The North Carolina Mason

The Mason Official Publication of e Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina Volume 145 Number 1 Oxford, North Carolina January/February 2020 NORTH CAROLINA ■ see INSTALLATIONS page 2 By Beth Grace Mason Editor All officer installations within the Craft are special. A brother never forgets that moment when he is invested with the implement of his office. is winter, as always, lodges from Murphy to Manteo, from Charlotte to Chapel Hill, from Wilmington to Wilkesboro, installed their officers with fanfare, brotherly love and, in many cases, a hearty meal afterward. Some lodges took the ceremony a bit farther. ey made a statement, beyond the routine ascension of the line. At Charles M. Setzer #693 in Charlotte, brothers added some new elements to create what they called an "Installation and Celebration of the Universality of Masonry." e installation was scheduled for Jan. 18, the eve of World Religion Day, an international interfaith celebration that calls for members of all religions in the world to recognize that all religions have common spiritual goals. "We wanted to recognize and celebrate diver- sity in religion, race and thought," says newly installed Master Kenneth Lambert. "We included various religious texts on the altar, in addition to the Christian Bible, and we invited representa- tives of other religions and races to join us." Other books included the Bhagavad Gita, e Quran and the written Torah. Grand Steward Mike Register, the installing master, welcomed the crowd and explained how things work. For those who have never attended an installation, he explained, things can be a little confusing. For example – the knocking. One knock of the gavel means come to order. ree knocks is the signal for everyone to stand. He told those gathered to keep an eye on the hats. Whoever wears the hat in lodge is in charge. Brother Mike Trest of James K. Polk #759 opened the ceremony with a Hebrew blessing. May Adonai bless you and guard you May Adonai make his face shine unto you and be gracious to you May Adonai lift up his face to you and give to you peace. He also explained that while he is not Jewish, he is a member of "the global family of Masons, a believer in one God … creator of the universe." He added that he is comfortable speaking in Hebrew, English, German and a few other languages. "e point is that all who honor a supreme being are welcome here," he said. Brothers also invited the National Sojourners to deliver a "Toast to the Flag," and Prince Hall Brother Jake Drisker served as installing chaplain. Historian Stephen Campbell of Blackmer #127 addressed the gathering, reminding brothers of the words of great Masons of the past. Several members of DeMolay International assisted in the ceremony, escorting brothers into the lodge. eir own installation was held right after the Installations bring new faces, ideas to North Carolina lodges Across the state, lodges are installing their new officers with fanfare — and a twist or two. Above is from Charles M. Setzer #693 with various holy texts on the altar. At right, the officers of Mount Hermon #118 prepare for installation.

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