FROM
THE EAST
Mark
Campbell, Master
|
With
the advent of the internet our world has been blessed with a new
phenomenon. Unlike those dark days of a world without the Web, we
are now able to read all about what some stranger (in a city we’ve
never been to) had for lunch. Or, more importantly, find out how
they spent last Saturday afternoon. And if that isn’t enough to
pique your curiosity, read on to find out their favorite color, song
and movie.
I’m referring, of course, to blogs. (Allow me to do a brief
history so computer-challenged folks like my Dad will understand
what I’m talking about.)
|
 |
|
The
term was coined in the late-nineties (a shortened version of the word
Weblog) and was used in reference to a person’s online diary.
Now blogs focus on virtually every topic imaginable: politics,
religion, sports, etc. In fact, several blogs have become very
influential and are considered more accurate and immediate sources of
news. The Blogosphere (who comes up with these terms?) is a force not
to be taken too lightly, a result of life in the information age.
I often refer to blogs
as the bumper stickers of the internet. We’ve all had the experience
of pulling up behind another car at a stoplight and, in a matter of
seconds, know how they voted or what they don’t like. And like a
bumper sticker, blogs are there to offer you opinions and news even
when you’re not necessarily looking for it. In the same way any John
Doe can glue a sticker onto his car, any John Doe can create a web
page and post his thoughts and viewpoints on the internet. Just
remember the old saying; always consider the source.
In Masonry, one thing
there is an abundance of is opinions. Considering the diverse makeup
of our membership and the various fields in which we all work, it is
to be expected. Moreover, with the participation and presence of Past
Masters at our meetings and events, it means there are a lot of
brothers there who have seen it all before. These brothers are an
invaluable resource and I, for one, truly appreciate their input,
guidance and wisdom. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.
During the Closing
Charge we are instructed to remind a brother in the most friendly
manner of his fault. If I were ever to amend our ritual, I’d like to
add to that phrase “confidentially.” A great lesson I learned at
the Warden’s Conference a couple of years ago is the notion of
“praising in public, counseling in private.” Opinions, which are
as readily available as espresso in
Seattle
, don’t have to be plastered on a bumper or posted on the internet
to be influential. All that’s needed is someone whose viewpoint can
be respected and someone who’s willing to listen.
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
|
COMPANY
STORE
St. John’s
has many fine items in its
“company store” worth taking a look at.
There are shirts, caps, pens, letter openers – even note books and
carrying bags. There’s a lot
more than that, too, all available for purchase each meeting with your “
St. John’s
Buck.”
Or with Uncle Sam’s cash, if you must.
THANK
YOU PICNIC VOLUNTEERS
Thanks to the many volunteers who helped make this year’s picnic
such a success last month. Ken
Wehl, chair; Dennis Archambault, Brian Downie, Ken Lane, Sr. & Darlene,
Ken Lane, Jr., Doug Lidz, Terry Grove, Betsy Pinch & Haley Pinch, Derrick
Tan. In addition to the usual
festivities, we were able to surprise Bro. Bill Brown by presenting him with
his 60 year pin for being a Mason since 1946!
CALENDAR
·
September
16 (
6pm
):
St.
John
's
Lodge No. 9 146th Anniversary Celebration (College Club)
·
September
20 (
6:15pm
)
7:30pm
:
St.
John’s
9
(dinner) Stated
·
September
27 (
7pm
): Officers
meeting/long range planning
·
September
27 (
7pm
): District
5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (
Greenwood
)
·
October
11 (
5pm
):
St.
John's
Lodge
No. 9 Trustees meeting – Conference Room (Budget Review)
·
October
18 (
6:15pm
)
7:30pm
:
St.
John’s
9
(dinner) Stated
·
November
15 (
6:15pm
)
7:30pm
:
St.
John’s
9
(dinner) Stated Past Masters/Elections
·
November
18 (
7-9pm
): Officers
and Trustees dinner (
Greenwood
Romeo’s)
SEPTEMBER
IS OFFICER STEP-UP NIGHT
Step off as an Entered
Apprentice Mason! Worshipful
Master Mark Campbell invites all Masons to attend our September Stated
Communication, when the officers will step up one station and will open and
conduct business on the Entered Apprentice Degree.
WBro. Charlie Tupper will assume the East, as WBro.
Campbell
will be out of town. This is an
opportunity for some of our expected new officers for 2007 to “show their
stuff.”
Representatives from our
Accelerated Reader schools will also be present to tell us how their young
charges have been doing and to convey their expectations for the new school
year.
Those brothers who were present at the August meeting are encouraged to
wear your new “
St. John’s
” Masonic tie.
LONG
RANGE PLANNING CONTINUES
“Would
you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” asked
Alice
. “That depends a good deal on where you want
to get to,” said the Cat. “I don't much care where,” said
Alice
. “Then it doesn't matter which way you
go,” said the Cat.
Alice’s
Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis
Carroll
Officers and members of the
lodge have arrived at a vision statement which they feel best illustrates what
our lodge epitomizes, and which will be the guide for future planning.
“
St. John's
Lodge No.
9 will be a recognized Masonic leader in personal growth through ritual
excellence, Lodge programming, education, and charity.”
Each line officer is now in the
process of preparing his own statement of purpose for his year as Master to
help the Lodge achieve the vision and to maintain it.
Each Master will be responsible for working on the plan elements during
his year.
Next up is: Where do we want to
be five years from now? Ten years? and Twenty years?
Come join the officers and members of the Long Range Planning team on
Wednesday, September 27.
September
4, 1860: 146 years of Masonry in Seattle
ST. JOHN
’S
OBSERVES 146 YEARS OF MASONRY
Everyone
is looking forward to our big event of the year, when we hold our 146th
anniversary dinner at the College Club in downtown
Seattle
, this coming Saturday, September 16.
Dine and Dance to The Andy Mirkovich Trio as they stir all those
with dancing feet and also satisfy
those who just want to relax and listen.
All
members of
St. John’s
and their ladies have been invited to join the
festivities, as well as representatives of those lodges we have sponsored for
charter in two jurisdictions. Reservations
are a must.
The
Andy Mirkovich Trio will provide dinner music followed by music for dancing.
A combination of easy listening standards, show tunes and ballads from
the 20's to current will please all musical palates whether they just want to
listen, visit or dance the night away.
Free
parking is available below the club (505 Madison).
Access from
5th
Avenue
just south of
Madison
Street
.
Do
you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask, “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
ONE
YEAR AGO
It’s
been one year already since we made our move from the Scottish Rite to the
Greenwood
Masonic
Center
. From
the very first, we have enjoyed the relationship with the brothers of
Greenwood
and have been blessed to meet in a facility
that is well-maintained and more than meets our expectations.
If you haven’t been here, come on out and see us.
HAVE
YOU EVER CONSIDERED PETITIONING
FOR MEMBERSHIP IN FREEMASONRY?
Grand Master MWBro. Charles
McQuery reminds all Masons that while we are prohibited from asking a man to
join the fraternity, there are appropriate ways to suggest that he consider
what we have to offer. Grand Lodge
legislation passed in 1986 reads:
“Masons
under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Washington may properly inquire
of a worthy, qualified person ‘if he had ever considered petitioning for
membership in Freemasonry?’ This,
or a similar question, is a proper question to determine intent; this in
addition to advising said person that ‘he must petition of his own
initiative – that he will not be asked to petition’.
Further, ‘that enlightening Masonic literature is available and may
be furnished upon request.”
If you have a
friend who you think would make a good Mason, invite him to join you for
dinner at one of our stated meetings.
WHO WE WERE AND WHO WE ARE
On
August 9, 1860
, seven Master Masons joined in signing a petition to the Grand Master of
Masons of the
Washington
Territory
for a dispensation to form a lodge of Masons at
Seattle
, under the name of
St. John’s
Lodge. On Saturday, two days
later, August 11, the petition was presented to Steilacoom Lodge No. 2, for
approval of that lodge as required by Grand Lodge law.
The
charter was granted by Grand Lodge,
September 4, 1860
.
Eight Master Masons comprised the membership of the newly created and
first lodge in
Seattle
. Before the end of the year,
there were 26 members of the Lodge.. By
1903, there were 327 members (about the size of today’s membership), and our
numbers peaked at 1,368 in the years 1925 and 1927.
Our membership fell below 1000 for the first time in many years in
1964. Over the 146 years, we have
had 128 men serve as Masters of the lodge, of whom 25 still live today.
Seattle
1870
Sometimes, we just need to remember what the
rules of life really are. You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it
doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the
duct tape.
þ Coming to Dinner at
6:15
? RSVP at
206 623-0261 or email the Secretary at stjohns9@seattlemasons.org.
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
