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July 2006
From the East
On an unseasonably warm and cloudless Saturday last April, I had the pleasure of attending an old friend's wedding at the Masonic Retirement Home in Des Moines. As most of you already know, the building and the grounds are beautiful and make a wonderful backdrop for a grand celebration such as a wedding. Throughout the day several compliments could be heard regarding the bride and groom's choice of venue.
The ceremony was held in the lodge room. Having been in that room a few times before, it was strange to see the several | |  | | rows of chairs crossing from north to south. Nevertheless, they had done a fair job of transforming the room into a lovely setting for their exchange of vows and rings. |
But as the ceremony progressed, I became increasingly uncomfortable. At first, the cause of my discomfort wasn't apparent. Then suddenly, like a ton of bricks, it hit me. I quickly scanned the program that had been handed out, only to have my revelation confirmed. There had not been, nor would there be, any mention of God, deity or any sort of higher power. There were no prayers, no moments of silence, nothing. As this was the first atheistic wedding I had ever attended, I felt a bit out of my element.
Now mind you, I'm not here to judge anyone. Every person is entitled to his or her beliefs. My only point of contention is the irony of having an atheistic ceremony in this particular location. In the very room where countless men have bowed in prayer, where newly obligated brethren have kissed the Holy Bible open before them and where the bell has rung to honor those that have passed on to a better life; any mention of a Supreme Being was prevented from rearing its unwelcome head.
Moreover, as the evening continued I noticed that the comments coming from the guests referring to the venue seemed to have a strange tone to them. It was almost as if they were visitors at a museum viewing artifacts from an ancient culture that had been absent from the face of the earth for centuries. Is this what we've become; an obsolete organization relegated to being a footnote in history?
Brethren, now more than ever, as religion and spirituality are systematically being removed from almost every aspect of public life, our responsibilities as Masons are more important than ever. It is our duty to demonstrate to our city, state and nation the importance of our spiritual lives. Not for the sake of promoting a particular religion or belief system, but to show the world the countless good deeds accomplished by men of faith.
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Mark Campbell, WM
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COMING MEETINGS DRESSThe Master announces that attire for our June stated will be business casual. Open shirt and Docker jeans are acceptable - no shorts or sandals. Our July stated will be Herb's Night, with an emphasis on Hawaiian attire.
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Coming to Dinner at 6:15? RSVP at 206 623-0261 or email the Secretary at stjohns9@seattlemasons.org.
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NATIONAL SOJOURNERS TO PERFORM AT JUNE STATED
Members of the National Sojourners, Inc., a national fraternal organization meeting the needs of military Masons and advancing programs to promote love of country, will entertain opening our June 21 stated meeting. This month, Masons join all Americans to honor our nation's flag on June 14, National Flag Day.
The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. B.J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin, Public School, District 6 to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as "Flag Birthday." While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for the next 64 years, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that our MWBro. President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
Membership in National Sojourners is open to citizens of the United States who are Master Masons in good standing in a duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons recognized by and maintaining fraternal relations with a majority of the Regular Grand Lodges in the United States and who are serving or have served honorably as;
- a Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer of the uniformed services of the United States,
- a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the uniformed services of the United States,
- have served in time of war as a Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer or the equivalent in an armed service of a nation allied with the United States,
- or are regularly elected to Honorary Membership.
ST. JOHN'S SUPPORTS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
Accelerated Reader: WM Mark Campbell was joined by four others from our lodge in presenting a check to Cedar Way Elementary for its accelerated reader program, Tuesday evening, May 23. The presentation was made during a school Literacy Fair recognizing the students' work. Mayor Jerry Smith, a brother from Rainier Lodge No. 189, also attended the evening's program and participated in the presentation. Also present were the Mountlake Terrace city manager and the assistant superintendent of schools from Edmonds School District
Teen Feed: Members from St. John's will again be stepping up to the plate to feed homeless teens in the University District. This evening will be Thursday, July 20. Volunteer organizations purchase, prepare and serve the teens in the community each night of the week, under the auspices of University Street Ministries.
Secondary Academy for Success: SAS had it's third concert May 25 with 14 new students and 8 returning students. The Blues performance was a hit and was viewed by an almost full house of parents, friends, volunteers, teachers and Blues artists. Some of the parents had never heard their sons and daughters play an instrument and jaws dropped when they played these Blues songs like they have been playing them for years. Jim Geiszler, who heads up this program, gave a nice speech thanking St. John's Lodge No. 9 for our contribution in making this a success. 100% of our donation goes to funding this program with no administrative costs. SAS, established in 1969, provides a highly successful high school alternative for "at risk" kids. Most have been given no chance to graduate, but SAS has sent a few thousand on their way with high school diplomas.
Student Scholarships: The St. John's scholarship committee has awarded $25,000 to local students again this year. The committee accepts recommendations from teachers and councilors for students who are in need, yet have been overlooked by other scholarship resources.
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SEATTLE POLICE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION UNIT GRANT PROPOSED
The Board of Trustees is recommending that $13,000 be granted beyond our charities budget to support a package of needs by the Seattle Police Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit. At the Board's request, WBros. Bill Collison and Ken Lane, Sr. recently toured the CSI unit, which is about two years old in its attachment to the SPD. Before this time, each detective was responsible for developing his own crime scene investigation. If passed, this grant for a specific package of CSI needs would allow us the opportunity to do something good for the community, similar to the heat imaging camera we supplied to the Seattle Fire Department five years ago.
The following resolution was read at the May stated communication for action this month:
- Whereas a Crime Scene Investigation unit has been recently created to enhance the services of the Seattle Police Department and
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Whereas our community will benefit when crime scenes are professionally handled, documented, preserved and analyzed which will improve the likelihood that cases will survive any legal challenges presented in court and
- Whereas the ability for the Seattle Police CSI to effectively perform its assignments are restricted by the reality of city budget restraints and
- Whereas it is the desire of St. John's Lodge No. 9 to assist our community and to do so in such a way that casts a favorable light on the Masonic fraternity, such as was done on behalf of the Seattle Fire Department in 2001,
- Therefore be it resolved that $13,000 be granted to the Seattle Police Department Crime Scenes Investigation (CSI) Unit for enriched operational enhancements.
A video presentation will be made by the CSI unit during dinner hour at our June 21 stated communication.
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Coming Events
- June 17-18: Fremont Fair (with Daylight No. 232)
- June 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- June 24 (10am-4pm): Greenwood Classic Car and Rod Show
- June 28 (7pm): Entered Apprentice Degree
- July 7-9: Family campout at Granite Falls Masonic Park
- July 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Herb's Night
- July 26 (6pm): 55th annual Greenwood Seafair Parade (Masonic Float)
- August 13 (11am): Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)
Congratulations to Bro. Brian Downey, who recently demonstrated his Master Mason proficiency skills.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MASONIC INFORMATION BOOTH AT FREMONT FAIR
Brothers from St. John's will work again this year in the Masonic Information booth at the Fremont Fair, June 17 and 18. This is an opportunity to spread the word on our fraternity and enjoy the good fellowship of brothers from other lodges in the area. Come on down, spend a couple of hours in the booth, and enjoy the food and musical entertainment. We will have St. John's brochures to hand out and a story to tell to those who ask about our fraternity.
And while Fremont Fair continues to emphasize good times, don't forget about the good work it does by raising awareness and understanding of the needs of low-income people in our community. Presented by Fremont Public Association (FPA), all donations received during this FREE event go directly to fund FPA programs that provide shelter, food, advocacy and care for low-income families and individuals throughout Seattle and King County.
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LODGE CAMPOUT IN JULY
Don't forget our Granite Falls campout July 7-8-9. Come for the day or stay the weekend. Bring the kids, fishing poles, swimming suits, your tent. A fun time is had by all. Also there will be a big cookout on Saturday evening. If you haven't been before, just tell the caretaker at the gate you are joining the St. John's 9 group and we will take care of the fees after.
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While none of us are perfect - let us all be honorable
DA VINCI CODE MESSAGE
MET WITH MIXED REACTIONS
Many in the Masonic fraternity waited with anticipation for the recent movie release of Dan Brown's fictional work. Let's put some of the negative reaction to "The Da Vinci Code" in perspective. Imagine a hyped-up Hollywood production portraying the Holocaust as a Jewish hoax, or perhaps a movie fictionalizing America's black civil-rights heroes as sex maniacs.
Now one may have a small idea of how deeply offensive the latest fictional blockbuster is to many Christians, especially to Catholics.
I thought they did a good job adapting the book to film, and although not everything in the book was there, it seemed like it. And maybe that was the problem. - editor
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398
Senior Warden: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670
Junior Warden: James A. Wold (425) 357-6867
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@seattlemasons.org
Webmaster: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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