For all of Missouri's history, the Masonic Lodge has been the center of the community.

In the early days, the Masonic Temple often also served as a church on Sunday and a post office or general store during the weekdays. Civic functions such as parades, July 4th Celebrations, and Founders' Days were planned in the Lodge and with the participation of the members of the Lodge.

Anyone who saw any community need--from paving or lighting the streets to planning a city park--always involved the Masons at the beginning of their plans.

It is still that way today, in many parts of Missouri. A quick glance at the Matching Funds list of any year shows hundreds of civic and community projects in which the Masons are involved.

Selflessness is the essence of Masonry. We are taught that we have an obligation to help, to make things better for everyone. So it's only natural that the teaching should find expression in Masonic volunteers cleaning the streets of the town, or serving as volunteer teacher's aides in the classroom. It's only natural to find Masons holding a pancake breakfast to buy uniforms for the high school band, or working with pick and shovel and hammer and nails to create a city park accessible for handicapped children.

Masonry dies when it stays inside the Lodge room. It has always been a vital part of the community, for the leaders of the community have always been active in the fraternity.

Masonry is active at the state level, as well. Raising funds for public television, giving grants to the state Teacher of the Year finalists, establishing an award for professional ethics in law, and offering scholarships, Student of Today Awards, and sponsoring essay contests. These are only a few examples of the way Masonry is involved with the state community.

It is our task to seek out new ways we can benefit the community. A good Lodge requires a good, strong, humane and compassionate community, and a good, strong, humane and compassionate community deserves a good Masonic Lodge.