February 2026

Stated Meeting Feb 28, 2026

This month, Shekinah-Fernwood Lodge No. 246 explored the masonic roots of the American Revolution, welcomed a new Master Mason to our ranks, and continued our tradition of service at the Ronald McDonald House.

A New Master Mason Among Us

The most solemn and rewarding work we do as a Lodge is the conferring of degrees. This month, we were proud to raise our newest brother, Daniel Varon, to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

Becoming a Master Mason is a significant milestone in any brother’s journey. It represents the completion of the symbolic degrees and a commitment to the lifelong pursuit of masonic light. We look forward to seeing Brother Varon’s growth within the craft and his contributions to our Lodge in the years to come. Please join us in congratulating him the next time you see him in the Lodge!

Freemasonry and the American Revolution: A Recap of Bro. Ryan Gomez’s Presentation

We were recently honored to host Bro. Ryan Gomez for a fascinating presentation on the deep, intrinsic links between Freemasonry and the American Revolution. Bro. Gomez challenged the popular "secret cabal" conspiracy theories, arguing instead that Freemasonry was the public embodiment of the Enlightenment: the very intellectual foundation of our nation.

The Lodge as a Revolutionary Network

In the 1700s, public spaces were often under the watchful eye of the monarchy. Lodges, often meeting in the back rooms of taverns and inns, provided a rare, safe environment for brothers to discuss radical concepts like consent of the governed, civic duty, and reasoning.

Bro. Gomez highlighted that Masonry functioned as a global network of trust. This allowed revolutionary ideas to spread through printing and personal travel. For example, it was the Masonic connection between Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette that helped secure vital French support for the American cause.

Interesting Facts from the Presentation

George Washington’s Lifelong Commitment: Washington was raised as a Master Mason in 1753, a full quarter century before the Revolution began. His leadership reflected Masonic virtues of restraint and rule bound authority.
The Printing Press of the Craft: Benjamin Franklin printed the first Masonic publication in North America in 1734, forty years before the war.
The Green Dragon Tavern: The famous Boston Tea Party was planned in the back room of this tavern, which served as a de facto lodge where brothers met to organize.
Military Lodges: Masonry stayed active even on the battlefield through traveling lodges. It is documented that Washington participated in Masonic rituals to raise brothers while on campaign in Morristown.

The Global Network: The Marquis de Lafayette and the French Connection

One of the most compelling parts of Bro. Gomez’s presentation was his exploration of how Freemasonry functioned as a global network of trust, exemplified by the arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette. In an era where sharing revolutionary ideas could be "lethal" if intercepted by a monarchy, the Masonic bond provided a secure "communication channel" for men across the globe.

Bro. Gomez described Lafayette as a "brother on the other side," whose involvement was facilitated by his fraternal connection to Benjamin Franklin. When Franklin traveled to France, he was able to meet with Lafayette - a member of the high aristocracy - because they shared the common language and trust of the Craft. This relationship created a vital "corridor" to King Louis XVI, which was instrumental in securing the funding, arms, and military training that the American cause desperately needed.

Key Highlights:

A Historic Meeting: It is documented that Lafayette and George Washington had their first meeting at a house in Jersey City, Bro. Gomez’s hometown.
The Masonic Bond: This connection allowed a French Marquis to work seamlessly with American revolutionaries, bridging the gap between a European monarchy and a nascent republic.
A Twist of History: Bro. Gomez noted the profound irony that King Louis XVI, who provided the critical support for the American Revolution through the channel Lafayette opened, would be executed by a revolution in his own country just 12 years later.

Ultimately, Lafayette’s story serves as a powerful reminder that the principles of the Enlightenment and Freemasonry were not confined to the colonies; they were part of a global movement that changed the course of history.

Equality and the Paradoxes of the 1700s

Bro. Gomez did not shy away from the contradictions of the era, such as the persistence of slavery despite Masonic principles of equality. He pointed to Prince Hall as a pivotal figure; after being denied a charter by American Grand Lodges, Hall successfully petitioned the Grand Lodge of England to form the first African Lodge in the world, a major step toward egalitarianism.

Highlights from the Q&A

The presentation concluded with a lively discussion, answering several key questions:

On Conspiracy Theories: When jokingly asked if any Masonic conspiracy theories are legitimate, Bro. Gomez noted that he has found none that can be legitimized. He explained that Masonic secrecy often leaves gaps in public understanding that people mistakenly fill with myth.
On the Continental Army: A large portion of the officers in the Continental Army were Masons, and ceremonies like the one in Morristown were specifically intended to bring more officers into the fraternity.
On the Unsung Financier: one brother asked about Haym Salomon, a Jewish Mason who personally funded the revolution when Congress was bankrupt, dying penniless after giving everything to the cause. More on this next month!

The core message of the evening was clear: The American Revolution is Freemasonry in action. As brothers, it is our ongoing responsibility to ensure the virtues of the Enlightenment (charity, reasoning, and civic responsibility) remain strong in our modern world.

Served with Love: Back at the Ronald McDonald House

On Feb 19th, we again participated in the Served with Love program at the Ronald McDonald House. This program brings groups of volunteers into the kitchen at RMHC Philly’s Chestnut Street House to prep and serve tasty meals for families staying there while their children receive life saving medical care.

This is a cause close to our hearts, and we were thrilled to return to the kitchen. As the RMHC staff shared with us:

"The families are incredibly grateful for the time, care and effort you put into preparing and serving their meal. We loved having you volunteer with us, and we hope you left feeling proud of the difference you made. Your positive energy and caring spirits were felt throughout the House, reminding our guests during this difficult time that they are supported, cared for and not alone."

Our "lodge chefs" were in high gear as we helped to prepare a fantastic spread:

Korean BBQ Pork Chops
Ginger Soy Green Beans
Yellow Squash
Egg Fried Rice
Pizza Bagels
BBQ Ranch Cucumber Salad
And of course, dessert!

Volunteering with Served with Love is more than just cooking and cleaning; it is about making a difference one meal at a time. Whether we are chopping veggies or sanitizing tables until they sparkle, it is the kind of teamwork that reminds us why we love volunteering together.

If you would like to join us for our next service event or have a charity you would like the lodge to consider, please reach out to us at ShekinahFernwood@gmail.com.

Traveling Brethren: Visitation to Doric Lodge No. 140

One of the greatest joys of Freemasonry is the opportunity to travel and visit with our brethren at other lodges. This month, a group of five members from Shekinah-Fernwood Lodge No. 246 did just that. Our Secretary, who also serves as Grand Chaplain, led a delegation to attend the stated meeting of Doric Lodge No. 140.

The evening was particularly special as it coincided with an official visitation from the District Deputy Grand Master. It was a wonderful night filled with Masonic education and the spirit of fraternal unity. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the officers and members of Doric Lodge for their warm hospitality and for making us feel so welcome.

Brethren in attendance included: