The Lodge opened on the Third Degree at 7:40 p.m., twenty-one members and four visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register.  The above officers were in their stations and places, except that MWBro. Richard Mecartea filled the place of the absent Chaplain, VWBro. Charles Brockway took that of the Marshal, VWBro. Mike Davis took the place of the Senior Deacon, Bro. Adam Creighton took the place of the Musician, and the office of Senior Steward was left vacant.

PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG

The American flag was presented by the Marshal and deposited in a place of honor in the East.  The Worshipful Master called upon the Marshal to lead the brethren in the pledge to the flag.

INTRODUCTIONS 

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 two visiting brothers, Bro. Adam Creighton and WBro. Jim Lumsden of Greenwood Lodge No. 253. 

The Senior Warden introduced his counterpart, VWBro. Mike Davis, of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242.  The Master acknowledged the presence of WBro. Ken Lane, Jr., Master of Esoterika Lodge No. 316.

 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 WBro. Vincent DiGulio (CHIP and public relations), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP), VWBro. Mike Davis (President of CHIP Board of Directors); VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Asst. Grand Secretary Emeritus), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (Grand Bible Bearer), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Jim Maher (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 5), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), and RWBro. Gale Kenney (Senior Grand Warden).  Also accepting recognition was our Worshipful Master WBro. Charles Tupper (Technology Committee). 

They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION

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

 TREASURER’S REPORT

 The Treasurer reported that our financial portfolio has increased 16.46% during the period May 2006 to May 2007.

 EXPENSES

 The following bills, having been reviewed by three members of the finance committee (Bro. Jim Wold, VWBro. Charles Brockway, and WBro. Bill Collison), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the chairman, Bro. Wold, attested to the accuracy of each bill or invoice, he stated the expenditures were in order and moved for the payment of the bills.  On vote of the Lodge, the bills were approved for payment. 

 COMMUNICATIONS

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

 The Phinney Neighborhood Association invites everyone to attend the Greenwood Classic Car & Rod Show this Saturday, June 23.  Volunteers are still needed, including help with bottled water sales to benefit the Greenwood Senior Center.

The MSB announces the untimely death of its Executive Secretary of many years, WBro. Leonard Luchau.  A memorial service is being held by Century Lodge #208 this evening at the Alki Masonic Hall.  A special Trustees meeting of the MSB is scheduled for June 29^th at Delta-White Center Masonic Hall to cover some important issues.

A Square & Compass RV Jamboree will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 13-15 at Wenatchee County River Park, and will include a potluck dinner, Texas Hold-em Tournament, and  a miniature golf tournament.  The 43^rd annual Open Air degree at the Masonic Park will be Saturday, August 4^th.  All Masons are welcome to a special meeting of Olive Branch Lodge No. 47, South Dakota,  on Wednesday, August 8, in conjunction with a motorcycle rally and races in Sturgis, SD.  Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 invites everyone to its celebration of 125 years of Masonry in Kittitas County on July 28.

We have received notes and letters of appreciation from Rite Care, the Childhood Language and Speech clinic of the Scottish Rite; and from the Masonic Park at Granite Falls for our continuing support.  The Executive Director of Tallmadge Hamilton House has returned our recent contribution with regrets that the Senior Center in the University area will be closing its doors at the end of this year.  They express their appreciation for the years of support our lodge has given to the seniors in that community.

The Grand Lodge of Washington forwards a plea through the Masonic Service Association for Masonic assistance to help those suffering from the tornado that devastated Greensburg, Kansas last month.

We have received an update regarding the developments at the Landmark On the Sound, and are extended an invitation to tour the facility.

Grand Lodge announces that the new combined Monitor/Ciphers are available for $15 plus $5 shipping.

The Greenwood Temple Board will be doing some major servicing of this building during the summer months.

We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, the Phinney Ridge Review, Phinney Neighborhood Association, our private investment with Conversay, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Diamond Lodge No. 83, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281.  Please take home the extra copies of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS

 On behalf of Torchlight Parade Float committee chairman Bro. David Long, who is vacationing in Hawaii, the Master reported that the Grand Lodge float will be in the 58^th annual parade on Saturday evening, July 28.  Final wording to describe the float has been submitted for use by the television commentators as the float passes by the review stand.  Bro. Long is seeking permission to allow some Masons to walk with the float, in addition to the five who will be permitted to ride.

 RWBro. Gale Kenney reported on the 150^th annual communication of Grand Lodge.  He reported on the status of the resolutions which were presented to the delegates for action.[i]  He announced that MWBro. Wayne Smith has been elected Grand Master, RWBro. Doug Tucker has been elected Deputy Grand Master, RWBro. Gale Kenney has been elected Senior Grand Warden, RWBro. G. Santy Lascano has been elected Junior Grand Warden, and RWBro. David Owen has been re-elected Grand Secretary.  VWBro. Jim Russell reported that seventeen members of St. John’s were in attendance, many representing other lodges.

 VWBro. Russell reported that the King County Masonic Library Association representatives met last month and passed the proposed resolution to negotiate turning all assets of the association over to the Grand Lodge Library & Museum.  Assuming this is completed without complications, the association should be dissolved by the end of the summer.

 WBro. Hans Wehl reported that nothing new has been added to the company store inventory.  He is in the process of scanning pictures and descriptions to enable easier display of all items and pricing.

 Bro. George Rine has assembled an Entered Apprentice degree team for this coming Wednesday, June 27, and invited all brothers to attend “especially if you are a part of the team.”  The Secretary will be sending out an email reminder to the brothers.

 GREETING BROTHERS ON THE LEVEL

 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.

 MASONIC EDUCATION

 The Master reminded the brothers that it takes a pair of broad shoulders to be a Good Man and True. He stated that:  "This is because, by its very definition, goodness is all but impossible to maintain all the time.  The dictionary defines goodness as:"

"The first lesson taught by Masonry is to be a good man and true.  Each Mason endeavors to attain and maintain this state of being each day of his life.  Each Mason fails at this on a regular basis and has to search within himself to find out the reasons for the failures so as not to repeat them.  Even as we do this we find that other failures are right around the corner." 

"We continue to try and we keep moving toward the Eastern shore. The years pass and our dusty feet become weary of walking the narrow road. Sometimes we take the wrong fork and have to retrace our steps to regain that Eastern road. We find that the times of failure become less and less over the years. The Fraternity's lessons aid us over time."

"We learn that when we are confronted with a good man we should learn from him and emulate that goodness.  We learn that when we are confronted with a bad man we should look within.  We work to build on what we have within so that there is substance from which to draw and nourish ourselves when we need it.  In this way we show the merit of our Fraternity’s teachings to those who we meet along the way." 

"The years go by and the road is endless and we work toward perfect goodness.  We succeed, we fail, and we persevere.  At last the day comes when our weary feet come to the end of life's toilsome journey.  Then we hope and pray that we have traveled down the proper road never ceasing to try our utmost to become good and true masons." 

"We always realize as we walk the road toward the East that to do this all the time takes immensely broad shoulders.  We must always remember that our failures will be ever on the mind to balance our successes.  We live with the hope that the scales will tilt toward the successes in the end for we will then have lived up to our Fraternity's expectation of us and our aprons will lay spotless before the Brethren."

"We must always remember the following words from the Master Tseng which were spoken five centuries before Christ:"

"The true knight of the Way must perforce be both broad-shouldered and stout of heart;  His burden is heavy and he has far to go.  For Goodness is the burden he has taken upon himself; and must we not grant that it is a heavy one to bear?  Only with death does his journey end; then must we not grant that he has far to go?"

WB Charles H Tupper, MPS - Copyright © 2007

READING OF PETITIONS

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. Matthew Scott LaCroix.  Mr. LaCroix was born in Spokane, WA on February 25, 1984.  He is single and lives in the Laurelhurst area.  He is a law student/intern working at William P. Harris, PS in West Seattle.  He is referred to us by RWBro. David Owen following his inquiry at the Grand Lodge office.  He was accompanied to dinner this evening by VWBro. Jim Maher, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5.

A committee was appointed to visit Mr. LaCroix and to report back to the Lodge by the next Stated Communication.

 BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

 WBros. Helmuth Svoboda (6/9/39), Ken Lane, Jr. (6/10/60),  and VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (6/26/52) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 Resolution to Adjust 2007 Budget

The Master requested the Secretary to read the following resolution:

Whereas the Trustees annually perform a mid-year review of our annual budget, andWhereas it is anticipated that an officers and trustees team-building retreat in January will require up-front expenditures in this fiscal year, and

Whereas it is the desire of this lodge to extend additional aid for Masonic Park repairs to prevent further flood damage, and

Whereas additional charity reserves would permit room to act on requests not foreseen, and

Whereas our strong financial growth permits some flexibility,

Therefore be it resolved that the lodge increase its 2007 operating budget by $7,000 and 2007 charity budget by $28,000.

 The resolution was passed with two dissenting votes.

 NEW BUSINESS

 Teen FeedSt. John’s will be filling in again next month on July 16^th to feed the homeless teens in the University District.  We will be serving approximately forty young people at University Lutheran Church, 1604 NE 50th (on the corner of 16th and 50th).  It was m/s/p to advance funds payable to Jim Wold to purchase food and supplies for the Teen Feed.  Bro. Wold and Bro. James Swift will do the shopping.  Bro. Wold asked for volunteers to help prepare, cook, and serve.  They should arrive at the church by 5pm. 

 Greenwood Masonic Center

The Greenwood Masonic Center Board of Directors have plans to do some extensive maintenance on the building this summer, including work on the upstairs women’s restroom, dining room floors, and some roof repairs.  The Secretary m/s/p that funds be contributed from St. John’s Lodge to assist in the repairs and improvements of the Greenwood Masonic Center.

 Officers and Trustees Team-Building

Strong, productive teams that pull together to exceed goals and go the extra mile don’t happen by accident. It takes a lot of work and often professional help by leaders with exceptional team-building skills.  Bro. Jim Wold would like to see the Trustees and officers (Junior Deacon through the Master) of St. John’s go through a team-building workshop to master the latest techniques, innovative tools and best practices to improve team performance and increase productivity.  He proposes that we gather together at Leavenworth next January to “learn by doing,” in team-building exercises. (Mike) Nash Consulting’s guiding principle is that organizations, which tend to function a lot like families, operate most effectively when issues are addressed directly and honestly, and that the problems that actually show up - the ones we notice - often serve to point the way toward greater “big picture” opportunities for growth and change.

 Bro. Wold proposes that we include our wives on this trip, where they can shop and enjoy the sites of Leavenworth while the men work.  As this would be in the heart of the wintertime, he suggests that we charter a bus from the Bellevue area.   It was m/s/p to authorize funds in this year’s budget for up-front expenses for a January team-building retreat.  An additional amount should be included in the 2008 budget year.

 Masonic Park Repairs Re-visited - Additional repairs on the flood-damaged Granite Falls Masonic Park are still in order.  Installation of  a river-wall to reduce the likelihood of future flooding is greatly desired.  This installation is estimated to cost about $25,000.  We have given $25,000 this year, which has gone toward the repair of a bull-dozer owned by the park, and for other materials to repair the winter flood damage.  That money reflects the lion's share of the moneys received by the Park for repairs.  Many lodges have contributed small amounts, as well as volunteers for physical labor.

 The Master will continue to encourage the Park Board to pursue financing from some of the other lodges which should be in a financial position to help.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

 June 27 (7pm): Entered Apprentice degree

July 16 (5pm):  Teen Feed

July 18 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated; Herb’s Night – Ladies invited

July 25:  Greenwood Seafair Parade

July 28 (7:30)pm:  Seafair Torchlight Parade

August 8 (5pm):  Board of Trustees – College Club

August 9 (7pm):  degree

August 12 (11am – 4pm):  Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)

August 15 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated (casual dress)

 GOOD OF THE ORDER

 WBro. Jim Lumsden of Greenwood Lodge No. 253 was asked to comment on this weekend’s car show in Greenwood.  Greenwood Lodge will be offering hot dogs and bottles of water for sale as a means to raise money for their charities.  They will gladly accept help from our brothers between 8:30 to 3pm on Saturday.

 WBro. Michael Rust thanked the brethren for their moral support during his struggles to fight off his leukemia.  Our good prayers and visits have done wonders for his recovery efforts.

 VWBro. Charles Brockway remarked that as host to one of the brothers at Grand Lodge from Wyoming, he learned that the landmark in that jurisdiction “forbids” the square and compasses to rest directly upon the altar.  They must be upon the Bible, and when not in use, are held in the hands of the Senior Deacon or within the cover of the closed Bible.

 WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that the Masons Little Leaguers lost to a good team in the championship game.  WBro. Hans Wehl announced that the City of Hope Harvest Ball will be Friday, November 3.  WBro. Vinny DiGiulio invited the brethren to the Ashlar Lodge No. 121 bar-b-que tomorrow evening, June 21.  VWBro. Coe Morgan invited the brethren to the installation of officers for Daylight Lodge No. 232, Saturday morning, July 21.  Daylight will also be holding an Entered Apprentice degree on August 18.  WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. invited the brethren to attend a table lodge to be held by Esoterika Lodge No. 316 on the 3^rd Tuesday, July 17.

 RWBro. Gale Kenney invited all to attend the chartering of LuzViMinda Lodge U.D. (317) on July 7.  Grand Lodge will open at 1pm.  VWBro. Jim Maher announced that the District 4 & 5 reception for our Grand Master will be Saturday, March 8, 2008.

 CLOSING OF LODGE

 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 the Worshipful Master at 9:21 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.