Page 2 - Sojourner Newsletter-Winter 2023 Final revised

2 THE SOJOURNER

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Brother Sojourners,

I was reading an article the other day called, “Wrapping Paper”. The further I read
the article, the more intrigued I was. Let me try to explain. In June of 2022 I was
elected President of National Sojourners, and I asked myself why me? Then I began
asking, “Why not?”. Freemasonry reminds us that the outer “wrapping” is not as
important as the inner self. Only by getting past the exterior do we get to the heart of
the matter, or as one might say, to the real person. That really stuck in my head and
mind. Why I bring this up is because in my many travels this year I have seen just
about everything there is to see. I’ve seen brethren who say one thing and then do
the opposite to suit their situation at the time. When I explain to them or ask them
why they did what they did or why they ignored the National Sojourners’
regulations, I got the same answer, “Who really” cares? It has been this way for
years and now you are trying to make things different. Why don’t you just go along
with the program and everything will be all right.” But like unwrapping a present,
you find the real individual in the person whom you have tried to unwrap and make a better person.

Things take time; I realize this. But I also realize that someone must care, and someone needs to take a stand
and do what’s right even though they are ridiculed or criticized. Which is what I find a lot when it comes to
individuals in my travels. Why do we do this? I think out of ignorance or self-esteem, why can’t we just except
the individual for what they are? Everyone has good points as well as bad points; but do we really realize what
made that person that asks why? If we were to unwrap the person and see his inner self, we would realize he is
only trying to survive as we all are. It is always important to go beyond the outward appearance (the
wrapping) to appreciate fully the inner being of a fellow brother.

I want to say Happy Holidays to everyone, take extra time to appreciate your fellow man because life slips
away way too fast and you may never have a chance to say you're sorry for what you said or did.

As we get ready to go to Raleigh for mid-winter meeting I would to remind everyone to come to our
education program which will be given by our National President-elect, Bro. Charles Warren and First-Vice
President, Bro. Carl Diamond. Bring you questions and we will try to give you the right answers. You need to
participate to get anything out of it, and I really believe that you will find it extremely educational.

V/R,
Denny Norris
National President (2022-2023)
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)