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From the East
One of the things I am very fond of here in the Pacific Northwest is the vast array of colors seen in our skies. Living down in Renton I see so many colors as I watch the edge of a huge weather system track along the convergence zone in the north. I grew up on the Oregon Coast where we watched sunset after beautiful sunset, but seldom did I see the sun "rise in the East" with the same vast array of colors.
| Then in the summer of 2000 I found myself working as a propmaker for the ABC miniseries "Rose Red," based on a book by Stephen King. A propmaker in movies builds the sets you see on the screen. We were working in the deserted float plane hangar at the Sandpoint Naval Base. Movie work schedules usually run 6am to 6:30pm, so I found myself every day driving to work and watching the sunrise in the east, over the cascades.
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As the months moved on I was coming to work in the dark, but the welding shop I was working in faced the east. So every morning I would find a moment, step outside and watch the most magnificent sunrises over Lake Washington. I started dragging my coworkers outside to share in the warmth and glow of the first morning's rays hitting my face. At first the LA movie guys laughed, but after about a week they were just blown away at how beautiful the sky could look in the morning here in Seattle. They had seen nothing like it in LA, and when they left work and drove over NE 65th towards the freeway they got hit with the sunset over the Olympics, and they were truly in awe.
We are so blessed to live in one of the most beautiful regions of the country and like many, I often take that for granted. Having lived in the Los Angeles area, I know what it is like to look to the horizon and see nothing but brown. So when you look out onto that horizon, and see the vast rugged mountains, snow capped peaks (not as much this year) remember you do live in an area surrounded by beauty. Cherish it, respect it, and help it grow, so that future generations will have it to call their home.
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Joseph Lund, WM
The first hospitalization insurance in the U.S. was introduced in 1929 by Baylor University Hospital in Dallas. It offered 21 days of hospital care for a premium of $6 per year.
SEE HOW AN ACTIVE LODGE KEEPS WORKING
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There's a lot happening at St. John's, and as one of it's members you have the opportunity, some may even say obligation, to be a contributing ashlar to this temple. Worshipful Master Joseph Lund and his officers welcome those who want to take an active role in the "construction" of our lodge. Our next business meeting will be Wednesday, April 6. Dinner will be served (and an excellent dinner it always is) at 6pm, followed by a program of interest and the business session opening at 7:30. A murder mystery filled with Masonic instruction should keep everyone glued to their seat! We expect to be balloting on a couple of petitioners for membership.
What happens at a business (we call it a "stated") meeting? Here's a short version of the minutes from last month:
"The Lodge opened on the first degree at 5:00 p.m., forty-three members and eight visitors in attendance. The Lodge was then called from labor to refreshment for the purpose of conducting a Table Lodge in the main dining room. Toasts were given throughout while the minutes were read in short form for the information to the brethren; the treasurer and committee reports were received. The Junior Warden presented Masonic Instruction. Labor was resumed on the first degree in the Lodge room. Expenses of $7,153.19 were approved. Favorable ballots were spread on Mr. Alden Adams and Mr. Richard Hegge for the degrees, and VWBro. Michael Davis for plural affiliation. A memorial scroll was read for VWBro. Earnest "Sam" Harding. Approvals were given to fund $1,000 for the 2005 Fremont Fair information booth; to provide additional t-shirts and hats to the coaches of our three Northwest Little League teams; for the Scholarship committee to proceed with its 2005 plans; to endorse an application to host the 2008 Open Air Degree at the Masonic Park; and to authorize $500 for the March activities event at Dr. Cue's Billiards. Announcements were made. The Lodge was closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 9:41 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing."
All Masons are invited to share with us in our deliberations, and to mark your calendars to catch our April meeting. If you need a ride, the secretary will be happy to find one for you. Do you know of a Brother who has not attended Lodge in a while? Call him and ask if you can pick him up and bring him to Lodge.
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HIT THE ROAD, JACK
The Washington State Legislature has approved the issuance of a Masonic license plate for any registered vehicle, including motorcycles, RV's, and trailers. The cost is $40 in addition to the usual fees. Annual renewal is $30, which $28 of this fee is a charitable contribution for tax purposes. You may purchase the plates at your local County Auditor's office or license agent anywhere in the state of Washington.
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FINDING A WORTHY BROTHER
What is improper solicitation for Masonic membership? Resolution 86-3, passed at the 1986 Annual Grand Lodge Communication, allows that Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Washington may properly inquire of a worthy, qualified person "if he had ever considered petitioning for membership in Freemasonry?"
What is improper solicitation for Masonic membership? Resolution 86-3, passed at the 1986 Annual Grand Lodge Communication, allows that Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Washington may properly inquire of a worthy, qualified person "if he had ever considered petitioning for membership in Freemasonry?"
Resolution 86-3 was crafted to ease the "no solicitation" question Those opposed to solicitation will say "You're violating the concept of 'free will & accord'." Our answer is simply this: A man of his own free will & accord can tell me "no" just as easily as he can tell me "yes."
The time is now to embrace the responsibility that we all must share, to bring two new members into our Craft - one to grow and one to replace. If just 10% of the Masons in this jurisdiction did simply that, we would experience a 20% growth - that's more than 4,000 new members in the Washington jurisdiction and 60 in St. John's.
Albert Einstein said it best: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again hoping for different results." Let's start asking good Masonic prospects to join and let's tell anyone who will listen about the good in Masonry.
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The highly sought after Cy Young pitching award is named for Brother Denton True "Cy" Young (1867-1955) who was the first pitcher to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Raised in Mystic Tie Lodge No. 194, Uhrichsville, Ohio in 1904, Brother Cy Young was an active Mason until his death. He was a member of Royal Arch Masons, Royal & Select Masons, Knight Templars, Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus, Ohio and Aladdin Shrine Temple also of Columbus, Ohio. A 50 year member of his blue Lodge, he was buried with his Masonic Apron.
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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 1, for our 11th 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. St. John's members have also discovered their FABulous breakfast buffet!
For our Brothers, as the name implies, all immediate members of your family 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 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 21. Or e-mail stjohns9@seattlemasons.org. Late reservations after this date cannot be honored.
THE 15TH MASONIC PRESIDENT
In the courthouse of Plattsburg, Missouri, there is a statue of Brother David Atchison bearing the inscription "David Rice Atchison 1807-1886, President of the United States for One Day." The circumstances were the transition from President James Polk to Zachary Taylor. According to the law at that time, President Polk stepped down as President on Sunday, March 4, 1849. Zachary Taylor, a deeply religious man, refused to be inaugurated on a Sunday. Thus, according to ascension laws, the office fell to the Vice-President George M. Dallas. However, his term also ended at noon on March 4. Thus the Presidential line fell to the President Pro Tem of the Senate - who was David Rice Atchison.
The problem was debated in the Congress for several hours and agreed by them that Brother Atchison, although never inaugurated was legally and by the Constitution, President of the United States from noon, March 4, 1849 until noon on March 5, 1849. Brother Atchison was a member of Platte Lodge No. 56 in Platte City, Missouri.
If you could be President of the United States for just one day, what would you do?
| MASONIC LIBRARY
The Grand Lodge of Washington invites you to visit your Library and Museum. These books and artifacts belong to all Brother Masons and are there for your research and reading enjoyment. Located on the lower level of the Grand Lodge Masonic Center, 47 St. Helens Avenue, Tacoma. While the official hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 1pm, the facility is available other days and times by prior appointment. Call ahead at 253-272-5759.
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Coming Events
- April 6 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- April 20 (7pm): Officers meeting or degree
- 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
- May 7: King Solomon Golf Tourney (Auburn)
- May 15 (2pm): SYSO - pizza feed at Benaroya Hall
- May 22 (9:30am): March to St. Mark's Cathedral (11am service)
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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