Attached is the first of two Edicts issued today from MWB Barry V. Cundiff.
This first Edict gives the effective date and conditions for allowing lodges to restart doing degree work. Please read the mandatory conditions of the Edict and the recommended procedures included with the Edict very closely, and contact your DDGM with any questions. [PDF for download]
Attached is a revised blanket dispensation issued by MWB Barry Cundiff, that will allow all Missouri Masonic Lodges, to continue to cancel or postpone their stated communications at the discretion of the Master, until the date of April 30st, 2021, to be in compliance with Federal, State, County, or City/Municipal laws, ordinances, mandates, health concerns, or to prevent or limit exposure of the members during meetings involving close proximity and subsequent possible contact to the COVID-19 virus.
Click here or on images below for PDF copy of edict
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With the increase of COVID-19 cases throughout the state and many municipalities increasing restrictions, the Grand Master has issued a new EDICT, reaffirming the previous EDICT’s indefinite extension of conditions of Edict 4/24/2020 issued by MWB Brown. MWB Cundiff also issued a blanket dispensation for all lodges to be able suspend regular meeting(s) at their Master’s discretion, to comply with local mandates or restrictions, or if he feels it’s in the best interest of the safety of the lodge’s members, with no further paperwork necessary from Grand Lodge. The blanket dispensation extends through January 31st, 2021.
The PDFs of the Edict and Dispensations are linked below. They are also in your Portal Resources.
Dispensation (COVID-19)- Cundiff Edict 2020-11-18
EDICT November 18, 2020
TO: All Missouri Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri
WHEREAS, Grand Master Stanton T, Brown, II, issued the following Edicts pertaining to subordinate lodge operations in Missouri in response to the Coronavirus pandemic:
• Edict 3/11/2020 – Allowing lodges to close to protect members
• Edict 3/25/2020 – Suspending all Masonic Activity
• Edict 4/24/2020 – Resumption of partial Masonic Activity where allowed by City or County
• Edict 6/26/2020 – Revision to allow non-resident members to attend allowed activities
• Edict 8/27/2020 – Indefinite Extension of conditions of Edict 4/24/202 with emphasis on work allowed, temporary suspension of initiation and advancement time, and temporary suspension of Annual Communication attendance requirements
WHEREAS, on September 21st, 2020 Most Worshipful Brother Barry V. Cundiff was installed as Grand Master;
WHEREAS, in November, 2020, cases of the COVID-19 corona virus have been increasing, causing several municipalities in Missouri to implement more restrictive local ordinances that would directly impact the ability of Lodges to conduct businesses;
WHEREAS, these previous edicts state that all meetings so held shall be conducted in a manner which complies with all laws, regulations, requirements and guidelines of the State of Missouri and any city, county or other political subdivision in which the lodge hall is located;
THEREFORE, under the authority of Section 2.010(k) of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri as Grand Master, I hereby issue the following Edict:
A. I reaffirm and hold continued in full force all the provisions of MWB Brown’s Edict of August 27th, 2020.
C. All meetings so held shall further be conducted in a manner which complies with all recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with respect to physical distancing and sanitation practices;
D. All meetings so held shall be considered open to all members of the lodge, members of other subordinate lodges of this jurisdiction, and members of any lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction which is in fraternal relationship with this Grand Lodge so long as the total attendance at the meeting shall comply with the remainder of this Edict in respect to physical distancing and local regulations;
E. The Master of the lodge may, at his discretion, direct that all in attendance at such meetings wear facial coverings as recommended by the CDC, provided, however, that no one in attendance may be prohibited from wearing a facial covering at his election;
F. Notwithstanding Section 7.060 of the Grand Lodge By-Laws, all meetings shall be conducted in the First Degree of Freemasonry so as to comply with all social distancing guidelines in the practice of Masonic Ritual;
G. No degree conferral, ceremony, education, or other business that cannot be conducted in a manner that complies with the above requirements may be conducted by the lodge. Any lodge in violation of this portion of the Edict shall be subject to Masonic Discipline, including but not limited to suspension of its functions;
Notwithstanding the above, the Edict issued March 11, 2020 allowing subordinate lodges to cancel or postpone stated communications at the discretion of the Master when the purpose of said cancelation or postponement is to prevent or limit the exposure of officers and members of the subordinate lodge to coronavirus or some other such infectious or contagious disease of a similar nature remains in full force and effect indefinitely, unless canceled or modified by future order, and all dispensations issued pursuant to that Edict remain in full force and effect.
A blanket dispensation allowing the suspension of lodge meetings under the above conditions through January 31st, 2021 will be included with this Edict, that will alleviate any lodge desiring to suspend their meetings from contacting the Grand Secretary to obtain an individual dispensation for their lodge.
This Edict shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise modified by further Order of the Grand Master.
Barry V. Cundiff
Grand Master
To all Missouri Freemasons
I am including herewith an extension of my edict which was set to expire on September 1, 2020 with regard to restrictions intended to ensure the safety and health of our membership. I am issuing this edict maintaining the current restrictions, however, without an expiration date which will allow us to rescind it at any time as circumstances may dictate. I am also including allowances for the requirement for lodge representation at our annual communication and allowing an extension of time for completion of the degrees since none can be conferred until further notice.
I have had many requests to allow a resumption of conferrals of degrees however, I cannot in good conscience allow that to happen yet. The average age of the Master Masons in the State of Missouri is 64.04 years. Each of you has a choice to make regarding your own personal safety. That is up to you and is your right. I will not however, allow your right to exercise your personal choices to put at risk the lives of other members. I have the weight of approximately 30,000 men whose welfare I need to try to protect. I cannot sanction activities that may compromise another Mason’s health if it can be mitigated by practicing safe and prudent measures. I have been in constant contact with the Grand Lecturer in trying to find ways that will allow us to safely resume degree conferrals and to continue to comply with all the different requirements throughout the State. He has worked diligently trying to find a way to allow it to happen but he has not developed a plan that can continue to emphasize the lessons those degrees are intended to convey and still comply with safe practices and mandated rules. While I understand there are locations within the State that have had no deaths and few infections, there are no counties in this State that have not had at least one case. As much as I would like to accommodate various regions, I must have consistent rules throughout the State regarding ritual and compliance with my edicts.
I pray for your continued support and understanding during these difficult times.
May God bless and keep us all safe.
Stanton T. Brown II
Grand Master 2019-2020
EDICT: August 26, 2020
TO: All Missouri Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, I, as Grand Master, issued an Edict authorizing subordinate lodges to cancel or postpone stated or special communications for the purpose of preventing or limiting the exposure of officers and members to infectious diseases, and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, I, as Grand Master, issued an Edict suspending all lodge meetings, masonic community events and degree work through April 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2020, that Edict was modified to authorize subordinate lodges to hold communications under certain restrictions, including restricting attendance at such communications to resident members; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2020, that Edict was modified to allow attendance by non-resident members and extended through September 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to extend these Edicts past the date of the Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge; and
WHEREAS, equity requires the alleviation of certain requirements otherwise imposed on subordinate lodges with respect to attendance at the Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge; and
WHEREAS, equity further requires the tolling of requirements for the presentation of candidates for the degrees and advancement;
Under the authority of Section 2.010(k) of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri as Grand Master, I hereby issue the following Edict:
Brethren, an updated edict from MWB Stanton T. Brown II, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
EDICT: June 26, 2020
TO: All Missouri Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, I, as Grand Master, issued an Edict suspending all lodge meetings, masonic community events and degree work through April 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2020, that Edict was modified to authorize subordinate lodges to hold communications under certain restrictions, including restricting attendance at such communications to resident members; and
WHEREAS, circumstances are such that the restriction on attendance to resident members may be lifted;
THEREFORE, under the authority of Section 2.010(k) of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri as Grand Master, the Edict issued on April 24, 2020 is hereby modified and superseded as follows:
A. All lodges desirous of meeting may only do so to the extent the same is otherwise allowed by the laws, ordinances and regulations of the city, county or other political subdivision in which the lodge hall is located;
B. All meetings so held shall be conducted in a manner which complies with all laws, regulations, requirements and guidelines of the State of Missouri and any city, county or other political subdivision in which the lodge hall is located;
C. All meetings so held shall further be conducted in a manner which complies with all recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with respect to physical distancing and sanitation practices;
D. All meetings so held shall be considered open to all members of the lodge, members of other subordinate lodges of this jurisdiction, and members of any lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction which is in fraternal relationship with this Grand Lodge so long as the total attendance at the meeting shall comply with the remainder of this Edict in respect to physical distancing and local regulations;
E. The Master of the lodge may, his discretion, direct that all in attendance at such meetings wear facial coverings as recommended by the CDC, provided, however, that no one in attendance may be prohibited from wearing a facial covering at his election;
F. Notwithstanding Section 7.060 of the Grand Lodge By-Laws, all meetings shall be conducted in the First Degree of Freemasonry so as to comply with all social distancing guidelines in the practice of Masonic Ritual;
G. No degree conferral, ceremony, education or other business that cannot be conducted in a manner that complies with the above requirements may be conducted by the lodge. Any lodge in violation of this portion of the Edict shall be subject to Masonic Discipline, including but not limited to suspension of its functions;
Notwithstanding the above, the Edict issued March 11, 2020 allowing subordinate lodges to cancel or postpone stated communications at the discretion of the Master when the purpose of said cancelation or postponement is to prevent or limit the exposure of officers and members of the subordinate lodge to coronavirus or some other such infectious or contagious disease of a similar nature remains in full force and effect through September 1, 2020 and all dispensations issued pursuant to that Edict remain in full force and effect.
This Edict shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise modified by further Order of the Grand Master.
Brethren,
Please refer to the attached EDICT (4.24.20) from MWB Stanton T. Brown, II, Grand Master.
This message is sent by widest dissemination by the Grand Lodge of Missouri to all Members due to the critical nature of the situation.
This is to be shared as practicle to include Social Media outlets and to be read and posted at the Lodge at the next stated communication.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jeffrey S. Pennington
Grand Secretary
EDICT April 24, 2020
TO: All Missouri Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri
Whereas, on March 25, 2020, I, as Grand Master, issued an Edict suspending all lodge meetings, masonic community events and degree work through April 24, 2020; and
Whereas, the State of Missouri has issued a “Stay At Home” Order through May 3, 2020; and
Whereas, other governmental jurisdictions have issued “Stay At Home” regulations extending through later dates; and Whereas, public health authorities have issued recommendations relating to the conduct of meetings held following the expiration of said orders and regulations,
THEREFORE, under the authority of Section 2.010(k) of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri as Grand Master, I hereby issue the following additional Edict, effective immediately:
A. The Edict issued March 25, 2020 is hereby extended in full until May 3, 2020:
B. All lodges desirous of meeting may only do so to the extent the same is otherwise allowed by the laws, ordinances and regulations of the city, county or other political subdivision in which the lodge hall is located;
C. All meetings so held shall be conducted in a manner which complies with all laws, regulations, requirements and guidelines of the State of Missouri and any city, county or other political subdivision in which the lodge hall is located;
D. All meetings so held shall further be conducted in a manner which complies with all recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control with respect to face coverings, hand sanitation, and disease mitigation protocols;
E. Notwithstanding Section 7.060 of the Grand Lodge By-Laws, all meetings shall be conducted in the First Degree of Freemasonry so as to comply with all social distancing guidelines in the practice of Masonic Ritual;
F. No degree conferral, ceremony, education or other business that cannot be conducted in a manner that complies with the above requirements may be conducted by the lodge.
It is further recommended that attendance at all meetings be limited to resident members of the lodge so as to comply with social distancing and public gathering size recommendations.
Notwithstanding the above, the Edict issued March 11, 2020 allowing subordinate lodges to cancel or postpone stated communications at the discretion of the Master when the purpose of said cancelation or postponement is to prevent or limit the exposure of officers and members of the subordinate lodge to coronavirus or some other such infectious or contagious disease of a similar nature remains in full force and effect through September 1, 2020 and all dispensations issued pursuant to that Edict remain in full force and effect.
This Edict shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise modified by further Order of the Grand Master.
Stanton T. Brown, II
Grand Master
Please refer to the attached EDICT (3.11.20) from MWB Stanton T. Brown, II, Grand Master.
