March 2006 Stated Communication

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March Stated Communication
Pictures by WB Darrel Womack
Report written with aid from the Stated Meeting Minutes

On the third Wednesday of March the brethren of St. John's met for our annual Table Lodge.

Steve had prepared an excellent ribs dinner for everyone along with salad, corn, and baked beans. it was enjoyed by all.

Following the invocation by the Chaplain, the Master called for the Senior and Junior Wardens to invite our brethren on the columns of the North and South to assist in opening a Lodge of Entered Apprentices and one of Table Instruction. The Marshal led the brethren in pledging allegiance to the flag.
At the end of the Table Lodge opening the Master charged the Lodge with the following: "Brethren, in this solemn hour I charge each of you to rededicate yourselves as a Freemason to the noble and glorious purpose of bringing Light to dispel darkness...to the precepts set forth in the Great Light of Masonry, the rule and guide of our faith. "I charge you to keep your apron an emblem of innocence, unspotted by the world...to practice that most excellent gift of charity... to make constant and proper use of the Square of Virtue, the Level of Equality, and the Plumb of Rectitude. "Craftsmen in the quarries, I summon you to greater loyalty to your Lodge and your Fraternity, to integrity in all your dealings with your fellow man, to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Guard against innovations, my Brethren. Preserve the Landmarks. Maintain the reputation of our Fraternity. Aid and succor the needy. Remember your Brother's welfare. Be circumspect always in speech. Assist and support him who is falling. Whisper good counsel in the ear of him who needs encouragement. "Let each of us make use of the Trowel to spread the cement of brotherhood. Let us labor with the Common Gavel that these Rough Ashlars may be Perfect Ashlars. "And finally, my Brethren, remembering how once you stood in the Northeast Corner, a just and upright Mason, I give it you strictly in charge ever to walk and act as such."

Throughout dinner, several toasts were proposed and acknowledged. They included

1. to the United States of America.
2. to the memory of the Holy Saints John
3. to the memory of our departed Brethren
4. to the Grand Master of Masons in Washington
5. a toast to our Lodge
6. to our visiting Brethren

Other toasts were also proposed by brethren assembled. Throughout the course of the toasts, some business was addressed:

The Worshipful Master called upon those visiting the lodge to stand and be recognized. Seven brothers each received a warm St. John's welcome.

The Secretary caused to be distributed the copies of the revised bylaws (dated June, 2005). These reflect the changes in our meeting dates and location. Some of the ancient customs and usages of this lodge are also included in this book following the conclusion of the bylaws.

The minutes of the previous communication were read in short form and were available in full as posted at the Tyler's desk.

The Treasurer reported that the lodge finances were in order.

Trestleboards and letters of communications were distributed.

Members birthdays were remembered and the Lodge sang? Happy Birthday.

Bro. Chris Carney announced that there will be an Entered Apprentice Degree on Wednesday, March 29, with Lodge opening at 7pm. He said that all but two of the assigned roles have been filled.

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. invited the brethren to assist in raising Bro. Brian Downie to a Master Mason on Thursday, March 23. A practice for the degree will be held on Wednesday, preceding the degree. The team is in place and ready to go.

WBro. Hans Wehl displayed new items being considered for the company store. Bros. George Rine and Jim Wold modeled two samples of vests, and WBro. Terry Grove modeled a reversible water-proof jacket. A navy blue baseball-style cap, nice T-shirts, ties, and a nice letter opener were also displayed. All will have the lodge logo, except for the ties, which will have the square and compasses. There was welcome response from the floor. VWBro. Charles Brockway said that some of the brothers have expressed interest in nice firing canons, which are available from London at a probable cost of $35-40 each.

VWBro. David Campbell said that the youth committee is looking to assist many of the Masonic youth groups in the area. The West Seattle Rainbow Assembly No. 18 has a problem accessing some of the monies that were raised jointly with another Assembly now in turmoil, and may need our assistance. Renton Chapter, Order of DeMolay, has been closed by the State Chapter because of some adult supervision conflicts.

WBro. Darrel Womack reported that the King County Masonic Library recently elected officers, and has restored 500 more books to usable condition. The committee is available to make presentation of its work and the Grand Lodge Library at any lodge meeting.

WBro. Vinnie DiGiulio reported on the success stories of the Childhood Identification Program (CHIPs). He said that 24 children nation-wide including one in Washington State have been found directly through the assistance of CHIPs. Over 2,000 children have been registered in Washington within the past nine months.

		RWBro. Wayne Smith, Senior Grand Warden, was introduced by the Master and accorded the public grand honors. RWBro. Smith extended greetings from the Grand Master, and referenced the book "It's About Time - Moving Masonry into the 21st Century (published by the Masonic Information Center). He cited statistics that indicated
Masonry had been at a low in membership in 1941 with 2.4 million members in the United States. Following the war, membership increased to 4.1 million until its peak in 1960-61. By 2003, it had fallen to a low of 2.3 million. Other institutions are experiencing the same dynamics. Today, our lifestyles are much different than they were following the war. Most households require the efforts of two breadwinners. No longer can the wife maintain the home and the husband enjoy the luxury of short commutes to work and offer little assistance in helping around the house. There is precious little time to devote to one's fraternity. Our fraternity in many respects has lost its identity. It is no longer seen as a businessman's "networking" organization. What can we do to make ourselves known? We can "act as Masons" in our community. We may have less energy to participate as Masons, but we must continue to live as Masons. We must show the integrity of the person, the lodge, and the fraternity. In our ritual, we must look beyond its words and study its allegories. What do the words mean, and what do they show us? We need to treat each other as individuals as well as brothers. We each joined our lodge for different reasons. Let us address those reasons and give our brothers a purpose for attending and participating in our deliberations. Let us go out and energize our lodge, our fraternity, and ourselves.

When the Senior Grand Warden had finished his presentation the Tyler addressed the Worshipful Master: "I beg to allow the arms to be charged for a toast that I wish to propose," and offered the following:

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 tonight your glasses fairly drain
Happy to meet - sorry to part - happy to meet again, again, Oh! happy to meet again.

The Mason's social Brotherhood around the Festive Board,
Reveal a wealth more precious far than selfish miser's hoard.
They freely share the priceless stores that generous hearts contain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!

We work like Masons free and true, and when our Task is done,
A merry song and cheering glass are not unduly won:
And only at our Farewell Pledge is pleasure touched with pain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!

Amidst our mirth we drink "To all poor Masons o'er the World"
On every shore our Flag of Love is gloriously unfurled,
We prize each Brother, fair or dark, who bears no moral stain -
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!

The Mason feels the naked truth the Scottish peasant told
That Rank is but the guinea stamp, the man himself's the gold.
With us the rich and poor unite and equal Rights maintain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!

Dear Brethren of the Mystic Tie, the night is waning fast
Our Duty's done, our feast is o'er, this song must be our last: -
Good Night, Good Night - once more, once more repeat the farewell strain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!
(The Final Toast - Peter Richards - 1852) .

Following the close of table lodge, the brethren re-assembled in the lodge room, where the lodge was called from Refreshment to Labor on the third degree.

The flag was presented and the Pledge of Allegiance recited.

Expenses were authorized for payment.

A petition for plural membership was read and a favorable ballot was spread on the petition for plural membership that was read at our last stated.

Lafayette Lodge No. 241 currently has the District 5 traveling trowel. At least five members of a visiting lodge, including one principal officer must be present to claim the trophy. In case of a tie, the lodge with the greatest number visiting may take it. WBros. Charles Tupper, Hans Wehl, Jack Berg, and Bros. Ken Wehl, and Doug Lidz will make the journey, Thursday, April 6.

This summer's family picnic will be Sunday, August 13. As Junior Deacon, Bro. Ken Wehl will be chairman this year, assisted by Stewards Nick Mitchell, George Rine and the Marshal (still to be appointed). It was m/s/p to issue a check for $250 payable to the Nile Shrine to reserve area B of the Nile picnic grounds for August 13.

WBro. Hans Wehl will prepare a sheet showing a variety of new items for purchase through the company store. Where possible, photos will accompany the listed item. He requested that the company store committee be empowered to negotiate and purchase a variety of items up to the limitation of the expense line for company store in this year's budget. These purchases were authorized.

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
March 22 (7pm): Officers meeting/MM degree practice
March 22 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood)
March 23 (7pm): Master Mason degree
March 24-26: Wardens Conference - Yakima
March 29 (7pm): Entered Apprentice degree
April 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
May 7 (8:30-10:30am): Family Appreciation Brunch Ivar's Salmon House

VWBro. David Campbell reported that Eureka Lodge No. 20 is laboring to rebuild their lodge, which had been adrift for a number of years. Last Monday evening they raised three new Master Masons with the help of our Bro. George Rine as King Hiram and WM Mark Campbell as 3rd Ruffian. He thanked the lodge and these brothers on behalf of Eureka.

WBro. Charles Tupper was thanked by the Master and the brothers for his leadership this evening in putting together the table lodge.

WBro. Terry Grove reported that the CHIPs committee was busy at work last weekend at an elementary school program where 75 children were put through the identification program. Several representatives from the three youth groups and several Masonic lodges assisted.

Bro. Bill Collison announced that the new audio/visual program was now installed in the dining area, with an electronically retractable movie screen mounted in the stage area. The sound system was put to use this evening for the table lodge. Bros. Collison and Jeff Lane were acknowledged for their efforts.

WBro. Helmut Svoboda, Master of University Lodge No. 141, invited all to attend University Lodge's next meeting, Monday, April 3. Dinner will be at 6:30, with the stated meeting opening at 7:30. WBro. Jack Berg and VWBro. David Julian will each be featured speakers

The Lodge was then closed by the WM, assisted by the Senior Grand Warden in the West, at 9:17 p.m., peace and harmony prevailed as it always does at St. John's Lodge No. 9.