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Greetings and Salutations,
Bro. Roderick Murphy, Grand Master of Masons for the State of Georgia, Joppa Temple Grand Lodge, and Supreme Grand Lodge of Modern Free Masons of the World, Inc. Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Affiliation of the 33rd Last Degree welcomes All whom visit the portals of www.joppatemplegrandlodge.com.
It is with pleasure that we the Brethren of Joppa Temple Grand Lodge extend an olive branch to All Masonic Jurisdictions. That we ALL may represent the True Masonic Order under the Father of God and the Brotherhood of Man. So that we ALL may extend our resources that will enable us to help those that can not help themselves. To say that you are a Mason means one thing and one thing only; that you are a Servant to your fellow man.
My Brethren, we must re-dedicated ourselves to uplift our communities, families, friends, and businesses. We start by Communicating on all levels; we must keep one another informed. We have numerous ways of communicating in this century; we must use them ALL! We have to hold each other accountable for what we do and what we are not doing. We must come together positively to solve problems; instead of wasting time dealing with negative energies. We need to trust one another to do the job that is assigned to us, but we must produce as well. Today’s Mason has too many excuses on why they can’t do something! A True Mason finds ways to get it done! We have to get back to that mind set.
Our foundation has been set for us, so there is no change needed for that. The square and compass rests on the Volume of Sacred Law; which is our rule and guide. If we all keep our Faith in God, our Hope for Immortality, and show Charity for All Mankind; our Jurisdictions will grow. The change that is needed is our Mentality and our Spirits! We need to get out of the “I” mindset and get with the “WE” mindset, because anything divided WILL FALL! We must come together for the Common Good of the Order!
The Brethren of Joppa Temple Grand Lodge will take the LEAD on breaking the chains that has held Good Men apart from doing our Father’s work. We will bring to the State of Georgia, “Brotherhood of Grand Lodges; where we can come together to fellowship, participate in joint ventures, shared ideas with one another, and get some resolve on the issues that is plaguing our Beloved Brotherhood. I do not care what Jurisdiction you are in; we are all dealing with the same issues.
We as Men and Masons are very proud of the History of Freemasonry & the History of Our Jurisdictions that we are members of. But we can not continue to turn a blind eye to our Oaths and Obligations that was taken in the presence of T.G.A.O.T.U. We serve our fellow man without prejudice, and we must continue to be an inspiration to the youth. The Youth is the future to all of our Organizations, so we must continue to educate them and mentor them. Joppa Temple has a program that each Brother will be responsible for One other Brother; it is called the Each One, Reach One, and Teach One Program. We all know that we are only as strong as our weakest link; so with that said we must come together to make each other better and to improve this Grand Lodge on all fronts.
Freemasonry has become unpopular for many different reasons, but we as Freemasons can not sacrifice the basic tenets of Freemasonry to grow our Lodges. We must continue to educate our Brethren in the ways of the Ancients when it comes to Ritualistic work, but we must allow our Members to introduce different ways to inspire our Membership to participate in whatever the Master has placed on the Trestleboard.
Technology has become many of our older member’s enemy, but we must introduce them to the future. We must educate them in the ways of the NOW just like they have educated us in the ways of the THEN. In order to move forward we must invest in technology; which will enable us to get information to our members in a timely fashion and more effectively. For those members that are not computer literate; we can hold introductory classes for computer literacy. The cost of what we pay in technology will pay itself back verses the amount of time we spend on performing our various duties.
As the Grand Master of Masons for the State of Georgia M.F.A.M., I will ensure that every Lodge and Brother has a chance to succeed in whatever endeavors he or they chooses. I will give my Brothers the opportunity to make a difference in their communities, families, and their country. We will exercise MY VISION FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA WHICH IS “ONE GEORGIA”. If you are a Mason, we all hail from a Lodge of Sts. John.
So, I leave ALL MASONS with these words; Do more than belong, participate! Do more than care, help! Do more than believe, practice! Do more than be fair, be kind! Do more than forgive, forget! Do more than dream, work!
May the G.A.O.T.U. continue to bless ALL of you!
Sincerely,
Bro. Roderick Murphy
Grand Master of Masons State of Georgia
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