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From the East
On our agenda in May will be a proposal to sponsor a new lodge in the Greater Seattle area - one devoted to studying and performing our Masonic Work. As I expect to be a charter member of this lodge, called Esoterica Lodge, I encourage your indulgence while I explain its general purpose:
| Our Grand Master MWBro. Sat Tashiro has made it clear that he would like to see a specialty lodge created for Masons with common bonds that extend beyond the walls of the lodge -Masons who not only come together at lodge, but also as friends and brothers in the community. He touched a group of brothers whose common tie happens to be a passionate pursuit of esoteric Masonry and the performance of ritual as it was intended to be practiced.
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Those who have undertaken this task have agreed that the focus of this new lodge will, yes, be different than that of other lodges that you all may be familiar with. A consensus was reached with regard to the name of the lodge and with regard to its fees and dues structure. It was agreed that Esoterica will hold four stated meetings per year. Time between stated meetings will be spent traveling and visiting other lodges. The charter members of this proposed lodge will be comprised of brothers from many districts representing nine different lodges. Most are currently line officers devoted to their Mother Lodges, all with the same purpose: to promote excellent degree work, to perform specialty degrees such as the "Order of the Rusty Nail," and the "Benedict Arnold" degree, otherwise known as the "Colonial Justice" degree, as well as a number of other degrees lesser known and mostly forgotten.
What Esoterica Lodge is NOT about, is simple. We are not about forming a degree team for failing lodges who can't or won't perform their own degrees. We are NOT about taking membership away from existing Lodges. We want to focus on improving the quality of the ritual work in those lodges that are represented by the members of Esoterica.
One of the recognized beauties of Masonry is its ritual. To sit and do nothing about those lodges who are struggling in performing our esoteric Work is really quite inexcusable. If a struggling lodge is strengthened because one or more of its members or officers belongs to a lodge devoted to high ritual standards with an imperative to work harder to memorize degree lectures, charges, conferrals, and drama presentations, then so too are its members who are impacted by the example being set.
One of the principle goals of Esoterica Lodge is to offer a curriculum of esoteric study for the newly initiated brother, essentially helping to build an even more well-rounded Mason.
We at St. John's have been afforded the opportunity to sponsor an Application for Dispensation for Esoterica Lodge. This is an offer which shows respect and homage to a lodge that has birthed many other productive lodges.
In short my brothers, Esoterica Lodge will come to be. Esoterica Lodge, like all lodges, is about improving Masonry and assisting those who desire further Light. As we move toward that selfless dedication of building something greater than ourselves, we will all realize and reap the rewards of fulfilling our obligations to the Craft.
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Joseph Lund, WM
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FABULOUS FAMILY APPRECIATION BRUNCH FIRST SUNDAY IN MAY
St. John's Lodge will host its member families for our 11th annual FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch at Ivar's Salmon House from 8:30am. to 10:30am, Sunday, May 1. Ivar's Salmon House, under the I-5 bridge on the north shore of Lake Union, offers a panoramic view of the Seattle cityscape. The Salmon House was built in 1971 to resemble a Northwest Native American long house.
Over 140 are expected. Reservations closed April 23.
Directions to Ivar's Salmon House:
Take 1-5 to N.E. 45th Exit (#169). Go east, toward the University of Washington, and turn right at Brooklyn Avenue. Follow Brooklyn to Pacific Street and turn right. At stop sign, turn left. The Salmon House is one block further, on the left, at 401 N.E. Northlake Way.
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LETTER FROM SCOTTISH RITE
You are undoubtedly aware that the Seattle Scottish Rite Center on Broadway Ave East, which has been in existence since 1960, was sold to Admiralty Development. Admiralty's intent is to remove the existing building and construct new condominiums on the premises. As a result, it will be necessary for all tenants - including Scottish Rite - to relocate somewhere else. Our contract with Admiralty provides that they will take possession of the property January 1, 2006, and the building must be vacated by March 2006.
Regretfully, we must now ask that all tenants be moved from our building by March 1, 2006. Therefore, you should be actively searching for a new location for your own organization.
Sincerely yours,
s/Karl Alexander, General Secretary
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ST. JOHN'S SERVES HOMELESS TEENS
On Sunday, April 17, seventeen volunteers helped to make another teen feed a success. We provided a dinner of chicken fettuccine, cheese ravioli, meatballs and meat sauce, Caesar salad, drinks and desert. We fed around 50 teens and the left over food we took to the kids shelter down the street.
The volunteers were Ken Lane Jr., Joyce Lane, Kenny Lane, Sarah Lane, Terry Grove, Matt Vasey, Chris Carney, Ken Lane Sr., Darlene Lane, Ben Williams, Rachel Williams, Ian Cameron, Angela Morello, Hans Wehl, Sharon Wehl, Allison Vlcek and Jim Wold, chairman.
Many thanks to the volunteers for their hard work and commitment to this cause.
THE ORIGIN OF THE "G" SYMBOL
While the square and compasses with the letter "G" is widely used as the emblem of the Masonic Fraternity it is relatively new. The square and compasses alone began to be used in the early 19th century. The "G" came into the picture near the end of the century when American jewelers began adding the "G" for artistic purposes.
While many Masonic symbolists have tried their hands at interpreting the emblem, the simple meanings taught all Masons remain the best: (1) The square teaches us to square our actions by the square of virtue; (2) the compasses teach us to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions within due bounds, while (3) the "G' reminds us that as an understanding of geometry was central to operative Masons so should God be central in the lives of speculative Masons. (Source: Bro. S. Brent Morris, author, Masonic Philanthropies)
Coming Events
- April 27, 4pm: Trustees meeting
- May 1 (8:30-10:30am): Family Brunch Ivar's Salmon House
- May 4 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- May 7: King Solomon Golf Tourney (Auburn)
- May 15 (2pm): SYSO - pizza feed at Benaroya
- May 18 (7pm): Officers meeting
- May 22 (9:30am): March to St. Mark's Cathedral (11am service)
- June 1 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Scholarship Night
- June 9-11: Grand Lodge of Washington (Wenatchee)
- July 9-11: Family campout at Granite Falls Masonic Park
- August 14 (11am): Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)
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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