 Mt. Hermon No. 118 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brother! 2025 was an excellent year for Mount Hermon Lodge No. 118. Our list of achievements runs long. While we did not enjoy a swell of candidates of the quantities seen in years past, we did bring in new members who are excellent men, new to Masonry, and some who are simply new to our Lodge. We enjoyed seeing a balanced budget, in which we have been able to once again write our ledgers in BLACK ink, rather than red, a continuing tradition which we intend to uphold in 2026. Our ritual work was once again something that all Brothers in Masonry can be proud of and included a memorable Master Mason's degree in the Asheville Masonic Temple Theater. Our education pieces leaned a bit more into the esoteric this year, which was inspiring and edifying for all Brothers who entered our Halls. We have been able to reach out to most of our membership personally; all of our officers are committed to personally reaching out to members assigned to them through our Brothers's Keeper program. We donated significant amounts of money to Sister Lodges to aid in hurricane Helene relief, in part due to funds donated from out-of-district lodges, and in part due to our own efforts. We hosted a 2nd annual Southeast Masonic Symposium this Summer which garnered more interest and funds than the previous year's Symposium. Independent of Mt. Hermon, but no less important, the Asheville Masonic Temple has been earning income in excess of the previous years, and the trend seems to be that this will continue into 2026 and beyond. Windows in the building are being preserved to archival standards, and further work will be done in 2026 to repair and restore other aspects of the Old Lady, our beloved Masonic Temple. I, Brian Loftin, have been re-elected as Master of Mount Hermon Lodge No 118, A.F. & A.M., for 2026, an honor which I can still scarcely believe and for which I am humbled and grateful to have. It has been such a joy to serve the Lodge from the East for 2025, and I am looking forward to what we can accomplish in 2026, together. We have a wonderful, committed officer line, many of whom I met with just today--December 31--to plan out the next year. I couldn't be more proud of the efforts already pouring in to our greater collective experience. If I can solicit your patience a bit longer, I would like to share my goals for 2026 with you: 1) I would like to shore up our coaching regimen, and for this I have appointed Brother Duncan Reid to chair and lead our Coaching Committee to ensure all Masons who are studying their catechisms have the coaches they need, the support they deserve, and the momentum they require. Of course, we will need more coaches, and I hope to add 2 or 3 more as the year progresses. We are only capable of growing to an extent that our coaching capacity is its equal. Who wants to put in the work? 2) I would like to ask that all dues be paid by July 1, for all members. Officers, I'd like your leadership to show by your taking care of your dues by March 1. Let's have no NPDs to vote on this Fall and Winter! 3) I would like to ask that our attendance rise, that we seat 25-30 men each Masonic evening. We have a great thing going at Mount Hermon, and our education pieces are fun and engaging. The camaraderie in our Lodge, though set amongst younger men, is vibrant and engaging and does my heart much good to see. 4) I would like to see us dress up for our Degrees. I have traveled the 39th Masonic District this year, and I have noticed that the Lodges who present the best face to the candidates, the surest of footing in their ritual work, who inspire the greatest admiration in their newest members, the ones who have the greatest cohesion in their ranks, are the ones who dress for success! I ask that all members who attend our Degrees dress in Business Casual--sport coat and collared shirt. No one will be turned away without this attire, but I urge anyone to consider: ARE WE NOT THE GREATEST FRATERNITY THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN? AND DO WE NOT DRESS THE WAY WE WISH TO REPRESENT THAT? Masonry regards no man for his worldly possessions, but have we still got our dignity to show we can prepare not only mentally but by our attire and comportment? 5) I would personally like to visit as many lodges as possible this year. I encourage our Brothers to travel to other Lodges, spreading the cement of Love and Affection. This encourages the same in other Lodges. When we stay home in our mother Lodges, can we expect any different from our sister Lodges? Visitation breeds visitation. 6) Finally, Brothers, I would like to see us remain in the Black for 2026. I believe with everyone pulling in the same direction in the coming year, paying their dues on time, we can achieve this. We have kept our expenses down, and have managed the funds of the Lodge with care, transparency, and credibility. We have a tremendous amount of financial resources in our several Masonic funds, which are finally being managed as they have a right to be, for all of our members. There will be more to come from the committees on these funds, in the coming months. Brothers, I have no more to say here. 2026 is upon is, and we will be opening a Master Masons' Lodge this Friday, January 2nd, at 7:30. Dinner will be at 6:30, as always. There will be much to do, and much happiness to take part in. We'll be holding a going-away party for WB Michael Silver, so this may be the last time some of you get to see him for a while. This party will immediately follow the Stated Communication. If you want to see what we have cooking this year, come out and see us! Bring another Brother! To close, I say to you and yours: HAPPPY NEW YEARS, BROTHER! May this coming year bless and keep you as it has our beautiful Mt. Hermon No. 118! Fraternally and respectfully, Brian Loftin, Master, Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 A.F. & A.M. |
Mt. Hermon No. 118 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Hello Brothers! Mount Hermon Lodge No. 118 has today received a formal letter from the Grand Lodge, advising us that a vote taken by us on September 4th was improper and is now NULL and VOID. We have been ordered to correct this error and to inform our Lodge by the end of today--e.g. September 29, 2025--should we wish to re-ballot by October Stated. As you will see below, this is not likely to happen, but to time constraints. The letter from Grand Lodge explaining this is included above (Order 8.pdf, in blue). Brothers, as Master of Mount Hermon, I take full responsibility for this error. Here was my error: The Secretary of our Lodge was informed of the desire of an Entered Apprentice of Mount Hermon No. 118--Lucian Evans Maynard Jr.--who was initiated 6/15/2017 but had not progressed since that time, to restart his journey through the degrees. However, as he now lives in Waynesville, and wishes to join a Lodge there, and as he is an Entered Apprentice and thus subordinate to the rights of this Lodge, it became necessary for him to re-petition our Lodge, undergo another examination, with a vote to follow. However, as it happened in September, though I wasn't aware then, I was not in full control of the facts, and I made a choice to vote from a place of uncertainty, as it wasn't a typical case presented to us; I ought to have managed his request to reintroduce him to the degrees of Masonry as laid out in the Code, and as we have done all year in other, nominal cases. This would have meant not holding any vote whatsoever, until the usual processes had taken their course. I deeply apologize for this mental laxity on my part. I know it reflects poorly on our Lodge--though I should say that we are not in trouble. As it stands as of this writing, the petition has been submitted, the background check completed within the past few days; what remains is to assign an investigation committee, and then hold a vote. This should happen by the Stated Communication in November. As I am the originator in this botched process, I will chair the investigation myself. I only need two volunteers, which I will ask for on October 2nd. Brothers, thank you for reading this and for your support. The "sausage making" of Masonry is sometimes quite detail oriented. If you, as a Mason at Mount Hermon No 118, are ever in doubt as to the processes we are employing, you may make a Point of Order and we can discuss any matter you wish. At any rate, I hope to see you all at Mount Hermon this Thursday. If you have any questions about this newsletter, please don't hesitate to ask me or bring it up in Lodge. Sincerely and Fraternally, Brian Loftin, MMH |
Mt. Hermon No. 118 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Hello Brother! I hope this email finds you doing well and enjoying the crispness which has crept into the air in Western North Carolina! 2025 has been an amazing year for our Lodge and for our Temple. Our Fellowship is a healthy mix of experienced and inexperienced Brothers, all of whom are excited to journey together, to grow the Fraternity and share in its wonder and power to transform. It is rare, I think, for any organization to be able to boast that its active members are all pulling in the right direction; yet here we are, doing just that! As we approach the Autumn, we are once again tasked with conducting some of the more sobering rituals set before us: voting for Brothers to attain privileged positions and honors within our Lodge, and of course, voting to remove Brothers from our Order for Non-Payment of Dues. As Master of the Lodge for 2025, I would like to issue a notification of what I would like to see in the next two months, as I feel every Brother who is in arrears with their dues should know what is coming; however, this matter must be decided at a Stated Communication by the Brothers present. The notification is this: Any Mason who is in arrears by even our nominal $191 per year is strongly encouraged to pay his dues as soon as possible. Any Mason who is in arrears by two years worth of dues (e.g. $382), is likewise urged to pay his dues as soon as he is able. In the case of the latter, if a Brother is owing $382 and needs assistance due to financial, practical, medical, incapacity--or like concerns--he must reach out and let us know his situation so that his aid may be facilitated. My number is (828) 200-6717. Call me anytime. You may also reach me by email: toflybynight@gmail.com. Our Secretary, Greg Ross, may be reached at mt.hermon.118.avl@gmail.com. My plan for NPDs is this: on October 2--Stated Communication--we will read the names of all Brothers who owe $382. We will again reach out to anyone on this list with the hope of soliciting their payment, or some financial arrangement by which they can remain a member of Mt. Hermon Lodge 118. Unless the Lodge votes or decides otherwise, we will not vote NPDs at that time. We will likely vote NPDs at the Stated Communication scheduled for November 6. Brothers, I want to be very clear about dues: our Lodge bylaws require that dues be paid by January 1 of every year. To be frank, this does not happen as often as it should. In speaking with some Brothers this year, I have heard a number of times that the Brother "didn't know how to pay," for his dues, that "no one let him know!" Brothers, we are Masons--Men! Every Mason has, by virtue of his being a Mason, agency over his own actions. It is not, in my opinion, the job of the Lodge to remind most Brothers to pay their dues. Some of our Brothers need help, perhaps because in their golden years, they are not able to function or coordinate their lives as they once could. This is understandable, and we will always stand ready to assist any Brother who shall need our assistance. But in general, it is incumbent upon all of us to take care of our own business, which includes, at the most basic level, paying our dues, and on time. How can you pay?
If you have not paid your dues yet, I urge you to reflect on what Masonry has meant to you, to other Brothers you may have come in with, to those who you want to see enjoy all the magic and wonder that you did, and perhaps even more! I urge you to think of the legacy you wish to leave for other Men, whose perfect ashlars rest upon your honored shoulders--you, the foundation of our Craft! If you have paid your dues, thank you! Your financial contribution has enabled us to be strong enough craft an incredible year of ritual and fellowship, as well as to donate:
Mason of the Year On October 2, we will be reviving the Mason of the Year contest! We will be holding a paper ballot to decide the recipient of the honor for 2025, that evening. Officer Voting On November 6, we will once again be voting for our Officer Line for the ensuing year, 2026. Please come out and enjoy the pomp and circumstance with us that evening as we renew and reenergize our Lodge with the leadership it deserves! Brothers, Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 is a beacon for Masonry in the 39th District of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Brothers travel to see us because they know we do it right, that we are distinctly passionate about our Work in the quarries. Our ritual work is strong. Our cooking is delicious! Our meetings are dynamic. Our education pieces are illuminating. Come support us, Brother. Be with us, if you can. If you cannot, drop us a line to let us know how you're doing. We want you to be a part of our Renaissance! I hope to see you soon, Brother! Fraternally yours, Brian Loftin, WM, Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 |
Mt. Hermon No. 118 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
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Mt. Hermon No. 118 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
Brothers! Masonry is a participatory endeavor. It requires action in all of our undertakings as Men and Brothers. We are the builders. We are the providers. We are the ones who ensure that truth and virtue precede all our actions for God, our country, our neighbors, and ourselves. And when we routinely embody these actions then, I believe, we can fairly say that ARE Masons. A man first encounters Masonry in the world by the actions undertaken by the members of the Order. He may be invited to come by word or by the witnessing of a deed, or by seeing its good effects. He knocks on the door because he feels a deep need to belong to a Fraternity wherein actions MEAN something, where words are not just words. In his initiation into Masonry, he is the lead character in his own play, right from he start. In his first steps in Masonry he is taught—among many other teachings—that Masonry is what you do, what you are, when you participate. In the Fellowcraft Degree he again participates in his own ritual journey on his gradual climb towards the Light, first sought and promised in the Entered Apprentice Degree. In the Master Mason’s degree he is further taught that he, with his working tools and truth in his heart and hands, can overcome even the trials of death, as he steps from his own grave. These lessons are all taught by actions, aided by words; nonetheless they are chiefly the actions which aid the new Brother into the Light of his own salvation. And then something happens to him, something that he did not foresee. The rituals ended. There were no more of them—for him. And he stopped coming to Lodge. His actions, his rituals, faded to memory. He had no part to take, so he found no purpose in Lodge anymore. He became a member of the Lodge’s audience, watching but not being involved as he once was, like a marriage that begins with passion and ends in the dullness of familiarity. Brothers, the ritual doesn’t stop at the Master Mason’s degree. It begins. How? I’ll explain my view: The sanctioned rituals of Masonry and even of the appendant bodies are all given to the aspiring Mason—we are passive participants in them. They happen to us. But everything that happens to a Man in Masonry beyond that final degree is up to him. Every catechism, coaching provided, meal prepared, dish cleaned, Brother called, chair filled, lecture given, charge presented, and more—these are done by choice. And in this choice is the Light promised in Masonry. As I come to the end of the first half of my year in the East, I have come to understand more fully than at any other time in my Masonic career, that service to the Lodge and to its Brethren is far and away the greatest ritual I have ever known, and the fruits of that service have brought more Light—and a Wisdom that I can finally see, yet far off. The esoteric truths, the mysteries of the Order, are fully and completely revealed in service to Freemasonry and to Her Brothers. I cannot say it more plainly than this. This revelation has been the greatest miracle and surprise to me, and it has bent my knee in wonder and awe. These final mysteries are not to be found in books or runes, nor under Pyramids or in scrolls. The mysteries are to be found only in service. Brothers, I ask you: are you participating actively in your ongoing ritual? Are you knocking on doors—are you even looking for doors to knock on? Because the ritual is there. There is nothing—nothing!—wrong with being in the audience. But I promise you, if you remain there, your journey as a Freemason will be lovely and good; if you dive in, learn another part—two other parts—help out, teach, coach, ask for more, make a role for yourself! You will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams, and everything in Masonry will be revealed to you. I have seen Brothers walk away from Masonry because the Lodge does not offer them what they are looking for. They get bored. This is not the fault of Masonry, but the lack of awareness of the Man who misunderstands these truths. Create your Masonic career. Be an active participant in your Masonic journey. If you want to do something in Lodge, seek it out. Ask for it. Do it! There is truly nothing you can’t accomplish in Masonry if you align your hearts’ purpose to Her. In this action you can become the Man you always hoped you would be. Thank you for reading, Brothers! Brian Loftin, WM, Mt. Hermon Lodge No 118 |
Mt. Hermon No. 118 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
State of the Lodge Brothers of Mt Hermon! We nearly have the first month of the year gone, and already we are in full swing for 2025: the Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina is coming to officially visit us on February 6th, and we are putting on our first degree of the year 14 days later—the Fellowcraft degree—for two up-and-coming Brothers. Our new Brothers Secretary, Greg Ross and his Assistant, Duncan Reid, have been working vigorously on bringing our Lodge up-to-date in Grandview and with the Grand Lodge itself. We are nearly caught up in our paperwork, and our dues-collection is moving forward apace. While we may find ourselves in 2025 with a smaller cast of Brothers who are paying their dues, we are looking to stay ahead of game, so to speak, in keeping all of our Brothers involved and well-served by all the wonderful opportunities and experiences that Mt Hermon has to offer her Brethren. Late last year, our Senior Warden—Brother David Gale—asked me, “what will be your theme for next year?” At the time I told him, “I don’t know.” And honestly, I don’t know that we have had the luxury these past few years of dreaming of keeping a larger theme for our Lodge. As most of us know by now, 2024 was the first year in some time that Mt Hermon 118 has operated in a free building, and able to enjoy fellowship and Brotherhood without sharing our Temple with outside parties with outside agendas. Today, we are further along our path towards Temple solvency and self-agency. And while even this topic is more a subject to be addressed by the AMT Board, we as tenants of the Building can feel the breath of fresh air that the brave actions taken by our Brothers on the Board these past two years have afforded us. We Masons steer our own ship; we are free! But to do what? In light of this freedom within the AMT, as well as our resolute determination to balance our budget and books, we are now able to ponder this question and turn our attentions squarely towards the Craft. My theme then, is this: What do you want to do in Masonry? Why did you join us? I joined Masonry because I wanted to belong to a group for Men that rejected the Homer Simpson trope of the modern man who is no more than a beer swilling, sports-drunk clown. I wanted to be a part of a culture that rebuilt men, that polished off the rust and grime laid down so heavily upon the hearts and minds of men in our Society. I wanted to speak—not so much of secrets, but of Truths. I wanted to hear men speak from the heart, take care of each other, listen to each other. I also joined because I wanted to learn mysterious things—ancient ways of learning and knowing. I wanted an initiatory experience and ritual—concepts long devalued in our Western world. I wanted to belong somewhere that celebrated excellence, cherished responsibility to mankind, and thirsted for the fulfillment the ancients sought by developing the inner self. In Masonry, I have found this. It has not been easy, but dedication has delivered Light. Some time ago I remarked in Lodge, “Ask not what your Lodge can do for you, but what you can do for your Lodge.” I have since changed my tune. Now I say to you: “Ask not what your Lodge wants to do for you, but what you want to do for your Lodge.” Whatever caused you to knock on our door, you are welcome here with us, always. And those secrets in your own heart, perhaps even the ones that brought you to the threshold itself—have they been met? Seen? It has been said that the Reason for Life is to find your gift, and the Purpose for Life is to give your gift away. What is your gift? Why are you here? What do you have to share? You have only to ask, only to knock. We will answer. Worshipful Brother Joe Silberman once advised me, “whatever you put into Masonry, you will get out ten-fold.” That, my Brothers, is Masonry. She has the ability to return with interest all the love and devotion you bestow upon her and her members. It is an honor to share Mt Hermon Lodge 118 with you all. 2025 looks to be an amazing year, and I can’t wait to continue our Journey together. With Fraternal Affection and warmest regards, Brian Loftin, WM |