New Horizons

by Midnight Freemason Contributor
RWB Michael H. Shirley


I became a Mason in 2006, and in the ten years that have passed since I’ve had the privilege of being conferring dozens of degrees, becoming a Certified Lodge Instructor, being master for my Lodge’s 150th anniversary with a rededication by the Grand Master of Masons in Illinois, serving the Grand Lodge of Illinois as Leadership Development Chairman and Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern Area, serving as Most Wise Master of the George E. Burow Chaper of Rose Croix in the Valley of Danville, AASR-NMJ, and a host of other privileges.

But things change. This summer my family will be moving to Franklin, Indiana, where my wife, a veterinarian, has found a wonderful job, and where I’ll teach part time at Franklin College. I will remain a life member of my lodge and a proud member of the Valley of Danville, but will be withdrawing from most Masonic activity in Illinois. Franklin has a very active Lodge, and I hope to be a regular there. One thing I will not do is curtail my activities as a Midnight Freemason. It continues to be one of my proudest affiliations, and my new Masonic adventures will, I hope, provide inspiration for new material for the blog. Brothers Todd Creason and Robert Johnson have provide superb leadership for our many and varied writers, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to put my random thoughts out there for the Masonic world. I’m grateful to our readers, particularly the ones who have taken the time to write to me with their thoughts on my various articles. This summer will be busy, what with everything involved in moving, registering the kids for their new schools, and preparing to teach new courses. I’ll be writing about my Lodge in Wisconsin (Island City No. 330), as I’ll be there on vacation in a few days, but I have no idea what inspiration awaits me. Stay tuned, my Brothers. I’ll keep you posted as my Masonic life changes.

~MHS

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois, A.F. & A.M, as Leadership Development Chairman and Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master of the Eastern Area. A Certified Lodge Instructor, he is a Past Master and Life Member of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and a plural member of Island City Lodge No. 330, F & AM, in Minocqua, Wisconsin. He is Past Most Wise Master of the George E. Burow Chapter of Rose Croix in the Valley of Danville, IL; he is also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research, the York Rite, Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, Eastern Star, Illini High Twelve, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. The author of several article on British and American history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.You can contact him at: m.h.shirley@gmail.com

1 comment:

  1. Franklin is a cool place for Masons. I received my Chapter degrees in the chapel at the Indiana Masonic Home (a place everyone should visit). Godspeed.

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