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From the East
"Has any Brother anything to offer for the Good of Masonry….?"
| When you hear the Worshipful Master ask this of the brethren when closing lodge, do you think about it? As a Mason, have you been touched or touched others in a way that has had a profound effect on your life? In the life of others? Each day we try to make life better. Once, after leaving my First Aid/CPR class, I was the 3rd to the scene of a motorcyclist who lost control and bounced on the guard rail for about 100 yds. The first one said he was a medic; I told the 2nd to walk down the road until she could get a signal on her cell phone to call 911. I set flares and
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waved traffic over so they didn't hit the medic and the injured. Without hesitation, I acted to protect and help however I could. I've always reacted to help others out - and this is what drew me to Masonry.
The first year I joined St. John's I had an experience while vacationing on the Oregon Coast. We were camping at a friends, when one of my friends came back looking for rope. I asked what for and volunteered to help. With several lengths of rope we drove about ˝ mile where we came upon a horse chest deep in a ditch. There was no slope to the ditch, just a straight drop. The horse had bolted from its rider, jumped into the ditch and couldn't get out. His owner, a young lady about 20, was frantic. The sun had set behind the hill and the temperature was going down. She said if the horse didn't get out of the water within the hour it would surely die. We tried several different ways using rope, car, and leverage to get the horse out and were getting nowhere. I could see the tears streaming out this lady's eyes, and she was losing all hope. We were all waist deep in and out of the water trying to rock the horse forward that it might get some footing to climb out. We had called the Volunteer Fire District, but they weren't coming. I tied the rope around the whole saddle, tied it to the car and began pulling in reverse in lunges. Three of us pulled on the rope, yelled and begged for the horse to get up. Suddenly, the car got enough footing and the saddle pulled the horse rear first, up on part of the bank. He snapped his head toward the bank, twisted himself and quickly had one leg up. I waved the driver to rev back more, and shouting encouragements we watched as that horse climbed out. We were tired and muddy, but this young horse was going to live, and the joy and gratitude his owner gave us was priceless. I received a letter and newspaper ad she placed, picturing the horse (Tristan, my son's name) and thanking each of us by name for helping save her horse. She wrote and said that Tristan had lost 15 lbs. from being in the water for over 2 ˝ hours, but he didn't get pneumonia which would have likely ended his life. I quietly relived the rescue the rest of the evening; none of the guests at the party were aware anything had happened. But I thought back to why I joined Masonry, and I knew I had made a good choice in my life.
When we stop to help others, we do so for the good of humanity. If we expect to get something, even gratitude…is it still Charity? Not all that we do as a lodge directly benefits St. John's, but often it benefits Freemasonry as a whole. And isn't that most important? If we just make St. John's grow, and forget about the rest of the Craft, where is the greater good? Anything that favorably promotes Freemasonry should be our goal. We are raising Masons, slowly, but more and more plural and affiliated members are also joining our lodge. These are active Masons who want to be active in St. John's. They see the greater good we are trying to do and they want to be a part of that.
Our future will depend on the good that we do - that compels a man to say, how do I join Freemasonry? How can I share in the greater good?
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Joseph Lund, WM
TABLE LODGE VENUE FOR MARCH STATED MEETING
Worshipful Master Joseph Lund invites all Masons to join with us in sharing our festive table, Wednesday, March 2, opening at 6:30pm. This will be our annual Table Lodge, filled with good food, good fellowship, and where toasts will be raised to the health of our President, the U.S. Military Forces wherever so dispersed, and departed brethren. For those who have them, bring your cannons.
"Are your glasses charged in the West and South, the Worshipful Master cries;
They're charged in the West, They're charged in the South, are the Wardens' prompt replies;
Then to our final toast to-night your glasses fairly drain
"Happy to meet - Sorry to part - Happy to meet again, again
Oh! Happy to meet again!"
- from The Final Toast by Brother David Lester Richardson
A message of Masonic interest will be presented by WBro. Charles Tupper, Past Master of Thomas M. Reed Lodge No. 225 and our present custodian of the South. Following the Table festivities, the work of the lodge will commence, including action on five petitioners for lodge membership.
Civilized people the world over cherish the family feasts: Christmas and New Year, Harvest Home and, in this country, Thanksgiving Day. Such gatherings are more than mere opportunities to eat: they are spiritual solidifications of family ties, opportunities for mutual rejoicing, a means by which the family becomes more closely knit.
The Masonic banquet, in which an elaborate menu is served, followed by the introduction of one or more speakers by a toastmaster, the whole in commemoration of some anniversary, such as St. John's Day observance, or as a commencement of a new year, is common.
The feast as a function, a ceremonial, an occasion, is very, very old. How old one might not determine, but older by far than any Masonry we know, so that the lodge feast but carries out a custom in Masonry which was old when the pyramids were built.
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FIVE PETITION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Three petitions for the degrees and two for plural membership were read at our last meeting.
Mr. Bradley Stubblefield is 33 years old and works for Holland America Line.
Mr. Alden Adams is nearly 26 years old and works for the Boeing Co.
Mr. Richard Hegge is 48, and works for Crowley Marine Services.
Mr. Stubblefield and Mr. Adams first contacted us through our web site.
Two Masons have petitioned for plural membership. WBro. Boe Lindgren is the immediate Past Master of Doric Lodge No. 92. VWBro. Michael Davis is a Past Master of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 and our present Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5.
How about making this a banner year with a good candidate to vote on at every meeting. Find out just who is interested in joining and have a petition for them. If you do not have a petition, call, e-mail or US mail your secretary and he will see that you have at least one blank petition shortly. The cost of joining is $150 for the degrees and our annual dues are $12. The $150 is to accompany the petition, with the annual dues of $12 to be paid at the time the candidate is raised.
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Pool Party at Dr. Cue's
In a continuing effort to provide fun and an opportunity to make new friends, St. John's will hold a pool party at Dr. Cue Billiards, Sat., March 19th. WBro. Charlie Tupper needs to know how many Brothers, guests, and children will be coming. Open to everyone, it should be a really good family event. There will be sandwiches and other goodies so everyone will be well fed. We'll have a contest of some type as well as free instruction.
It will be a fun afternoon and we'll have a room to ourselves. Our room has eight tables and plenty of space for everyone.
Dr. Cue Billiards is located at 14713 Bothell Way NE, Shoreline, just north of NE 145th.
| FABulous Family Brunch
Plans are underway for our annual FABulous Family Brunch, targeted for 8:30 Sunday morning, May 1. Again this year we have an exclusive engagement at Ivar's Salmon House at the north end of Lake Union. You'll want to make your reservations early for this one! Invitations and reservation cards for our members and widows will be included in the April Trestleboard.
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MASONIC YOUTH HAVE LODGE SUPPORT
The St. John's Youth Committee has selected twelve Masonic youth groups in King County to receive financial support. The kids work hard in planning their programs and raising money to support their activities. Youth groups are extremely dependent on adult leadership for counseling, transportation and organization. DeMolay, Job's Daughters and Rainbow for Girls all have a positive image in their communities as they establish positive influences on their members. We are known by the company we keep. St. John's has pledged $10,000 for 2005.
Gifts that Keep on Giving
Is it time to check the oil? Proper maintenance of your family auto is important to help guarantee a safe arrival to your planned destination. So it is equally important to periodically revisit your estate planning. Have you properly planned to include all those who bring meaning to your life in your final gift giving? You may want to include your Masonic Fraternity as a beneficiary to your estate.
St. John's has established the Brungard Testamentary Fund to benefit those in need of assistance and for other charity gifts. The principle from the Brungard Fund remains untouched, but the growth of its assets can help a lot. Also, memorial gifts are a wonderful way to honor people in your life or to celebrate important events such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Gifts to charity with no strings attached are generally tax deductible from both income tax and estate tax assessments. Consider St. John's when planning your estate.
| District LOMA 5 Re-elects Terry Grove
The District No. 5 Lodge Officers and Members Association has re-elected our Past Master WBro. Terry Grove to lead again in 2005. WBro. Grove, who served as Master of St. John's in 2003, served LOMA as its president in 2004. LOMA serves as a communications and coordinating body for all District No. 5 lodges.
It also sponsors several events throughout the year, including February's Laying of a wreath at the statue of George Washington, May 15 pizza feed at Benaroya Hall for the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras, May 22 March to St. Marks Cathedral, and October 22 Halloween Youth Night at the Scottish Rite.
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The Masonic Retirement Center
The Masonic Retirement Center in Des Moines has notified 125 staff members they will be laid off, some as soon as March 27.
The center is preparing for a $103 million expansion and renovation project that close the facility for at least 18 months, according to a press release. Most of the center's residents will be moved by June. The existing building and its contents will be cleaned and packed in the coming months in preparation for the renovation and expansion, construction of which will begin next year.
Spokeswoman Karen Batalo says many of the workers may be eligible to be rehired when the project is complete.
Now known as Landmark on the Sound, the center was built in 1926 by the Freemasons. The renovation of the existing building will create new one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, a wellness center, along with choices of dining venues and view terraces. Three additional apartment buildings will be constructed on the 27-acre campus, as well as a neighborhood of 45 private homes, a wellness and fitness center and a new assisted-living, memory-support and health-care center. The new campus will consist of a total of 177 independent-living apartments and amenities such as a pool, art studios, a wood shop and library.
From the Secretary
I want to publicly acknowledge our brothers who stepped to the plate and picked up those who requested a ride to lodge this month. Bro. George Rine (Chaplain) picked up WB Jerry Schor, and Bro. Ken Wehl (Senior Steward) picked up WB Bob Melius. Bro. Wehl also volunteered to pick up WB Schor and WB Herb White, who requested a ride but was unable to attend. Other brethren from the lodge also contacted me to offer their assistance. I thank you one and all, and I know those who are less able to drive also give their genuine thanks.
I know there are others who are bringing brothers to lodge that I rarely hear from. WB Ian Webb frequently picks up Bro. David Karpilow, and WB Hans Wehl occasionally brings in WB Jack Berg. I am sure there are others who share rides. How fortunate we are to have brothers who care and want to share these opportunities for brotherhood and fellowship.
Coming Events
- March 2 (6:30pm): St. John's 9 (dinner) Table Lodge Stated
- March 16 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice
- March 19 (4pm): Pool Party at Dr. Cue's
- April 6 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- April 20 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice
- April 27, 4pm: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees meeting - SRC library
- May 1 (8:30-10:30am): Family Brunch Ivar's Salmon House
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Joseph Lund (425) 271-3173 yosiflund@earthlink.net
Senior Warden: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398 mark.katherine@verizon.net
Junior Warden: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@seattlemasons.org
Webmaster: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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