FROM THE EDITOR
VWBro. Jim Russell

Every strong and healthy Lodge has at least one thing in common: dedicated Past Masters who know when to offer advice and when to refrain from offering unwanted advice. When to assist and when to step back and encourage others to carry the load. When to nudge and when to bite one's tongue.

St. John's is blessed with an abundance of Past Masters. We not only have those who have served in this Lodge, but also those who have served in Ionic No. 90, Elliot Bay No. 257, and Roosevelt No. 229. Each comes from a different set of traditions, and each brings a broad range of wisdom and council that is unmatched in other Lodges.

Carl H. Cloudy, who has written many valuable works of Masonic importance, speaks for the Past Master in his work "The Master's Book.":

"We are a jealous lot, we Past Masters! But our jealousy is not of the Master, but for the Lodge we have loved and served. We want to see her succeed, go forward, grow bigger, better, finer, more useful to our Brethren. Most of us count no personal sacrifice comparable to the good of the Lodge; most of us will go to great lengths to serve again in any capacity if by so doing we can help the old Lodge another mile forward on what we hope will be always an honorable path to glory.
Use us, we who have had our little hour in the East. We have experience - make it count for you. We have learned to work - make us work for you. We have understanding of Lodge and membership problems - make it yours. Give us a job to do, a committee membership, a minor appointment; aye, give us the hard and unwanted jobs and most of us will jump at the chance."

I think this describes most of the Past Masters in our Lodge. And so, we honor these men who have served us well. At our coming Stated Meeting, we will set aside a time to recognize our Past Masters. I hope those who are still able to attend will do so. And that those who may never have had the opportunity to serve, or who will have that opportunity in the future, come out to cheer us on and share in a reminder of our rich heritage as glorious leaders in a glorious Lodge.

BYLAW RESOLUTION TO BE ACTED UPON AT THE OCTOBER STATED COMMUNICATION

Whereas it is the desire that the Trustees have a unified understanding when reviewing the annual budget and expenses of the Lodge, and,
Whereas the interpretation of Article VI, Section 3(c), Section 3(f), and Article VII, Section 10 of the By-laws of our Lodge provide multiple opinions as to their meaning, and,
Whereas it is desirous that the voting members of St. John's Lodge approve expenses which may exceed any line item within the annual budget through a resolution process, and,
Whereas the majority of the Trustees support adoption of this resolution,

 

Therefore be it resolved that the following changes to our By-laws be made:

ARTICLE VI - Board of Trustees
Section 3. The duties of the Board shall be:
(c) To review monthly the expenditures of the Lodge. at the end of each quarter. The Trustees will ensure that the annual budget, approved by the Lodge, is not exceeded as a whole or for any category or budgeted item, except by resolution. The Treasurer will provide to the Trustees on a monthly basis a report that shall contain the approved annual budget (updated with any resolution adjustment). The report shall list the year-to-date expenses of the Lodge in each category and budgeted item.

(f) To meet with our investment advisor(s) and report to the Lodge at the Stated Communication for the months of February, May, September, August and November the full status and condition of all properties and other matters under their supervision, together with their recommendations in relation thereto.

ARTICLE VII - Financial Records and Regulations
Section 10. Disbursements for current expenses and disbursements from budgeted funds the annual budget may be approved by a majority of the members of St. John's Lodge present at any Stated Communication only to the maximum amount available within each category or budgeted item in the annual budget. Other disbursements, e.g. an amount exceeding a category or budgeted item, shall be paid only upon a resolution presented to and read in a Stated Communication; such resolution may then be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a succeeding Stated Communication, if in the intervening period, written notice shall have been given to the membership of the pendency and purpose of the resolution; which notice, at the discretion of the Worshipful Master, may be mailed or published in any trestle board or Masonic publication mailed to the general Lodge membership.

SEND US YOUR e-MAIL ADDRESS

From time to time, we would like to quickly notify as many Brethren as possible of any late-breaking news connected to the Lodge. Those who have Internet capability and have not been receiving Lodge information via this avenue, please e-mail a brief note to stjohns9@msn.com.

PAST MASTERS NIGHT, ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO HIGHLIGHT OCTOBER 4 MEETING

The Worshipful Master reminds the Brethren of the Lodge that the October Stated will feature Past Masters' Night and the annual election of officers.

A special remembrance will be made to honor our Past Masters who have passed to that Celestial Lodge, and a presentation will be made to those who join us in this annual celebration. Selected Past Masters will close the Lodge.

The offices of Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary will be up for election. As a result of a bylaw change this year, we will be adding a fourth elected Trustee position. The three current elected Trustees will continue to serve next year.

LODGE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED WITH DINNER, SPEAKER AND FELLOWSHIP

The 140th anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated in fine fashion last month. Thank you to those Brothers and their wives who helped make this such a success. We were pleased to have WBro. Orrin Niles, our Organist, entertain during the social hour.

The delicious meal served by the staff of the Nile Shrine prepared us for the reception of President Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States. Popular historian Mr. Clay Jenkinson impersonated the president, addressing the crowd of 160 and answering questions from the audience. He also appeared as Merriweather Lewis of the Lewis and Clark exploration team.

CALENDAR
October 4: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Past Masters Night and Election of Officers
October 11: Annual St. John's Oyster Dinner at Masonic Retirement Center
October 18: 5pm: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustee Meeting
October 18, 7pm: St. John's No. 9 Officers Meeting
October 21: St. John's Secrets of the Chair
November 15, 7pm: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Officers Meeting
November 25, 10am: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Installation of officers (Public)
January 10, 2001 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated (Official Visit by the Grand Master)
May 5, 2001 6:30pm: Grand Master Reception for District No. 5 (St. John's host)
 

MASTER ISSUES CHALLENGE: ST. JOHN'S CAN BE PREMIER LODGE IN ALL THAT WE DO!

At the September Stated Meeting, Worshipful Master Ken Lane, Jr. challenged the Brethren with the following message:
My Brothers, this year we celebrate our seventh score or 140th year. We observe today the traditions of this great Lodge and have benefited from 124 Masters before me who have lead St. John's by setting the Craft to work and giving them good and wholesome instructions for their labors. We have kept the beauty and traditions alive and working. From mouth to ear, Past Masters and Brothers have taught us the lessons of our Craft and the traditions sacred to this Lodge. In my obligation to you as Master, I pledged to do no less.

We are the descendants of the pioneers who established our Lodge. Laban H. Wheeler is a Past Master from 1892, the same year the Temple at Second Avenue and Pike was dedicated. He was a lawyer and member of our state House of Representatives. Brother Wheeler's legacy as Master and as a great Mason has helped each of us remember our great heritage, traditions, and the high stature and status St. John's Lodge holds in this state. It is a mantle that we carry today. Brother Wheeler was a Mason for over sixty years, truly a milestone that I envy and a goal I hope to accomplish. He lives with us, though, every day. How you might ask? He is the author of the first volume of the History of St. John's Lodge. Brother Wheeler's dedication and vision has carried on and we will have a second part of our History published next year.

Here before you I have been a Mason in search of Masonic light. I have humbly endeavored, to the best of my ability, to learn the office of Master and serve St. John's Lodge. As with any new Master, it can be, without a doubt, a daunting task. I am here as your Master, full of energy and remaining high with expectations for our fraternity and this Lodge in particular.

I'd like to share with you this evening a vision that will not end with my term, but provide a new beginning. Our Lodge is very different now compared to when I started my Masonic journey. We are regularly bringing new Masons into our Craft. Our desires to have these new Brothers, younger members, fill the officers' stations have been realized. We are now enjoying a period of prosperity and opportunity - the opportunities to have a new Brother learn more about Masonry and learn the lectures before being rushed into the line.

We have also enjoyed economic prosperity unrivaled by any other Lodge in the state. Our finances afford us a different type of work than most Lodges experience. Our Trustees ensure growth of our portfolio and a revenue stream that creates opportunities whereby Brothers in committees develop, cultivate and participate in worthy charities and invest in students through education. Our ties to education extend back to the beginning of our existence.

As we approach the new millennium, I propose to you tonight a New Deal: ( As Officers we will complete the written portion of the Lodge Officers Proficiency before our Grand Master, M(W( Richard Mecartea, leaves office. ( In the next twelve months, at least one member of this Lodge will learn a new degree lecture. ( As Trustees, to watch over the investments, continue to provide good counsel and remain flexible to new ideas and charity requests. ( To you my Brothers, I ask you to support the committees with an investment of your time.

I have a dream. My dream is that St. John's Lodge will be known without question, throughout the state, as the premier Lodge, home to the Grand Master. I have a dream that we create a motto or creed to be the premier Lodge in all our undertakings. We will become more active and charitable within our communities. We have a duty to the members of our Lodge past and present to ensure this will happen. Our Grand Master has raised the bar and set the theme "Shaping the Future." Your elected Officers, the Junior Warden, Senior Warden and myself, challenge each of you to help us begin "Shaping the Future," to make St. John's the best place to attend lodge and achieve fellowship, proficient in lodge management and with an eye and ear to the future. Over the next few months there will be new and exciting ideas; new charity requests aimed at bringing outside attention to St. John's Lodge.

This challenge brings enormous responsibility. Our goals will not be completed in the remaining days of my tenure. Nor will our aspirations be fulfilled in the next few years. For now, it is a time to look forward and answer the call, because the greatest risk we face today is not taking one at all. Therefore, the torch has been passed and we must freely accept the challenges that face us today and I ask you now, are you willing to help our Grand Master "Shape the Future?" And are you willing to help make St. John's the premier Lodge in the state? If you are, stand and be recognized.

Grand Master, at the Wardens conference this year you asked each of the Wardens to help you with your theme. On behalf of your Brothers standing before you, you have our pledge to help you "Shape the Future."

MASONIC "WORD OF THE DAY"

Hele (Anglo-Saxon) Pronounced "heal." Hele is to cover, conceal. "Hele and conceal" is one of the many word pairs in ritual which go back to the growth of the English language, when two words were often used to insure that the hearer understood the meaning of at least one.

OYSTER DINNER AT MASONIC RETIREMENT CENTER CONTINUES FALL TRADITION

Again, this year, Brothers of the Lodge will be serving oyster stew to the residents of the Masonic Retirement Center. We have been doing this since the war years!

As is our custom, this will be on the second Wednesday of October, October 11, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Servers should plan to arrive about 4:30 for instructions.

The assisted living residents will be served at 5:00, the main body will be served at 5:30. You and your spouse/guest are encouraged to join in this event, hosted by St. John's for more than 50 years! Following the dinner, the Lodge will host entertainment for the residents of the Center.

HELP FOR CAREGIVERS

From the HOPE Heart Institute Newsletter, August 2000:

The following organizations can offer emotional support and resource information for caregivers of ill and/or elderly people:

Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center
PO Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Phone: (800) 438-4380
www.alzheimers.org
 

Children of Aging Parents
1609 Woodbourne Road, Suite 302A
Levittown, PA 19057
Phone: (800) 227-7294
www.careguide.net
 

National Family Caregivers Association
10400 Connecticut Ave., Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
Phone: (800) 896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
 

Well Spouse Foundation
(a resource for people with chronically ill spouses)
30 East 40th Street PH
 

According to the National Sleep Foundation (now there's a foundation I can support!), while a short nap cannot make up for a lost night of sleep, a 15- to 20-minute nap can improve alertness, sharpen memory, and briefly reduce the symptoms of fatigue. This must explain how my cat jumps at the slightest sound of an intruder, forever carries a grudge, and keeps me awake at night!

Elected Trustees:
VWBro. David C. Campbell
WBro. William A. Collison
VWBro. Charles Brockway

To contact trustees send email to: stjohns9@msn.com

RECOMMENDATIONS SOUGHT FOR LODGE CHARITY BEQUESTS

St. John's Lodge No. 9 has financed the accelerated reader program of John Rogers Elementary School in Seattle. This program has helped to improve the reading level of many students at the grade school level. Our Lodge also supports two DeMolay, six Job's Daughters and three Rainbow Girls programs. The Seattle Youth Symphony, Northwest Little League, the Mt. Baker Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Cornish College for the Arts are numbered among the many recipients of this Lodge's charity.

At this time of the year, we annually re-examine our giving. Every member of the Lodge is encouraged to make recommendations. Please contact a Trustee with yours.

FREEMASONRY AND SECRECY

People sometimes refer to Freemasonry as being a "Secret Society." In one sense the statement is true. Any social group or private business is "secret" in the sense that its business meetings may be open only to its members. In Freemasonry, the process of joining is also a private matter, and its members are pledged not to discuss business with non-members and certain parts of the ceremonies associated with the organization.

The tradition of using handshakes and passwords was very common in the Middle Ages, when the ability to identify oneself as belonging to a building or trade guild often made the difference in getting a job or in obtaining help for yourself and family. Today, Freemasons make the same pledge to every member that he will be offered assistance if he, or his family, ever requests it.

Freemasonry can't be called a "secret society" in the literal sense. A truly secret society forbids its members to disclose that they belong to the organization or that it even exists. Most Freemasons wear rings and lapel pins which clearly identify them as members of the fraternity.

In terms of what it does, what it teaches, who belongs, where it meets, there are no secrets in Freemasonry! Ours is a private fraternal association of men who contribute much toward the public good while enjoying the benefits of the brotherhood of a fraternity.

MASONIC RETIREMENT CENTER

The purpose of the MRC is to provide retirement living and health care for Master Masons in good standing, their wives, widows, orphans, widowed mothers, single daughters and single sisters. The MRC is a continuing care retirement community and offers a variety of levels of care, including independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.

Those interested in admission into the MRC can request an application through the Admissions Coordinator, Washington Masonic Retirement Center, 23660 Marine View Dr. S., Des Moines, WA 98198-7394.

 2001 DUES CARDS SOON TO BE ISSUED: HAVE YOU PAID YOUR 2000 DUES YET