The Buzz

A Message from the Master

Gratitude, and a year ahead

As I sit down to write this article, I find myself filled with gratitude. Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as Master of Tranquility Lodge No. 2000 this year. Of all the opportunities Masonry has provided me over the years, this is one that holds a special place in my heart. Since the day I joined Tranquility Lodge, I have admired the vision, purpose, and uniqueness of this Lodge. The possibility of one day helping guide its course was something I quietly hoped for, and today I am truly humbled to have that opportunity.

What makes Tranquility Lodge special is not its name, its programs, or even its reputation. What makes it special is all of you. Our members come from around the world, bringing different experiences, perspectives, and talents, yet we are united by a shared love of Freemasonry and a desire to make a positive difference. I am excited about what we can accomplish together in the year ahead.

Join Us in October

Our next gathering is quickly approaching

For those arriving on Friday, we'll begin the weekend with a Dutch Treat Dinner. These informal gatherings are often where some of the best conversations happen. Whether you're attending your first Tranquility event or your fiftieth, I encourage you to join us.

Growing the Dream

10,000 members strong

Many of you remember a vision shared by our first Master, Right Worshipful Mike Gower. He dreamed that Tranquility Lodge would someday be 10,000 members strong. At first glance, that number may seem ambitious. Then again, the very concept of Tranquility Lodge was ambitious when it began. Today, we have members spread across jurisdictions, states, countries, and continents — a Lodge unlike any other in Freemasonry.

Bring a Brother to our October meeting. Growth happens one Brother at a time. It begins with a conversation, an invitation, and a shared experience.

To encourage membership growth, a new "Growing the Dream" membership initiative recognizes the member who sponsors the greatest number of new members each quarter. Award ideas currently under consideration:

• A custom Tranquility Lodge Membership Ambassador travel mug
• Engraved recognition plaque presented during a stated meeting
• Exclusive Lodge polo shirt
• Recognition in the newsletter and Lodge website
• A traveling trophy displayed by the winning Brother each quarter
• Annual recognition for the top recruiter of the year

Reaching for the Stars

Supporting education, leadership, and exploration

Through our partnership with Space Center Houston, Tranquility Lodge has supported outstanding programs through the Conrad Foundation, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, and the Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). These programs inspire future scientists, engineers, educators, innovators, and explorers — embodying values Masons hold dear: education, curiosity, leadership, perseverance, and service to humanity.

As we look toward future charitable initiatives, we are also exploring support for the Gene Kranz Scholarship Fund. Few individuals represent leadership under pressure and service to a greater mission better than Gene Kranz, and this initiative aligns closely with the values and aspirations of Tranquility Lodge.

Looking Ahead

Remaining 2026 – 2027 meeting schedule

One highlight of the year will be our visit to Florida, where Cape Canaveral Lodge No. 339 has graciously agreed to host Tranquility Lodge — a place inseparable from exploration, innovation, and human achievement, from the earliest Mercury and Gemini missions through Apollo and today's commercial launches.

Masons in Space

Brethren who've left the Earth

A Message from the West

Mathematics and the Mason

Tranquility Lodge was created for the advancement of those students who have decided to earn a degree in the STEM fields. Mathematics includes both Arithmetic and Geometry. Sir Isaac Newton, a Freemason, was one of the most influential mathematicians and scientists, helping usher in a new age for science with his work on gravity and optics, and his development of calculus.

Another famous Freemason and mathematician is Albert Einstein, whose theories about relativity advanced how we understand our universe, contributing to mathematics within physics and energy through his equation E=mc².

More recently, Freemasons have made advancements in cryptography and statistics, and were among the first to implement "imaginary numbers" into mathematics — a fitting parallel to how Freemasonry asks its members to study the deeper meaning, significance, and truth behind the lessons of the Craft.

Mathematics, while seldom heralded, is crucial to the development of mankind in so many fields — and Freemasonry, while preferring to stay out of the spotlight, is important to the development of the brotherhood of mankind throughout the world.

A Message From the South

Grateful for the trust

It is indeed most humbling to be honored with the duty in which you have entrusted me as Junior Warden of Tranquility Lodge for this Masonic year. I am grateful to Past Master Marion Devore, who first encouraged me to join Tranquility Lodge, and to our late Past Master Otto Carl, who encouraged me to become an appointed officer. I am thankful to Past Masters Raul Scully, Cliff Moore, and RW Chip Green for entrusting me to serve as Master of Ceremonies, Senior Steward, and Senior Deacon.

As your Junior Warden, I am honored to support Worshipful Master Dave Williams in executing his plans for this year, and Senior Warden Stephen Orlando as he completes his plans for next year. This is such a wonderful and unique Lodge, supported by Brethren throughout Texas and in so many jurisdictions around the world. May each of us continue the growth that Past Master Mike Gower envisioned over 25 years ago.

Space Center Houston

Astronaut appearances & recent highlights

Upcoming Astronaut Mission Memories and Breakfast with an Astronaut appearances at Space Center Houston:

Other recent highlights from Space Center Houston: a new STEM and workforce-development partnership with Houston City College focused on AI, robotics, and aerospace opportunities; the "An Evening with Leland Melvin" thought-leader talk and Hispanic Heritage Month programs this fall; the Off World Summit landing in late September 2026 with speakers from NASA, Firefly Aerospace, Blue Origin, Voyager Technologies, and Axiom Space; Galaxy's Game, a summer sports-and-space experience; a #6 ranking in USA Today's 2026 10Best Readers' Choice for Best Science Museum; and the return of the Moon 2 Mars Festival.

Reminder

Dues and endowments