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Brother << Test First Name >>,
As the final winds of winter give way to the promise of spring, March calls us to a season of renewal and growth. While February focused on steadfastness, this month invites us to plant the seeds of new labor and watch our shared efforts begin to bloom.
In the spirit of the equinox, let us seek balance in all our endeavors. May we transition from the quiet reflection of winter to the active energy of spring, keeping our actions aligned with the Square and our hearts open to the lessons of the Level.
Let the light of Porter Lodge No. 137 shine with fresh vitality. By nurturing our bonds and recommitting to our craft, we ensure our Fraternity remains a vibrant, living testament to our timeless principles.
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✵ MEET THE NEW LODGE OFFICERS
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As the Lodge cycle renews, we are proud to welcome Brother Brent Breese to the officer line. Appointed by Worshipful Brother Ian Christiansen, Brother Brent will serve as Junior Steward.
Known for his "service-first" energy and a proactive attitude toward the comfort of the Brethren, Brent’s dedication to Masonic ritual and personal growth makes him an ideal leader for this essential office.
We look forward to his success as he begins his journey through the chairs.
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✵ WHAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY
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February was a meaningful month for our Lodge. On February 3, we gathered for our annual Chili Cook-Off before the Stated Meeting, with Brother Brian Austin earning top honors. On February 21, Brethren attended an Entered Apprentice Workshop at Hebron Lodge, and on February 24, we conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree upon a new Brother, continuing the growth of our Craft.
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02/03/2026 …. February Stated Meeting
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02/10/2026 …. Ritual Practice
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02/17/2026 …. Ritual Practice
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02/21/2026 …. D1 EA Workshop
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02/24/2026 …. Entered Apprentice Degree
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02/26/2026 …. Trustees’ Meeting
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✵ MARCH: PLANNED MEETINGS & DEGREES
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03/03/2026 …. March Stated
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03/07/2026 …. Family Movie Night
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03/26/2026 …. Area Conference (Calumet Lodge No. 379 - Chesterton, IN)
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✵ 175 YEAR REDEDICATION COIN
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The 175th Rededication of Porter Lodge No. 137 is fast approaching, and commemorative coins are now available for purchase. By securing a coin, you not only own a piece of Masonic history but also support this special event, which will take place on May 8, 2027.
Official invitations and additional details will be sent to you in due course. For now, the most important thing is to claim your coin and preserve a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Order yours today.
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My Masonic Story to Share
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Brother Justin Miller:
Pillars to Dust
My lodge has recently lost several brothers. In memorial, I composed this elegy: I wished to share it with you, Brothers.…
I once stood before a mausoleum
A tomb of stone for a traveling man
Doric columns like the colosseum
Assembled with care by a Master's hand …
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WB Rodney McGillvary:
The Craft of Memory: Constructing Palaces for Ritual
Long before the stone of the Temple was laid at Jerusalem, and long before the first initiate walked between the pillars, there was another temple, an invisible one, built not of stone but of thought. This was the Memory Palace. Known in the classical world as the Method of Loci, it was practiced by orators in Greece and Rome…
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RWB Robert H. Johnson:
The New Year is Comin, Harpocrates!
The new year is around the corner, and with that comes renewal. Renewal of things both old and maybe not so old. Another beginning. As humans, we see the world and time in an odd way; we see things linearly. That is, we need a beginning, a middle, and an end. From death springs new life. Life is, after all, an amazing cycle. In Masonic philosophy, this cycle mirrors the doctrine of regeneration or “eternal becoming,” where …
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✵ SCHOFIELD HOUSE: THE HISTORY
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The Schofield House in Madison is revered as the birthplace of Indiana Freemasonry. On January 12, 1818, delegates from nine local lodges met in this Federal-style building to officially organize the Grand Lodge of Indiana. Today, it stands as a preserved museum and a historic monument to the fraternal foundations of the state’s early civic life.
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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.
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If you have considered joining the ritualistic cast and assuming a role, please speak with the Worshipful Master or the Secretary. They will ensure you receive the proper materials and guidance to master your part and shine at the next degree. Instruction in the Funeral Ceremony is also available for those who wish to learn.
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Brethren and families, we are just a few days away from our Family Movie Night! Join us for an evening of fellowship and fun as we gather to enjoy a great film together.
Hot dogs, popcorn, and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance so we can plan accordingly. Feel free to bring blankets or lawn chairs (with clean feet) if you’d like comfortable seating.
We look forward to seeing everyone there for a wonderful night together!
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Congratulations on completing yet another masterclass of an orbit around the sun! While the February brothers were hunkered down against the frost, you March brothers were busy ushering in the change of the tides.
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✵ FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK
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Brothers,
It is now March, and if you have not yet paid your annual dues, they are officially past due. You have received several email reminders regarding this obligation over the last few months.
Following our March Stated Meeting, standard procedure requires that final notices be sent via certified mail. We understand that life happens and that family needs must always come first. This is why we are slow to terminate memberships; we know that a few months of delay is often just a temporary hurdle. However, our Lodge relies on these dues to operate, and like any organization, we require timely payment to flourish.
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Regrettably, some members will soon receive letters of termination. In these cases, months of delinquency have turned into years, suggesting that the fellowship and self-improvement Masonry offers are no longer a priority for them. We wish them well on their journey.
For those still looking to settle their accounts, your new membership cards will be mailed as soon as payment is received. Until then, please be mindful that you are not currently a Mason in good standing—a situation that is easily rectified.
With Brotherly Love, the Secretary
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If you have not activated your account but would still like to pay online, please contact me and I will provide you with a personalized payment link that allows you to complete your payment in just a few clicks.
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