“As the sun rises in the East…”

Fraternal greetings my brothers,

 We had an amazing last month my brothers, we have a new Entered Apprentice in Brother Tyler Hendricks and all of the officers did an amazing job with the degree. We kicked off the  Past Master’s cafe club and went well. At the time of this writing, we should have had our financial advisor meeting for our lodge investments and rounded off the month with our very first charity work at the Mission House. This coming month we have more activities scheduled;  April 1st we have been invited to attend RW Jeff Starke’s last official visit at Madarin lodge 6:30pm dinner 7:30pm meeting. April 6th we will have a presentation by the Scottish-Rite at our Lodge at 7:30pm and my first program of the year will take place on April 20th, Past Master’s Night at Duval lodge at 7:30pm.  The Past Master’s cafe club will again be at the lodge at around 8:30am on April 24th  and the Officer’s meeting will be at Duval Lodge on April 27th at 7pm. I can not stress enough the support that Duval Lodge has given me during my year in the East, having the caliber of brethren that I have is priceless. 

Fraternally

W⸫ Roberto Martinez Jr
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

Greetings Brothers,

Welcome back to the quarry! It is time to pick up our working tools and finish the year strong. Our lodge has completed its small metamorphosis and waits to be visited by all.

We will be having a Fellow Craft Degree on Tuesday, September 8th.  Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the Lodge will open for the degree at 7:30 p.m. Note that this will be on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, which is not a Stated Communication night.  We look forward to providing our Fellow Craft with a solid performance by the Widow Sons!

We also have an Enter Apprentice Degree on Saturday, September 26th.  Come and enjoy lunch at 11:30 a.m., the Lodge opens for the degree at 1p.m.  Come and show your support for our new, incoming Brothers!

I am also excited to report that our Lodge will be hosting the Northeast Florida Masonic Association meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd. Dinner will be served at 6:30, with the meeting following at 7:30 p.m. I hope to see you all there!

On a somber note, on September 11th let us pause, remember, and say a prayer for those that were lost on that day and whom we have lost since. It was a very tough period in our nation’s history, similar to today’s times.  Let us remember how it felt and what it looked like when we as a nation stood together for the greater good. Our light as a nation will shine again, my Brothers.

Sincerely and fraternally,

W⸫ Darrell M. Cleveland
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

Brethren, Greetings from the East!

On July 4, 1776, our forefathers brought upon this continent a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the equality of all men. The fact that these principles mirror those of Masonry should not be lost upon us. Several leaders were Masons, including John Hancock.

Our ideals include the brotherhood of man, no matter that man’s station in life. We are not concerned with the external, but with the internal; the character of a man’s heart within.

As we go through dark times, it’s a joy to see the fraternity and our brothers keep shining their light, for these next couple of months we truly are not at rest. We’re preparing for a Masters Degree at the end of July, Fellow Craft, and Entered Apprentice In September. We will celebrate with our newly raised brothers after the degrees because we will be a big part of their journey in light as brothers and a new family. We will keep a watchful eye on the Lodge with changes throughout, for the building will be receiving a couple of updates. But most importantly with these brothers and new brothers we are about to receive, we flow with the ever changing landscape of society. Rivers are like lives. The more contributions they gain from friendship, the bigger they grow. Friendly, quiet little streams that join them in their long, troublesome journey to the sea, make them strong and mighty. The helpful contributions of love and kindness we gain from friends make our journey of life better and richer. Have a great summer!

Sincerely and fraternally,

W⸫ Darrell M. Cleveland
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

COVID-19 UPDATE: COVID-19 is having a tremendous impact on the world as we know it. Major events at the local, state and national level have been cancelled. Schools and Universities across our region are closing. In support of the local, state, and federal efforts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Duval Lodge is suspending our stated communications, degree practices and service projects until further notice.

We will advise you when we will resume Lodge events.

The safety of our Brothers and their families is my top priority and we, as a fraternal family, need to do our part to help prevent the spread of this virus. This suspension is done with a heavy heart but with the well being of all our families in mind. I urge you all to use the greatest caution in your public contact in the coming days and to remain safe and healthy.

Sincerely and fraternally,

W⸫ Darrell M. Cleveland
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

My Brothers,

It is a great honor to serve as Worshipful Master of Duval Lodge No. 159 for the next Masonic year.  2020 marks the 114th Anniversary of our lodge, which is an incredible testimony of the great leadership of this organization.

I would like to thank all of the Past Masters for having served as stewards of this Lodge and for carrying on the traditions of this wonderful fraternity.  I would also like to thank each and every one of our members for making Duval Lodge No. 159 such a great success. It is everyone’s efforts and talents that have brought us to where we are today, and I am forever grateful.

I hope to carry on the tradition of excellence in our Lodge this year.  Over the next year, I will be focusing my attention on enlightenment, and on providing a more solid foundation for those looking to learn more about the Craft. We have an exciting year ahead and I look forward to working with as many of you as possible.  I am certain this year will be a great success and I appreciate everyone’s involvement and encouragement.

I am a firm believer in the old saying, “you get out of it what you put into it,” and I hope the fruits of our labor will yield amazing results.  We have some exciting programs in store for the year ahead and I look forward to sharing all this with you at upcoming stated communication.

May you all stay blessed in your travels through life.

Fraternally,

W⸫ Darrell M. Cleveland
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

Greetings Brothers,

I invite you to join with me as we work together for eventful and positive growth in our Lodge in 2019.  As a reminder, we have a Fellowcraft degree on January 22nd.  Please be there to support Brother Ayers.  Let’s have good communication this year!  For my part, I will try to keep the Craft updated with news for and about the Lodge.

Fraternally,

W⸫ Randall Boyd
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

Greetings Brothers

Thank all who were involved in our recent degrees and all who attended, especially our D.D.G.M., R⸫W⸫ Freddie Valasco! Without the tremendous support of the officers and brothers they would not have been as successful as we were.  The meals prepared by our Junior Warden, Darrell Cleveland, have been amazing!  My thanks to him as well as to his hard working staff.

I am asking every brother who has not already done so to consider how they would like to close out this year.  I have said in the past that if you have an idea, event, fundraiser, etc., do not hesitate to bring it before the Lodge.  Alternatively, maybe you are looking to attend more Lodge meetings, start your path as a lodge officer, or be an active degree team member.  There are many ways a brother can help the Lodge, themselves and other brothers.  Ultimately it is each our responsibility to address our own goals, identify ways to improve an help the Lodge be successful.

As a reminder we will be looking for 2019 officer nominations.  I look forward to seeing you in lodge!

Lastly to all my brothers, thank you for your service and support!

Fraternally,

W⸫ Theodore Burke
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

My Brethren,

When we started this year, two of my goals dealt with Masonic education and Craft participation. To date, YOU (Duval Lodge No. 159) have surpassed expectations and set a precedent for our all of us.  I can only imagine that we will expound on the strides and accomplishments made thus far.  I will continue to emphasize the importance of our education program, moreover the importance of adhering to our Masonic doctrine.  Meaning, implementing what the text state, not how some interpret things ‘ought’ to be.  Craft participation was recently highlighted during our recent 2018 Annual Grand Communication in Orlando.  Duval Lodge No. 159 had ten members representing and present.  That is outstanding!  Additionally, after a large number of our members attended Ribault Lodge No. 272, we were able to retrieve our Traveling Trowel.  I am looking forward to returning the favor; continuing to meet, greet, and break bread with other Lodges.

Although we have not officially elected to go dark for a summer month, I am anticipating the month of August will be our chosen time frame.  Future Degree practices during that time are TBD.

Lastly, I would like impress the importance of charity.  I encourage everyone to continue contributions to the Charity of the Quarter, L.Y.P.M.G.S.  As always, donate within our capabilities.  This program was initiated in 1958 with the intention to utilize donations in operating the Masonic Home.  Any amount will and does help.  Thank you for your support.

Fraternally,

W⸫ Theodore Burke
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

My Brethren,

It is an honor to have been elected as Master for 2018.  I want to thank all of the Brethren for their confidence and support.  Moreover, I want to thank you all for your hard work and contributions to our Lodge and fraternity.  I also want to thank (retiring Worshipful Master) W⸫ Ronald Tennant for his dedicated service to the Lodge.

I am focused on picking up where Ronnie left off, in hopes of a smooth transition.  I have a strong emphasis toward community involvement, membership, Masonic education, participation, engagement, and communication.  I will be asking each of you to remain dedicated and make every effort to attend our stated communications.  Your participation is vital to guiding and raising new brothers as well as helping us in our endeavors.

Finally, I look forward to this year.  I know it will be challenging, but rewarding as well.

Fraternally,

W⸫ Theodore Burke
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

My Brethren,

I want to start by saying thanks to everyone who has participated in our break and Lodge cleanup day.

I would also like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has donated canned food and dry goods for our food drive. To date, we have collected 4 boxes of food and sent it down to Sulzbacher. Keep up the good work!

See you in Lodge!

Respectfully,

W⸫ Ronald L. Tennant Jr.
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

My Brethren,

First of all, I would like to welcome all our new brothers to the Fraternity.  Your new journey will be a memorable and rewarding one.

Next, a special thanks to W⸫ Ed Miller for supplying the food for our installation.  The help of the Eastern Star and the Rainbow Girls was awesome!  Without them, our travels would be much more difficult.

We have implemented a few new items to our agenda this year and everyone’s cooperation would be welcomed and appreciated.

Our first “Breakfast and a Chore” was a success.  We are meeting the first Saturday of each month for breakfast followed up with some light cleaning duties.  The maintenance of our Lodge is paramount.  If you don’t feel like cleaning, you are still invited to breakfast at 9 a.m.

We are also going to be collecting non-perishable foods to be delivered to the Sulzbacher Center for the homeless.  Please bring any extra food (canned goods, cereal, dried fruits, etc.) so we can further help the needy citizens of our community.  The food drive will be going on all year so please clean out your pantries and feed someone less fortunate.

W⸫ Bill Watson is doing an amazing job instructing our new brothers and degree team.  Please come out the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays to lend a hand with degrees or just watch him work.

Thanks again to W⸫ Kevin Spargur for his help with the Tresle Board.  Without him, our communication would be lacking.

If any Brother has any ideas to help with the Lodge or better our community, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any of the officers.  I hope everyone has a blessed and healthy spring!

Until I see you again.

Respectfully,

W⸫ Ronald L. Tennant Jr.
Worshipful Master

“As the sun rises in the East…”

My Brethren,

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday season.  It’s the New Year and I’m really grateful for all of the cooperation and assistance I have received thus far.

The objectives for this year are going to be unity and community outreach.  I believe if we come together as a Masonic body, we can make a real difference in our neighborhoods and, ultimately, the world.  With our manpower and resources we can help a lot of people.  Remember, the only difference between a good idea and a great accomplishment is ACTION.

Let’s get together and bring some Faith, Hope, and Charity to the world.

Fraternally,

W⸫ Ronald L. Tennant Jr.
Worshipful Master