September 23, 2017 – Manassas Assembly #13 and Fairfax Assembly #3 hosted a meeting for the Grand Worthy Advisor based on her annual theme this year of Sail into Rainbow.  We had practice at Henry Lodge on September 16th so we didn’t need to get to the Lodge until 3pm. Fairfax Assembly did a wonderful job with the Decorations and there was a beautiful cake!  There were so many Grand Officers, Grand Representatives and others visiting that it made the meeting really special.  There was a re-dedication ceremony where all present and past Rainbow Girls re-took their vows.  After that, Mom J made presentations for some parents who have given their time and efforts to Rainbow.  Then we had a game of jeopardy with Mom J against Olivia; the categories were Rainbow and Sharks to go with the GWA’s mascot.  Once the meeting was over we had refreshments downstairs in the dining hall.  We all helped with clean up and then some went home while others went to the MCHQWA Ball.  It was a long, fun eventful day.

In RL&S,

Isabella

On Friday, August 11th, I went to New Jersey’s Grand Assembly. I went with Isabella, Mom Louisa, and my mom. We drove all day to get up to New Jersey, made a quick stop at our hotel to change into formals and get ready, and then drove another hour and a half to get to the Grand Assembly.

When we got there, we went to the Grand Officers Banquet first. Isabella and I were seated with the Grand Officers. They were all so nice and friendly, and they helped us feel a lot better about not knowing anyone. At the end of the Banquet, the Grand Worthy Advisor, Jenna Brink, was presented with some end-of-term gifts, including a homemade quilt and some scrapbooks about her year in office.

After our meal, we attended the opening session. Important guests were introduced, speeches were given, and I was allowed to speak about Olivia’s year as GWA of Virginia. The Grand Representatives also had a costume contest like we’re going to have this year. They each dressed up as a representation of their state, and some of them were really creative and impressive. I watched for the Grand Representative to Virginia, who was dressed as Harry Potter to go with Rachal Murray’s theme from last year.

To close the Session, they announced the Grand positions for the next year. Lydia Anderson-Dearborn was appointed as my counterpart, and Amy Wilkie was appointed as Grand Worthy Advisor. Lastly, they performed the Book of Memories ceremony, which was beautiful as always.

I really enjoyed New Jersey’s Grand Assembly, and I wish I could have stayed for the whole thing. I’m also looking forward to corresponding with Lydia for the next year and learning as much about New Jersey Rainbow as possible.

In Rainbow Love & Service,
Kate

I learned many things about Grandpa Wayne during his interview.
Grandpa Wayne joined Masonry in 1973 when he was 30 years old. His motive in joining Masonry was that his father was a Mason when they lived in the Panama Canal zone and one of his uncles, who lived in Milwaukee, was also a Mason.

At the time Grandpa Wayne was stationed on the USS Belknap, he had to find a Lodge to join by finding some Masons. One lesson he has learned through Masonry is ​best stated by Albert Pike’s book, Morals and Dogma of the Ineffable Degrees, where he stated “A Freemason, therefore, should be a man of honor and of conscience, preferring his duty to everything beside, even to his life; independent in his opinions, and of good morals; submissive to the laws, devoted to humanity, to his country, to his family; kind and indulgent to his brethren, friend of all virtuous men, and ready to assist his fellows by all means in his power.”

Grandpa Wayne became involved with Rainbow in 1984 when someone wanted to start an Assembly on the south side of Hampton Roads. The Master of Corinthian Lodge agreed to sponsor the Assembly and in 1985 Norfolk Assembly LT got started.

Outside of Masonry, Grandpa Wayne enjoys woodworking, Rainbow paraphernalia, and cross-stitching.

With Rainbow Love and Service,
Pia

My report about Grandpa Boyd Wilson taught me more about the amazing man we see at every event supporting us.  We talked about how being a Mason has changed his life.  He said that it has made him a better man and lets him learn about the meaning of life.  

I asked him about his interests outside of Masonry.  I found out that he likes to golf and go fishing all the time.  He likes to be outdoors instead of inside all day.  Also, I asked why he wanted to join Masonry.  Grandpa Boyd said that he had the chance in 1954 to become a Mason, but he didn’t.  However, he talked to some of the other Masons and asked them some questions about it.  Those Masons weren’t able to answer his questions, but in 1955, he joined and was able to get answers to his questions.  After that, I asked if he had learned any important lessons through Masonry.  Grandpa Boyd said that he has learned to be a better man, to do good deeds, and help out with charities.  I asked why Masonry is important to him.  His response was that it is the organization and teachings that he loves.  He also said that it has changed his life as a man and that he is better than ever.

The next question I asked was to tell me about his favorite life memory.  Grandpa Boyd said that it was growing up with loving and caring parents and marrying his wife. They have been together for 54 years.  I asked what he did for a living before he retired.  He said that he worked as a painter before he retired.  The last question I asked was what advice he would give to a young man about Masonry.  His response was that it is one of the greatest organizations that any man could join and that they should consider joining because it will help them to understand how to be a better man throughout life.  

These are the interesting things that I found out about Grandpa Boyd and I hope that it will help you to see him in a different perspective.

With Rainbow Love and Service,
Kaitlyn