Inman Lodge conducted a Concealed Weapons Permit class fundraiser with the assistance of Worshipful Brother David Blanton at Top Gun Shooting located in Boiling Springs. Twenty participants signed up for the eight hour course to qualify for their concealed weapon permit on January 10th. Worshipful Brother David Blanton offers both the South Carolina CWP course and the Utah CWP course. Both offer CWP reciprocity, allowing you to carry your concealed weapon legally in many states outside of SC. For more information you may contact Worshipful Brother David Blanton at 864-578-3345 or at sctopgun@charter.net . You can also visit Top Gun Shooting’s website at www.sctopgun.com .
2015 Food Drive
In the past few years, the economy has left many of our neighbors struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment and skyrocketing living costs have left many in need of assistance. This has put a strain on the many food pantries that serve our community. For 2015, Inman Masonic Lodge has pledged itself to a year-long food drive to assist these organizations. We have asked that the brethren please bring in a couple of non-perishable food items each time they visit the lodge. We have already been able to directly assist a widow in need with a few groceries, as well as making a donation to Holston Creek Baptist Church. We hope to be able to continue this good work throughout the year, and make donations to several of the food pantries in the area.
Masonic Rite of Adoption
A Masonic Rite of Adoption Ceremony, or Lewis Degree, will be performed for Alijah Brown, infant son of Brother Andy and Kellie Brown April 9th at 6 pm. The degree derives the name of Lewis from the iron cramp which operative masons would insert into the cavities of large stones, which they could then raise with pulleys to any height and deposit them into the proper position for the construction of a cathedral, castle, or any other structure. Just as the Lewis cramp was essential in the building of these large edifices, so are the infant sons of Master Masons to the continual building of the Masonic Fraternity. In the Adoption Rite, the brethren of the adopting lodge pledge to assist and mentor the young Lewis throughout his years prior to manhood. The Lewis Degree was widely practiced in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and a few Frenchspeaking lodges in America until the late 19th century. Two notable men being adopted as a Lewis (or Louveteau in French) were George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. The Masonic Rite of Adoption fell out of practice in South Carolina until December 3, 2008, when Amity Lodge No. 87 performed the first Lewis Degree in over two hundred years. Since, many lodges throughout South Carolina have performed the Masonic Rite of Adoption. Amity Lodge has performed four, and have dedicated a wall of the lodge for the Lewis pictures. This will be Inman Lodge’s third Lewis Degree. This degree is open to the public, and everyone is invited to attend.
2015 Elections
The election of our officers of Inman Lodge for 2015 has brought us many familiar faces, and a few new ones as well. Brother Stephen A. Pinker was elected to the East and will serve as Worshipful Master. Brother Lynn Lowe was elected to the West as Senior Warden, and Brother Steven Adams was elected to the South as Junior Warden. Right Worshipful Brother Doug O’Shields was reelected as Treasurer, and Worshipful Brother Glen Kirkland as secretary. Worshipful Brother Glen, however, stepped down shortly after the election, and Worshipful Brother Paul McWilliams was elected as Secretary in a special election under dispensation from the Grand Lodge. Worshipful Brother Lew Crissone was reappointed as Tyler. The office of Senior Deacon was appointed to Brother Stephen E. Pinker, and the office of Junior Warden was appointed to Brother Kristopher Brown, his first time appointed to an office. Three more newcomers to Inman’s officers are Brother Steve Parris’ appointment as Chaplain, and Brothers Joe Schultz and Steven Setzer to the office of Stewards.
Inman's New Look
In late 2014, Worshipful Brother Paul McWilliams facilitated a purchase of 70 chairs from Walden Lodge located in Greenville, SC. With the vote of the lodge, Inman purchased these chairs which matched perfectly with the blue color scheme of the lodge. In order to compensate for the chair purchase, Inman asked the membership for donations of $35 per chair, which were bought up very quickly. Brass inscription plates for the donors was included in the donation price, which are to be installed on the chairs at a later date. The brethren of the lodge stepped up to the task of installing the chairs in the lodge, which proved to be a bit more of a task than removing the old chairs. Risers were built for the chairs in the North and South, as well as platforms to install an additional four chairs on each side of the Senior Warden’s station in the West. Two chairs were also installed in the East. A platform was also built in the South to place the Masonic grandfather clock which was donated by Brother Randy Cobb in December, 2013. The altar and the Officers’ stations were also painted to more closely match the colors of the chairs and carpet. If possible, please come out soon to visit with us and see how beautiful our lodge has become with the diligent assistance of our brethren