Shades Valley Lodge #829 Birmingham, Alabama

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Shades Valley Lodge #829 Birmingham, Alabama Shades Valley Lodge, No. 829 is a Masonic lodge chartered by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Alabama.

Our mission is to make good men better, through fellowship and the pursuit of knowledge. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP? The person who wants to join masonry must be a man, sound in body and mind, who believes in God, is at least the minimum age required by masonry in his state, and has a good reputation. HOW DOES A MAN BECOME A MASON? Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a mason. they may even feel that masons in their town don't think they are "good enough" to join. but it doesn't work that way. For hundreds of years, masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends about masonry. We can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. but we can't ask, much less pressure, anyone to join. There's a good reason for that. it isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. but becoming a mason is a very serious thing. joining masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. We live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in god. no one should be "talked into" making such a decision. so, when a man decides he wants to be a mason, he asks a mason for a petition or application. He fills it out and gives it to the mason, and that mason takes it to the local lodge. The master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be a mason, tell him and his family about masonry, and answer their questions. The committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition. If the vote is affirmative—and it usually is—the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the entered apprentice degree. When the person has completed all three degrees, he is a master mason and a full member of the fraternity. WHAT IF I WANT TO JOIN SHADES VALLEY LODGE? If you are interested in joining our lodge, in particular, we encourage you to come by and get to know the brothers for a while before committing to joining. We are at the lodge every Thursday night at 6:30 (before our 7:00 meeting). email or message us on Facebook and let us know you want to stop by—we would love to get to know you, too.

10/15/2026

Brethren,
Last week we had discussions about the proposed amendments to the Grand Lodge Constitution. Tonight we will be voting decisively on where the lodge stands as a body on these proposed changes. Hope to see you there. Also, please find in your inbox the separate email I sent out earlier with updates on services for our departed Brother Miles Huffstutler.

Other important dates coming up
November 19: Lodge Thanksgiving Potluck. Shades Valley will provide the meats. Sign up to bring your favorite dish.
December 8: Homewood Christmas Parade. Keep in touch with Bro James Smith for how you can become involved.
December 10: SVL Christmas Party.

This week in Masonic history

On October 16, 1646, Elias Ashmole was initiated into Free Masonry at Warrington in Lancashire. This event was a milestone in that this was the first documented case of a gentleman being initiated as a speculative Mason in England (Sir Robert Moray was among the first of his kind in Scotland in 1641). His initiation occurred during the English Civil War, and the lodge contained members from both sides of the conflict. Ashmole himself was a Royalist. Research also shows that the men present were composed mostly (if not entirely) of gentlemen and landowners rather than operative Masons. He was an accomplished scholar who dabbled in many different areas of interest, including alchemy and heraldry. He was one of the founding members of the Royal Society in 1661. His museum was completed in 1683 and is considered by some to be the first truly public museum in Europe.

Fraternally,

David Eagleton, Secretary

Brother Miles Huffstutler has laid down his working tools.
10/15/2026

Brother Miles Huffstutler has laid down his working tools.

View Judge Miles M. Huffstutler's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

10/09/2026

Brethren,
It has been brought to my attention that our Brother Miles Huffstutler has passed away. I have no further information at this time, but I will follow up with more details as they come to me.

10/08/2026

Brethren,
Last week we were given a brief introduction to the proposed amendments to the Grand Lodge Constitution. Tonight we will have discussions as to how we want to vote on those. Come see how these changes could impact you. Hope to see you there.

Other important dates coming up
October 10-11: Gun giveaway organized by Bro Tim Hill. See the flyer attached at the bottom of the email for more information. Your involvement would be greatly appreciated, so be sure to contact Bro Hill to offer any assistance needed with logistics this weekend.
November 19: Lodge Thanksgiving Potluck. Shades Valley will provide the meats. Sign up to bring your favorite dish.
December 8: Homewood Christmas Parade. Keep in touch with Bro James Smith for how you can become involved.
December 10: SVL Christmas Party.

This week in Masonic history

On October 5, 1947, President Harry S. Truman delivered the first-ever televised address from the White House. He urged Americans to observe "meatless Tuesdays" and "poultry-less Thursdays", and to save a slice of bread daily, in order to conserve food for post-war Europe. Brother Truman was initiated, passed, and raised in Belton Lodge No.450 in Missouri and served as the first Worshipful Master of Grandview Lodge No.618. His Masonic record is extensive beyond what would be expedient to list here, but includes serving as Grand Master of Missouri (1940-1941) and being an active member of Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shrine, and OES.

Fraternally,

David Eagleton, Secretary

10/04/2026

Address

8 Hollywood Boulevard
Birmingham, AL
35209

Opening Hours

7pm - 10pm

Telephone

+12058712313

Website

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