Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia F.A.A.M.

The Grand Master of Masons of Washington, D.C., Akram R. Elias, was recognized on the floor of the Peruvian Congress on August 22, 2008 along with the Grand Master of Masons of Peru. 

A Transcript (In Spanish) is available here.

Brethren & Friends,

The papers that were presented to the gathered delegates at the 9th World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges are now available for your viewing pleasure located here on the website.

Table of Contents:

Pg. 1 – 5 World Conference Opening Address by R.W.B. Tom Jackson
Pg. 6 – 8 “Darkness and Fraternity” by M.W.B. Gustavo Raffi
Pg. 9 – 25 “Cultivating Ethical Behavior in a Civil Society” by M.W.B. Devinder Gupta
Pg. 26 – 34 “The Freemason and the Human Rights” by M.W.B. Waldemar Zveiter
Pg. 35 – 37 “Images and Mirrors in Freemasonry” by M.W.B. Diederik van Rossum
Pg. 38 – 43 “’Personal Integrity’ The Cornerstone of Masonic Philosophy” by M.W.B. Clayton J. Borne
Pg. 44 – 46 “Ponencia: Mantener La Integridad en Las Grandes Logias para Evitar Cismas” by M.W.B. Hipolito Splinker Martinez
Pg. 47 – 48 “La Regularidad Masonica Como Piedra Angular De La Fortaleza Y Desarrollo De La Masoneria Internacional” By M.W.B. Eduardo Atzayacatl Retiz Licona
Pg. 49 – 57 “Riverting Schisms in Europe” by M.W.B. Michael Kraus
Pg. 58 – 63 “Developing and Promoting Cultural and Academic Exchange among Masons Worldwide” by R.W.B. S. Krishnan
Pg. 64 – 65 World Conference Closing Address by R.W.B. Tom Jackson
 

We are pleased to announce that photos and write-ups of The 9^th World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges are now posted on the Events section! We apologize for the delay in getting this up as there were many good photographs to choose from, and the selection process took some time. Hope you Enjoy.

The video of both Congressman John Lewis and Joe Wilson accepting their respective awards is now on the appropriate page in the Events section of the website.

For direct links:

Joe Wilson giving his thanks for being awarded this years Medal of Freedom.

John Lewis receiving an award for Humanitarian Service specifically regarding his lifelong commitment to Civil Rights.

M E M O R A N D U M

To: All Brethren

From: Grand Master

Re: July 18th Joint Charity Gala with Grand Lodge of Virginia

Our Grand Lodge is partnering with the Grand Lodge of Virginia to do a joint fundraiser for our respective charitable foundations. On Friday, July 18, at 7:30 PM at Almas Shrine Center, we will hold a banquet gala celebrating “Broadway on the Potomac”. Dress Code is Black Tie. The cost per person is $100 and should be made payable to the “Masonic Foundation of DC” and mailed to the Grand Lodge’s headquarters. We only have 175 tickets for this event. Please make your reservations as soon as possible and no later than June 30, 2008.

We invite you to also support the Masonic Foundation of DC by taking out an advertisement in the Gala’s program with giving levels as follows: 

• Ashlar ($150): sponsor’s message will appear on a white page
• Cornerstone ($300): sponsor’s message will appear on a silver page
• Pillar ($500): sponsor’s message will appear on a gold page

Lodges and individuals should send their check (made out to the Masonic Foundation) to the Grand Lodge (5428 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington DC 20016-2524). Donations from individuals are tax deductible.

This promises to be an extraordinary evening with incredible entertainment and fellowship with our Virginia Brethren. I look forward to your participation and support.  

The Grand Lodge Actions of May 14th are now available for viewing in the Members Only section of the website. Please log in to view them.

The Freemasons of the Nation’s Capital, along with their family and friends, are engaging in a major effort to spread Breast Cancer awareness & prevention during the upcoming Susan G. Komen National Race For The Cure® held on June 7th, 2008. Ms. Lourdes Elias, wife of Grand Master Akram R. Elias, encourages all who wish to help defeat breast cancer to join in the quest, and to pledge support.

Ms. Elias, a breast cancer survivor, has created a team set to participate during the walking/running event. With a recruitment goal of 40 members and a fundraising goal of $7,000, the team is already well underway with $4,481 already donated. If you would like to become part of the team or give your support please visit the link provided below.

Some words from Ms. Elias,

"Please join me on June 7th by making the one mile walk and/or by pledging to support my participation in the Komen National Race for the Cure®. Together we have made tremendous progress toward eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screening and treatment. The generosity of our donors is vital as we continue our efforts to help breast cancer patients today, as well as to invest in the health of future generations."

Click Here to Visit Ms. Elias’ National Race For the Cure Team: LGL Lou’s Crew and the Grand Lodge of DC

In addition to this already outstanding donation and amount of support, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia, gave $25,000 at a presentation during the 9th World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges, which was held May 7th  - May 10th here in Washington.

We have added a new feature to the website titled Events under the menu. Here you can view information on upcoming and past events that occur within the District. Many of these events include charity programs, community events as well as the occasional public Masonic event (such as our recent World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges).

Several lodges within the jurisdiction of D.C. routinely make trips to volunteer at the  Veterans Medical Center - 50 Irving Street, N.W., Washington DC 20422. If you would like to help a specific lodge in support of their volunteer efforts please contact the appropriate Lodge’s secretary. These visits will occur every Sunday throughout this month at 9:30am. Please see the calendar for a list of scheduled trips for next month as well.

The schedule for the rest of this month is:

No. 33 - VA Medical Center Visitation

When: Sun, May 18, 9:30am – 11:30am

Our Grand Lodge’s participation in the Hands-on-D.C. work-a-thon, on Saturday, April 26th, 2008 was a stunning success! A strong showing from across the jurisdiction was evident with volunteers turning out from many lodges, including Naval No. 4, William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon No.7, Fraternity No. 54, and La France No. 93. Brethren from Social Lodge No. 1, under the jurisdiction of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, also lent their helping hands. (read more)