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Brethren,
As this edition of the newsletter reaches you, we find ourselves in the heart of the summer season. July brings a natural shift in pace, giving us a moment to look back on a busy and fulfilling stretch of Masonic labor and community events that carried us through June.
Our summer work kicked off with the Triad of Light educational event, which brought an impressive turnout of regional brethren and outstanding presentations. The momentum only grew from there as we transitioned into our degree work, successfully conferring two degrees—the first, a Master Mason Degree, on Tuesday, June 16th, and the second on Tuesday, June 23rd, when we passed a Brother to the degree of a Fellow Craft. Thank you to all the officers and brothers who dedicated their time on the floor and in the sidelines to support our candidates.
Beyond our regular Lodge functions, many of our members traveled down to Franklin, Indiana, on June 20th to attend the Founding Fathers Festival.
Lodge Notice: DARK FOR JULY
With our major degree work and June events concluded, the Lodge is officially dark for the month of July. Our regular business is paused so that everyone can enjoy a well-deserved break, travel, and spend time with family.
We will reconvene this August, refreshed and ready to return to labor.
I hope you are all having a safe, healthy, and relaxing summer. Enjoy the warm weather, look out for one another, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in the Lodge room next month!
Fraternally,
The Officers of Porter Lodge No. 137
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✵ BELONG. RESPRESENT. INSPIRE
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We are excited to unveil the new design of our Lodge shirt—a fresh and distinguished look that reflects the pride, tradition, and fellowship we share as Brothers of Porter Lodge No. 137. This shirt is more than just apparel; it is a visible symbol of our connection to one another and to the Craft.
We encourage every Brother to place an order and wear it proudly at Lodge events, community activities, and wherever our travels may take us. By wearing our Lodge shirt, we not only represent Porter Lodge, but also demonstrate our unity, commitment, and sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves.
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✵ AT A GLANCE: WHAT HAPPENED IN JUNE
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June proved to be an exceptionally productive and active month for the lodge. The labor began on June 2nd with the regular June Stated Meeting, followed closely by a highly successful regional "Triad of Light" Education Day on June 6th. The middle of the month was heavily dedicated to ritual work, featuring a targeted Degree Practice on June 9th, the raising of a brother to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 16th, and a Fellowcraft Degree on June 23rd. The busy month ultimately concluded on June 25th with a focused Trustees Meeting to handle administrative and operational oversight.
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06/02/2026 …. June Stated Meeting
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06/06/2026 …. Education Day: Triad of Light
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06/09/2026 …. Degree Practice
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06/16/2026 …. MM Degre
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06/23/2026 …. FC Degree
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06/25/2026 …. Trustees Meeting
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06/30/2026 …. Mentoring and Fellowship
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A Confluence of Mind and Spirit:
The Successful "Triad of Light" Symposium
VALPARAISO, IN — On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the halls of Porter Lodge No. 137 hummed with the distinct energy of ancient tradition meeting modern scholarship. Brethren and seekers gathered at 10:00 AM CST for the anticipated Triad of Light educational symposium—a full day dedicated to deep Masonic education, reflection, and the enduring bonds of brotherly fellowship.
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✵ RAISING A NEW MASTER MASON
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On the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the brethren assembled to witness one of the most profound and enduring traditions in all of Freemasonry—the conferring of the Sublime Degree of Master Mason upon Brother Casey Weems. The Master Mason degree represents the pinnacle of ancient craft Masonry.
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VALPARAISO, IN — On the evening of June 23, Porter Lodge No. 137 marked a significant milestone as Brother Luke Francis took the next major step in his Masonic journey, passing to the degree of Fellow Craft.
The Fellow Craft Degree stands as a vital pillar in a Mason's advancement. It shifts focus toward the intellectual and moral cultivation of the individual, encouraging a dedicated pursuit of knowledge, personal growth, and …
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✵ JULY: PLANNED MEETINGS & DEGREES
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Hey, Brother, we added a new item!
The new commemorative T-shirts, available in a variety of classic colors and several sizes (3XL is not available), serve as both a vital fundraiser and a meaningful keepsake for our upcoming milestone. They celebrate a remarkable legacy as we prepare for the 175-year rededication of Porter Lodge #137 on May 8, 2027. Featuring the iconic Square and Compasses alongside specialized anniversary honors, each shirt is a token of the enduring principles that have guided us since our founding. By wearing these, members and supporters alike can visibly share in our pride and help ensure that this historic celebration truly honors the generations of brothers who built our foundation. Only $25. Pre-Orders accepted now!
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Understanding The Working Tools
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Gavels in Freemasonry
"Perhaps no lodge appliance or symbol is possessed of such deep and absorbing interest to the craft as the Master's mallet or gavel. Nothing in the entire range of Masonic paraphernalia and formulary can boast of an antiquity so unequivocally remote," according to Joseph F. Ford in Early History and Antiquities of Freemasonry. (Hunt)
Gavels, hammers, mallets, or mauls, have both practical and symbolic uses in lodges and other meetings, as well as both practical and symbolic uses in operative and speculative Freemasonry.
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✵ BROTHERS HELPING BROTHERS
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More Than Words:
Brotherly Love in Action
The severe storms that swept through our area last month left a trail of destruction in their wake. Many homes suffered damage, countless trees were uprooted, and communities throughout the region faced the difficult task of cleaning up after nature's fury.
Among those affected was our own Worshipful Brother Todd Carpenter, whose property sustained significant damage from fallen trees. Large trunks and debris covered portions of the property, creating a daunting cleanup effort that could not easily be handled alone.
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Our Lodge Library:
A Sanctuary for Light, Reflection, and Fellowship
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, the Lodge stands as a sanctuary—a place where we step away from the noise of the world to focus on self-improvement, brotherhood, and the timeless truths of our Craft. At the heart of this refuge sits our Lodge library, a space dedicated to quiet reflection, deep conversations, and the continuous search for Masonic light.
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✵ GOLF, FRIENDSHIP AND FRATERNAL BONDS
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Porter Lodge Represented at McKinley Golf Outing
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On May 31, Brethren from Porter Lodge No. 137 proudly participated in the Second McKinley Lodge No. 712 Golf Outing. The event brought together Masons, friends, sponsors, and supporters for a day of fellowship, friendly competition, and support of Masonic activities.
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✵ America 250 Comes to Life at Compass Park
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Founders Day Celebration and the unveiling of the Liberty Bell
Franklin, IN - On Saturday, June 20, the grounds of Compass Park Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin were transformed into a living portrait of the American founding era as the Grand Lodge of Indiana hosted its America 250 Founding Fathers Day Celebration. Held as part of the nation’s approaching 250th anniversary, the event brought together Masons, families, guests, historians, and lovers of early American heritage for a day that blended patriotism, education, and fraternity in memorable fashion.
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Don’t forget to save the date for our annual Lodge Picnic on August 8, 2026! We’ll be gathering at our usual spot - the pavilion right by the entrance of Roger-Lakewood Park in Valparaiso. Keep an eye out for next month’s update, where we’ll share the park entry code. We can’t wait to catch up and enjoy a great day of fun and fellowship together!
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Discover the symbolic universe of Tarot in our upcoming series, where we’ll break down the deck card by card. Tarot serves as a powerful mirror for self-reflection and the human experience, rather than just predicting the future.
Over the next few months, we’ll unpack the deep meanings and imagery of the Major Arcana, starting right now with The Fool.
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The Time Capsule Exhibit is part of Porter Lodge No. 137’s celebration of its 175th Anniversary Re-Dedication. Over the coming year, Brothers are invited to contribute meaningful artifacts, photographs, documents, and other items that reflect the history, spirit, and life of the Lodge. As each contribution is received, it will be placed on display for all to enjoy.
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✵ FAIR WINDS, BROTHER TREVOR
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This last weekend of June, we recognized Brother Trevor as he prepares to begin an exciting new chapter in his life and career. His new position will take him out of state, and in time he will also be relocating from Indiana, making it necessary for him to step down from the officer line and become less active in the Lodge. Before his departure, Most Worshipful Grand Master John Bridegroom presented Brother Trevor with the Mentor Jewel, a fitting recognition of his dedication to guiding and encouraging new Brethren. While we will certainly miss his presence and service at Porter Lodge, we wish him every success and happiness in the years ahead. Wherever life may lead him, he will always have a home among his Brothers at Porter Lodge No. 137.
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Happy Birthday to Our July Brothers!
Let’s raise a glass and shout a huge Congratulations to all of our incredible Brothers celebrating a birthday this July!
Your dedication, energy, and brotherhood bring so much life to our Lodge and our community. We hope your special day is filled with good times, great company, and the celebration you deserve.
Join us in wishing them a fantastic year ahead—drop them a message, raise a toast, and let's make this July one to remember!
Cheers to you, Brothers!
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✵ FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK
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Brethren,
As we step into the warmth of July, it is the perfect time to reflect on a remarkably busy and fulfilling June. Our recent "Triad of Light" educational event was a resounding success, bringing us insightful presentations that gave us all much to ponder. My sincere thanks to everyone who attended and supported this event, as well as those who worked diligently behind the scenes to confer two superb degrees this past month. Your dedication is what keeps our lineage and our Lodge thriving.
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Looking ahead, July brings a slight shift in our usual rhythm, but the fellowship doesn't stop. Please mark your calendars for our upcoming summer events. First, we have the South Bend Scottish Rite Family Picnic at Potato Creek State Park on Saturday, July 18th, followed closely by our own Lodge picnic on Saturday, August 8th at Roger Lakewood Park in Valparaiso. Another South Bend event is available in July: The South Bend Cubs Game on July 26th. Head to the SR website and register your seats soon, the spaces are limited.
These gatherings promise to be wonderful opportunities for relaxation and brotherhood, and I hope to see many of you and your families there.
Finally, let us extend a very happy and prosperous birthday to all of our brethren celebrating their special day this month. May the year ahead bring you health, happiness, and light.
Fraternally yours,
Lucas P. PM, 33° - Secretary
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