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From the East
I didn't set out to be a Mason; I was having far too much fun earning a living and attending school. Yet it seemed that in every shop I worked in there were a few men who were the most even tempered, skilled and helpful; they cared about my safety, education and often inquired about my home life. Many of them either wore a ring or belt buckle with an odd design consisting of a square and compass emblazoned on them. Oddly enough they didn't have bumper stickers with the same symbols despite the larger car bumpers during the late 1970s.
| Though my German Shepherd thinks I'm pretty swift, I didn't catch on to the meaning of the symbols or the common theme that ran through the character of each man I worked with, but I did want to emulate the skills and temperament of those role models. Only after many years of asking about the symbols, their meaning, origin and importance did I learn that it was the qualities of heart and mind that made these men so alike and not just the visible attributes. It still was a few years before I took the plunge and petitioned a lodge. Luckily for me that lodge was St. Johns' No. 9 and the rest - as is said - is history.
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We have a new line of outstanding officers ready to serve the lodge in their several stations, places and offices, but we still need your help. There are always openings on committees for brothers who are willing to assist, guide and cajole. Look in your heart and ask if you can work with your lodge on the visitation or friend to friend committee. Perhaps if you're more inclined to logistics you may enjoy working with the annual picnic, Sunday brunch or anniversary committees. Bring your ideas, come home to your lodge and join us as we continue our work for the good of humanity.
Though a bit different than committee work, St. John's needs your experience and support for the numerous degrees that we perform throughout the year. You may remember first being brought to Masonic light and you may even remember the smiling, reassuring faces that surrounded you. Come join us and be one of those faces so remembered and important to our newly obligated brothers. It's a unique opportunity to help remember the past, improve the present and influence the future of our craft and your lodge.
I look forward to seeing every member and their guests at our next stated meeting (January 14th).
Michael Rust, Master
| Coming to dinner? Please call 206 623-0261 |
| Lodge Night comes on the 2nd Wednesday this month (January 14) |
FREEMASONS BELIEVE IN:
 | The immortality of the human spirit! the dignity of the individual, the value of good deeds, the worth of character, the dream of a better tomorrow, the beauty of the family, the grandeur of faith, the glory of brotherhood, the love of Country, the need for education, the vision of better things, the joys of social ties, the rich reward of work, the happiness found in service, the ultimate triumph of good over evil in our world.
Lansing B. Harmon, Jr.
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SCOTTISH RITE VOTES TO SELL PRESENT PROPERTY
We have received an official notice from General Secretary Carl Alexander that the members of the Scottish Rite have elected to sell this property. A meeting will be held on January 20, 2004, to vote to accept an offer.
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MASTER GREETS NEW YEAR WITH PROMISE OF SHORTER MEETINGS, MORE FUN, AND CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO BROTHERHOOD AND CHARITY
Twice each year St. John's Lodge No. 9 meets on the second Wednesday of the month. January is one of those months. WM Michael Rust invites members and visitors to join us for dinner at 6 pm, Wednesday, January 14, and for our Stated Meeting following at 7:30. WBro. Rust and his newly installed officers will be conducting their first meeting of the New Year. We look forward to greeting our many friends and Brothers for what we
anticipate to be a great year, filled with opportunities for progress and renewal.
To start the year off in what may be a theme for this year's Master, we will be entertained with an episode from "The Simpsons," a popular animated cartoon shown on FOX-TV and throughout the world. This particular episode features the "stonecutters," an excellent, humorous eye opener that spoofs the Masons with a widely held perception of our fraternity.
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 | | A few changes will be made this year, starting with general announcements to be made during the dinner hour to help shorten our meetings. We invite our guests to also share their observations and announcements at this time. Dinner will be served at 6pm, and is always a fine meal prepared by Steve's Catering and presented by our favorite server, Bobbi.
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The Worshipful Master encourages every Mason to come to Lodge January 14th. If you need a ride, call the Secretary at 206 623-0261. Bring a friend!
LONG RANGE PLANNING
VWBro. Charles Brockway, chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, reports that the committee has had two meetings, and has sub-divided into smaller committees to focus on three principal areas of concern: Meeting Location, Membership Growth, and Programming/ Training/Masonic Education. Meetings will resume following the first of the year. See VWBro. Brockway at our next Stated Communication to offer your services.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
There is a nine-member Board of Trustees of this Lodge, whose duties include preparation of the annual budget, to review monthly expenditures, to assume supervision over the real property, stocks, bonds and other holdings, and to meet quarterly with our investment advisors. In recent years, it has also been the custom of the Board to review and recommend any requests for special charity action.
The Board consists of four members elected at large, plus the Master, Senior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, and the immediate Past Master.
LODGE "COMPANY STORE" OFFERS VARIETY
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Show your pride in your lodge. Wear and use St. John's Lodge No. 9 logo merchandise. There is no profit markup on any item in the store. We have pens, letter openers, note cubes, shirts, caps, kitchen aprons, and much, much more. They are available by either coming to lodge to get them or may be shipped for a small fee. Call Bro. Ken Wehl at 425 339-0124 or kwehl@msn.com for a full list and prices.
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BECOME AN OMBUDSMAN!
A Long Term Care Ombudsman is someone who advocates for the rights of residents in long term care facilities (nursing homes, etc.). We make sure residents' rights are not being violated, and speak on behalf of the residents to resolve issues that concern them. We train volunteers to be ombudsmen in a facility that is nearby. Join our team of experienced staff Ombudsmen and volunteers like you! If you like the idea of supporting vulnerable elders in your community, give us a call. You can reach Jessi Dobos, Volunteer Coordinator, at jessid@fremontpublic.org or 206 675-8068. Our Eastside training is in early April, on Mercer Island. We'd love to have you at our next orientation/info session on January 14th at 10:00 a.m. at Mercer Island Care and Rehab on Mercer Island. Give us a call or email and let us know if you're interested!
MILESTONES
Last year, eighteen Brothers left us for that "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns:"
Einar W. Brastad, David N. Carlsen, Carl T. Carlson, William H. Couch, Sr., Marco DeFunis, Paul E. Erzen, Maurice "Nick" Field, John W. Houck, Paul R. Kruse, John D. McGregor, Edward J. Miller, Gordon L. Moe, Melvern J. Nyhagen, George P. Palady, Arthur F. Prentice, Richard A. Reeve, Wm. Arthur "Art" Smith, Vance S. Tjossem.
Until we meet again, dear Friends and Brothers, until we meet again, farewell.
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MASTER MASON TO BE RAISED
SW Bro. Joseph Lund encourages all Master Masons to join in raising Bro. Justin Dale, Saturday morning, January 24, at 8:30. If you want to take a role, call Bro. Lund at 425 271-3173. Sideliners are welcome, too!
DUES REMINDER
If your address label is circled in blue, you still have not paid your dues for this year! Please remit $12.00, today.
MASONIC CARPET
At our December meeting, in the spirit of the season, we unwrapped our newly arrived carpet artfully crafted as the Mosaic Pavement of King Solomon's Temple. The 6' x 9' carpet was purchased by the lodge and resembles the illustration in the Washington Monitor. It will be used chiefly at the conferral of the Entered Apprentice degrees, and any other ceremonial functions when appropriate
Do you know of a Brother who has not attended Lodge in a while? Call him and ask if you can pick him up and bring him to Lodge.
| When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra. |
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Michael Rust: 206 725-5853 fiddlerose@comcast.net
Secretary Jim Russell: 206 623-0261 stjohns9@msn.com
Webmaster Charlie Tupper: 206 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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