This is an official Grand Lodge Communication

(See Digest §23-1.1 [40])

TO: Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Honorary Past Grand Masters, Committee Members, D.D.G.L.’s, Ten Year D.D.G.L.’s, and Subordinate Lodge Secretaries:

Dear Brethren:

Our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Jerry Lee Lewis, would like to cordially invite all Masons to attend the 207th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge to be held at the Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel, located 2200 Refuge Blvd, Flowood, Mississippi on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, MARCH 13 14, & 15, 2025.

ROOM RESERVATIONS:
Group names: 2025 Grand Lodge of MS Annual State Conference
Group Code: GL3
Rate: $169.00
Start Date: March 12, 2025
End Date: March 15, 2025
Last Day to Book Room: February 21, 2025, or once the block is full.

Book by Website:  Click HERE

Book by Phone: 601 936-4550

GRAND MASTER’S BANQUET:
Our Grand Master cordially invites all Masons and their wives to attend the Grand Master’s Banquet on Thursday evening, March 13, 2025, at the Sheraton beginning at 7:00 P.M. Attire is Dark Suit for Men and Sunday Dress for Ladies. Tickets are required. You may order tickets using the enclosed forms (make copies if you or your lodge needs additional copies). Please order and pay for tickets in advance from the Grand Lodge Office, and you can pick them up at the Grand Lodge Registration Desk on Thursday, March 13th. The Deadline to purchase banquet tickets is March 5, 2025.

SECRETARIES:

1. Make plans to attend the Secretaries Conference at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 13, 2025. This is a very important and informative meeting for ALL Lodge Secretaries, new and long-served, young and old. There is no registration, just show up!
2. Every Lodge MUST file a 990-N E-Postcard with the IRS every year, no exceptions, or you WILL be hearing from the IRS. The deadline for electronically filing the 990-N is MAY 15, 2025. Be SURE you have remitted for 2025. Email me at secretary@msgrandlodge.org and I can forward you information on how to complete this.
3. The Special Return (Election of Officers for 2025) must be submitted on Grand View no later than January 29, 2025. Step by step instructions are enclosed with this mailing. We cannot prepare the Directory of Lodges and officers accurately until the Special Returns have been submitted.
4. If you have not mailed in your 2024 Per Capita Dues to the Grand Lodge Office, this is the last reminder you will receive. They are due on or before January 10, 2025. If your Lodge Per Capita Dues are NOT paid by the Grand Lodge Annual Communication Meeting, your Lodge will NOT be able to vote.
5. Proposed By-Law Changes are enclosed. Please post at your Lodge, discuss at your Lodge Meetings, and instruct your Representative attending Grand Lodge as to how your Lodge wishes to vote. Individual members can locate copies of the proposals by logging in to Grand View
   

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: Please start preparing, and be ready to present, your Committee Report at Grand Lodge by having your report already printed when you come to Grand Lodge. Send your Committee Report, typed, in Word format, via email to manager@msgrandlodge.org, as soon as possible and we will be able to copy it directly into the 2025 Grand Master’s Address Booklet and the 2025 Grand Lodge Proceedings book. Each Committee Chairman will be receiving individual emails regarding their Report soon.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The deadline for submitting 1-year Scholarship Applications is March 15, 2025. No faxed copies accepted. No exceptions! Any applications received after March 15, 2025, will not be considered.
Per our By-Laws, the Annual Meeting of the members of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi Foundation will be held during the 207th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. &. A. M.

Sincerely & Fraternally,
Gary B. Jones
Grand Secretary

“Big Deputy School” Announcement
Date: March 22, 2025
Location: H.S. Stansel Lodge
Lodging : Traveler’s Inn & Suites
Address: 1305 Mississippi Dr. Waynesboro, MS 39367
Phone # 601-671-0051
Code: Big Deputy School
There is no cutoff date.
If you have any questions, please call SGW Bro. Billy Wayne Bunch, at 601-410-0603

Now Available!

The 2019 – 2020 Masonic year was one of unparalleled enthusiasm for Freemasonry in Mississippi. This book was assembled from internet posts submitted throughout that year. Some of the articles enjoyed thousands of views, with dozens of comments and shares. The Mississippi Grand Lodge Internet Committee hopes that you will find encouragement from these words of wisdom. Click here to order.

Any proceeds beyond cost donated to endowment.

Grand Chapter

Grand Council

Grand Commandary

Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Mississippi

1996-1997

Homer Elton Sullivan Jr. was born on March 12, 1937, in Mount Olive to Homer Elton Sullivan Sr. and Carrie Lee Sullivan. He passed to his heavenly home on April 6, 2024. He was a member of the Mt. Olive Methodist Church.

Bro. Sullivan graduated from Mt. Olive High School in 1956 and attended Jones Junior College for two years.  He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1965.  He was employed by Boeing in New Orleans, LA, before returning to Hattiesburg to begin his long career at the University of Southern Mississippi. Bro. Sullivan served as the Director of Housing and the Director of Stores and Receiving, before retiring in 1993.

As a long-time supporter of the athletic program at Southern Miss, Bro. Sullivan was the last surviving member of the four founding organizers of the Big Gold Club, which subsequently became the Eagle Club.  He could always be found at football games, both home and away, as well as other athletic events. He even went to one basketball game!  As the years passed, he remained active on campus, striving to help students and staff in any way possible.

Bro. Sullivan dedicated much of his life to the Masonic Order in Mississippi.  He received his first degrees from the Mount Olive Masonic Lodge in 1958.  He rose through the various offices over the years, leading to the honor of being elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi in 1996. 

His Masonic work also included serving as Grand Officer of each of three York Rite Bodies, the Grand Governor of the York Rite College, as well as serving in various other Masonic subordinate bodies.  He served many years as the York Rite Grand Lecturer/Inspector-Instructor and the Secretary of the Hattiesburg York rite Bodies.

In the Scottish Rite, he was honored to be made a 33rd Degree Mason.  Bro. Sullivan was a dedicated Shriner, serving as Potentate of Hamasa Shrine in Meridian in 2002 and a faithful volunteer for the Laurel Shrine Club, supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Children.  

Those attending state and local Masonic meetings, festivals, and degrees would always find Bro. Sullivan in attendance, lending his expertise and knowledge of the Order to members, new and seasoned.

Bro. Sullivan was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Sr and Carrie Sullivan, his brother Thomas Lee Sullivan and sister June Carol Sullivan.

Bro. Sullivan is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Billie Warren Sullivan of Hattiesburg;  his 2 daughters, Angela Sullivan Kilcrease (David Arballo) of Long Beach and Becky Lynn Sullivan (David Friedersdorff) of Flower Mound, TX; his son, Joseph Warren Sullivan (Erin) and granddaughter Carrie Sullivan of Fairhope, AL; 2 nephews, Lee Sullivan (Pamela) of Brooklyn and Richard Sullivan (Robin) of Hattiesburg; 2 great nieces, Allison McClendon (Dalton) of Brooklyn and Natalie Sullivan of Hattiesburg; and 2 great-great nieces Sadie and Kenzie McClendon; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. 

ME GRAND MASTER

Grand Encampment of Knights Templar

1997-2000

Sir Knight James Morris Ward was born on August 10, 1930, in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The son of Thomas Henry and Lucile Bell Ward, he obtained his early education in the public schools of Dyersburg, graduating from high school in 1948. He attended the University of Mississippi and later the University Center in Jackson where he completed courses in business administration, mathematics, and engineering. In 1965 and 1966 he completed studies in the fields of mathematics, electronics, and economics at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Sir Knight Ward was employed in 1955 by the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company (South Central Bell) as a lineman located in Jackson, TN. He worked on this and other jobs of increasing responsibility throughout west Tennessee until he was transferred to the engineering department in Jackson, MS, in 1961. At the time of his retirement in 1991, he was manager of district construction operations in Jackson, Mississippi.

He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional engineering society.

His hobbies were reading, hunting, fishing, and piddlin’ with wood. He enjoyed almost all sports, especially football and baseball. Jim was a member and actively participated in the activities of Bethel Baptist Church where he served as an active deacon.

Masonically, Sir Knight Ward was Raised in Pearl Lodge No. 23, Jackson, Mississippi, on August 25, 1967.

He served as Master in 1971 and then as Secretary. In 1979, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. He was also a past presiding officer of his Chapter, Council and Commandery and served as Secretary/Recorder of those York Rite bodies. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of’R.A.M. of Mississippi, in 1985; Grand Master of the Grand Council of R. & S.M. of Mississippi, in 1986; and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Mississippi, in 1982. He received the Knight Commander of the Temple and Knight Grand Cross of the Temple from the Grand Encampment.

He was elected Grand Sovereign of the United Grand Imperial Council, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine in June 1994, and is a past presiding officer of the following: the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, 2000; the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees, 1995-

96; and the Grand College of Rites, 1993. He was a member and past presiding officer of Mississippi Priory No. 36, KYCH and Mississippi York Rite College No. 83. He was a member of Tara Council No. 29, Knight Masons; Mississippi College, SRICF; Royal Order of Scotland; and the Order of the Eastern Star. An active member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, and a recipient of the Honorary Legion of Honor. He was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Jackson, Mississippi, Southern Jurisdiction, and was invested with the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, and Coroneted a 33°, Inspector General Honorary. He served as presiding officer of all four bodies in the Valley of Jackson.

Sir Knight Ward served as Department Commander, Southeastern Department, 1982-85. He was elected Grand Captain General, August 9, 1988, at Lexington, Kentucky. He was elected Grand Generalissimo on August 20, 1991, at Washington, D.C. He was elected Deputy Grand Master on August 16, 1994, at Denver, Colorado. He was elected Grand Master of the Grand Encampment on August 12, 1997, and installed on August 13, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri. He became a Most Eminent Past Grand Master at the 61 Triennial Conclave in Nashville, Tennessee, in August, 2000.

Sir Knight Ward laid down his sword and entered the Supreme Asylum above on Monday, March 25, 2024.

This is an official Grand Lodge Communication

(See Digest §23-1.1 [40])

TO:      Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Honorary Past Grand Masters, Committee Members, D.D.G.L.’s, Ten Year D.D.G.L.’s, and Subordinate Lodge Secretaries:

Dear Brethren:

            Our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Stephen E. Yon, would like to cordially invite all Masons to attend the 206^th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge to be held at the Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel, located 2200 Refuge Blvd, Flowood, Mississippi on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, MARCH 7, 8, & 9, 2023.

ROOM RESERVATIONS:

Group names:  2024 Grand Lodge of MS Annual State Conference

Group Code:  G24

Rate:  $169.00

Start Date: March 6, 2024

End Date:  March 8, 2024

Last Day to Book Room:  February 17, 2024, or once the block is full.

Book by Website:  at Book your group rate for Grand Lodge of MS 2024 Annual State Conference

Book by Phone:  601 936-4550

GRAND MASTER’S BANQUET:

Our Grand Master cordially invites all Masons and their wives to attend the Grand Master’s Banquet on Thursday evening, March 7, 2024, at the Sheraton beginning at 7:00 P.M. 

******UPDATE******

Attire is formal. Men: tuxedo or dark suit if no tuxedo is available. Women: long dress or palazzo pants and party wear festive blouse.

The dress requested for the ladies’ luncon on Friday, March 8, 2024 is church attire. Also, please bring a bingo gift valued between $12.00 and $15.00.

Tickets are required. You may order tickets using the enclosed forms (make copies if you or your lodge needs additional copies).  Please order and pay for tickets in advance from the Grand Lodge Office, and you can pick them up at the Grand Lodge Registration Desk on Thursday, March 7^th. The Deadline to purchase banquet tickets is February 27, 2024.

SECRETARIES:

1. Make plans to attend the Secretaries Conference at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2024. This is a very important and informative meeting for ALL Lodge Secretaries, new and long-served, young and old. There is no registration, just show up!
2. Every Lodge MUST file a 990-N E-Postcard with the IRS every year, no exceptions, or you WILL be hearing from the IRS. The deadline for electronically filing the 990-N is MAY 15, 2020. Be SURE you have remitted for 2020. Email me at secretary@msgrandlodge.org and I can forward you information on how to complete this.
3. If you have not mailed in your 2023 Per Capita Dues to the Grand Lodge Office, this is the last reminder you will receive. They are due on January 10, 2024. If your Lodge Per Capita Dues are NOT paid by the Grand Lodge Annual Communication Meeting, your Lodge will NOT be able to vote.
4. If you have not done so, enter your Elections in Grand View. Remember you must also INSTALL the officers in Grand View once you hold your installation meeting. If you do not have internet access, have a member who does enter this information. If you most, send in the paper Special Return. You will need to let the office know when they are installed.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: Please start preparing, and be ready to present, your Committee Report at Grand Lodge by having your report already printed when you come to Grand Lodge. Send your Committee Report, typed, in Word format, via email to manager@msgrandlodge.org, as soon as possible and we will be able to copy it directly into the2024 Grand Master’s Address Booklet and the 2024 Grand Lodge Proceedings book. Each Committee Chairman will be receiving individual emails regarding their Report soon.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The deadline for submitting 1-year Scholarship Applications is March 15, 2024. No faxed copies accepted. No exceptions! Any applications received after March 15, 2024, will not be considered.

Per our By-Laws, the Annual Meeting of the members of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi Foundation will be held during the 206^th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. &. A. M.

Sincerely & Fraternally,

Gary B. Jones

Grand Secretary

Brethren:

The following information was left out of the Official Communication of December 12. There will be two (2) menu choices for the Grand Master’s Banquet. You may choose Seared Filet Mignon or Grilled Vegetable Stack.

On the back of the Banquet Reservation form please indicate which offering prefer. If you are ordering more than one plate, indicate the offering for each person. If you have already mailed in your form, please call, or email the office with your selections.

Sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Mississippi F. & A. M. Education Committee and the Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education DCXL

Continuing to recognize the need to prepare a core group of leaders for Freemasonry, the Education Committee and Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education DCXL are providing this current version of leadership training to a select number of Masons in 2023. The individuals attending will be better prepared to move into leadership positions within both the local and state level of our Fraternity. For those who have had leadership training in other venues, this training and education will allow you to continue to hone those leadership skills already acquired in prior offerings.

Leadership is a visionary means for effecting change. While much of the material is generally applicable, the addition of Masonic references and information makes it extremely applicable to the Craft. Designed to integrate solid leadership and communication skills, with a special emphasis on Masonic teaching, the program promotes classroom interaction and participation, cross culturalization, and development of personal relationships upon which to build a bright future for our Mississippi Fraternity.

The 2023 Emerging Leaders Program is open to all Master Masons in good standing and amity with the Grand Lodge of Mississippi F. & A. M. The training will consist of two components, both an in-person and a virtual education session. The in-person training will be at one of four (4) locations across the Grand Jurisdiction, and the virtual education component will consist of attendance at a ZOOM meeting. The live online ZOOM training will be offered on two (2) different occasions. The blended training will require both activities to be attended and successfully completed.

Click to Register

1. May 27, 2023, Grenada No. 31, Grenada, MS.
2. July 8, 2023, at Meridian Masonic Temple, Meridian, MS.
3. July 22, 2023, at Gulf Coast Masonic Center, Gulfport, MS.
4. August 12, 2023, at Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education No. 640, Jackson, MS at the Jackson York Rite Bodies building. I-55 South.

In Person Training: The Leadership Conference schedule is 8:30 am until 3:00 pm. Registration is $50.00 and includes lunch. Early bird registration by May 15th will result in a $5.00 cash refund at the event. (We will not have the ability to provide for any dietary restrictions)

Virtual Training: The ZOOM virtual meeting will require a separate registration to ensure that only qualified and registered attendees are allowed into the training. The ZOOM registration will be sent to only registered attendees of one of the four in person trainings.

The required virtual training component of the 2023 Emerging Leaders Program includes a review of the Lodge Officer duties and responsibilities, strategic planning, building an annual budget, conducting a Lodge audit, Masonic etiquette, etc.

About the Instructor:
John L. Palmer is Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar in Tennessee. A native Tennessean, MWB Palmer served the Grand Lodge of Masons in Tennessee as Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1997, and as Grand Secretary from 2005 until 2007. He served on the Commission for Information and Recognition of the Grand Masters Conference of North America, chairing the commission in 2002, and has served on the board of directors of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Additional service includes the Board of Directors of the Masonic Information Center of the Masonic Services Association. He is a founding fellow of The Masonic Society and served as Chief Adept of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis in Tennessee. He served from 2008 until 2022 as Managing Editor of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar U.S.A. monthly magazine.

He is a holder of the Knights Templar Cross of Honor, a Knight Commander of the Temple, a 33° Inspector General Honorary, for the Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and a KYGCH. He is an active member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor in Tennessee and holds the Order of the Purple Cross in the York Rite.

Brother Palmer holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and is retired from both BellSouth and Electronic Data Systems, where he was the Director of Special Projects for a major outsourcing account with a diverse background in management.
John and Glenda, his wife of over fifty years, have one grown son, Lawrence, and reside in the small town of Nolensville, Tennessee, a short distance south of Nashville.

Please share this information with your Lodge Members and help us promote this important event.

Sincerely and Fraternally;

Stephen Yon
Most Worshipful Grand Master (2023)

Education Committee Members/Aides

Kenny McGill, PM
BJ Barfield, PM, DDGL
Leland Lou, MD, PM
Kenneth Willingham, PM, DDGL
Chris Holzinger, PM, Aide
Andrew Martin, MD, PM, Aide
Brad Witt, PM, Aide
Lane Dossett, Esq, MLORE-Aide
Scott Womack, PM, WM, MLORE640
Jeremey Watkins, PM, SW, MLORE640
Josh Smith, PM, JW, MLORE640
Terry McLeod, PM, FMR, Education Comm/and Sec. MLORE640

For more information on items not contained in this message, please contact the MLORE Secretary at secretaryMLORE640@gmail.com