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

Brethren,

                         Our Grand Lodge’s participation in the Hands-on-D.C. work-a-thon, on Saturday, April 26^th, 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.       

 Worshipful Brother Walter R. Hoenes, secretary of Fraternity Lodge No. 54, successfully recruited members of his college fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp), to participate on the DC Freemasons team.  Thanks go out to the George Washington University chapter of SigEp, which comprised the second largest group in attendance, in helping us make Stuart-Hobson MHS a great learning facility for 400 D.C. students.

 Refurbishing projects completed include:

1. Landscaping of school grounds.
2. Painting: more than 75 classroom doors, basketball court markings, lines on the baseball diamond, the fence along the playground and parking space lines and repainting the basement mural.
3. Removing debris and trash in the outside courtyard
4. Cleaning and organizing of the custodial storage as well as utility closets.

 Special thanks to Brother Dustin Rawlins, the Grand Master’s Assistant for Educational Affairs for heading up our volunteer efforts and coordinating with the staff of Hands-on-D.C. to make everything possible.

Due to weather conditions, the Grand Lodge & Almas Shrine Golf Tournament that was scheduled for today has been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for May 29th.

Own a Limited Edition World Conference Commemorative Coin Today!

Now is your chance to own a piece of Masonic history. For the first time ever, the World Conference of Grand Lodges is being held in Washington D.C. This limited edition coin made of fine silver is a delight for collectors and historians alike, with details of the World Conference logo on one side and the much talked about "Novus Ordo Seclorum" and unfinished pyramid, as seen on the back of the U.S. one dollar bill, on the other. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Brethren!

 Please visit the Members only section to view new content in Recent News.

The Grand Lodge now has a Youtube page. Our initial video posting is of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen receiving The Grand Lodge Medal of Freedom award in 2006. Expect to see more content in the future.

The Video page on our website can be accessed via the Media & Press menu. 

The Youtube.com channel can be found here.

Join the Grand Lodge in repairing DC’s public schools on April 26!

On Saturday, April 26, 2008, Hands on DC will hold a one-day Work-a-thon.  More than 2,000 volunteers will spend the day working to create a better learning environment at one of about 30 DC public schools.  Projects are available for every skill level and typically include painting, cleaning, and landscaping. 

This year, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia is sponsoring Hands on DC’s 2008 Work-a-thon by generously donating $10,000 to this event.  However, sponsorship is only one phase of the project.  True success lies in volunteer participation; our goal is to build a team of over 100 volunteers. 

Sign up now as a volunteer for this one-day service project by visiting the link located in the Members Only section of the Grand Lodge website. 

Please encourage family and friends to come out for one day to refurbish the District’s public schools, get some exercise, and witness an excellent example DC Freemasonry in action.

Once you join the team, you will receive periodic updates via e-mail that will provide additional instructions regarding the day’s schedule, reporting times, school assignments, and metro/parking instructions.  The day usually begins around 8:00 A.M.; breaks for lunch around Noon, and work/clean up conclude around 3:30 P.M.  A reception is held for volunteers later that evening.  Lunch will be provided by the Grand Lodge.

Recommended dress for the Work-a-thon should be “work” clothes such as sturdy and comfortable shoes, jeans or long pants, and so on.  Work gloves and 2008 Work-a-thon t-shirts will be provided to all volunteers at no cost.

Please sign up today to join your fellow Brothers, family and friends in this important endeavor.

For any questions, please contact Brother Dustin Rawlins at Rawlins@dcgrandlodge.org

Brethren,

            March is upon us and already the Grand Master’s vision to improve our city’s public school system is underway. On April 1^st, 2008 the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia is sponsoring, in partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute (BORI), the "Being an American" curriculum to 50-60 D.C. Public Schools American History/Government/Civics department chiefs and teachers at the Scottish Rite Center from 8:30AM - 3:30PM.

            "Being an American" will focus on founding documents such as the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The program will help define the concept of the "American Hero" as well as provide examples of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. The course is specifically designed to address the needs of general students and those identified as at-risk.

            Special thanks to Dustin Rawlins, Assistant to the Grand Master for Educational Affairs, for working hard to set up this program with D.C. Public Schools and Mayor Fenty’s Administration

In 2008, D.C. Freemasons are focusing on projects that will assist the infrastructure and development of the District of Columbia’s education system.  Improving our educational foundations serves as a beacon of hope and learning that will permeate each corner of our city’s education system.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:                                  
Matt Keller: 202-686-1811
Garrison Courtney: 703-296-5619
mkeller@dcgrandlodge.org or Courtney@dcgrandlodge.org

Grand Master of Masons of Venezuela Murdered in Kidnapping Attempt; Condemned by D.C. Freemasons

 (Washington, DC) – It is with great sadness that we announce the killing of Francisco Pereiro Liz, the Grand Master of Masons of Venezuela. He was shot and killed today during an apparent kidnapping attempt at approximately 6:00pm Venezuelan time. The members of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Grand Master Francisco Pereiro Liz and convey their sympathies to the Freemasons of Venezuela.

             “We are outraged at the murder of Grand Master Francisco Pereiro Liz.” Akram Elias, Grand Master of Masons in Washington D.C. stated. “We strongly condemn this murder and hope that the killers are brought swiftly to justice.”

             The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Venezuela is one of the many Grand Lodges from around the world set to meet in May in Washington D.C. for the 9^th World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges. 

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The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (F.A.A.M.) of the District of Columbia is part of a unique institution that has been a major part of community life in America for over two hundred and fifty years. Freemasonry is America’s largest and oldest fraternity built on a philosophy of moral standards, mutual understanding and brotherhood.

For all media related questions or requests for speakers on Freemasonry, please contact Garrison Courtney, Chief of Public Affairs, at courtney@dcgrandlodge.org