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Thoughts From Your Secretary
VWBro. Jim Russell
We are the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world, a universal society of friends who seek to become better men through association with one another and our families. It is a 600-year-old fraternity with a 3,000-year tradition.
In a society whose moral values are being severely tested, Masonry brings men together for fellowship and the promotion of integrity and good citizenship. Masonry requires a belief in God and urges its members to be faithful to their own religious beliefs, but it is not a religion.
It encourages its members and their families to be good citizens and to choose their own best means of political expression, but it is not a political organization.
Its charitable activities and good works are for the benefit of all humankind, but it is not a benefit society or welfare institution.
Membership in a Masonic lodge is open to men 18 years of age or older, without regard to race, color or religion. Those accepted for membership must be of good character and reputation, and believe in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.
Masons are dedicated to becoming better men. Like many people, Freemasons try to live in accordance with high moral principles as good citizens. They do not claim to have a monopoly on these ideals, and sometimes slip in their striving, but they do join together in lodges to help each other intensify their devotion to these enduring values.
Freemasonry teaches and practices the principles and ideals of kindness, honesty, decency, courtesy, fairness, understanding and concern. It upholds the belief that we are all a part of a Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.
Freemasonry is not a secret society. This is a mistaken notion although it has been widely believed from the beginning. The membership, meeting places and activities of the Masonic fraternity are actually well known to anyone who is interested.
It is true that Masons have private modes of recognition and ceremonies for some meetings, but the Fraternity is not otherwise secret. Masonic halls and temples are often made available for community activities. Many members wear distinctive Masonic rings or pins to show their pride in being a part of this ancient and honorable fraternity.
A Masonic lodge usually meets one or two evenings each month to conduct its business, vote on petitions for membership, and do the work of conferring the three degrees. The meeting may include a program of interest, sometimes open to the ladies, and refreshments. Good fellowship is an important part of Freemasonry, and life-long friendships are often by-products of lodge membership.
A basic teaching of Freemasonry is charity. The tradition of its members helping one another and humankind in general is practiced extensively. We extend scholarships and support medical research, hospitals for crippled children, facilities for those who have speech disorders or mental illness. Masonic groups also help people with serious eye problems and with respiratory difficulties. They provide retirement homes and care centers for members, their wives and widows.
Yet, in the final analysis, Freemasonry gives us a chance to do and to be; to play a part in making the world better; to consciously inch a little nearer to the Great Architect of the Universe. When a man understands this, believes it, takes it to his heart, and lives it in his daily life, and strives to show it forth to others in his every act, then he becomes in reality what he has sworn to be - a Mason and a brother to his fellows.
October Stated Meeting:
Our Worshipful Master Michael Rust promises more good fellowship at our next Stated Communication on Wednesday, October 6. He invites all visiting Masons to join us for dinner and fellowship beginning at 6pm, followed by our stated meeting at 7:30.
| 2005 DUES St. John's dues for 2005 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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Three opportunities to volunteer in October!
LODGE BROTHERS TO HOST TEEN FEED
Thursday, October 7th, we will send our Teen Feed crew to feed approximately 40 homeless teenagers in the University District. Bro. Jim Wold will handle the shopping, and the rest of the St. John's crew will cook and serve. The young people are most pleased to receive a hot delicious meal and a tasty dessert.
Bro. Wold is calling for any brother who wants to assist with the next Teen Feed in the University District to contact him at 425 357-6867 or woldfamily@msn.com. This will be our fourth participation in the past three years. We meet around 5-6pm, cook dinner and are done around 9-9:30.
OYSTERS IN OCTOBER
 | | Each year the Lodge supplies the oysters and our members serve a wonderful oyster stew to the residents of the Masonic Retirement Center. We have been doing this since 1937! As is our custom, this will be on the second Wednesday of October, October 13, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Servers should plan to arrive about 5:00 for instructions. |
Following the dinner, VWBro. David Julian will entertain at the piano and Bro. Ken Wehl will perform mysterious acts of magic to mystify those enjoying the pleasant after-dinner activity.
Everyone who wants to share this evening and also see what's happening at the MRC is invited to join in. |
YOUTH HALLOWEEN PARTY:
| There will be fun and games for a youth Halloween Party at the Scottish Rite, Saturday, October 30, from 7-10pm. St. John's and other lodges in District 5 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, pizza, popcorn and other inexpensive prizes will be available.
Contact Terry Grove (425) 337-7134 terrygrove@comcast.net if you can help and want to have some fun!
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Big Changes Coming!
MASONIC RETIREMENT CENTER - A LANDMARK ON THE SOUND
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Our story goes back over a century, all the way to 1892, when Washington Freemasons first conceived the idea of creating a retirement community, an idea itself born of a longstanding Masonic mission to serve others. The standard we've set for quality is a landmark itself, reflected in the elegance of our 1926 building, an architectural landmark in the Des
| Moines area, rising above Puget Sound against the breathtaking backdrop of the Olympic Mountains.
The 1926 building will remain at the heart of the new, 27-acre re-named community of Landmark on the Sound, carefully renovated to preserve its historical character while incorporating newly created, contemporary apartments.
Three new buildings, designed to complement the original, will bring to 177 the total number of new apartments, all with convenient features like full kitchens and washers and dryers, and of course with spectacular views overlooking the mountains or the Sound.
Our campus will grow as well with the addition of 45 new, two-bedroom, cathedral ceiling Woodland Homes of up to 2,300 square feet, nestled among mature trees, where shaded pathways and serene glens beckon. Whether you choose an apartment or Woodland Home, you'll have your choice of features for personalizing your residence as you like.
Naturally, you'll be free from the time-consuming bother of home and yard upkeep or maintenance, free instead to sample from a wide selection of social, recreational, or educational programs; to enjoy a casual lunch in the grill; to try your hand in the creative arts or woodworking studio; to explore the Internet with high-speed connections; to enjoy a workout in the Wellness Center; to plan every day your way.
For more information call toll-free: (866) 586-5263 or e-mail: ingrid@landmarkonthesound.com
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RECEPTION FOR THE GRAND MASTER
Our Grand Master, MWBro. Satoru Tashiro will be honored by all members of District 5 lodges on Friday, October 15. 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 first part of the program will be open to all, followed by a tiled meeting with the Grand Master. The ladies will be entertained during the tiled session.
Those without dinner reservations ($12) should call District Deputy VWBro. Mike Davis, 253 838-7428.
The Pillars of Progress Awards and the Grand Master's Achievement Award will be presented during the meeting.
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.
Past Masters are the backbone of any lodge, including St. John's. Please help us make this a special evening in their honor.
Fifty Years in Masonry
We congratulate Bros. Isaac Solam, Al Thornton, Jack Varon, Lawrence Watkins, Henry Wells, and Walter Wright, Jr. for achieving 50 years in our Masonic fraternity.
Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research
Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research will hear an address by WBro. Gerald Ward on October 28. "150 Years of Masonry in Washington State" focuses on the accomplishments of many great Masons of Washington that have contributed to the state.
Coming Events
- October 6 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- October 7 (5pm): Teen Feed
- October 13 (4:30pm): Annual (since 1937) Oyster Feed - Masonic Retirement Center
- October 15, 6:30: Grand Master's Reception University Masonic Temple
- October 20 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice
- 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 Night/Elections
- November 4: Lafayette Lodge No. 241 International Night
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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