Brethren:

Thanks to all who attended one of the four Grand Lodge Workshops held around the state. I hope they provided you with good, helpful information. I want to thank my Grand Lodge Education Committee and the various Grand Lodge officers who participated in the design and presentation of the information. Many thanks to Loyd Davis, chair of the committee for all his hard work. If anyone has any feedback, good or bad, regarding the workshops, please don’t hesitate to contact Loyd or myself. The workshops were designed to be an interaction between presenters and participants, and a lot of good information came from participants themselves telling of their experiences.

Warden’s Retreat

August 26-27 in Park City, UT.
This is mainly for the Senior and Junior Wardens and the Senior Deacon of all Utah Blue lodges, although we will make room for other lodge members who wish to attend. Our spouses and significant others are also invited and there will be a breakout session for the ladies.

The retreat is intended to provide information specific to the running of a lodge and to provides a forum for our lodge officers to meet and get to know one another. For those Past Masters who are again filling the above mentioned stations and places and have “been there, done that”, I urge you to attend anyway. If you are one of those who already knows all that Masonry has to teach, then please come and share that knowledge with us . Our Education Committee has designed this conference so that you will have ample opportunity to do just that.

Registration materials regarding the Workshop should be sitting on your secretary’s desk as he reads this newsletter. This June meeting will be your last chance to ask the lodge to provide funding for your principal officers. Helping to pay for your officer’s attendance will be a good investment for your lodge.

Masonic Foundation of Utah

Brethren, the Masonic Foundation of Utah is a true representation of the primary lesson of the Entered Apprentice degree – that of charity. For years, the Foundation has been quietly giving to charities around this state as well as educational grants for Utah students. This organization was founded and funded by our Utah Masonic forefathers and we should be very proud of this fact. Unfortunately, Utah Masons are not stepping up to their responsibility to continue to fund our Foundation, and we instead are enjoying the benefits of their hard work and support without putting in any of our own. Because of this and financial market conditions, the Foundation is at risk of slipping backwards in value, and may not be able to continue to continue donations at their current level.

I urge all Utah Masons to step up with contributions to this wonderful institution and I ask all Blue Lodges, and Appendant and Concordant Bodies to consider donating as well. In addition, I would hope that those who are in the process of estate planning would consider adding the Foundation into their wills as a very admirable organization.

We will have the MFU Luncheon in November. You are all invited to attend and learn how widespread the Foundation’ s influence is.

Grand Lodge All-Masonic Picnic

Saturday, June 11, 4-7 PM on the East lawn of the SLMT.
All in our Masonic family are invited. Food/Games/Fellowship! Call the GL office for details.

Sorry this newsletter is so short . I’ll try to do better in the fall. Have a great summer!

Ridge Gilmour
Grand Master