In order to conform to Governor Ivey’s amended Safer At Home guidance and recommendations concerning social distancing and non-work related gatherings and the Alabama State Public Health Officer’s order concerning public gatherings,
I am directing all Masonic lodges in Alabama to refrain from conducting any Masonic Degree work for the remainder of the month of May.
Effective 1 June 2020, we will resume conducting all three Masonic Degrees in full conformity with the Alabama Masonic Degree work as exemplified on the Grand Lodge floor by the Committee on Work and the District Lecturers in November 2019. During the remainder of May, Lodges may receive lessons from Candidates, ballot on Candidates, and conduct the regular business of the Lodge as necessary.
As always, this decision is made with the safety and welfare of all of our Brethren as the Primary concern. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact me at any time at 205-276-5348. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we strive together to adapt to the constantly changing conditions caused by COVID-19.
Governor Ivey has amended her “Safer-At-Home” order and has authorized non-work gatherings of 10 or more people and also allowed Houses of Worship to re-open effective May 11, 2020, As a result of this, I have decided to allow the current suspension of Masonic Activities in Alabama to expire on May 15th, 2020.
Effective May 16th, 2020, I am authorizing all Masonic Lodges to resume normal operations if the Worshipful Master decides this is in the best interest of his Brethren.
The current COVID-19 situation is not universal throughout the State and while some counties are experiencing minor effects from the virus, other counties are enduring more significant impacts from it. As such, if a Worshipful Master decides that it is in the best interest of the safety of his lodge membership to take a more conservative approach to re-opening his lodge during the month of May, he will have my full support. Brethren, we are experiencing events that have never happened in this country before and this requires us to respond in the most prudent manner possible to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all our Masonic Family.
Effective June 1st, 2020, all Masonic Lodges in the State of Alabama will resume normally scheduled meeting times and strictly adhere to the Constitution, Resolutions, and Edicts of the Grand Lodge just as we did prior to the COVID-19 disruption in March 2020.
Brethren, this has been one of the most impactful events in the 200 year history of our Grand Lodge. Never before has the entire Fraternity been shuttered for two months. I want to sincerely Thank each of you for your understanding, patience, support, and encouragement during this unprecedented event in our Nation, our State, and our Brotherhood. But as we return to our respective Lodges and Appendant Bodies, we now have the opportunity to resume our Fraternal duties and responsibilities with a renewed fervor and zeal. Now is the time for us to come together as Brothers and ensure the Masonic Fraternity in Alabama continues to be united and strong. Let us all strive together to make the remainder of 2020 a Great Year in Alabama Masonry. We cannot change what has happened during the past two months, but we can most definitely affect the future in a positive manner by our individual and collective attitudes and actions. May they always be displayed in such a way to bring honor to your Grand Lodge, your subordinate Lodge, and all of the Craft wheresoever dispersed.
I look forward with Great Anticipation to the next opportunity for us to dwell together in unity.
