Summer is fading, and Fall is approaching. We have been very lucky this year in Sacramento to have had a relatively mild summer with only a few days of triple-digit heat. Maybe we can all report some saving on our air conditioning bills this year!!

Looking forward to the cooler temperatures of Fall and contemplating something that I feel strongly about and that as a Mason, seems to fit perfectly into our philosophy as a Fraternity.

Service!

As I kid, I used to rebel a little when asked to do chores around the house. It seemed like a punishment at times. That was until my grandfather taught me that the chores were a way to provide a service to others and that if done well, it would be something that I could be proud of and feel good about having done it for selfless reasons. My grandfather taught me the value of contributing to the overall well-being of our family through work such as chopping wood, cutting grass, preparing meals and cleaning up.

Each of us kids had a job and we did them together, all having an important part in everyday living. No one complained, no one felt as it they were doing more than others, we just did it, and it felt satisfied knowing that we could provide a valuable service for each other. I will never forget how my grandfather made me feel about pitching in and helping out.

One of my fondest memories is having my grandfather watch us use a bucksaw to cut logs and then using a wedge , sledgehammer, and axe to make firewood. He made it fun, even though it was hard work, and it made the fires in the living room just a bit more enjoyable, knowing that we had invested in the warmth it provided the whole family.

Service

The word service has a variety of meanings depending on the context, but it primarily refers to an intangible act or a system that provides value, assistance, or a helpful function.

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A Mason can serve their lodge in various formal and informal roles, both ceremonial and administrative. While formal officer positions involve ritual duties, many other opportunities exist for members to contribute to the lodge and the broader communityInformal and committee roles

Beyond holding office, Masons serve their lodge in numerous informal and committee-based ways.

• Education and mentorship

• Candidate Coach: Helps new members learn the lessons and ritual of Freemasonry.

• Program Presenter: Many lodges feature educational presentations from members on Masonic history, symbols, or other topics. Event planning

• Refreshment Team: Organizes and prepares the meals and refreshments for the social dinner, or "festive board," that follows meetings. Serving the meals and clearing the table. Helping in the kitchen to clean up, wash and rinse dishes and throw out trash.

• Fundraising and Social Events: Organizes events like pancake breakfasts, community barbecues, or other social gatherings. Community service and charity

• Charity Committee Member: Participates in the lodge's charitable giving process, which includes assisting fellow Masons and their families.

• Community Volunteer: Joins in group service projects, such as park clean-ups, cemetery maintenance, or assisting other non-profit organizations. Administrative support

• Committee Chair/Member: Serves on specialized committees for finance, membership, or building maintenance, providing administrative support.

• Historian: Maintains the lodge's history through archiving documents and updating historical information.

There are lots of opportunities for Masons and our families to become involved in service in many more ways and I hope that you feel comfortable asking to be involved. We will all benefit from the unique set of skills that each of us have that are of great value.

Please volunteer to joint committees and share those qualities with the Fraternity. After all, we are builders of our Temple and each act of service is like placing a stone, fitted with nicety, into something truly beautiful, that bonds us as Brothers.