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From the East
October - the first month of fall. Time for Mother Nature to paint our landscapes with beautiful colors. We are truly blessed - living in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by the majestic Olympics and Cascades. The scenic views of Mount Baker and Mount Rainier. We had an extremely pleasant summer. We set many records for our un-seasonable weather. Let us hope that our forthcoming winter is mild and not too severe.
Many of us had the opportunity to rekindle our brotherly friendships at the Family Brunch in May, picnic at the Nile in August, and last month our 143rd Anniversary Dinner. Unfortunately, we missed a lot of you.
| Upon reviewing our membership records and analyzing the demographics of everyone's physical proximity to the lodge and these events, combined with limitations many of us may suffer - our potential attendance and participation was far less than I had expected. For those of you who have not joined us in many months, and in some cases, years - what is it going to take to get you to join your fraternal brothers in lodge? |
True, many of us lead extremely busy domestic and business lives. Traffic can be blamed - but does not compete by comparison with what our predecessors encountered to attend their monthly lodge meeting. Why some of you cannot set aside a little time to join us for friendship, dinner, fellowship, business of administering our many charities all mixed in with a dash of "Masonic Light" troubles those of us who regularly support the numerous activities of the lodge. Who knows, that which stirs your imagination might stir ours, too. Without your input - how are we to know what gets your juices flowing? We need your participation and support. |
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Charity, Masonic education, and a little business all mixed in with having fun! That's what we're all about.
Opportunities to have some fun come once again on October 8th when St. John's will be serving oyster chowder to the residents at the Masonic Retirement Center for the 67th consecutive year. (Well, we substituted salmon chowder, one year.) October 24th we will once again join with our District 5 lodges in the Halloween Youth Dance Night at Scottish Rite Center. On October 31st, University Lodge will host the District 5 reception for our Most Worshipful Grand Master, John McNab. Next month we're planning on a Teen Feed. I'll be there - where are you going to be.?
Your lodge officers look forward to seeing you in lodge. Please let us hear from you if you're an infrequent attendee (we need to make allowances for your dinner plate).
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Terry Grove, Master
RECEPTION FOR THE GRAND MASTER
Our Grand Master will be honored by all members of District 5 lodges on Halloween, Friday, October 31. Dinner will be served at 6:30 with the program opening at 7:30. University Lodge No. 141 will serve as the host lodge. The ladies will be entertained while the brothers are tiled with the Grand Master. Dinner reservations ($8) need to be made with VWBro. Gale Kenney, 206 244-7405
Masonry doesn't build character as much as it reveals it!
WILL THE SCOTTISH RITE BE SOLD?
OCTOBER MEETING OPENS WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF OUR MEETING PLACE!
News of great import may be greeting our members as we assemble for our monthly Lodge meeting, Wednesday, October 1.
Our Lodge meets monthly at the Seattle Scottish Rite in the Capital Hill area of Seattle. We have been meeting at this location since late 1983. Not only are our hearts and emotions attached to this location, but we have invested thousands of dollars in interior renovations and exterior maintenance. Anyone who has attended our meetings, or those of the Scottish Rite, have found the renovation of the Quick Room both beautiful and pleasing.
The Scottish Rite has received offers to purchase the property. Members of the Rite will vote to accept or reject one of these offers at a meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 25. The meeting will be at 7pm. Whatever the outcome, we do not see a move to south Snohomish or east King counties as an option for St. John's. We are committed to remain a premier Seattle Lodge.
Our October Stated Communication will open at 7:30pm following dinner at 6:00.
WBro. Jack Berg, accompanied by slides, will shed some "Masonic Light" during our meeting following his recent trip to the Middle East
WORKSHOP AND FORUM PROGRAMS OPEN TO ALL MASTER MASONS
To assist in exploring some of the "hidden mysteries of freemasonry" the D4 Masonic Academy meets regularly every 4th Saturday from 9am to noon for the education and training of all interested Masons in matters pertaining to ritual, lodge management and leadership. The next program will be Saturday, September 27th, at the Greenwood Masonic Center.
A light breakfast fare will be available.
This month's meeting is entitled "So you're a Mason, what does that mean?" Sub-topics will be "What does it mean to be a Mason?," "How do those obligations really translate to the real world?," "How can we recognize other Masons, are there signs to be looking for?"
In Masonry there is a rich and diverse history to explore. Some of this history is available in the various books, papers and ciphers available through the Lodges. There is also a rich oral history not written down that includes such small things as when to give the recognition signs, key phrases that might signal you are speaking with another Mason, and explanations of ritual methods and traditions. In the last few decades life has gotten a lot faster and more complicated leaving less time in Lodge to learn these lessons.
CONTRIBUTION TO DIABETES VICTIMS
One of our Lodge's annual charities is a contribution to the UW School of Medicine diabetes patient support program. This money goes to victims of that debilitating disease who haven't the safety net of insurance or wealthy family support.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
Approximately 17 million people in the United States, or 6.2% of the population, have diabetes. While an estimated 11.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.9 million people (or one-third) are unaware that they have the disease. Often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate the early detection and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications.
ELECTIONS COMING IN NOVEMBER
Elections for Lodge officers will be conducted at our November Stated Communication, when we will also be honoring our Past Masters and their contributions to our Fraternity. Offices open for election will be the Master, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary and one Trustee. Any member who is proficient as a Master Mason is eligible to be elected to one of these offices.
Traditionally, at the Lodge level, campaigning for an office is rare, but if you want it known that you are available for an elected office, we will list your name as such in the November Trestleboard. Deadline for that issue will be October 22
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLED AT MASONIC PARK
Photo by WBro. Bill Collison | | PARK Members of the Lodge and others assisted in the assemblage of new playground equipment for children at the Masonic Park near Granite Falls. St. John's contributed $1,000. Bros. Mark Campbell and Michael Rust and his wife Alex put on their work clothes to replace old swings, slides and climbing ropes. |
OYSTERS IN OCTOBER
| The Wednesday following our monthly stated will be highlighted by our annual oyster dinner at the Masonic Retirement Center. Each year the Lodge supplies the oysters for a wonderful oyster stew served to the residents by members of the Lodge. We have been doing this since the depression years! | |  |
As is our custom, this will be on the second Wednesday of October, October 8, beginning at 5 p.m. Servers should plan to arrive about 4:30 for instructions. Following the dinner, the Lodge will host entertainment for the residents of the Center. This year VWBro. David Julian will entertain the folks on his keyboard.
YOUTH HALLOWEEN PARTY
District No. 5 is sponsoring a youth Halloween Party at the Scottish Rite, Friday, October 24, from 7-10pm. St. John's and other lodges in the District are asked to provide chaperones and adult assistance for the evening.
DJ music, dancing costume contests, games and wholesome fun will help to make this Halloween season a real success! Photos, I.D. cards, pizza, popcorn and other inexpensive prizes will be available.
Contact Terry Grove (425) 337-7134 terrygrove@comcast.net if you can provide assistance and want to have some fun!
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2004 DUES
St. John's dues for 2004 will be $12, and are payable by December 31 of this year. Those who have been members of the Fraternity for 40 years without interruption, or who have served as Master of this Lodge are excused from this obligation/privilege.
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Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Terry Grove 425 337-7134
terryagrove@seattlemasons.org
Secretary Jim Russell: 206 623-0261 stjohns9@msn.com
Webmaster Charlie Tupper: 206 459-8236 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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