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 | | The brethren of St. John's Lodge and their guests and visitors gathered at 6 PM at the SRMC for the monthly dinner and Stated Communication. The Rainbow Girls Assembly joined us this month.
Steve served an excellent turkey dinner along with all the trimmings for this meeting. |
Conversation was lively during dinner this month. The Rainbow Chapter and the upcoming move of the Lodge seemed to be the primary topics of conversation.
At about 6:40 PM everyone retired to the Lodgeroom for a presentation by the Rainbow Assembly. | |  |
 | | members of the Richmond Highlands Rainbow Girls distinguished themselves with a wonderful demonstration of the Colors of the Rainbow ceremony to about 65 assembled brethren and guests. |
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The Master presented a check to Ms Selam Kifle representing the Blue Nile Children's Organization. St. John's Lodge No. 9 has supported this endeavor for the past several years and VWB Richard Oslund is instrumental in continuing this worthy project.
Three guests expressing an interest in Freemasonry were introduced.
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At 7:30 the guests were excused and the Master opened Lodge on the First Degree. The flag was presented and put in a place of honor in the East and visitors were introduced. Bills were paid and communications read or passed around for perusal by the brethren. Among these were notes of appreciation from the Bellevue Job's Daughters for our support and from the widow of VWBro. Sam Harding for our longtime support and Masonic Funeral Service. We received a note of thanks and a personal telephone call from Dan O'Neil, founder of Mercy Corps, for our tsunami relief check. Also the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders has written to express their appreciation for our monetary support.
A letter from the Ballard Food Bank soliciting our support. We issued them a check in January and have scheduled a follow-up check for this summer. Daylight Lodge No. 232 sent a flyere announcing that they will be holding a dinner to honor the several lead chairs of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. Tickets for the April 10 dinner are available at $13 each.
We have received a flyer announcing the availability of a beautiful new stairway carpet for the Fellowcraft Middle Chamber lecture. A photo is included in the correspondence being circulated. Photos of the two Masonic Floats and their rental pricing were also in the circulating correspondence.
And, We received the 2005 Resolutions which will be acted upon at Grand Lodge in June., along with the biographies of those candidates for the office of Junior Grand Warden and Grand Secretary.
Committee reports were then heard and commented upon or action taken. These were:
Masonic Service Bureau: In the absence of our representative to the Masonic Service Bureau (Bro. Steve Specht),VWBro. Mike Davis reported that a resolution which will come before Grand Lodge in June, if adopted, will require that the Bureau report its financial status in a more timely manner. A most recent audit found nothing out of the ordinary. The greatest concern is that member lodges are not getting a proper explanation for how the money is spent, including some major travel expenses by the Executive Secretary. The Master has declared that the lodge will not pay its Bureau dues until a more satisfactory explanation is received.
Youth Groups: VWBro. David Campbell declared that we observed a "great example tonight" of our young people at their best. The Rainbow Girls are one of the Masonic Youth who well deserve our support. He added that DeMolay is increasing in membership, mostly in suburban and rural communities. As members of these three bodies become adults, they are a great resource for Masonic membership.
Scholarship Committee: WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that the scholarship committee is receiving recommendations and will be interviewing students from Nathan Hale, Ballard, and Sealth high schools. He requested assistance from the brethren for this process.
Company Store: WBro. Hans Wehl requested input from the brethren for the design of a proposed lodge lapel pin which will be available through the company store. He showed two design samples, with an overwhelming support shown for one of the two. The pin will be approximately 20mm, with yellow on a field of dark blue. The cost will be $50 for tooling and .79 each. The total costs will be $445 plus shipping and handling. It was m/s/p to order 500 lapel pins.
| Worshipful Master Lund took this opportunity to recognize WBro. Wehl for his personal incentive and contribution to replace the case housing our Working Tools. With the assistance of Bro. William Isabelle, who found the cabinet maker and helped in its design, these tools are now housed in a beautiful case of clear hickory from southern Georgia. It is stained with "Isabelle Stain #1," while the tools are resting on a European upholstery. The front is enclosed with tempered glass. | |
Public Schools Accelerated Reading: The Secretary reported that the Trustees have reviewed proposals for continued support of Accelerated Reader funding for two elementary schools, John Rogers of Seattle and Cedar Way of Mountlake Terrace. The PTA of Cedar Way has committed up to $3,000 in matching funds. It was m/s/p to contribute $2,000 to John Rogers Elementary and $3,000 to Cedar Way Elementary Schools for the Accelerated Reader programs.
Long Range Planning: WBro. Bill Collison reported the progress of the Long Range Planning committee. He reminded us that we were originally told by the Scottish Rite that the Scottish Rite would not vacate the building until they have a place to move to. Last December, we were told that we had until the spring of 2007. Now we are told that we have only until March of 2006, and that the Scottish Rite also will need to find temporary quarters. The committee is soliciting recommendations for action. Eventually, we will need to empower specific members of the Lodge to act on our behalf.
Bro. Leonard Hutchinson, Senior Warden of Lafayette Lodge, offered that Lafayette most likely would be interested in sharing a facility with St. John's. WBro. Doug MacKenzie restated his earlier position that all the Masonic Lodges in Greater Seattle would be better off by selling all their old properties and investing in two modern facilities - one north and one south. VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan said that Doric Lodge has property adjacent to its building that might be developed into a newer facility. WBro. Boe Lindgren reminded the brethren that owning your own facility is not a bed of roses, and that there are management considerations including property taxes and upkeep that occupy one's attention. It was agreed that whatever we decide to do in the long run, in the short run we will need to find temporary quarters. It was m/s/p that within the next 60 - 120 days the long range planning committee be instructed to recommend three options where we will meet temporarily.
A petition for the degrees and a petition for plural membership were received and the WM will appoint committees to investigate these. And, a petition for plural membership was favorably balloted.
A memorial scroll was read and the Lodge service performed for our departed Brother. Birthday greetings were extended to those having an April birthday.
Funds were authorized for the King Solomon Golf Tournament as were funds authorized for an ad in the Job's Daughters program and a tree of life leaf for VWB Sam Harding.
Our 11th annual FABulous Family Brunch will again be held at Ivar's Salmon House, Sunday morning, May 1st.
Expenses for the Grand Lodge annual communications were authorized.
On the 17th of April, a couple of dozen brothers and their families will serve dinner to nearly 60 homeless teens at University Congregational Church in the University District. We have done this on several occasions and are always well rewarded by knowing that these young people have a warm meal and an understanding that there are those around them who care. Bro. Jim Wold will chair this committee and asks for assistance from the brethren. This spring we will serve spaghetti and salad. We will begin preparations around 4pm.
Bro. Wold also will chair this year's summer family picnic, which will be held at the Nile, on Sunday, August 14. We will again be serving steaks, hot dogs, and beverages, and provide entertainment for adults and children.
Bro. William Isabelle announced that MW Grand Master Sat Tashiro is encouraging the formation of a lodge of young Masons aimed at promoting proficient esoteric lecture and degree Work and to teach it to new members. Their Work would be available to lodges unable to do their own. Bro. Isabelle encouraged St. John's, as the premier lodge in Seattle and having a long history of parenting lodges in this area, to be the lodge to recommend the formation of this new lodge. Because of the lateness of the hour, the Master declared that this will be a topic for discussion as unfinished business next month.
WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that there are two Little Leaguers, one each on the major and minor league Mason teams, who do not have the financial wherewithal to own a proper-fitting batting glove and baseball mitt. He asked that the lodge assist in an effort to properly equip these youngsters. It was m/s/p to authorize up to $150 for the purchase of a batting glove and left-handed mitt for two members of the Masons Little League teams.
Lodge was closed at about 9:45 PM.
Peace and harmony prevailed, as it always does, at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
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