Masters Message February 2025

Greetings My Brothers,

February is here, and February is cold. As I write this message, we are weeks into a cold snap that, while appropriate for the winter season, most of us would rather not have to go through. The persistent below-freezing temperatures, combined with a “just right” amount of snow on the ground, mark clearly the days of winter in Rhode Island. And not just Rhode Island! My family in South Carolina report similar conditions of cold and snow. As I understand it, areas as far south as the panhandle of Florida have been made unwilling participants in the traditional New England winter experience. It seems that no matter where we live, my brothers, the cold and snow can find us. There’s a life lesson in there somewhere, but by now you surely know that I can drag a life lesson out of most any situation. My kids are happy to confirm this truth, should you ask them.

We have a busy couple of months ahead of us. Due to an emergent situation, it was necessary that the Fellowcraft degree be moved from January to February. At our January communication, we instead enjoyed a light-hearted program from R:.W:. Tim Culhane, Director of Masonic Education, on why dogs would make excellent Freemasons. It was lauded with near-universal praise, and I thank R:.W:. Tim profusely for pinch-hitting on a moment’s notice. We also witnessed the extremely impressive proficiency of our EA brothers. I know that the lodge was duly impressed with their work, and I have no doubt they will continue to impress through the next degrees. We will be conducting the Fellowcraft degree at this month’s communication, and the Master Mason degree will occur in March, as was previously scheduled.

Later in February, we will travel to The First Baptist Church in America in Providence, as we have done these last several years. Brothers are invited to attend the service on February 23rd, with a program at 10AM offered by FBCIA church historian Stan Lemons on the shared history of FBCIA members and RI Freemasons in the early years of the Craft in Rhode Island. A few months ago, he and I went through the original membership rolls for St Johns, and he was delighted to see many familiar names from First Baptist! This program should be very interesting, and I hope you will plan to attend. Brothers are asked to arrive between 9:30 and 9:45, with the program beginning at 10AM. The church service begins at 11AM, and will conclude roughly by noon.

I talk about my Dad a lot, but these days, my Mom’s guidance has been rattling around in my head. She has a specific phrase she uses, all the time, which is “don’t let ‘em steal your joy.” Like all good Southern expressions, the true meaning is hidden behind layers of subtlety. Who (or what) is stealing my joy? If it’s been stolen, can I get it back? This implies that joy is a choice, not an outcome. We can choose joy, every day, even if it’s an extremely hard choice. In moments of difficulty, when the road ahead darkens by the hour, I can choose to be joyful in my labors, no matter the outcome. It certainly helps to be with friends and brothers during these times. Shared labor is shared love, after all.

The cold and snow come for us all, at some point or another. We can lament their presence, or we can put on our winter coats, lace up our boots, and walk alongside each other for as long as the road may require. Spring’s thaw isn’t that far away. See, I told you I could drag a life lesson out of anything. In this season of cold and snow, don’t let ‘em steal your joy.

Fraternally yours,

W∴Charles Jason Shealy
Worshipful Master, St Johns No 1 Providence