Welcome to the Internet Home of
Braden Lodge #168
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Minnesota
5149 Bloomington Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55417
Welcome to
Braden Lodge No. 168
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
Making Good Men Better
What do Masons do? That is the question whose answer we hope you have come here seeking. Like the trade guilds of the medieval days, Freemasonry is a gathering of men who work towards creating something. But while other guilds work towards refining wood, metal, or stone, we refine ourselves into better men. When you go through the initiations, you are not given the keys to a building, you are given the blueprints to build your own. We each must build our lives, one brick at a time and Freemasonry allows you to do it within the context of a group of like-minded men with the benefit of ancient knowledge passed down through the ages. We have discussions and educational pieces. We have ceremonies to remind us of our ideals and never forget to seek the guidance of deity. But perhaps more than anything, we form a brotherhood to support, encourage, and learn from one another.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all events are at our NEW Masonic home:
Minnehaha Lodge #165
5149 Bloomington Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55417
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METRO WEST
MASONIC ASSOCIATION
Wed • Nov 29th
MN River Valley Lodge #6
4821 W 124th St • Savage MN
6pm Dinner • 7pm Meeting
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ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT
Thurs • Nov 30th
6:30pm • Dinner
7:30pm • Awards Program
Click HERE to RSVP
by Tues Nov 28th
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STATED COMMUNICATION
Thurs • Dec 7th
6:30pm • Dinner
7:30pm • Stated Meeting
Election of Officers for 2024
Click HERE to RSVP
by Tues Dec 5th
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INSTALLATION OF
OFFICERS FOR 2024
Thurs • Dec 14th
6:30pm - Dinner Served
7:30pm - Installation
Click HERE to RSVP
by Tues Dec 12th
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STATED COMMUNICATION
Thurs • Dec 21st
7:30pm • Stated Meeting
Lodge of Sorrows
(Close 2023, Open 2024)
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WINTER REVELRY FELLOWSHIP NIGHT
(previously the
Cheese & Crackers
Holiday Get-Together)
Thurs • Dec 28th
7:00pm - POTLUCK
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STATED COMMUNICATION
Thurs • Jan 4th
7:30pm • Stated Meeting
General Lodge Business
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FELLOWSHIP NIGHT
Thurs • Jan 11th
7:30pm - Dinner Served
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STATED COMMUNICATION
Thurs • Jan 18th
7:30pm • Stated Meeting
General Lodge Business
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FELLOWSHIP NIGHT
& Socrates' Café
Thurs • Jan 11th
7:30pm - Dinner Served
8:30pm - Socrates' Café
Tonight's Topic: TBD
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See "Calendar" page
in the menu above
for a complete calendar
of up-coming activities.
= Everyone
"...and improve myself in Masonry..."
Greetings from the Master:
♦ LIGHT: Masonry is all about improving: ourselves, our community (Lodge), and, by extension, the world around us. To this end, Masonry provides us with Tools. One of this year’s goals is the proper use of these Tools.
♦ LOVE: Masonry provides us with a community: our Lodge. One of this year’s goals is to improve our Lodge. Moving to a more conducive environment was a good start. Let us continue to strive to build harmony and ritual excellence.
♦ LIFE: As part of the larger Masonic community sharing with our Brothers and the world at large, Braden builds Masonry with Fellowship: table lodges and meals, murder mysteries, puzzles, Socrates Café, an artists salon, “killer” ritual, and thoughtful discussions into the wee hours.
This Year... Let us look at the drawings on the Trestle Board, choose our Tools, Labor as a Team, and do the necessary improvements in Ourselves, our Lodge — and perhaps Masonry itself. — WB Jay Koelsch ♦ Worshipful Master ♦ 2023
Does that describe you? Then we suggest you come visit us on one of our open events dates (colored in gold on the right). Get a feel for who we are and what we do. Perhaps even visit a few lodges, as each has a different personality. If you like what you see, and think Braden Lodge will be a good fit for you, then fill out a petition -- your first step on your journey towards Masonic enlightenment!
Quick
L I N K S
Did you attend any of our
CONvergence Puzzle Rooms?
• To access the puzzles from past years, click on the "Events" tab above.
• If you would like to help Braden Lodge defer the costs of hosting a Puzzle Room each year, please consider making a donation by clicking on the following "Donate" PayPal button.
• THANK YOU for your support of Braden Lodge and our participation in CONvergence!
AWARDS NIGHT THIS WEEK!
The Braden Lodge Annual Awards Night is coming up THIS THURSDAY, Nov 30th. The evening begins with a delicious Dinner at 6:30pm, followed by the Awards Program at 7:30pm. This is the annual event where we recognize the members of Braden Lodge who have reached a five-year milestone (5, 10, 15, 20 years, etc) in their Masonic membership. This year, Br Chester Harvey Jr will be recognized for his 70 yers of membership, plus Br Herbert Holm for 65 years and Br Jodie Tesch for 50 years, along with nine other Brothers whose membership runs form 15 to 45 years.
Worshipful Master Jay Koelsch will also be making a special presentation of the Hiram Award, the highest award that a local Lodge can bestow on a member for leadership and service to the Lodge. This year's recipient is Worshipful Brother Erick Crail, a 14-year member of Braden Lodge who served as Worshipful Master in 2015, and is now in his 8th year as our Lodge Secretary.
This event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested by Tues Nov 28th to get a a headcount for the dinners (no RSVP required if only attending the Awards Program at 7:30pm). Please click HERE to register your attendance at the Dinner.
Braden Lodge
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Making Good
Men Better Since 1886.
= Masons Only
People often think one has to be invited to become a Mason. However that is not the case. While a friend may suggest the benefits of membership, we only accept members who join entirely of their own free will. We do have a few requirements: one must be a male over the age of 18, believe in deity, be of good repute -- and share a genuine interest in improving yourself.