Scouters Lodge Tyler’s Sword

In Scouting, there is no need or use for a sword of any kind.  The “biggest” blade that a Scout might use would be a kitchen knife in the preparation of food.  With Freemasonry, things are a little different and a Lodge had a guard outside the lodge’s meeting place with a drawn sword to keep away “cowans and eavesdroppers.”
In Scouter’s Lodge 236, we have decided to use wood in a way to tie in those skills we learn in Scouting.  I did some research on the internet about the Tyler’s Sword and found that most of the swords being used by Lodges are either military sabers or swords created commercially for use by fraternal organizations.  Masonic tradition says that the Tyler’s Sword is to resemble the flaming sword(s) the G-d placed with angels at the Garden of Eden to guard against Adam and Eve from returning after being expelled.  It would be interesting is we could design a sword that could actually have flames but we know that that would be ridiculous let alone very dangerous to people and property.  Therefore, we have to come up with a “symbolic” flaming sword.  History shows us that “flaming” swords were developed and used.  These swords were, of course, made of steel but the blades, instead of being straight-edged, were made to have wavy-shaped blades.  In Europe, this style of blade was called “flamberge.”  These swords were quite large, sometimes as long as 4 to 5 feet long.  They required a wielder of that sword to be quite large and strong.  In the Far East, wavy-blade swords were also created but the were not so large and heavy as the European Flamberge swords.  These swords are known as “kris.”  The blades are quite lethal-looking and apparently are quite damaging not only when piercing a person’s body but also in the withdrawal of the blade.


Scouter’s Lodge 236 has taken the idea of the flamberge sword and had one created in wood.  Our Tyler’s Sword has a wavy blade, I believe that the blade and hilt is oak and the cross-guard is black walnut.  At the top of the hilt or pommel, we have added a square-and compasses pin.  On the cross-guard, we’ve added  a plain Scout fleur-de-lis pin.  These pins are on both sides of the sword.  Down one side of the blade, I found small wooden letters and have spelled out “SCOUTERS LODGE.”  Our Scouter’s Lodge 236 Tyler’s Sword was crafted by Isle of Man Woodworking of Delta, Pennsylvania.

2020 Campership Application is online!

Scouters Lodge #236 is happy to announce that we are providing up to four $450 camperships to Maryland Scouts in 2020. Please visit our campership page and fill out the application and send it in. Deadline for submissions is April 10th, 2020.

From The East

I want to thank everyone for their efforts and support during my exemplification and installation as Worshipful Master.Bob

2016 is off to a flying start for Scouters Lodge!  I am happy to announce that our lodge apron design has been finalized and they have been ordered.  They are scheduled to arrive by mid-March.  They will then be sent out to Geri’s Screen Printing for final processing.  We should receive the completed aprons before the end of April.

On Monday, March 28 at 7:30pm we will be visited by PGM Stephen J. Ponzillo, III, who will speak to us on the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.  Then on April 9th, we will Visit the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, in Alexandria VA. (you can see more at http://www.gwmemorial.org/).  This is a multi-lodge event with Ionic Lodge# 145 and Sharon Lodge# 182.  We will be leaving from the Ionic Lodge Temple located at 85 Main Street, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Please see Brother Treasurer, Stephen A. Mintz for additional information.

On another note, we have been contacted by Bill Soucy who is asking for some help with a special needs unit.  Bill is the Unit Commissioner for Troop 337 in the Milford Mill area of the Arrowhead District.  They are a small special needs unit, of maybe 5 or 6 Boy Scouts, and one Cub Scout.  Because of the special problems associated with special needs, most of the parents are unable to afford dues.  All of the parents are having problems with funds and the troop is unable to engage in any fundraising at this time.  Remember that we are admonished to have “Faith in God, Hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind. The greatest of these is Charity”.  I am asking the lodge to make a financial donation to the unit and ask each of you to suggest other ways we can support them in the future.

We pray for a happy and healthy New Year to all Lodge Members, brother Masons, their families, first responders, and all service men both here and abroad.

 

Traveling Gavel

Brethren,
It is my pleasure to announce that Scouter’s Lodge #236 has captured the Traveling Gavel. On Wednesday January 6, 2016 the following brothers traveled to Odenton Lodge #209 to claim the Traveling Gavel: Worshipful Master Ronald Jacobson P.M., Worshipful Master Elect Senior Warden Robert Frey Jr., Senior Steward Fred Rossmark Jr., Chaplain John Ertel P.M., and Ritualist Stuart Cordish P.M.
The Gavel began originated its travel from Manchester Lodge #73 of Manchester, CT on Wednesday June 2, 1976 after it was used to commemorate their 150th anniversary. The hope was the gavel would travel throughout their territorial jurisdiction of Connecticut and even beyond, and that it would once again be retrieved and used again when Manchester Lodge celebrates is bicentennial in the year 2026.
Inside the wooden box under the lid are instructions for claiming the gavel which are as follows:
1) Three or more visitors from a lodge, to the holding lodge, traveling the greatest distance on that evening may claim the gavel for their lodge.
2) A lodge may claim the gavel only once during the any master’s term.
3) To allow Manchester Lodge to know the whereabouts of the gavel at all times, it is requested that the holding lodge and the claiming lodge notify the secretary of Manchester Lodge within 10 days that the gavel has changed hands. (mailers are provided)
Below, protected by plexiglass, is the secured gavel. There is a plaque next to the gavel which says the following: Presented by ~Brother George R. Ouillette~ Worshipful Master 1976.
Thanks to Brother Fred Rossmark for the idea and arranging for our visit to Odenton Lodge and for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the history of this gavel.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ronald Jay Jacobson, P.M.
Worshipful Master
Scouters Lodge #236 A.F. & A.M.
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Eagle Ceremony

From Bro. Charles Hazard, PM:

“It was an honor and pleasure to present Eagle Scout and DeMolay, Ben Fleury, certificates of congratulations on behalf of Ionic Lodge #145 A.F.&A.M. as well as Scouter’s Lodge #236 A.F.&A.M. Congrats Ben on an honor that is most deserved and well earned.”

 

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Eagle Ceremony

Bro. Robert Frey presenting the Scouter’s Lodge Eagle Certificate to new Eagle Scout Neelesh Mupparapu of Troop 634, Reisterstown, MD:

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Officers 2015

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“Welcome our 2015 Officers!”

The membership of Scouter’s Lodge #236 is composed of brothers who were either
Scouts themselves, or adult Scouters. All degree work is performed in Class A uniform.

Scouter’s Lodge #236 was granted a Charter on November 17, 2013 at the 226th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, A.F. & A.M.. Scouter’s Lodge is the first lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maryland formed strictly for men with backgrounds in the Scouting program.