Botetourt Lodge No. 7 AF&AM installed its officers for 2019 at an end-of-year program at the Gloucester Masonic lodge building on Dec. 7.

Joe Pescador was installed as the lodge’s Worshipful Master. Pescador’s role is to govern the lodge, uphold the Masonic laws, and serve the lodge. Pescador, coming from a patriarchal bloodline of Masons, took an oath to serve God, the Lodge, and the Community, as did all the other Masons who were installed that night.

Pescador said he hopes the lodge will have a much larger and more welcoming presence in the community in the coming year. Plans for 2019 include hosting a lodge picnic and sponsoring local baseball teams, as well as maintaining its activity in the Daffodil Festival and other events.

Pescador said he also hopes to install an open-door policy during community events in the lodge so that strangers can walk in and ask questions in hopes of clarifying the shroud of secrecy and misunderstanding that surrounds the Free Mason...