Freemasonry: A Family Affair.
By Wor John Milson
A shorter version of this article appears in the current edition of Trowel.

In June 2005 Rainbow held its 80th Annual Grand Assembly in the Memorial Hall in Plymouth. Annual Grand Assembly is Rainbow's equivalent of the Masonic Feast of St.John.

The theme for this year's Assembly was "Have Faith in Your Rainbow Dream". It was a heart-warming feeling to see hundreds of teenagers walking, running, talking, checking hairdos, or just plain "hanging out". But when the gavel sounded, most all of them magically came to order, lined up prior to entry and perfectly on cue they glided into the hall to assume their
proper places. An awesome view!

The outgoing Grand Worthy Advisor, Miss Mary Kathleen Donnelly, gave her annual report, which was enthusiastically accepted by all. And yes, many girls and adults were crying also. Then came the installation of all Grand Assembly officers. The installation was done by Miss Kathleen C. Monaghan, PWA, Grand Service, of Wollaston Assembly  No.10. The ritual was absolutely flawless! (Brethren, take due notice!)

These lovely young ladies represent our future, the very survival of our fraternities. Ten years from now, all those lovely young ladies will be mature women; some will be married and raising their own (future) Rainbows and DeMolays; others will be engaged in successful careers; still others will become doctors, lawyers or scientists. Like all other fraternities and
sororities, Rainbow must continually renew itself by actively recruiting girls between eleven and twenty years of age. Rainbow has a limited "age" window, for they may have a member for only nine years! Failure to do so will result in the extinction of this very worthwhile organization.

As Wor. Richard Thompson, "The Prodigal Mason", so eloquently stated in the Summer 2005 issue of Trowel, exactly the same problems are faced by DeMolay. They also must continually strive to bring in new members, (boys between 13 and 21 years of age); if not, then the chapter turns in its charter, as so many chapters have already done.

Rainbow and DeMolay need our support.
Several Lodges have already a plan in place to visit at least once a year a Rainbow and a DeMolay meeting. All Chapters and Assemblies always welcome visitors, so that the "rest of
the world" may see their good deeds. Each Lodge should, and many already do, make a donation to each organization to help with the mundane aspects of keeping the organization functioning. We also should include in our Lodge activities both Assemblies and Chapters whenever there is a function to which the public may be present, such as installation of officers, Ladies' Night, parades, (Memorial Day, July 4th, etc.), bloodmobiles, Open Houses,
and so on. Also, both organizations have "travel degrees" that may be performed in a Masonic Lodge. If there is an evening when there is no Masonic degree to be worked, plan on inviting a Rainbow Assembly to perform their "Father's degree"; for a Ladies' Night, invite a Rainbow Assembly to perform the "Parents' degree". (When you do, make sure there are several Kleenex boxes handy.)

Alternately, invite the DeMolay Chapter to perform their "Mothers' degree" for the same reason. This interaction between generations works both ways: we get to know the boys and girls, they come to know us; not as "scary old men", but as true and trustworthy, well-meaning uncles and fathers in whose fidelity they may with safety confide. It may induce the DeMolays more readily to join our ranks at the appropriate time. We also should encourage our sons,daughters, grandchildren, children of all our relatives, neighbors and co-workers to join the appropriate organization. This is how we can assure our own survival, for when the children reach maturity, both fraternities have ready-made new members!

There is strength in unity. Our current "Pass it On" slogan should, for the good of all fraternities, include ALL our fraternal organizations. Joint ventures, so common in the business world, apply here as well. All fraternal organizations need the support of all other groups to help in increasing membership in each of the groups, - as we already join York Rite, Scottish Rite, the Shrine, - as well as Eastern Star and Amaranth, Rainbow and DeMolay. Consideration may be given to have a state-wide "council" that includes all Masonic and related bodies where representatives of each group may present their organizations' progress (or needing help) in increasing memberships. A free exchange of thoughts, options and plans that will further the cause of all related organizations will, in the end, benefit all.

Drop a line to Wor John Milson at jhmilson@comcast.net
John is a PM of Norumbega Fraternity Lodge and is affiliated with Rural Lodge.

Play your part- make your reservation now for the
Rural Lodge Banquet to honor DeMolay and Rainbow.
7:00pm Thursday 23 March 2006, Quincy Masonic Building.
Dinner: $5 if you reserve by March 18 – thereafter $15.
JW: Bro Steve Whitmore 6127-331-2638  vailatt@earthlink.net

From Rural Lodge Newsletter 14
3 March 2006