The following messages are being circulated:
February 18, 2009
Brethren All:
Our Most Worshipful Brother Kwame Acquaah, Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia, has contacted me from the Conference of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries in North America (taking place this week in Anaheim, California) and requested that I announce to you on his behalf this happy news:
The Grand Lodge, F. & A.M of the State of New York has announced this morning that it has renewed recognition of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. A joint statement issued today by our Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of New York at the Conference of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries in North America, confirmed that the issues between the two Grand Lodges have been resolved and amity restored. MWB Acquaah greatly appreciates the cordial and amicable manner in which this matter was handled between our Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of New York. The Grand Master prays that the bonds of fraternal affection between our two Grand Lodges will continue until time is no more.
The Grand Master is also happy to announce that MWB Thomas M. Velvin, Jr., Grand Master of Masons of Maryland, has ordered the immediate resumption of the processing of requests for jurisdictional waivers from our Grand Lodge. Grand Master Acquaah is thankful and appreciative of the cooperative manner in which the Grand Master of Masons of Maryland worked to facilitate resolution of this matter.
The Grand Master would like everyone to know that he is grateful and most appreciative for the patience and understanding of all DC Freemasons during the past several weeks.
Our Grand Master respectfully invites as many of you as are able to join him at 7:00 pm this Friday, February 20th at the Scottish Rite Center on the occasion of our Grand Lodge Founders' Day. Please register by email at grandlodge@dcgrandlodge.org before 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 19th. Most Worshipful Brother Acquaah looks forward to seeing and sharing fellowship with you on this very joyous occasion.
Fraternally,
Walter R. Hoenes, P.M.
Assistant to the Grand Secretary
THE GRAND LODGE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Free and Accepted Masons of the Nation's Capital
February 19, 2009
TO: ALL GRAND LODGES WITH WHOM WE ARE IN AMITY
Dear Brethren:
Be It Known that at the Conference of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries of North America, held from February 14 through February 18, 2009, the Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of the State of New York and the Grand Lodge F.A.&A.M. of the District of Columbia entered into discussions concerning the resumption of fraternal relations between our two esteemed Grand Lodges.
Therefore as a result of these cordial and amicable discussions, our differences were resolved contingent upon further deliberations to follow with explicit regard to the fraternal relations and future intercourse appertaining to District Grand Lodge of Syria - Lebanon, the Lodges in Lebanon warranted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the Lodge in Lebanon warranted by the Grand Lodge F.A.&A.M. of the District of Columbia.
In good faith and with this understanding, the Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of the State of New York restored Full Masonic Relations and Mutual Recognition with the Grand Lodge F.A.&A.M. of the District of Columbia effective February 18, 2009.
Witness my hand and private seal the day and year first above written.
Edward G. Gilbert
Grand Master