Brethren All:

I can’t believe that almost a year has passed since your 2005 Grand Lodge officers were installed. I keep thinking I need to get started with the plans I have for my year as Grand Master. Seriously, I want to use my last Grand Lodge newsletter to thank our Utah Masonic jurisdiction for allowing me to serve as your Grand Master this year. It has truly been an honor that I will never forget and I hope I have lived up to at least some of your expectations. Although this job carries with it emotional highs and lows and a lot of work, one of the best things about it is that I get to work closely with the leaders of our Blue Lodges. The energy, commitment and dedication that many of you show toward keeping this Fraternity active and relevant is astounding and a great thing to see. With your involvement, I have no doubt Masonry in Utah is entering a period of growth. It’s an exciting time to be part of this Fraternity.

So on behalf of my wife Anne and I, thank you for a wonderful year we won’t forget. This has been a learning experience for both of us.

Now for some repeat information. Registration materials for our Annual Communication were sent out to the lodges last month. It was expected that the lodges would make a copy for all who wanted to attend. If you need additional copies, contact Marianne in the Grand Lodge office and she will send you what you need. To all lodge officers and others who wish to attend communication, please register early. We need to know who will be needing meals and especially who will be attending the Friendship Dinner on Friday, February 3. Meals will be served only to those who have meal tickets. Please pre-register!!

A reminder to attendees to wear your lodge officer aprons or your white leathern aprons if available unless you enjoy the provided paper representations and to the lodges to have your banners in the auditorium.

To all Worshipful Masters, I recommend reading up on Article III through VIII, etc. of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Utah (pages 5-10 in most GL Code Books), to remind you of the voting procedures regarding lodge representation at Communication. Article III Section 2 specifically discusses proxies, in case one of your officers cannot attend.

I wish you all a prosperous and rewarding New Year.

Fraternally,

Ridgely H. Gilmour
Grand Master