April Message from the East
Respected Brothers and Esteemed Guests, As the Worshipful Master of Mt. Pickering Lodge No. 446, it is my distinct pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the District Deputy Grand Master and the Officers of the Mighty 40th District. April marks the fourth month of my tenure, and it is with great honor…
March Message from the East
Dear Distinguished Brothers and Honored Guests, It is with immense pleasure and anticipation that I extend a warm welcome to you all as the Worshipful Master of Mt. Pickering Lodge No. 446. March marks the third month of my tenure, and I am thrilled to share the exciting news that our lodge will be hosting…
February Message from the East
Brethren, As we step into the month of February, I am filled with gratitude and pride as the Worshipful Master of Mt. Pickering Lodge No. 446. The dawn of the new Masonic year has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it is with immense joy that I share the highlights of our journey thus far.…
January Message from the East
Brethren, As I stand before you with immense honor and gratitude, I am filled with a profound sense of responsibility as the Worshipful Master of Mt. Pickering Lodge No. 446. The Gavel has been passed, and January marks the commencement of my journey at the helm of our beloved Lodge. It is with great enthusiasm…
Holiday Poinsettia
Today members of Mt. Pickering completed the annual delivery of poinsettias to our Lodges Masonic Widows. 27 poinsettia were delivered by the Worshipful Master, Chris Lally PM, along with Brothers Ron Roth PM, John Finkbiner, Craig Mcgovern, Rick Agatone and Jeff Kravec. Thank you Brothers, there was a lot of positive feedback and touching stories.
December Message from the West
A Momentous December: St. John’s Day and My Journey as Worshipful Master Welcome, Brethren, to our December Message from the West. The last two years has passed me by very quickly and this will be my last Message from the West. Hopefully our new Senior Warden will continue this endeavor and I will galvanize a…
Honoring Veterans Day
This day, which began as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known…
November Message from the West
Welcome, Brethren, to our November Message from the West. We all know that November is a special month to me. Every year at 11:11 A.M, on 11/11 I pause and reflect. Shouldn’t we all? As we enter this month, we are reminded of the sacrifices and service of our brave men and women in uniform.…
October Message from the West
Illuminating Darkness: Masonic Reflections on Light and Transformation Welcome, Brethren to our October Message from the West. As the days grow shorter and the darkness lengthens, October brings with it a rich tapestry of symbolism within Freemasonry. In this edition, we explore the profound significance of light and darkness, and how they inspire transformation and…
BARNYARD BINGO IS BACK!
Please join us at Mt. Pickering Lodge on Saturday October 14th for our Annual Barnyard Night. We know that COVID stymied us the past few year but we are back in in all of our Barn Yard glory! Chicken dinner at 5 PMBINGO starts at 6 PM Overalls and straw hats optional 218 Byers Rd…
11/11 Masonic Blood Drive
Mt Pickering Lodge will be holding a blood drive in Chester Springs on Saturday 11/11 from 8am-2pm. with Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC), lease sign up today through MKBC or through the Lodge website. Use sponsor code E128 with MKBC. Sign-Up For Mt. Pickering Blood Drive Here
Freemasonry and Remembrance: Honoring September 11th
It’s a terrible thing to have a holiday for. I can’t say we celebrate, so much, and it isn’t something we look forward to. It’s a real pity it has to exist at all. In the annals of history, certain dates are etched into our collective memory, forever marking moments of profound significance. September 11th…
September Message from the West
Finding Balance and Harmony in Masonic Principles Welcome, Brethren, to our September Message from the West. As the summer days wane and the autumnal equinox approaches, September marks a time of transition and reflection. In this edition, we explore the symbolism of the equinox within Freemasonry and how it teaches us to find balance and…
Constitution Day and Masonry in the Czech and Slovak Republics
Constitution Day is a public holiday in Slovakia, celebrated on 1 September. In Slovak, this holiday is called ‘Deň Ústavy Slovenskej Republiky’ and it commemorates the adoption of the Slovak constitution on 1 September 1992. The establishment of the constitution effectively ended the state of Czechoslovakia, leading to the establishment of the Czech and Slovak…
Purple Heart Day August 7
Each year on August 7, our nation recognizes the men and women who are known as our Purple Heart recipients. The Purple Heart, one of the oldest military decorations, is presented to service members who were injured or killed in service to our country. Why is that important? There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple…
August Message from the West
The Symbolism of Harvest: Masonic Reflections on Abundance and Gratitude Welcome, Brethren, to our August Message from the West. As the warmth of summer envelopes us and nature flourishes, August symbolizes a season of abundance and gratitude. In this edition, we delve into the profound symbolism of harvest, exploring its significance within Freemasonry and the…
May our Chaplains be blessed
On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized pay for one chaplain for each regiment of the Army. Since that time, tens of thousands of chaplains have served as religious and spiritual leaders for tens of millions of Service Members and their families. Always present in war and in peace, chaplains have served in more…
July Message from the West
Freemasons & The 4th of July Welcome, Brethren, to the July Message from the West. The 4th of July is a very important date for both the United States and Freemasons and is celebrated by members of the Craft all over the world. Freemasons and this US holiday are interconnected by the events that took…
Upper Uwchlan Day 2023
On Saturday, June 17th, Mt. Pickering Lodge hosted a table at the Upper Uwchlan Day Block Party, selling cotton candy as part of our annual fundraiser.
Strawberry Night, June Meeting
We celebrated our annual Strawberry Night at our June Stated Meeting, June 12th 2023. A surprise visit from the Brother s of Shankiah-Fernwood Lodge brought a Troupe long missed. In addition, many familiar faces, which haven’t graced the Lodge in some time. A wonderful meeting, fantastic Fraternity, and a good time had by all.
June Message from the West
Unveiling the Mysteries: Reflections on June in Freemasonry Welcome, Brethren, to the June Message from the West. We gather once again to delve into the sacred teachings and time-honored traditions of Freemasonry. As the gentle warmth of June fills the air, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new season, ripe with opportunities for…
May Meeting
During our May meeting, My Pickering was honored by the Might 40th District officers and District Deputy for our official visitation, the last of the visitation season. Another stupendous dinner from Brother steward, a lively meeting, full of fraternity and fellowship, closing the evening out with dessert and our evening prize giveaway
May Message from the West
Blossoming Masonic Virtues in the Springtime Greetings, esteemed Brethren, to the May Message from the West. As we enter the enchanting month of May, we are surrounded by the vibrant hues of blossoming flowers, the sweet melodies of singing birds, and the gentle caress of warm breezes. It is a time of renewal and growth,…
April Meeting
The April meeting at Mt Pickering Lodge attracted a large crowd to observe our program and it’s speaker. Brother George March PM, from the 5th Masonic District gave a riveting and informative presentation about The Tomb of the Unknown Solder, the grounds at Arlington, it’s history, and the 3rd Infantry Division stationed there. As has…
April Message from the West
Unveiling the Symbolism of Masonic Renewal Greetings, esteemed Brethren, to the April Message from the West. As we welcome the arrival of April, a month teeming with the promise of spring, we find ourselves immersed in the renewal of life and the profound symbolism it holds within the realm of Freemasonry. Join us as we…
March 2023 Meeting Giveaways
Just like last month, the Grand Lodge of Delaware and Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Officers being present will yield more gifts AND, as described last month, the number of prizes will increase with the number of Brothers in attendance. As a reminder:. As it takes a minimum of five officers to open a lodge, and…
Grand Lodge of Delaware Visitation
On March 13th, 2023 Mt. Pickering Lodge rekindled it’s 80+ year tradition of hosting the Grand Lodge of Delaware for a night of fellowship. Traveling north to attend this event was R.W. Ronald Ferraro, Deputy Grand Master, R. W. James Hanby ,Senior Grand Warden , R.W. Rick McTheny, Junior Grand Warden, and W.B. Kevin O’Rourke,…
March 2023 Meeting Giveaways
Just like last year, the Grand Lodge of Delaware visitation will yield more gifts AND, as described last month, the number of prizes will increase with the number of Brothers in attendance. As a reminder:. As it takes a minimum of five officers to open a lodge, and there are twelve officers in the line,…
March Message from the West
Exploring the Symbolic Meaning of Masonic Rituals Welcome back, Brethren, to our monthly Message from the West. As we embark on a new month, March brings with it a sense of renewal and rebirth. It is a time when nature awakens from its winter slumber, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life. In this…
February 2023 Meeting Giveaways
Welcome to February, my Brothers! Although Phil saw his shadow, and we can expect an additional six weeks of winter, we have the Eagles in the Superbowl to look forward during that dreary time. Concerning giveaways at the Lodge Meetings, we’re going to change up the prize quantity to a tiering system. As it takes…
February Message from the West
Embracing the Pillars of Freemasonry: Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty Welcome, Brethren, to our February Message from the West. As the chill of winter lingers, February invites us to reflect on the pillars that form the foundation of our Masonic journey. Today, we delve into the timeless principles of wisdom, strength, and beauty, exploring their significance…
January Message from the West
Embracing the Light Within: Illuminating the Path of Masonic Initiation Welcome, Brethren, to our January Message from the West. As the new year dawns upon us, January symbolizes a time of fresh beginnings and the pursuit of enlightenment. In this edition, we explore the profound journey of Masonic initiation, which leads us from darkness to…
January 2023 Meeting Giveaways
Brethren, Happy Holiday and a Joyous New Year to you all! The ‘free stuff’ continues, with giveaways during the 2023 meeting schedule. To kick the 2023 Masonic Year off with a bang there will be mimic of last January 2022 meeting giveaway, for nostalgia’s sake. A drawing of all the members present will take place…
Delivery of Poinsettia
On December 18th, 2021 we continued our tradition of delivering Poinsettia to our lodges Masonic Widows! These women hold a special place in our hearts as the support element to the success of our Fraternity. Thank you Ladies. Twenty-one deliveries over a fifteen mile radius from the lodge. As you can see from the images…
Congratulations 2022 Officer cadre
On December 13th 2021 we elected a new Worshipful Master, Chris Lally, and a new Senior Warden, Steven Wilson. Chris Lally has served in the Mt Pickering Chair line for the past few years and sat as Senior Warden for the 2021 Masonic year. Steven Wilson, raised in Mt Pickering in 2010, has returned to…
December Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! Here we stand at the threshold of the last meeting of the year. I tender to you warmth, well wishes, and Brotherly Love Just like the all the meetings this year, a drawing of all the members present will take place at the end of the meeting…
December Message from the West
Celebrating the Light of St. John the Evangelist and the Dawn of a New Masonic Journey Welcome Brethren, to this month’s Message from the West; the last fro the Masonic year. As the winter solstice approaches and we bid farewell to another year, we gather in celebration of a special Masonic tradition – the Celebration…
November Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and November counts down the penultimate giveaway this year! To continue into the final months of the year there will be THREE prizes this month! Just like the all…
November Message from the West
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” – Brother Douglas MacArthur My Brothers, Friday is Veterans Day. A day that will have parades, and celebration and equal mourning and reverence. Some will place flags at the resting…
October Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and October remains no exception. To continue into the final quarter of the year there will be THREE prizes this month! Just like the January meeting, a drawing of…
September Message from the West
My Brothers, Welcome back from the summer break, I hope everyone had a relaxing respite. We get back into full swing on September 12th and I am genuinely looking forward to seeing everyone at the Lodge again! Keep an eye out for my Next September Message where I spend some grey matter on a point…
September Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and September is no exception. To get us back in the swing of things there will be THREE prizes this month! Just like the January meeting, a drawing of…
Join us at Mt Pickering Lodge on Saturday, August 20th for a pig roast
Brethren,Please mark your calendars and join us at Mt Pickering Lodge on Saturday, August 20th for a pig roast from 5-9 PM.We will have a pig, roasted, seasoned, and pulled or cut with a variety of sides and drinks. All you can eat, $25 per person, $10 for under 10, and free for under 5…
August Message from the West
Brothers, As summer winds down and we head towards fall, I pray that everyone got their well deserved rest and respite. I was thinking about my last message, being called off from Labor for the summer and going dark. It immediately galvanized a train of though around being called back on to labor and work…
July Message from the West
Brothers, As we celebrate the Independence of our great nation, it is hard not to see the turbulence and divisiveness about our Great Nation. In these concerning times I encourage us all to embrace our ritual to set the examples we follow. Let me share a few short examples. “Masonry accepts men of every country,…
Upper Uwchlan Day 2022
On Saturday, 18th of June, Mt. Pickering hosted a tent at the Upper Uwchlan Day Block Party. Great participation from the Brethren, and a few offspring and spouses thereof. A fairly aggressive selling schedule this year was greatly thwarted by the weather. In addition to the cotton candy, which is the annual staple, we also…
June Message from the West
Brothers, as we are now through the first half of our Masonic year, the time has come upon us to “Go Dark” and forgo stated meetings for July & August. I hope everyone has a wonderful, festive, and safe summer full of family, fraternity, and fun. I have to tell you, though, I have never…
June Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and we continue that into June. As are now at the end of our 2nd Masonic quarter of the year we have transitioned from three prizes to one. As…
Luxury Watch Raffle
Mt Pickering is raffling off a Rolex in order to raise funds to help fix the Lodge. Help us improve our place of meeting and restore a historical site, while looking fabulous! On the block is a Men’s Stainless Steel Oyster Date, model 1501. This model, having an Engine Turned Index Bezel, is a unique,…
May Message From The West
Brothers, it’s time for our next rendition of the Message from the West. From the pulpit of the Senior Warden I would like to speak a bit about this month’s theme, The Memorial Holiday. First, Let’s start off with a bit of trivia and history Early Observances of Memorial Day The Civil War, which ended…
May Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and we continue that into May. As are now into the 2nd Masonic quarter of the year we have transitioned from three prizes to one. As in previous meetings,…
April Message From The West
I am beginning a messaging program I am calling ‘Message From The West’ which will be items of interest, news from the Lodge, or Fraternal greetings from my Chair as Senior Warden. For my inaugural communication to you outside the Lodge I will reverb the Masonic Monthly Theme: Masonic Education. April is Masonic Education Month…
April Meeting Giveaway
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and we continue that into April. As we move into out 2nd Masonic quarter of the year we are transitioning from three prizes to one. Like the previous meeting,s…
March Meeting Giveaways
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and March is a special one! This month, due to the nature of the event, we will be giving away TEN PRIZES! That’s right, TEN! One Zero! Like the…
February Meeting Giveaways
Brethren, greetings and well wishes to you all! As described we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings and February is no exception. Just like the January meeting, a drawing of all the members present will take place at the end of the meeting and these prizes…
Installation of DDGM Herz
On 23 January 2022 it was Mt. Pickering’s honor to attend the installation of the new District Deputy Grand Master William Herz at Union Lodge. Right Worshipful Grand Master Jeffrey M. Wonderling swore Brother Bill in with flawless charges by all the officers involved! In attendance, along with the officers from all the lodges in…
Join the Grand Master for a Town Hall Meeting & Open House
Join Me for a Town Hall Meeting & Open House Brethren, I wish you and yours a very happy and healthy 2022! I look forward to meeting you in person at one of my upcoming Town Hall Meetings over the next several months. I will provide an overview about current topics within our fraternity…
Two EA Degrees Conferred
Great news 446! Our Worshipful Master is please to announce that on Monday, January 17th Bro. John Murtland, PM, successfully conferred the EA upon two worthy candidates. He believes that brings his degree count to ~58 and our membership tally to 176. We will be having extra instruction on January 24th to assist these brothers…
Q1 Lottery Raffle
We will be kicking off a quarterly raffle, selling tickets for a frame containing scratch off lotterytickets. Tickets will be $1.00 each, 6 tickets for $5.00 or 15 tickets for $10.00More details to follow at the stated meeting.
January Stated Meeting
Please Join us for our first stated meeting of 2022 at Mt. Pickering Lodge. If you haven’t been in a while, be it a year or a decade, we would love to see you again and refresh your Masonry at our Rusty Trowel Night. We’re judgment free and open to all members. We will review…
Giving #SLACK a whirl
For those of you that are familiar with it, or use Slack in work or at school, we are piloting a Slack channel for the loge to increase communication and transparency. For those interested, go to mtpickeringno446.slack.com, and we’ll send you and invite.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Brethren, take notice: It is the Worshipful Master’s will and pleasure that the year of 2022 be now open and stand open until New Year’s Day next. The Officers of Mt. Pickering Lodge #446 wishes you a year of prosperity, good health, and fraternity as we begin our lodge’s 153rd year of Brotherhood and Philanthropy
R.W. Past Grand Secretary Brother Thomas Jackson
The Craftsman Contributors Thomas Jackson It is with great sadness to report the passing of R.W. Past Grand Secretary, Brother Thomas W. Jackson. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: Mrs. Linda Jackson 80 Sycamore Drive Apt 315 Elizabethtown, PA 17022-3016 UPDATE: From: Mark A. Haines…
January Meeting Giveaways
Brethren, Happy Holiday and a Joyous New Year to you all! As promised when oaths and offices were taken in the December 2021 meeting we will be having door prizes, raffles, and giveaways at most, if not all, stated meetings. To kick the 2022 Masonic Year off with a bang there will be three, YES:…
Delivery of Poinsettia
On December 18th, 2021 we continued our tradition of delivering Poinsettia to our lodges Masonic Widows! These women hold a special place in our hearts as the support element to the success of our Fraternity. Thank you Ladies. Twenty-one deliveries over a fifteen mile radius from the lodge. As you can see from the images…
Congratulations 2022 Officer cadre
On December 13th 2021 we elected a new Worshipful Master, Chris Lally, and a new Senior Warden, Steven Wilson. Chris Lally has served in the Mt Pickering Chair line for the past few years and sat as Senior Warden for the 2021 Masonic year. Steven Wilson, raised in Mt Pickering in 2010, has returned to…
New Website
New Year, New Officers, New Website. Welcome to the New Mt. Pickering Lodge website. More than just a rebranding, we have added some elements that should make all of our Masonic lives a bit better. The address hasn’t changed, so come back often:
October Message from the West
Unveiling the Mysteries: The Seven Liberal Arts and Masonry’s Pursuit of Knowledge Welcome Brethren, to the October Message from the West. As October dawns upon us, we embark on a journey into the realm of knowledge and wisdom, exploring the profound connection between the Seven Liberal Arts and our beloved Craft. These arts, dating back…