|
 | | Although the second Wednesday of the month is not St. John's Lodge No. 9's usual meeting night it happens twice a year. January's stated being one of those times. This month marked the first Stated Communication with WB Joseph Lund as Master of St. John's Lodge No. 9.
As we were gathered to eat the monthly repast VWB David Campbell said a prayer. Steve (Steve's Cafe and Expresso) had prepared stuffed chicken |
breast with vegetables, potato, and salad. What a meal! There wasn't an empty seat in the room as we had an excellent turnout for this meeting.
|
Our usual server, Bobbi, was noticably absent. We were told that she is enjoying a vacation in foreign lands and will be back for the February meeting.
We had several guests this month. Mr. Dennis Larsen came to talk to us about the history of the shorey family and we had others who were looking at joining the Lodge. We hope that everyone came away with a favorable opinion of Freemasonry and of St. John's Lodge No. 9 in particular. | |  |
| | |
|
 | |  |
Immediately after supper Junior Warden Charles Tupper asked that all announcements be given at the Dinner table and not left to the end of the Stated Communication. He then turned the proceedings over to Senior Warden Mark Campbell who introduced WM Joseph Lund.
WM Lund thanked everyone for coming and invited all into the Lodge Room to see and hear the evenings presentation which would be presented by Mr. Dennis Larsen. Mr. Larsen is a retired teacher who is researching the Shorey family for the International Rotary. He resides in Olympia and made a special trip to be with us this evening. We really appreciate his taking time to come.
 | | Mr. Larsen held the absolute interest of all present with his well researched and most interesting talk on the Shorey family. Oliver Shorey was WM of St. John's Lodge in 1868 and again in 1869. He and his brother came west in search of gold and after not finding what they were looking for came north to Washington where Oliver married and settled in Seattle. We learned a lot and are in debt to Mr. Larsen for sharing what he knows about this most interesting man. |
|
The guests then left and WM Joseph Lund opened Lodge on the Master Mason degree for the Monthly Stated Communication. Minutes were read, the Treasurer's report given and the usual business of the Lodge was concluded in a very timely fashion.
Following introductions of visiting Brethren, Masters, and Grand Lodge team members MWB Richard McCartea installed those officers not present at the installation in December. |  |
|
The Scottish Rite has communicated to the Lodge that the latest date for the Scottish Rite move is the spring of 2007. The present building must be vacant by October of that year.
The Trustees of St. John's Lodge No. 9 met in special session to discuss recommendations on several charity issues. It was their decision to recommend that the Lodge authorize charity payments to several charities and the Lodge authorized these. One of them was relief to the victims of the recent Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. For this the Lodge authorized a ten thousand dollar donation to the Mercy Corps.
The Trustees also voted to not allow Lodge funds to be spent for alcoholic beverages at Lodge outings.
Five memorials were read for fallen Brethren. The Master, Wardens, and Chaplain then performed the Lodge memorial remembrance for these Brothers.
The Lodge voted favorably on a petition for plural membership and we welcomed another Brother to membership in St. John's Lodge No. 9.
Funds were authorized for the January bowling outing and the webmaster was authorized funds to pay website expenses.
Lodge was closed at about nine o'clock PM. Peace and harmony prevailed, as it always does, at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
The brethren then retired to the dining room for dessert. The Lodge is not serving dessert immediately following supper this year but is holding it until after the stated communications. A very companionable time for all.
|
