Embracing Legacy and Fellowship at Kinmundy Lodge No. 398
Written by Worshipful Brother David W. Thomson, Secretary & Lodge Education Officer, Kinmundy Lodge No. 398
It is with great pleasure that I respond to the Grand Master’s call to reflect upon "Legacy and Fellowship." At Kinmundy Lodge No. 398, we believe that legacy is not merely what is left behind in archives or minutes, but what is actively built in the hearts of the men present in the lodge room today.
Our Legacy of Inclusion and "The Level"
In Kinmundy Lodge, our legacy is constructed by actively bridging the gap between generations and professions. We have successfully approached the descendants of our deceased brethren, honoring their lineage, while simultaneously welcoming newcomers to our community. Our current officer line is a testament to the internal equality of the Craft—we are a mix of school bus drivers, bankers, oilmen, and neighbors. When we meet on the level, the distinctions of the outside world vanish, replaced by a shared commitment to the work of the Lodge.
Members of Kinmundy Lodge No. 398
Our Legacy of Immediate Engagement
We have found that the surest way to extinguish the flame of a new Mason is idleness. Therefore, our legacy is one of action. New members are drawn to us because they see Kinmundy Lodge associated with one act of generosity after another in our community, fulfilling the mandates of the Grand Lodge programs. Once initiated, we do not allow them to sit on the sidelines. We put them to work immediately, allowing them to make decisions and perform the necessary labors of the Lodge. This creates a sense of ownership and immediate fellowship.
Our Legacy of Ritual and Harmony
As a historian, I observe that the strength of our institution lies in the hundreds of years of tradition that provide a moral and lawful structure. Our new members are learning how Masonic ritual and floorwork do more than teach lessons—they synchronize our combined efforts. They witness how one elected man sits in the East, commanding the respect of the brethren, not through force, but through the harmony of our laws.
The wives of Kinmundy Lodge No. 398
Our Legacy of Trust and Improvement
Honesty is the foundation of our fellowship. We acknowledge that no man enters Freemasonry as a perfect ashlar. In Kinmundy Lodge, when a Brother makes a mistake, we view it simply as another chip off the rough ashlar—a necessary step in making both the man and the Lodge better. We demonstrate trust explicitly: because every candidate has professed a trust in God, we know we can implicitly trust one another.
Our Lodge is structured to harness each man’s unique talents. It is the sum of these efforts—the history, the ritual, the floorwork, and the community service—that causes the light of Freemasonry to burn brightly in Kinmundy.
If your lodge has a story of Legacy & Fellowship that you'd like to share, please email RW Brother Wayne Spooner. And to hear from the Grand Master himself about this theme, read Grand Master Ferrell’s letter to the Brethren here.