Hillcrest Lodge #1318

As I write my initial “From the East” message, I cannot help but reflect upon the fact we are embarking on a time of significant transition for Hillcrest Lodge. As we prepare to relocate, I hope we would all remember that it is not the brick and mortar that bind us together but something stronger. McKinney Avenue was not our first home, of course, but it’s all our current officers have known. Many of our members vividly remember our days on Hillcrest. As we see new faces being drawn into Masonry and Hillcrest Lodge, their experiences will be different still. But the common thread will be a belief in the Divine and the desire to open one’s heart and mind to internal discovery and enlightenment. This leads us down a well-trodden path towards personal growth and improvement while recognizing a commitment to our brothers, our community and to those who may be suffering or in need of assistance.

Summer is fast approaching and Lodges across Texas are making final preparations for the ensuing Masonic year. Elections are underway and installation ceremonies will be completed by July 31. In-coming Worshipful Masters and the 2010 Lodge Officers are ready to implement the plan that has been two-years in the making. Now, lessons learned through Warden's Retreats, L.I.F.E Programs, or Lodge traditions will be applied. As the outside temperatures rise, so raises the fervor of activities within the Lodge.

Totally awesome!!! Five and a half months have already passed since I was installed as your Grand Master, and it has been a truly fantastic ride. Those bull riders in the rodeos think they know excitement, thrill, and adrenalin rush, but they have never experienced being the Grand Master of Masons in Texas. I have been on a Masonic "high" all year. Our conferences have taken me from the top to the bottom, from the east to the west, and all points in between of this great State we call Texas. I can truthfully say that Texas is Masonic country.

This is my last From the East message, and I thought I would share with you what I learned over the last 12 months. I eagerly entered the position of Worshipful Master with a grand plan full of events and programs that would continue Hillcrest’s Masonic traditions. I thought it quite likely we could sell our building and have a new home before Christmas. I looked forward to welcoming at least half a dozen new Masons to our lodge, having several skilled “A” certificate teachers, a history of Hillcrest members, and degree teams where everyone knew several parts. It didn’t take long to be reminded of the old joke, “How do you make God laugh? Tell Him your plans!”

Brother Philip Kemp passed away on May 18, 2009. From the Dallas Morning News: Philip K. Kemp Jr. Kemp, Philip K. Jr. 81, of Dallas, TX, died May 18, 2009. Born April 9, 1928 in Glendale, CA, to Philip Kitterage Kemp and Margaret Church Kemp. Phil was a graduate of Texas Tech University, B.A. 1949, was a computer programmer until he retired, was a member of Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, and was a resident of Dallas since 1951 after moving to Texas in 1935.

Brother Scott Buchanan passed away on May 8, after a two year plus battle with colon cancer. His funeral and memorial service was held in Sherman, Texas at the Covenant Presbyterian Church Wednesday the 13th of May.

J. T. Corley, Jr., 86, of Fort Worth, passed away at home on Friday, April 17th and was buried the following Tuesday. Brother Corley was born in Waxahachie on February 16, 1923. He had been a Mason for 59 years. Although raised in Landmark Lodge, he soon moved his membership to Hillcrest Lodge and serve as Master of Ceremony in 1956. He had been married to his wife, Sammie, for 55 years until her death in 1996. J.T. was also a proud member of the Scottish Rite for over 50 years as well as a member of Moslah Shrine. Please remember his family in your prayers.