Welcome to 2009!  It appears that this is a universal time for change.  There is no doubt that we can look around and see that the United States as well as the world is re-evaluating its direction, path, and expectations for the future.  Elgin Lodge is no different. 

Elgin IL has an incredible history and Elgin Lodge no.117 A.F. & A.M. has shared that history for about 160 years.  We are proud of that history and making attempts to adapt and grow with the changes in both the city and our presence within the city.   

The goals of 2009 are taken from years past and then a look onto the future with a simple picture of where and who we would like to be as an organization within the Elgin community.  New and exciting ideas are coming up from the ranks of the Past Master to the freshman members who have recently been raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. 

As we are turning the first quarter of the 2009 election year, we have four members who are receiving degree work.  I must say that it is very exciting to witness their interest in the rich heritage and what the future holds.  I congratulate each for their decision to seek out and participate in the Masons and also extend a large thank you for their efforts to be involved from the start.  I attribute much of this early excitement to the newest bylaw changes allowing these members to attend regularly stated meetings while still receiving their degree work.  I can also see that the trends are changing whereby the interest in Masonry is growing.

15 years after the World Wide Web (internet) became popular, Elgin is charging ahead with some of the newest ideas to promote the well being of its fraternal traditions for the up and coming Masonic generation.  A time has come where most households have access to the internet and use it regularly for their information and education.  It seemingly has come to a point where an organization does not exist until its presence is apparent on the internet.  I am proud to have a part in our coming of age in this arena; however, the real pleasure is to have the talent from within our lodge on our newly formed Media and Communications Committee.  This is a group that transforms ideas from within the lodge to a presentation and/or web page.  Looking ahead, the future holds that promise of continued growth and Masonic interest.

Not all has changed however; we maintain our staple ritual and concentrated committees.  The Charity Committee is now searching for this year’s local charity or charities within the realm of the Elgin area.  In 2008 the Elgin Masons contributed to the Interfaith Food Pantry and the Elgin Historical Museum.  Before that, a notable charity within the community included donations to the Rhen Center for a Hip Hop dance class.  Student aged children and young adults having an interest in this dance style were offered this study and activity to help focus their interests in a positive environment. 2009 has already started off with continued donations to the Interfaith Food Pantry.  Coming soon, Elgin Masonic Lodge, no. 117 should be announcing a local Illinois Child Identification Program (CHIPS) event creating a package together to assist authorities in identifying their child should they ever go missing.

The Lodge would like to move back into the city of Elgin at some point in the future.  Early research has defined this as a multi-year endeavor; and while it is a fairly deep sentiment that our presence will be better represented from within the city that is represented in our name and membership, we are grateful to our brothers of Geneva Lodge no.139.  Geneva lodge has been a fine model of the Masonic organization with genuine brotherhood, home location of our lodge and support both in our lodge activities and in our desire to be back in our home city.  The fundraising committee is dedicated to goals of this nature as well as general funding for staple activities within the organization and outside the confines of our stated meetings.  We as a group would like to welcome ideas, activities, and opportunities that will help move forward. 

Please check in with us if you have not recently attended a meeting, are reading this message from another lodge altogether, or have yet to join the organization and have a desire to do so. 

Fraternally,

William Metzger
W.M. Elgin Lodge no. 117 A.F. & A.M.