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From the East
Have you ever noticed when engaged in a heated conversation one side will often use a simple word to quickly end a conversation, gain a self-perceived superior moral position and generally let you know your opinion doesn't count. As someone who enjoys playing the devil's advocate, I've heard an amazing spate of words that have been used in this fashion. Some of the more notable recent ones are: racist, sexist, chauvinist, or liberal. Have you ever used or heard words used in this manner? How about the word, "ritual?"
| Ritual is one of the basic trademarks of our fraternity; it separates us from the many other fraternal organizations in form, verbiage and history. It can be found both in written (tangible) form and unwritten (intangible) form that is a large part of our oral tradition. And therein lies the problem; oral tradition metamorphoses with each passage and produces a wide array of permutations. To add to the mix, each Master adds his own subtle (or not so subtle in my case) style or spin on the mélange. We may have a standard work, but not all of our ritual is fixed in an operative mason's stone.
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Just as so many loaded words are used to separate a person from the moral high ground so is our ritual. Ever heard or said, we just don't do the ritual as it used to be done, their ritual needs work.... I can think of no faster way to separate or alienate a brother from our fraternity. Before grousing, nitpicking or uttering that loaded phrase, "that's not the way we used to do it," stop and consider the implications and intentions of your statement. As your Master I ask that any questions or points of ritual be discreetly directed to me and keep in mind I like to play the devil's advocate.
I look forward to seeing all of you at our next stated meeting, upcoming 2nd degree and anniversary dinner. (We have Dina Blade and her swing band for our anniversary. She promises a great mix of swing music and plenty of dancing!)
Michael Rust, Master
| Lodge Night comes early this month! (September 1)
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OCTOBER OYSTER DINNER
 | | Next month, we will again serve our tasty oyster stew at the Landmark on the Sound (Masonic Retirement Center), which we have been doing since 1937. We may be closing in on the last opportunity to delight the residents in this way as the Retirement Center changes its approach to senior | | services. All members and widows of St. John's Lodge No. 9 are invited to this dinner.
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| We were pleased and honored to have received a surprise visit from our Grand Master MWBro. Sat Tashiro at our August Stated Communication
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LATEST ON RELOCATION
We have received word that the relocation of the Scottish Rite will not occur during the year 2005. This means that our meetings may continue there without disruption for at least the next 16 months, and will allow us additional time to find new and suitable quarters.
ST. JOHN'S CELEBRATES 144 YEARS
Mark your calendar for our big event of the year, when we host our 144th anniversary dinner at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Friday, September 10. In keeping with the "fun and relaxed" theme for this year, Worshipful Master Michael Rust has arranged for entertainment featuring the musical talents of Dina Blade. Song and dance will follow an excellent course provided by Upper Crust Catering.
Our Social Hour will begin at 6pm, with dinner following at 7:00.
Bro. Iain Cameron and his lady Angela have planned and prepared an evening to remember. All members of St. John's and their wives are invited to join the festivities. Reservations are a must, and may be made by returning the enclosed card or calling the secretary at 206 623-0261 or by email at stjohns9@seattlemasons.org. All plates will feature a combination of "cedar planked salmon, orange cognac chicken and coffee bean and pepper crusted beef skewer." Those who request all vegetarian need to do so when making their reservation. All reservations must be received by Saturday, September 4!
Dina Blade has been sharing her vocal talents with audiences for over twenty years along with a repertoire that includes gems from the Great American Songbook. Composers like Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin are featured along with stories and anecdotes as Dina delivers jazz standards with her relaxed and swinging vocal style. She has appeared both nationally and internationally at jazz clubs, festivals and colleges as well as on film, video, television and radio.
In addition to her skills as a vocalist, Dina is an accomplished guitarist. She maintains a busy schedule of shows and clinics and has received grants, commissions and residencies for her work as an artist
OUR RITUAL: MOUTH TO EAR TO PRINT
In 1730 Samuel Prichard published his "Masonry Dissected" and disclosed the ritual and secrets of the Grand Lodge of England - Moderns. This publication was a run-away best seller, with four editions coming out in one week's time. Who were buying this booklet - Masons! It became a memory aid and standardized the ritual to a great extent. In the 1738 Book of Constitutions, Dr. James Anderson devoted a number of pages to refuting Prichard in his "Defense." Later exposures such as "Jachin and Boaz" and "The Three Distinct Knocks" added more of the secret ritual that traditionally was going from mouth to ear. It was in the 1770's that William Preston, at popular request, produced the Masonic world's first Monitor - "Illustrations of Masonry."
TWO SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HEADLINE SEPTEMBER STATED COMMUNICATION
Worshipful Master Michael Rust invites every member to take the opportunity to join us at our Stated meeting on Wednesday, September 1. Dinner will be served at 6pm at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, followed by an evening of business mixed with pleasure at 7:30.
We will be pleased to present two elementary school principals and their librarians who witness first hand the benefits of the accelerated reader program in their schools. This is an opportunity to thank them for the tremendous work they do with our community's young people
RESOLUTION TO BE PRESENTED
The following resolution will be presented for action at the September Stated Communication:
- Whereas on an annual basis the Trustees perform a mid-year review of our annual budget, and
- Whereas our stated meeting dinner expenses exceeded expectations due to the increase in attendance, and
- Whereas Office Supplies exceeded expectations due to the purchase of QuickBooks software for the Treasurer, and
- Whereas we are now paying a lower managed fee for our Oppenheimer investments compared to (hidden) commissions, and
- Whereas it is the desire of the Lodge to purchase new Company Store items
- Therefore be it resolved that the following increases to our Operating Budget be made:
1. Increase Stated Dinners $1,500
2. Increase Office Supplies $300
3. Increase Oppenheimer Management Fee $17,000
4. Increase Company Store $500
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The Masonic Family provides more than $2 million a day to charitable activities such as hospitals, youth scholarship, and those less fortunate than us.
St. John's 2004 Charity Budget
Scholarships $ 25,000.00
Civic $ 35,400.00
Masonic $ 17,900.00
Master's Emergency $ 6,000.00
Reserves $ 15,800.00
Total $ 100,100.00
WELCOME TWO NEW MASONS
Two new Masons have joined St. John's. We welcome Bro. Matt Vasey and Bro. Brett Sandstrom, who are working to earn their Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees.
Coming Events
- September 1 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- September 10 (6pm): St. John's Lodge No. 9 144th Anniversary Celebration
- September 15 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice
- October 6 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- October 13 (4:30pm): Annual Oyster Feed - Masonic Retirement Center
- October 23, 6:30: Grand Master's Reception University Masonic Temple
- October 27, 4pm: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees meeting
- October 30 (7-10pm): District No. 5 Youth Night (Halloween)
- November 3 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Past Masters/Elections
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@seattlemasons.org
Webmaster: Charlie Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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