships—such as health issues or unemployment—the Lodge often votes to remit those dues, covering the Grand Lodge fees on their behalf. However, for those who have remained unresponsive despite numerous attempts, the Lodge must move toward suspension.

Our dues are what allow this Lodge to thrive and continue spreading Masonic light. If you are behind on your dues and have not yet received a suspension notice, please contact me immediately to pay online or confirm that your check is in the mail. We never wish to terminate a membership and always approach these matters with brotherly love and understanding.

With Brotherly Love, the Secretary