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 | | The first Wednesday of February once again brought the Brethren of St. John's Lodge No. 9 together for the monthly Stated Communication. As is the way of things at St. John's Lodge No. 9, everyone sat down to supper at 6 PM. The small dining room was filled this month. |
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| Before the monthly meal our Marshal, Brother Adam Mackler, said a prayer. Steve (Steve's Cafe and Expresso) prepared a Southern style fish dinner. Bobbi was absent this month so we had an excellent substitute waitress. What a meal! Conversation at the tables this month went between catching up on the lives of the membership and wondering what Professor Noegel had in store for a lecture this year. | |  |
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Following supper everyone retired to the Lodge room where Professor Noegel handed out an outline of his subject. He talked for about twenty minutes on the subject of resurrection in middle eastern history. A very interesting talk and it was accompanied by a slide show which really enhanced his presentation. This is the fifth year in a row that Professor Noegel has given a presentation to St. John's Lodge No. 9. There were several well thought out questions following the presentation. Professor Noegel has written and published |
| extensively. A listing of his books can be found at his web site. |
 | | At 7:30 all guests left the Lodgeroom after a minute or two of the membership getting settled WM Michael Rust opened the Lodge on the third degree for the monthly Stated Communication. Minutes were read, the bills were paid, and the usual business of the Lodge was concluded in a quick businesslike fashion.
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Committee reports were heard and the DeMolay sound system request was tabled for the moment until the Lodge finds out more about what exactly is needed. The Scottish Rite's meeting for giving information relating to the sale and move of the SR on the 24th was mentioned and any interested member may attend. |
| WM Michael Rust then had VWB Gale Kenney, Deputy of the Grandmaster in District No. 5 of the MWGL of Washington escorted to the altar and introduced. This was the official visit of the Deputy and the Master met him at the altar and escorted him to the East. VWB Kenney then brought greetings from MWB John McNabb to the Lodge and proceeded to talk about building a strong fraternity for the future. He complimented the Lodge on its technology and for helping out in the community. The Lodge has received |  |
Pillars of Progress awards for these endeavors at the last two District Meeting but the Lodge still has a few more to get in order to have a complete set.
He mentioned the membership numbers and the fact that the Lodge is losing members faster than it is getting them. This trend is changing but will likely continue for some time into the future. The DD said that there were a couple of Lodges in the District which should probably merge with other Lodges as their membership rolls are not enough to support those Lodges.
VWB Kenney said that he was proud to have been Deputy for the past two years but that he looked forward to taking his place among the Brethren on the sidelines at Lodge without the responsibility of being District Deputy.
At the conculsion of his remarks the Lodge gave him a standing ovation.
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WM Michael Rust closed the Lodge at about nine o'clock PM. Peace and harmony prevailed, as it always does, at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
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