Worshipful Brother Cecil Ballew

Worshipful Brother Cecil Edwin Ballew laid down his working tools on March 14th.  WB Cecil was a member of Inman Masonic Lodge for 46 years, receiving his Entered Apprentice Degree on April 6th, his Fellow Craft on May 17th, and his Master Mason on June 15th, 1971.  He served Inman Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1975.  WB Cecil was a stalwart of Inman Lodge, receiving countless Entered Apprentice Masons during their First Degree and teaching them their first important lesson in Masonry.  

WB Cecil's Masonic Rites will be held on March 17th at 5:30 pm at Seawright's Funeral Home in Inman, SC, followed by a receiving of friends from 6 to 8 pm.  WB Ken Kuszmaul will open the Lodge at Inman at 4:45 pm.  The Funeral Service will be held Sunday, March 18th at 3 pm at Holston Creek Baptist Church in Inman, SC.  WB Cecil's obituary can be viewed here.

Please keep WB Cecil's wife, Vonda, his son, WB Chris Ballew, and the rest of the family in your daily devotions.    

Brother Charles Dewell Gwinn

On February 16th, Brother Charles Dewell Gwinn laid down his working tools.  He was a sixty-year member of Inman Lodge, receiving his Entered Apprentice Degree on October 7, 1957, his Fellow Craft Degree on November 15, 1957, and his Master Mason Degree on December 20, 1957.  Please keep the Gwinn Family in your daily devotions.  

Brother Gwinn's obituary can be read here.

Inman Christmas Parade

IMG_2795.JPG

This year, Inman Masonic Lodge participated in the Inman Christmas Parade, an effort spearheaded by Worshipful Master-Elect Bro. Ken Kuszmaul.  The banner for the float was provided by RWB James E. Hayes, III, DDGM of the 21st Masonic District.  Members of the Lodge boarded a float and toured the parade route, waving to the crowd, while RWB Hayes, RWB Paul McWilliams, DDGM of the 20th District, and WB Stephen Pinker, Master of the Lodge for 2017, walked the route and handed out candy.  Kuszmaul’s hope is that the Lodge, through its continued participation, can increase its visibility within the community.  

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer from our Grand Master

Michael D. Smith, 33°

Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina, AFM

 

Brethren,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. Today I offer this Thanksgiving prayer to my Masonic Brethren. May God continue to richly bless each of you, your families, our Fraternity, and our Nation. 

Most Holy and Glorious Lord God of Heaven, thank you for the beginning of a new day, as we renew of our vow of service and labors as Free Men and Free Masons, to share your Love, Mercy, and Grace among those that we may touch each day and one with the other.

I ask for forgiveness for our errors, and mistakes that have hurt others, while we give thanks for the great compassion that men of faith have for one another.

I ask your infinite blessings upon all members of our fraternity this day, Thanksgiving Day, as we reflect on our principle role as men of Faith and Love.  Today, I ask that each of our members feel your presence and understand the great role each has to teach our children of whatever age, to be the shining example of what is right and true, an example of Love, an example of strength and an example of faith. 

Guide our thoughts, words, and actions all the days of our lives with that great purpose of teaching and guiding our children, as well as those we influence, to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth. We give thanks for these gifts and the wisdom to properly use our gifts for your honor and glory. Aid us, O God, to learn and use our gifts wisely and well in the coming days. 

I ask for your gifts of patience, steadfastness, endurance, wisdom, love and grace upon all my brethren every day but today more especially this Thanksgiving Day.  Touch each of them with the great sense of purpose as we claim your promise of great success for all of your children.  Lead us every day in the paths of truth, guide the steps of the faithful to remember our duties to our children, our families, each other, our nation and in the world. Aid us, O God, to learn and use these gifts wisely and well in the coming days.

Lord God, I pray that you imbue our Nation, with the realization that our nation is only as strong as our Faith.  Strengthen our members to be the Fatherly example in our homes, communities, churches, states and our Nation. 

Remove those among us, that sacrifice our honor and integrity for their selfish greed and evil motivation, send to us the leaders of faith, men who will stand, men who will lead and men who will pray for strength and guidance every day. 

I ask your grace and mercy upon those among us that are suffering from ill health, loneliness, ill fortune, and even estrangement from their families.  Guide them to the place in your will and paths that will be pleasing in your sight.  As men of faith, we acknowledge that all will be healed in time, according to your purpose, and whether here, so as to be called to further service, or when we claim the promise of joy and fellowship for eternity.

We give humble thanks for all the days of our lives, and all those that have touched our lives, provided guidance and wisdom to us along our journey.  May they know that they are truly Loved.  I ask for your finest blessings each of those that have shared of themselves to help us along our journey as men of faith. 

Amen!

So Mote It Be!

Amen!

 

 

Pizza Inn Plaque Presentation

Brother Rusty Aker being presented a plaque from Inman Masonic Lodge by Brother Stephen Parris.

Brother Rusty Aker being presented a plaque from Inman Masonic Lodge by Brother Stephen Parris.

Before the November regular communication, Brother Stephen Parris presented Brother Steven Lane "Rusty" Aker with a plaque as a small token of appreciation for the support that Pizza Inn has shown Inman Masonic Lodge.  Brother Aker, a member of Gaffney Masonic Lodge #186 AFM, along with his brother Daven, are owners several Pizza Inn locations in the area, most notably on Asheville Highway in Spartanburg, SC.  These two men have made Pizza Inn the biggest contributor of Inman Masonic Lodge's annual golf tournament for two years in a row.  Thanks to the Aker brothers and Pizza Inn for their support!

Inman Masonic Lodge Officers for 2018

At the November regular communication, elections were held for the officers of Inman Masonic Lodge for the ensuing Masonic year.  Brother Ken Kuszmaul was elected to serve as Worshipful Master for 2018.  WB Terry Mabry was elected to serve as Senior Warden, and Brother Steve Parris was elected to serve as Junior Warden.  RWB Doug O'Shields was elected to serve as Treasurer, and RWB Paul McWilliams was elected to serve as Secretary.  Brother John Woodyard was appointed to serve as Senior Deacon, and Brother Jared Miller was appointed to serve as Junior Deacon.  Brothers Carl Webb and Gene Michael Kuszmaul were appointed to serve as Stewards.  WB Stephen A. Pinker was appointed to serve as Tiler, and Brother David Fisgus was appointed to serve as Chaplain.  

Public installation for these Brethren will be held at the Lodge on December 9, 2017 at 3 pm.  Congratulation to all these Brethren on their elections and appointments.  Inman Masonic Lodge continues to be held in good hands!

Inman Degree Work

Inman Lodge has had quite a few degrees conferred in the past several months.  Brothers Kevin Steed and Carl Webb received their Entered Apprentice Degree on May 19, 2017.  Brothers Carl Webb and David Fisgus received their Fellow Craft Degree on July 20th, and their Master Mason Degree on August 31st.  Brother Shawn Osbourne received his Fellow Craft Degree on September 30th.  Congratulations to all these Brethren for the steps they have taken! 

RWB Paul McWilliams KCCH Investiture

RWB Paul McWilliams with MW and Illustrious Brother Michael D. Smith, Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Grand Master of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.

RWB Paul McWilliams with MW and Illustrious Brother Michael D. Smith, Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Grand Master of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.

RWB Paul McWilliams, Past Master and current Secretary of Inman Masonic Lodge, as well as current District Deputy Grand Master of the 20th District, was invested with the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, on Friday, October 6th.  This honor, informally referred to as receiving the “red hat”, is conferred to a limited number of 32° Masons by the Supreme Council for their commendable service to the Rite, to Masonry, and the world at large.  Congratulations to RWB Paul for receiving this distinct honor!