Home - Archive Index - 2006 Archives - February Stated Communication February Stated Communication Archive Pictures by WB Darrel Womack Report written with aid from the Stated Meeting Minutes It was a cold and stormy night! (Hmm....) On our stated communication evening this month the weather was cold and threatening. This did not deter the Brethren and guests of St. John's Lodge No. 9 from gathering for our monthly Stated Communication. The Dinner Theme this month was Mardi Gras so the dinner reflected this. Jumbalaya and all the trimmings. Just enough spice to make it melt in your mouth. An Excellent Repast! Immediately following dinner everyone adjourned to the Lodgeroom where WBro. Charlie Tupper talked about Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that day of the week. The date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday. Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage in 1699. Throughout the years, Orleanians have added to the celebration by establishing krewes (organizations) which host parades and balls. The Carnival quickly became an exciting holiday for both children and adults. Seattle had a brief fling celebrating Fat Tuesday, which ended February 27, 2001 When WBrother Tupper was finished, the guests were excused and WM Mark Campbell opened Lodge on the Second Degree for the monthly Stated Communication. Senior Deacon escorted the Grand Lodge officers and committeemen, with the exception of the Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, to a point east of the altar where they were introduced and accorded the public Grand Honors. The Master directed the Senior Deacon to seek out and present the Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, VWBro. Michael Davis. VWBro. Davis was presented at the altar accompanied by VWBro. Charles Brockway, where he was escorted by the Master to the East and introduced to the brethren. He was accorded the Public Grand Honors and invited to remain in the East. The usual business of the Lodge was then quickly taken care of. The Lodge portfolio has grown 7.8% in the past year and our financial health is excellent. WBro. Charles Tupper reported that our Table Lodge will be held at our next stated communication, March 15, when we will assemble at 6:30pm. VWBro. Charles Brockway will purchase the wine and beverages. WBro. Jeff Lane will loan a couple of tables to add to those available. WBro. Tupper asked for volunteers to assist in setting up at 4pm. Bros. Chris Carney, Nick Mitchell, and Jim Wold volunteered their services. Senior Grand Warden RWBro. Wayne Smith will be our guest speaker that evening. WBro. Tupper noted that our Table Lodge will follow the script designed by the Grand Lodge of Washington. Dress will be business casual for all, including the officers. WBro. Tupper announced that there will be a Master Mason degree for Bro. Brian Downie and possibly Bro. Alden Adams on Thursday, March 23. WBro. Terry Grove will confer the degree as Master. It was noted that we also have March 29 reserved on the calendar for one of the other degrees. WBro. Bill Collison reported that the Trustees met on February 8 to review our approach to charitable giving in our lodge. He called it "a work in progress," with much still to be done. Later in this meeting, thirteen charities will be recommended to the lodge for its support. WBro. Hans Wehl urged the brothers to let go of their "St. John's Bucks" after the meeting, where a table of merchandise from the company store will be available at reduced price. Among the items will be aprons that will be useful for next month's table lodge. He added that once we clear out much of the old, we will bring in new merchandise, including new shirts, sweat shirts, and special order monogrammed jackets. VWBro. David Campbell read a portion of a letter from Merle E. Luther Chapter, Order of DeMolay, which outlined the progress of the Chapter and requested help in providing registration assistance for the annual DeMolay convention. The Youth Committee has approved $175 for a full page ad in the convention program. It was m/s/p to provide $410 for two convention registrations for Merle E. Luther Chapter, ODM. VWBro. Jim Russell encouraged any brother to assist in serving on the Youth Committee. Bro. Steve Specht reported that the Masonic Service Bureau elected a new slate of officers at its meeting January 27th. VWBro. Ray Zimmerman of Myrtle Lodge No. 108 was elected president. Bro. Specht was elected 1st vice president. The Board officers will not represent their own lodges to avoid any conflict of interest or favoritism. St John's will have to appoint another Trustee and an alternate to represent the interests of the lodge in the MSB. WBro. Joseph Lund indicated that he would be interested. Trustees should be available to help out with some of the important day to day obligations needing attention. The Bureau will be promoting a cadre to do visitations and to help with transportation of ill sojourning brothers, delivery of medical equipment, etc. It is hoped that the blood bank program can be resurrected, as well as a website constructed. Volunteers are sought to add to the funeral team. An amendment to the Bureau bylaws reduces the quorum requirement from fifteen to eleven. The Bureau has $273,000 in assets, some of which is restricted. A petition for affiliation was read and a favorable ballot for the degrees was spread. WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. asked that the lodge authorize an expense to purchase some binders, tabs, etc to begin creating some binders to give to each officer station. This will allow us to identify the duties within each office and pass information along each year. It was m/s/p to authorize $100 to provide officer kits for each officer station. WBro. Bill Collison presented the charities which had been reviewed by the Board of Trustees. These charities were all recommended by members of the lodge. He moved, followed by a second, that thirteen charities be approved, with recommended dollar amounts. Following discussion, the motion carried, with the following charities approved: 1 Blue Nile Richard Oslund Memorial clinic 2 Childhood Identification Program (CHIP) 3 Christmas Kids Smile 4 City of Hope 5 Diabetes Care Center (UW) 6 King Solomon Scholarship Fund 7 Rite Care (Scottish Rite) 8 Royal Arch Masons Masonic Park 9 Sea Scouts 10 Tallmadge House Senior Center 11 Secondary Academy for Success 12 Taproot Theatre 13 University Lions Foundation The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest: February 20 (8:30am): laying of wreath at George Washington Memorial February 22 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice February 22 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood) February 25: Regional Districts 4 & 5 Meeting at Greenwood February 26 (3pm-6pm): "Going Away" party at Scottish Rite February 28: MM degree at Esoterika (St. John's Lodge No. 9 courtesy candidate Scott Yerger) February 28 (7:30pm): King Co. Masonic Library (Delta-White Center No. 172) March 15 (6:15pm): St. John's 9 (dinner) Table Lodge Stated March 22 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice March 22 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood) March 23 (7pm): MM degree for Brian Downie March 24-26: Wardens Conference - Yakima March 29 (7pm): degree April 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated The Deputy of the Grand Master was then presented the gavel and addressed the brethren. He brought greetings from MWBro. Al Jorgensen, and invited the brethren to attend the District 4 & 5 reception for the Grand Master on Saturday, February 25. VWBro. Davis reported on the status of the District, noting that there were 1,516 Masons in the District at the close of the year 2005. There are currently nine lodges in the District: St. John's Lodge No. 9, Eureka Lodge No. 20, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, Queen Anne Lodge No. 242, Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281, Alba Lodge U.D., and Esoterika Lodge U.D. Over-all, this District and its lodges are doing well. VWBro. Davis added that Lafayette Lodge No. 241 will also be laying a wreath on February 20, in addition to that of the District. University Lodge will be hosting visitors during the University Street Fair, May 20-21. A Masonic information booth sponsored by Daylight Lodge and assisted by other lodges in the area will be part of the Fremont Fair in June. Next fall's Youth Night, formerly held at the Scottish Rite, will be at Alki Masonic Center. The District will be serving about 50 pizzas to the members of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra during a rehearsal break, Sunday, May 21st at 1:00pm at Benaroya Hall. Those helping to serve will also receive a ticket to that evening's concert. VWBro. Davis said that he anticipates some re-alignment of Districts in this area effective in June. In response to an opportunity for questions, he said that by the end of April we should know who our new Deputy of the Grand Master will be for next year. VWBro. Jim Russell stated that he felt traditional relationships among lodges should be honored, and that re-alignment focused on lodges meeting in the same building was less important than these traditional relationships. The Lodge was then closed by the Deputy of the Grand Master at 9:33 p.m., peace and harmony prevailed as it always does at St. John's Lodge No. 9. On line and ready for the twenty-first century www.seattlemasons.org home Website ©2002-2005 - St. John's Lodge No. 9 F&AM of Washington - All Rights Reserved