My Brothers,

2012 has started well.  Not perfect by any means but a good start nonetheless. There has been one candidate that has been balloted on with more in the pipeline.  From a community service perspective, we have a full list of volunteers for our first session at the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen and there has been a moderate amount of non-perishable food items being donated at the meetings.  All of these things have one thing in common; they all required a group effort.  A collective effort is what is needed for any lodge to be successful and that is what I would like to see from all of us.

The Robert Burns Supper that was scheduled for 28 January was cancelled due to an absolutely dismal response for reservations.  Regardless of what your opinion was of the menu, scotch tasting, entertainment, etc., this was an occasion worth attending. The lack of support was a huge disappointment to anyone that had a hand in the organization of the event.  This supper was supposed to serve several purposes.  First and foremost was promotion of fellowship among the craft. Second, was providing much needed funds to support a new Cub Scout Pack that we are supposed to be sponsoring through a silent auction.  Third was the potential to meet Brothers from other Lodges and possibly even gain some new Brothers.  This was not just an occasion to eat, drink and be merry.  It was supposed to serve a much greater purpose.  As stated previously, a collective effort is needed for any lodge to be successful.  In the future, I implore all of you to please support social events of this nature.  We have started well and it can only get better if we help each other.

I have enthusiastically accepted an invitation extended to us by Worshipful Master Chad Killeen during his visitation on January 18 to join Trumbull Lodge #22 in marching in this years’ St. Patrick’s Day parade in New Haven.  This is a great event that will help promote Masonry here in New Haven.  I urge all that can to volunteer and march with us on March 11.  Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks.  Brother Chad also invited Cosmopolitan Brothers to a St. Patrick’s Day Table Lodge on March 15 at 7:30.  Cost is ten dollars per person and RSVP with payment by March 1.

Congratulations to our newly installed Marshal, Brother Jonathan Glassman for receiving the Fellowcraft Club’s Paul L. Dworkin Mason of the Year Award for 2011.  I can think of no one that deserves the award more than him.  Jonathan has been working very hard from the moment he was raised and I am sure that he will continue to do so.  Well done, Jonathan!

We have also begun having a Lodge Fellowship night on the fourth Wednesday of every month around 7PM.  The location changes nearly every month but the mission is the same; for Brothers to have a little fun outside of Lodge and to invite potential candidates to answer any questions or at the very least, get acquainted.  Stay tuned for locations.  No RSVP required, just show up. 

On a more personal note, I would like to once again thank all of you for presenting me with the opportunity to serve the Lodge this year as Master.  I will do my best to continue with the good work that has been done by my predecessors. Finally, to everybody who told me that the view from the East is very different once you are elected Master; no truer statement has ever reached my ears.

Take care my brothers and I will see you at Lodge.

Fraternally,

Jason E. Morse, Worshipful Master