The North Carolina Mason

A s a member of the committee that has planned, set up and staffed the Annual Communication for the last 15 years, I want to share my perspectives on this year's event, which was special in many ways. Our meetings in the Benton Convention Center began on Thursday, September 28 with a "town hall" meeting led by our Grand Master and the Grand Lodge Officers – answering any and every question asked of them. It was an opportune time to learn about the Grand Lodge's operation and better understand the trajectory of business and planning with our elected officers. Following that meeting, participants broke into classes and participated in a Masonic education symposium that featured lectures on lodge leadership and administration, North Carolina's Masonic history, the power of ritual, the purpose of Masonic education, the history of initiatic rites, the impact of positive lodge leadership, the Middle Chamber experience, and an introduction and overview of the Grand Lodge's new database and communication tool, Grand View. The sessions were informative and very well received, and attendees appreciated the luncheon sponsored by the North Carolina Masonic Foundation. That evening the Grand Master's social hour and banquet, open to all, capped a full day of fellowship and personal development. On Friday morning our brethren went to work in the Convention Center's cavernous Piedmont Hall. Some will recall we used the same space for the 2021 Annual Communication as we were coming out of Covid and needed a larger venue with more space between seats. While spacious that year, the new configuration that room surprised and delighted our attendees this year. The room's layout featured a large concourse down the center, a much a larger altar than usual with the Bible and a range of holy writings atop it, and impressive risers for the wardens' stations that were quite eye-catching and allowed members across the room to see the wardens. Sound and video staff – deemed the Masonic Light and Magic Team – were able to view the entire space, ably monitoring audio levels, and following activities on the stage, at the altar, and at the floor microphones with multiple cameras. The technology worked better than ever this year and all components came together with maximum effect for those in attendance. Before the Grand Lodge opened and the grand procession began Friday morning, a thurifer carrying a pot of incense "set the space" with positive energy, a FA L L 2 0 2 3 | 7

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