y family and I are entering into a new year without
the benefit of my Worshipful Brother Father, WBro. Edward B. Tupper, in
our midst. He passed on just before Christmas, five days short of his
89th birthday, making Christmas a rather somber occasion for
all of us. Many of the Brethren passed condolences to us which were
greatly appreciated. The Lodge also sent a large bouquet of flowers
which helped cheer us up as we sat at the dining room table each night
following the loss.
My father was a dedicated
Mason. At the time of his passing he was a member of Occidental Lodge No. 72 and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 in Seattle, Fredricksburg Lodge No. 4 in Fredricksburg, Virginia, and the Seattle Valley of the Scottish Rite where he was a 32° Mason. He was Master of Thomas M. Reed Lodge No. 225 in 1952, was
Master of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 some years later,
was Treasurer of Walter F. Meier for over thirty years, and was
Treasurer Emeritus of that Lodge at the time of his passing. He was
extremely proud of having been Grand Bible Bearer during the term of MW
Brother Ken Robinson.
As Freemasons we walked a
few miles in one another’s shoes and got to know each other like only
Freemasons can do. This is something that I think is important to those
with Masonic ties in their families. Especially those with fathers
close enough to travel with.
There is something
inherently good about being a Freemason and only those who have joined
the Fraternity and have taken an active part in its activities and
deliberations realize all that it has to offer. To join and then wear a
ring or pin without participation is shortchanging oneself. To help a
needy family, to study the origin of a bit of ritual, to take part in
the give and take of committee work, and to enjoy the fellowship at the
Stated Communication helped my father and I walk together down life’s
road. I learned more about him in this way than I did over all the
years of living in his house and dealing with him at a distance after I
grew up.
The last miles I would
have had to walk alone if my father and the Fraternity had not taught me
that so long as there are Masons there will be the fellowship of
Brothers in truth and goodness. Thanks to all of you for being there
and thanks to Freemasonry for giving me the opportunity to grow as a
person with other good men. Brethren, let’s walk these miles together.
On another note:
Our Junior Warden, Bro. Chris Carney has instituted a fellowship
following the Stated Communications with fun and fellowship promised.
The December meeting was the first of these. Those participating in
this inaugural hour were pleased at the informal method used. Just come
on down, get some refreshment and pick your conversation partners.
There is soft music if you prefer to just sit for a few minutes and look
at the slide show that our JW has put together for your enjoyment. I
guess that you could say that there is something there for everyone.
Come and see for yourself.
Knowledge is knowing that a
tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
OPERATION KID SMILE
VWBro. Charles Brockway reports that
Christmas cheer again was enjoyed by many families at Fort Lewis. VWBro. Brockway and his
wife Sherla led some of the St. John’s brethren on a fast trip to the PX
to purchase groceries and gifts for six families of fifteen children.
Following the distribution, pizza and beer were served at the Brockways
to Santa (Hans Wehl) and his helpers Jack Berg, Joseph Lund, Ken Wehl,
and Bill and Aundie Collison. WBro. Helmuth Svoboda and Bro. Jim Wold
also personally contributed to the offering.
CALENDAR
·
January 11 (7pm):
Master Mason degree
·
January 12 (6pm):
Districts 4&5 Celebration of Masonry (Ballard Masonic Center)
·
January 17 (6:15pm)
7:30pm: St. John’s 9
(dinner) Stated –
Official Visit of the DDGM
·
January 20 (9am):
Leadership Training Workshop (Everett)
·
January 24 (7pm):
Officers meeting/Lodge Officers Proficiency
·
January 31 (7pm):
Fellowcraft degree
·
February 14 (5pm):
Board of Trustees
·
February 15 (7pm):
degree
·
February 21 (6:15pm)
7:30pm: St. John’s 9
(dinner) Stated – Youth
Groups Night
·
February 28 (7pm):
Officers meeting
·
March 15 (7pm): degree
·
March 21 (6:15pm)
7:30pm: St. John’s 9
(dinner) Stated Table
Lodge – Gale Kenney, JGW – speaker
·
March 23-25: Warden’s
Seminar (Yakima)
GRAND MASTER’S DISTRICT DEPUTY TO VISIT AT JANUARY STATED
Worshipful Master Charles Tupper looks
forward to greeting all our brothers at our meeting Wednesday, January
17. Also, we will be receiving VWBro. Jim Maher on his official visit
to the lodge representing our Grand Master, MWBro. Charles McQuery.
VWBro. Maher will bring greetings and a message. It is the province of
the Deputy of the Grand Master to visit every lodge in his district at
least once each year. He carries with him a copy of the Standard Work,
i.e. the proper ritual of our jurisdiction. This allows a brother to
confirm or correct his own use of our beloved ritual. He reports on the
condition of the lodge to the Grand Master following each visit. He may
examine the books and records of each lodge. And, of course, he brings
news from the Grand Master and a knowledge of what is happening in our
District (5) and the Grand Jurisdiction of Washington.
This will be VWBro. Maher’s first
official visit as Deputy of the Grand Master. Of course, he has
visited us often and we enjoy his company. VWBro. Maher is a Past
Master of Daylight Lodge No. 232, and has served as a Trustee of the
Masonic Retirement Center for several years.
Please make your 6:15pm dinner
reservations with the secretary at
stjohns9@seattlemasons.org
or 206 623-0261 by Friday (January 12) prior to the meeting. Invite a
brother to accompany you to lodge.
INVITATION TO JANUARY
DISTRICT MEETING
It’s probably too late to get the good seats,
but you won’t want to miss the January 12 Celebration of Masonry in
Districts 4 & 5, with our special guest Grand Master MWBro. Charles McQuery.
The event will be held at the Ballard Masonic Center starting at 6pm. This
promises to be a great evening of food, fun, and fellowship as well as some
great entertainment. Some tickets may still be available at $50; as last
year, the net proceeds to be donated to the Seattle Youth Symphony to
support their educational programs. Following the 6pm dinner, the program
will be open to all without charge.
REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP
A regional workshop to assist in Masonic
leadership training will be conducted Saturday, January 20, at the Everett
Masonic Center, 234 Olympic Blvd, Everett. Registration begins at 8am and
is $10 if you are pre-registered (WORKSHOP@EverettMasonicCenter.com)
or $12 at the door to cover the cost of lunch and materials. Following
remarks by Grand Master MWBro. Charles McQuery to open the session at 9am,
representatives from Landmark on the Sound will lead off with what is
happening at what we used to call the Masonic Retirement Center. The rest
of the day will offer a selection of topics, including
Temple Board Management, Long Range Planning,
Lodge Protocol, Mentoring, WEB Development, and much, much more.
For many throughout the jurisdiction, the
regional workshops are the prime opportunity to gain knowledge, share
experience, and renew enthusiasm.
New Masons, officers, and Past Masters will
gain a wealth of knowledge and new friendships.
THE PASSING OF A PRESIDENT
On December 26, the 38th President of the United States, Bro. Gerald R. Ford, passed
away. President Ford was the 14th and most recent Master Mason
to serve as President.
On February 17, 1975,
President Ford said the following about his Masonic experience: "When I took
my obligation as a Master Mason -- incidentally, with my […] younger
brothers -- I recalled the value my own father attached to that order. But I
had no idea that I would ever be added to the company of the Father of our
Country and 12 other members of the order who also served as Presidents of
the United States.
Masonic principles --
internal, not external -- and our Order's vision of duty to country and
acceptance of God as a Supreme Being and guiding light have sustained me
during my years of government service. Today especially, the guidelines by
which I strive to become an upright man in Masonry give me great personal
strength.
Masonic precepts can help
America retain our inspiring aspirations while adapting to a new age. It is
apparent to me that the Supreme Architect has set out the duties each of us
has to perform, and I have trusted in His will with the knowledge that my
trust is well-founded."
MASTER MASON, FELLOWCRAFT DEGREES
Brothers of St. John’s will be raised and
passed to Master Masons and Fellowcrafts this month of January. Bro. Jim
Wold, Senior Warden, has assembled a “cracker-jack” team to raise a couple
of brothers, James Swift and David Long, as Master Masons. Bro. Chris
Carney, Junior Warden, will be putting together a team to pass Bros. Anthony
Porter and Ryan Stoulil. The Master Mason degree will be held Thursday,
January 11. The Fellowcraft degree will be conducted Wednesday, January 31.
All brothers are encouraged to assist and
witness these two degrees for our worthy brothers.
WBro.
Michael Rust is in and out of Swedish Hospital for periodic chemotherapy.
He continues to enjoy any calls from his lodge brothers. Let’s help him
maintain a positive mental attitude. Call the Lodge Secretary at 206
623-0261 for a number where he can be reached.
OPPORTUNITIES PREVAIL
Here’s a couple of opportunities to help out
at lodge: Bro. Chris Carney is looking for input from the lodge members for
entertainment or educational topics of interest for 2007. As Junior Warden,
he will be responsible for developing programs following dinner at each of
our stated communications. He hopes to have additional programming
following the close of lodge back at the dining room. If you have any ideas
for programming, or want to volunteer your own talented expertise, let Chris
know (206 229-2210 or
ccarney@systemsbiology.org).
WBro. Joseph Lund is looking for members of
St. John’s who will personally provide labor to assist in a Habitat for
Humanity home building project. If there is enough interest shown, he will
take a lead in seeking funds for a project under way by the South Puget
Sound Habitat for Humanity. Grab your hammer and call Joseph at 206
715-7925 or
yosiflund@earthlink.net.
MASONIC EDUCATION
Worshipful Master Charles Tupper spoke to the
brothers at our last stated communication about the rise of the speculative
Mason from the structure of the stone mason. The stone masons, who worked
with their hands, were particularly active in the 1200s through the 1600s
and privately met together as working stone masons in lodges for
instruction. These were not normally places where men of learning would
gather. However, men of learning were considered potential threats by those
who held seats of local or regional power, and the security of the stone
masons’ lodges offered an opportunity for these men of letters to discuss
ideas not always popular with those in power. The stone masons, by these
associations, had an opportunity to rub shoulders with men of learning, the
accepted “society” of the day. The operative and the speculative mason,
mutually supportive, eventually became the Freemasons of today.
WBro. Tupper will be offering gems of
instruction at each communication in 2007.
DUES REMINDER
Dues for 2007 were due and payable by
December 31, 2006. If your address label is circled in
blue, you still have not paid your dues for this year!
Please remit $12, today. Send to PO Box 30069, Seattle, WA 98113.
