January 2007 Stated Communication

Our membership arrived at about 6:15 on a chilly January evening for the monthly Stated Communication. There were more members present that we anticipated and this was very gratifying for your officers. It is good to see as many of our members as made it a priority to attend this month's Stated Communication.

Following the meal our Junior Warden, Bro. Chris Carney, led a number of our Brethren in reading New Year Resolutions. They were well received.

At 7:30 the Brethren adjourned to the Lodgeroom where WM Charlie Tupper opened Lodge on the Entered Apprentice Degree. All officers with the exception of the Musician were filled by those officers who have been installed to those Stations and Places with no substitutions.

Following the Tyler’s invitation to join his brethren, the Worshipful Master called upon the Senior Deacon to introduce our visitors with the exception of Masters, Wardens, and Grand Lodge officers and committeemen. In attendance and receiving a warm St. John’s welcome were four visiting brothers, Bro. Carl Cook (University Lodge No. 141), Bro. Thomas Gill (Langley Lodge No. 218), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Daylight Lodge No. 232), and WBro. Jim Lumsden (Greenwood Lodge No. 253).

The Junior Warden introduced his counterparts, Bro. Grover Partee, Junior Warden of Occidental Lodge No. 72, WBro. Dennis Archambault, Junior Warden of University Lodge No. 141, and WBro. Vinnie DiGiulio, Junior Warden of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. The Master introduced VWBro. David Campbell, Master of Eureka Lodge No. 20, WBro. Tony Gill, Master of Langley Lodge No. 218, and WBro. Ken Lane, Jr., Master of Eureka Lodge No. 316. They were all accorded the public Grand Honors.

The Affiliated Past Masters and the Past Masters of St. John's Lodge No. 9 were asked to stand and be recognized and were graciously thanked for their dedication to the Lodge.

The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to escort the Grand Lodge Officers and Committeemen east of the Altar and shook each by the hand as he announced their names. In attendance were VWBro. David C. Campbell, (youth), WBro. Donald Wertman (Youth), WBro. Vincent DiGulio (CHIP and public relations), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP), WBro. Doug Haughton (Masonic Retirement Center Trustee), WBro. Dennis Archambault (credentials), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (Grand Chaplain), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Charrison Lochaby (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 9), MWBro. Alvin Jorgensen (jurisprudence), and MWBro. Sat Tashiro (jurisprudence).

The Master directed the Senior Deacon to escort WBro. David Moffat to the East, where he was presented with his St. John’s pen and a letter opener, and was greeted with the public Grand Honors. WBro. Moffat, having retired to Whidbey Island, is unable to attend lodge with regularity, although he attends Langley Lodge No. 218 frequently. He is the senior in a long line of St. John’s Past Masters.

The Master instructed the Senior Deacon to present the Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5 at the altar. VWBro. James Maher was accompanied by our youngest Master Mason, Bro. David Long. VWBro. Maher was greeted at the altar and escorted to the East by the Worshipful Master. He was accorded the public Grand Honors and offered the gavel He sat the brethren and graciously asked the Master to continue to preside.

The Treasurer reported that since 2003, when we adjusted our portfolio to mutual funds, our financial portfolio has grown 11.7% after expenses. In 2006, our portfolio increased 10.26% after expenses. He said that he has completed the W-2’s for salaried employees. We have received a letter from one of our private holdings (Blood Cell Storage) updating us on the progress of that company.

The Treasurer requested two pieces of business be addressed. Following discussion, it was m/s/p to authorize a 2007 version of QuickBooks software; and it was m/s/p to authorize an upgrade our TaxWare software.

Trestleboards and letters of communications were distributed. Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following

We have received a card from Mrs. Pauline Kirlin, widow of Past Master Ray Kirlin, expressing her appreciation for the poinsettia and gift we issued at Christmas. She says that she passed the gift on to the West Seattle Food Bank. Also, a letter of appreciation is sent from Elizabeth Norgard, a student who we have assisted throughout her college career. She says that she has completed her studies at Whitman College and will be working there for a few months leading up to spring Commencement. Then she hopes to find employment writing for a newspaper in the Bay Area. Once again, she expresses her genuine gratitude to the brothers of St. John’s for our assistance in her college career..

The Grand Lodge of Washington is making a leadership training workshop available in Everett, Saturday, January 20. The cost of the workshop is $10 with advanced emailed registration, and includes materials and lunch. Registration at the door will be $12.

The Grand Lodge announces a Scholarship Program which will again award scholarships to deserving high school students and to recognize the Washington State Educator of the Year. Nominations should be sent to the Deputy of the Grand Master no later than March 16.

The King County Masonic Library Association reports that it has been in existence since 1892 to maintain a library of Masonic related books for the use of members of the fraternity. The expenses of the Association are typically book repair, equipment, travel to a world wide Masonic Museum & Library Association and other expenses authorized by its Trustees. St. John’s was an instrumental player in the establishment of the KCMLA.

We have received a request to place an ad in the DeMolay Convention program. The convention will be held in Wenatchee March 29-April 1. We have received an invitation from T.H. Little Chapter, ODM, to attend a 3pm open installation of officers, Saturday, January 27.

The Secretary read a letter regarding our Grand Master’s request that brothers of the Scottish Rite be invited to attend lodge in February, to hold a special program recognizing the Scottish Rite, and for Freemasons who are members of the Scottish Rite to attend their Valley in February.

The Scottish Rite will be hosting a reception for the Grand Master at the Nile Shrine, Sunday, January 21.

Newsletters and Trestleboards have been received from the Muscular Dystrophy Association of King County, HOPE Heart Institute, Eureka Lodge No. 20, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, and Lafayette Lodge No. 241. Please take extra copies of the HOPE Heart newsletter home for healthy reading.

The Master reported that he had issued the January Master’s Charity to assist a worthy brother in need this month and that if anyone wished further details to see him following the meeting. It is the custom to not announce the name of a brother in need of assistance in order to protect his rights of privacy. However, the name of the brother is known by the Master, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and one other Trustee.

The Secretary reported that a Brother was dropped for non-payment of dues at the conclusion of the year 2006. He had been carried by the lodge for 2005 and 2006, and faces the same action in his home University Lodge No. 141. Two others who were about to be dropped, as reported last month, have paid their dues for 2006 and 2007.

The Junior Warden announced that a Fellowcraft degree will be held on Wednesday, January 31, for Bro. Anthony Porter. It is believed that Bro. Ryan Stoulil will also be ready to be passed to a Fellowcraft. Bro. Carney requested the brothers to volunteer to fill the roles for the degree.

WBro. Joseph Lund announced that he will be presenting an Accelerated Reader check to John Rogers Elementary at 7pm, Wednesday, January 31 at an Open House Ice Cream Social and Art Walk. He invited brothers to assist in the presentation. Offering their assistance were brothers Ken Lane, Sr., Bill Collison, and Richard Heston.

VWBro. David Campbell (youth committee) reported that we will be hosting upward of 50 young people and ten adults at our next stated dinner. Members of the DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, and Rainbow will be attending. Merle Luther Chapter, Order of DeMolay, will be demonstrating the Arch of Steel; a representative of T.H. Little Chapter may be giving the Flower Talk. Bellevue Chapter, ODM, has also been invited. The girls have also been invited to demonstrate their skills, including the West Seattle and Bothell Rainbow Assemblies. It was m/s/p to authorize funds for each group in attendance.

MWBro. Al Jorgensen addressed the brethren with a brief history of the Masonic Retirement Center. In 1892, a beginning plan to provide a home for our aged brethren was recommended by Grand Master Thomas Amos. In 1901 the Grand Lodge levied an assessment on its members, and a Home was built in Puyallup. There, the facility raised much of its own food and livestock. Clothing was furnished by the member lodges. That continued throughout the 1940’s. In 1923 a beautiful Masonic Home, or Retirement Center, was constructed in Zenith at DesMoines, Washington, for (in today’s dollars) $75 million. Today, these facilities are being renovated for $50-55 million and additional cottages added to what is now being called the Landmark on the Sound. Initially, a resident must have divested him- or herself of all his worldly goods. In 1994, we stopped requiring a state of destitution, and today we have a 501(c)3 funded corporation with the Masonic Home Endowment Fund (established 1950) valued at $20 million.

The Master called the lodge “free from restraint” for a period of five minutes and invited the brethren to mingle and to greet each other upon the level.

Members of Langley Lodge No. 218 approached the East and WBro. Tony Gill, Master of Langley Lodge presented the Master with a check for $31,000. In 2001, Langley Temple Association approached St. John's Lodge No. 9 for a loan to repair and restore the Langley Masonic Temple which was in great need of repair. St. John’s provided $31,000 which was the estimated cost as a gift, with the proviso that should the building be sold prior to December 31, 2011, the grant would be returned in full to our lodge.

Langley Lodge has found it necessary to sell the property on Whidbey Island. The sale closed on December 5, 2006. After repaying St. Johns, the members of Langley Lodge will have an amount of money to invest for the future operation of their Lodge. The building was sold to Good Cheer, Inc. a local charitable thrift store and the only food bank in the community.(1) The food bank is highly regarded and the Langley fraternity has had some positive strokes resulting from the publicity of the sale. Langley Lodge will be renting space within the South Whidbey Senior Center near the same neighborhood.

VWBro. Chuck Brockway, VWBro. Jim Russell, WBro. Skip Albertson, and WBro. Ken Lane Sr. were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life. WBro. Albertson was called upon to tickle the ivories at the piano.

VWBro. James Maher rose to speak to the brethren, bringing greetings from Grand Master MWBro. Charles McQuery. He congratulated the brothers of St. John’s for contributing to a fine old lodge, and being leaders in our community and this jurisdiction. He added that as individuals can mentor each other, so can lodges mentor other lodges. St. John’s has a good record of mentoring other lodges. He offered that we should celebrate those things which make St. John’s a great lodge, and not hesitate to dispense with those things that prevent the lodge from growing and serving its brothers. Always be willing to share our story. Do not keep “traditions” that cannot be shown to have a purpose. Never let complacency enter the doors of this lodge.

The Washington DeMolay will be holding their annual convention March 29 – April 1 in Wenatchee. This annual event gives the young men of Washington DeMolay an opportunity to conduct business, elect their new leaders and have a tremendous time with friends from around the state. The convention program relies on the convention brochure to off-set some of the expense for DeMolays attending the Convention. It was m/s/p to sponsor a full page in the DeMolay Convention brochure.

Each year the Grand Lodge hosts a conference of Wardens (and Senior Deacons) to assist in educating those future leaders of our lodges. It was m/s/p to pay for the registration of our two Wardens and Senior Deacon to attend the annual Wardens Conference in Yakima, March 23 – 25.

One of the young men with whom we have had contact through the homeless teen feed program found himself unable to pay for the necessary text books to begin the new school quarter at Shoreline Community College. WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. purchased the textbooks for him. It was m/s/p to re-imburse WBro. Ken Lane Jr. for textbooks for the young man in need.

January 20: Leadership Training Workshop (Everett)
January 24 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice/degree
January 31 (7pm): Fellowcraft Degree
January 31: Present Accelerated Reader check to John Rogers Elementary
February 14 (5pm): Board of Trustees
February 15 (7pm): reserved for a possible degree
February 19 (8:30am): laying of wreath at George Washington Memorial
February 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated – Youth Groups Night
February 28 (7pm): Officers meeting
March 15 (7pm): reserved for a possible degree
March 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated Table Lodge – Gale Kenney, JGW – speaker
March 23-25: Warden’s Conference (Yakima)
March 28 (7pm): Officers meeting

The Senior Warden encouraged the brethren(2) to attend the leadership training workshop in Everett this coming Saturday.

VWBro. David Campbell invited the brethren to attend an Entered Apprentice Degree which will be held by Eureka Lodge No. 20 on Monday, February 12, at 7pm. Bro. Chris Carney invited the brethren to attend the next stated communication of Esoterika Lodge No. 316 on Tuesday, January 23, when VWBro. Jim Maher will be making his official visit to the lodge. VWBro. Coe Morgan invited the brethren to attend Daylight Lodge No. 232 stated communication on Saturday, February 17, when five Entered Apprentices will be initiated. He also announced that a dinner will be held honoring the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra members on March 4. MWBro. Sat Tashiro and VWBro. Jim Maher sit on the Board of the SYSO.

WBro. Vinnie DiGiulio announced that the CHIPs program is continuing to register children. WBro. Dennis Archambault encouraged the brethren to attend the ceremony sponsored by District 5 LOMA to honor George Washington on Monday, February 19. WBro. Jeff Lane announced that Secondary Academy for Success will hold a concert on Thursday, January 25.

The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form. There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by Deputy of the Grand Master VWBro. Jim Maher at 9:14 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.

(1) “We had not decided to sell the building but in early May I saw a sign on a small patch of ground down the street from our temple stating that it was the future home of the Good Cheer Food Bank. On a whim, I stopped in to the Good Cheer office and discussed Good Cheer’s plans with the manager and when she told me that they were planning to build a 4,000 sq. ft. building I told her that our facility was 4,000 sq. ft. and that we might be interested in selling it. That preliminary discussion led to an offer to purchase. Then I told the Temple Board what I had done and fortunately they enthusiastically endorsed my discussion with Good Cheer and the sale will be completed next month.” - Charrison Lochaby

(2) Those who attended Leadership Training: Dennis Archambault. Ashley Brinkley, Charles Brockway,, Terry Grove, Al Jorgensen, Gale Kenney, Jim Russell, Charles Tupper, Jim Wold.