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From the East
So why year after year is It's a Wonderful Life still played, replayed and re-run on television to diverse generations of loyal fans? Just what is it about this movie that still rings so clear and true? Do we still believe, as does George Bailey, that every man deserves a fair chance at living in his own home, his own castle? Is a man a success in life if he lives well respected, actively involved in his community and yet remains poor in his finances? I can't answer for the millions who watch this movie every Christmas, but as a mason I find there is a core set of beliefs in It's a Wonderful Life that match my own and my perception of the tenets of masonry.
| As a lodge, St. John's No. 9 can help with a person's fighting chance at obtaining a modest house through hard work, financial cooperation and a boost up out of poverty through the Seattle Habitat for Humanity program. I am in the process of setting up a few dates where we - as masons and friends - will volunteer our time and labor to help with projects in the King county area this summer. This is a great opportunity to roll up our collective sleeves and use the working tools of operative masons, carpenters, laborers and even electricians. As speculative masons we have already allocated $4,000 for this agency in this
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year's charitable budget. I look forward to keeping you informed of future dates for volunteer workshops and actual working days as they coalesce.
For those of us who own a house, property or favorable credit, our April stated meeting guest speaker will give a presentation of paramount importance. We will have Detective Hentz of the Seattle police department fraud and forgery squad speak on identity theft. As one who has been the victim of a stolen credit card, I strongly urge you to attend this dynamic presentation at 7pm - after dinner- on April 7th. Be prepared to learn about this modern plague, ask question and make important changes in a few areas of your day to day life.
Lastly, allow me to take a few minutes to thank all of the officers, trustees and brothers who have made the first few months of my term as Master so enjoyable and productive. I look forward to seeing all of you this next stated meeting.
Michael Rust, Master
| I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
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IDENTITY THEFT ISSUES WILL BE EXAMINED AT APRIL STATED
How can someone steal your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even be arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
We will address these concerns in our customary program preceding our April 7 stated communication. Our guest speaker will be Detective Heinz of the Seattle police department fraud and forgery division.
Master Michael Rust will preside over our regular stated meeting which will open at 7:30. We return to our customary "dress code" as we consider a petition for plural membership and other business of the lodge. WBro. Rust will continue to keep the meetings brisk and short.
MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN'S TO ATTACK SMALL WHITE BALL WITH IRON CLUBS!
Over a dozen members have signed up for the King Solomon Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Auburn Golf Course, Saturday, May 22. More members may participate in this King Solomon Lodge scholarship fund raiser. To play in this event, call WBro. Terry Grove at 425 337-7134.
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Tragedy And The Craft
The story of a member of the Masonic fraternity fatally shot on the evening of March 8 has covered the globe. Unfortunately the news media, as is often the case, do not seem to have all their facts straight before reporting a story. The following is one news story concerning the incident as well as the official statement from the Grand Lodge of New York.
New Masonic member killed by gun during initiation
PATCHOGUE, N.Y. -- The initiation rituals at the Masonic lodge had been bathed in secrecy. The climax of Monday night's ceremony was to be a simple prank. A new member of the Fellow Craft Club, a select group within the lodge, would sit in a chair while an older member stood 20 feet away and fired a handgun loaded with blanks...
Official Statement By GL of NY
This was not a Masonic Lodge meeting and no formal and approved Masonic ceremonies were scheduled to take place this evening. Firearms play no role in Masonic Lodge meetings or Masonic events of any kind...
Latest Official Statement From The GL of NY
(Inserted by the webmaster and is not part of the print issue Lodge Trestleboard)
March 14, 2004
My Brothers:
It is important that all New York Masons have knowledge of what the Grand Lodge is doing regarding a tragic accident that occurred last week in which Brother William James died.
As Grand Master, I personally have spoken to the widow of our departed Brother, and communicated our deepest condolences and sympathies to her and to her family. In Masonic tradition, a fund to assist the widow and her family has been established, and contributions have begun to come in. Additional contributions may be sent to the Masonic Brotherhood Foundation for the Brother William James Fund.
The death of Brother William James on March 8, 2004 has been widely reported in the public media. We are deeply anguished and outraged because a fellow Mason has died in an incident that never should have happened. Based on currently available information, it appears that the death occurred during a Southside Fellowcraft Club social meeting held in the basement of a building in Patchogue, New York where South Side Lodge No. 493 meets. Media reports reflecting a lack of information and understanding of Freemasonry in New York may have created certain public misconceptions. The incident did not involve a Masonic Lodge meeting, the use of a Masonic Lodge room, or any New York Masonic Ritual. The social club involved was not itself a Grand Lodge sanctioned Masonic organization.
I have appointed a panel of respected and experienced Masons, all of whom are attorneys and some of whom also have backgrounds in the judiciary, to review the activities and operation of social clubs that make use of Masonic premises in the State of New York. Pending completion of that investigation, I have suspended the Charter and members of South Side Lodge No. 493. The panel is charged to report back to counsel for the Grand Lodge within thirty to sixty days. The panel will make recommendations intended to assure that such a tragedy never happens again.
Grand Lodge law, previously established, clearly spells out the one and only Ritual approved in the State of New York. No Mason can engage in or participate in any ritual that varies from the Ritual approved under Grand Lodge law. I wish to remind all Masons that firearms do not, and never have, played any role in any Masonic Ritual in the State of New York.
I have full confidence that you will continue your good works in your communities, and stand tall and proud of your membership in Freemasonry.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Carl J. Fitje
Grand Master
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ST. JOHN'S LOOKING FOR NEW HOME
On January 20, the members of the Scottish Rite approved the sale of that property to new owners. The present tenants, including St. John's, have from sixteen to twenty-eight months before they must leave. Scottish Rite hopes to accommodate current renters in a new yet-to-be determined location. Our lodge is pressing for a relocation within the City of Seattle.
LADIES ESPECIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND OUR MAY 5 PROGRAM
St. John's is proud to announce a special program featuring an outstanding spokesperson from the Positive Image Center of the City of Hope at our May 5 communication.
Ms Janine McDonough will address and demonstrate how cancer patients can cope with changes in their appearance.
The City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center, is an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution. City of Hope is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.
City of Hope's Positive Image Center offers new hope for men, women and children whose physical appearance has been affected by their cancer, treatment or injury and helps patients cope with the emotional, social and cosmetic effects of their medical treatment. The Center offers one-on-one consultations, demonstrating various ways to conceal hair loss, along with skin care and corrective makeup techniques.
The ladies are especially invited to join us for dinner and to share in this program on the first Wednesday of May.
Invitation
FABULOUS FAMILY APPRECIATION BRUNCH RETURNS IN MAY
Act Today!!!
St. John's Lodge extends a cordial invitation to you and your family to be its guests on Sunday, May 2, for our 10th annual FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch at Ivar's Salmon House from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Ivar's Salmon House is known throughout the Northwest and beyond for its fine cuisine and alder-smoked salmon.
For our Brothers, as the name implies, all members of your immediate family, living at home, are invited. We encourage the kids to join us.
For the Widow of our departed Brother, we invite you and your family members to share in this springtime celebration. We encourage the grandchildren to join us.
Reservations are mandatory and are limited. Enclosed in your mailed Trestleboard this month is a reservation card. Please print your name and that of your guests on the pre-addressed card and mail it to Jim Russell, secretary, postmarked by April 22. Late reservations after this date cannot be honored.
| The White Leather Apron
The apron of white lamb skin is a distinguishing badge worn by every member of the Masonic Order, and without which no brother can be admitted within the portals of a Lodge, nor allowed to take part in any Masonic procession of solemnity. It is worn by operative masons to preserve their garments from stain; and thus, in speculative Masonry, the apron reminds us that we must keep ourselves from moral defilement.
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Coming Events
- April 7 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- April 10: Districts 4 & 5 Master & Wardens competition (Doric)
- April 28, 4pm: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees meeting - SRC library
- May 2 (8:30-10:30am): Family Brunch Ivar's Salmon House
- May 5 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner RSVP!) Stated
- May 22: King Solomon Golf Tourney (Auburn)
- May 23 (9:30am): March to St. Mark's Cathedral (11am service)
- June 2 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- June 10-12: Grand Lodge of Washington (Wenatchee)
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Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Michael Rust (206) 725-5853 fiddlerose@comcast.net
Senior Warden: Joseph Lund (425) 271-3173 yosiflund@earthlink.net
Junior Warden: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398 mark.katherine@verizon.net
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@msn.com
Webmaster: Charlie Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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