A simple letter of invitation to appropriate groups can spark
Masonic involvement in your area.

Responding to a novel membership initiative, 68 Brethren, attended a special reception at the Yacht Club of Jacksonville, Florida, where they were invited to renew their Masonic activity.
Photo: Bro. H. Joe Tull, 32°, K.C.C.H.

Less than a half century ago, it was common to recognize a stranger as a Brother Mason by his display of a lapel pin, a Square and Compasses emblem on his ring, or an insignia on his automobile. Unfortunately, many Masons today have departed from this tradition and fail to display any Masonic insignia. Sometimes even good friends don't realize they share a fraternal bond.

My neighborhood is probably very similar to yours. For over 45 years it has rested in the heart of an eclectic mix of citizens. Some live in clearly prestigious homes; other homes are quite ordinary. Our children attend the same schools, we shop in many of the same stores, and we mingle at our respective places of worship. Some belong to nearby private swim and golf clubs, while others use municipal golf courses and swim in public pools. My point is that we often overlook the common thread, Masonry, that puts us on the same plane. We may sit at the same lunch counter and rub elbows with a fellow without ever knowing we may be Brother Masons.

The following form letter offers a possible solution to the problem. To contact your neighbor Masons, consider using this letter as the starting point to a personalized form you can mail to appropriate local organizations. All the men who responded to the letter were Master Masons or had at one time been card-carrying Brothers of the Craft. I invited 106 neighborhood Masonic acquaintances, and 64% showed up. We invited everyone who wanted to attend, even though they no longer lived in our vicinity and might only be passing through in the future. Several of my fellow Florida Yacht Club members, men I already knew to be Masons, helped support this project, both financially and with their practical help. It was an effort, but, even so, if we reinstate a few Brothers who have dropped by the wayside and are no longer attending our Lodges, Consistories, and Centers, it will be worth it! Here is the letter we sent:

INVITATION

DATE: February 20, 2003
TO: Florida Yacht Club FROM: Your Masonic Neighbors
RE: March reception

Last October we filled a motor home with Master Masons to attend Amelia Lodge's famous "Civil War Degree" at Ft. Clinch. The Brothers put on a big feed every year and then travel to the nearby fort to reenact the renowned Masonic Degree where both Confederate and Union forces participated. All are in Civil War uniforms. Surprisingly, we found that several of these card-carrying Brothers on the RV lived next door or across the street from friends that they never realized were members of the Craft.

We have, therefore, compiled a list (106 so far) of everyone we know in our neighborhood who is or has been a Master Mason so that we may meet informally for friendship, light hors d'oeuvres, and perhaps some liquid libation in the newly remodeled Florida Yacht Club (FYC) on Sunday, March 9th from 5:00 till 7:00 pm. Although donations to cover our expenses will be accepted, there will be no charge. Several of the FYC members who are Masons have agreed to foot the bill if the voluntary contributions fall short, and any excess will be donated to the Florida Masonic Home.

Please give us a handle on whether you'll be with us, and also if you know of others to add to our list. Just call one of these Brothers. [To facilitate response, several Brothers offered their names and telephone numbers to be listed here.]

The letter worked! We had a great reception, and now we are well on our way to having a cordial group of Brother Masons for sharing our common bond of the Craft-as well as a wide variety of recreational experiences. Wives and guests are often part of the fun. Why not use something like the form letter on the previous page to start neighborhood Freemasonry in your neck of the woods?

William H. Wood holds a B.S. Degree from Jacksonville University and an O.D. Degree from Southern College of Optometry. Bro. Wood headed a professional Optometric practice in Jacksonville until retirement in 1991. He married his Methodist minister's daughter in 1945, and they have two daughters, whose husbands are Scottish Rite Masons, and one son, John H. Wood, who is also a 32°, K.C.C.H., Scottish Rite Mason. Bro. Wood is a member of Arlington Lodge No. 309, Jacksonville, Florida; Scottish Rite Bodies of Jacksonville (32° 1957, K.C.C.H. 1980, active in the 4° and 21°); Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 90, Director in 1971 and currently Emeritus Representative; Morocco Shrine Center, Potentate in 1981 and currently Emeritus Representative.