Regular Communication - September 12, 2007
On September 12, 2007, Worshipful Master Herbert J. Atkinson presided over the first regular communication of the 2007 Masonic year. A dinner of Chicken Cacciatore and Caeser Salad was served prior to the meeting for all to enjoy. During the meeting Brother Tom Stiles' name was drawn from a top hat and was given the Master's Hat gift. Congratulations Brother Tom!
St. John's lodge is fortunate to have among it's membership many brothers who have been given high honors in the appendant bodies of Freemasonry and Worshipful Master Herb gave special recognition to those who were in attendance.
Five of the brothers attending this communication are 33rd degree Scottish Rite Masons. The 33rd, and last Degree of the Scottish Rite, is an honorary degree, conferred for exceptional service to Freemasonry. There are so few who receive this recognition and we, the members of St. John's lodge salute them: Ill. Jim Elliott,Jr.,PM , Worshipful Brother G. Tom Taylor,PM (Elected), Ill. Warren F. Schueller,Sr.,PGM, Ill. Gene Small,PGMar and the Worshipful Master himself, Ill. Herbert J. Atkinson, PGM. Also of special note, Ill. Jim Elliott, Jr. who is the Active Emeritus of the Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (of the United States of America), was elected to receive the Order of the Purple Cross, the highest honor conferred on York Rite Masons
Special recognition was also given to Sir Knight G. Tom Taylor, PM who has been installed as the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandry Of Knight's Templar of Delaware.