Brethren,
The Brothers of Jeptha Lodge #121 in Hudson, South Dakota, cordially invite you, and any other Brothers from your lodges, to join them for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship at their regular meeting November 17th at 6:00 PM. The menu will consist of Oyster Stew and Chili accompanied with sandwiches, cookies, and drink.
Following the regular meeting we will be entertained with our usual game of Masonic Jeopardy. Bring your thinking cap and maybe you can take home a prize.
We are looking forward to seeing you there. As always, bring a car load.
Please let either mw or WB Galen Jansen know if you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly.
Joseph D. West, Secretary - Jeptha Lodge #121
1121 21st Ave.
Rock Valley, IA 51247

Cell: (712) 470-1457
E-Mail: elementends@gmail.com

 

November 2, 2026

On October 22nd Brother Spies emailed Dave and Joe regarding the Grand Lodge’s option to host individual Lodge websites via Grand View, as reported in the previous minutes. He is concerned as this has not met with good results, especially given the Grand Master’s report of the technical knowledge of our Brothers. He has proudly been Jeptha’s web master for 27 years and paid all expenses personally. He takes pride in that there have only been two occasions when he hasn’t gotten the minutes up within 48 hours of getting them from the Secretary. He has hoped to someday pass this off to an interested Brother, and if one exists he would be delighted to train him, but with the increased pressure from Grand Lodge to use the Grand View approach he thinks it may be time for him to step aside. He asks us to consider this and let him know what we think. Dave let Wayne know that we have the best site out there, that we share his concerns, and that the Lodge would be happy to reimburse him for the site.
On October 23rd Grand Lodge sent an email to Lodge secretaries about a Zoom call to occur on October 28th about the Intent to Suspend process. It appears they expect us to, at the first stated meeting in November, elect those we intend to suspend for non-payment of dues and enter them into Grand View. This will begin an automated process of reaching out to the Brothers that ends on December 31st at midnight with the setting being Suspended automatically.
On October 31st the Grand Master shared a rather lengthy email titled, “Things That Go Bump in the Lodge.”
On November 1st the Grand Master shared the Statewide Call to Action titled, “Standardize: Education & Brotherhood.”
On November 2nd our new Brother Tom Sedgwick passed along the following in response to being informed his ballot was successful and he is now a member of Jeptha Lodge #121:

Brother Galen, Joe, and Brothers of Jeptha Lodge,
Thank you for this wonderful news. I am truly honored to be a member of Jeptha Lodge and look forward to receiving your communications.
Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying. Due to my current home environment, I am uncertain if I will be in the area to attend any future meetings. However, I will certainly attend if and when the opportunity arises.
Thank you as well for your time and effort in gathering all the necessary information to present my petition and make this association possible.

The Lodge received a gift of a new cabinet to replace our card table in the Lodge. Mike Beaverson moved and did not wish to take the cabinet with him. Brian, Doug, Tom, and Mike helped move it.
Thus far the Secretary has received one RVSP, from Jerry Stubbe. Brother Lewis will not be in attendance but will still be able to provide his chili. Masonic Jeopardy will be done by Ron West, Galen, and Dave. This does mean, however, that he cannot help with Masonic Jeopardy. The Oyster Stew assignments are as follows:
- Oyster Stew: Ron West
- Chili: Dave, Tom Lewis (plus one more: Tom Miller if Mike can’t)
- Juice: Duane
- Water: Brian (if needed)
- Set-up helpers at 2:00 p.m.: Galen, Dave (plus 1 more)
Education Officer Tom Lewis shared “Well-Known Contemporary Masons” from Reddit/AI Overview and “Where Builders Are Made” by Ron C Nischwitz Sr. from Masonic Enlightenment.

Working the Ditches

Brian Sohl, Dan Schlup, Keni Snedeker, and Tom Lewis

The Semiquincentennial: July 4, 2026

Steve Wickre, Cole Fitch, Greg Westra, Randy Porter, Randy Smith, Mike Ingebrigtson, Dave Hansen, Joe West, Galen Jansen, Shane Swenson, Duane Van Noort, Tom Lewis, Dan Schlup, Carter Horner, Brian Sohl

Not Just a Man. A Mason.

 

How Do I Join?

Freemasonry is available to men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being. We are closed to avowed atheists and agnostics. There are no restrictions relating to race, creed, or religion.
To begin, contact a Mason by telephone, by e-mail, or in person. He will be happy to answer your questions, or refer you to someone who can.
If you decide that Masonry is right for you, the next step is to request a Petition for Degrees of Masonry, which will ask for some basic information, such as your name, age, occupation, and place of residence.
Your sponsor will present your petition to the Lodge, which will consider your request. When your petition is accepted, you will face a three-step initiation. Each step opens doors to new knowledge and deeper understanding.
These initiation rites are solemn and wholesome, intended to convey basic moral truths and principles of morality that are accepted by good men everywhere: the Golden Rule, tolerance, gratitude to the Almighty for His many blessings, love of and respect for one’s family, charity towards all men, and patriotism. Upon taking part in the the first step, called the Entered Apprentice degree, you will advance to the second degree, known as the Fellowcraft, and, ultimately, raised to the Master Mason degree.