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From the East
| Looking back over the past year is an indulgence to which every Master hopefully looks forward. We have many specific achievements with which we will be able to identify 2002 in the future. A few that I like to remember are: | |  |
- Our website www.seattlemasons.org (.net and .com) took on new meaning with the hard work of our new Webmaster.
- We published our St. Johns history update and had an unusual tour of historic Masonic Seattle.
- We took our memorabilia out of the dusty basement and put them on display outside the Quick Room in a beautiful display case
- We hosted out first "teen-feed" in the U-District.
- We helped build the Blue Nile orphanage in Ethiopia
- I met a personal goal of trying to improve turnout at our Stated meetings
- We added headphones to the Lodge room so that hearing-impaired Brethren could better listen to our work
At this Thanksgiving season, we have a lot to be thankful for.
What have I learned from a year in the East? Plenty! I was reminded that no Master goes it alone. But most importantly, even Masters can still learn much from the Work and that even the youngest Entered Apprentice in the NE corner can point this out! I really take notice when one of our newest members comes up, after a disagreement in Lodge seems to get a little out of hand, and points out that our greatest contention should be who best can work and best agree. That really makes me feel that our candidates are listening and that we sometimes forget to heed our own best advice. I think what I learned most from my brief time in the East was that it is the foremost duty of every Master to keep everyone at work in harmony.
I am not royalty, and it is now, time to turn the reigns over to our SW Terry. Look well to the East!
Skip Albertson, Master
Annual Budget to be Reviewed in December; New Officers to Close Lodge
 | | Members of the Lodge will review the proposed 2003 budget and adopt their recommendation at our Stated Communication of Wednesday, December 4. Master-elect Terry Grove has drawn up a budget that anticipates nearly $100,000.00 for operating expenses. | An additional $25,000 is expected to be distributed for scholarships and over $75,000 for charity. The operating budget reflects a major reduction in expenses following the completion of volume two of the Lodge history. An additional cut of nearly $40,000 is anticipated because of last year's stock market losses.
The Trustees have recommended no cuts in our scholarship and charity programs, reasoning that it is better to tighten our own belts than hurt the causes of others in greater need.
Following dinner and prior to the meeting, members of the Lodge will be entertained by a medley of seasonal music. WBro. Jack Berg will deliver a Hanukah message.
As is customary, officers for next year will be called upon to close Lodge.
Prior to the stated meeting, Master Skip Albertson invites all Masons to share in our customary 6 p.m. dinner preceding our 7:30 p.m. Stated Communication. |
Public Installation of Officers
The public is cordially invited to attend the 143rd annual installation of officers for St. John's Lodge No. 9, Saturday morning, December 7. The 10 a.m. ceremony will be held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 1155 Broadway E., Seattle. A lunch buffet and reception will be held following the installation.
Bro. Terry Grove will be the 125th Master to serve the Lodge since 1860. MWBro. Richard | |  |
Mecartea will serve as the installing officer.
Other officers to be installed are Bros. Michael Rust, SW; Joseph Lund, JW; Joseph DuWors, Treasurer; VWBro. Jim Russell, Secretary; Bros. Doug Lidz, SD; Mark Campbell, JD; David Israel, SS; James Wold, JS; John DuWors, Chaplain; Kenneth Wehl, Marshal; WBro. Paul Wickward, Tyler; and VWBro. David Julian, Organist. VWBros. David Campbell and Charles Brockway, and WBros. Allan Pinch and Bill Collison continue to serve as elected Trustees. |
| Lodge Members Team Up |  | to Help Families in Need |
 | We were pleased to again provide food and clothing for families at Thanksgiving, and will again distribute food, clothing and toys for the children at Christmas. We look forward to this annual opportunity to provide dignity, care and compassion to those families struggling to meet the bare necessities. Brethren of the Lodge contact several of these families to get to know them and to find out how we best can help. Then we shop | | and distribute the gifts. Joy and gratitude by the families are only exceeded by the level of good feeling among the involved Brothers. |
Thanksgiving and Christmas Charities
I AM THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!
I enter the homes of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their hearts in wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and paint a bright spot on his/her soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth.
I keep romance alive in the hearts of children.
| | I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving others happy.
I cause the prodigal to pause on the wild, wasteful way to think about a token of love.
I come softly to the house of pain.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God.
I AM THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! |
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Report on Student Learning Shows Lodge Reading Program Success
| The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) tests 4th grade elementary students in math, reading, listening and writing. The WASL is to determine where improvements can be made and also make sure kids are not being passed to high grades if they cannot complete that level's work. | |  |
The average WASL score is:
Reading 64.0
Writing 50.6
Listening 64.1
Math 51.0
| Rogers
(Seattle)
Elementary rated:
Reading 86.7 (up 8.7)
Writing 64.4 (up 18.4)
Listening 82.2 (up .2)
Math 66.7 (up 18.7) | |
Cedar Way
(Mountlake Terrace)
Elementary rated:
Reading 67.5 (up 1.7)
Writing 52.5 (up 18.3)
Listening 60 (down 8.5)
Math 50 (up 10.6) | |
It is great to see that our contribution to Rogers has helped push them above averages. It will likewise be interesting to see if our continued support at Cedar Way will help create a fire to learn as it did at Rogers.
Reach us Here
Master Terry Grove 425 337-7134 terryagrove@hotmail.msn.com
Secretary Jim Russell 206 623-0261 stjohns9@msn.com
Webmaster Charlie Tupper webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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