purpose in mind, he expressed a sense of satisfaction that his year in the East could be judged a success. 

OPENING OF LODGE

The Lodge opened on the first degree at 7:37 p.m., thirty-four members and nine visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register.  The above officers were in their stations and places, except that Bro. Brian Downie filled the place of the absent Chaplain and VWBro. Charles Brockway took that of the Marshal.

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 five visiting brothers – Bro. J. Doug Kelly (Unicoy Lodge No. 259, Hiawassee, GA), WBro. Virendra Agarwal (Comrades Lodge No. 151, Roorkee, India), WBro. Errol Scott (Occidental Lodge No. 72), VWBro. Carl Alexander (Renaissance Lodge No. 312), and WBro. Ken Figgins (Richmond-Haller Lake Lodge No. 148).  WBro. Agarwal greeted the Master and brethren with words of appreciation accompanied by a sign of respect from his lodge in India.

The Senior Warden introduced his counterpart, Bro. George Dyer, Senior Warden of St. Levan Lodge No. 5134, Penzance, England.  The Master introduced WBro. Roger Barnstead (Edmonds Lodge No. 165), VWBro. Mike Davis (Queen Anne Lodge No. 242), WBro. Larry Blake (Greenwood Lodge No. 253) and WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. (Esoterika Lodge No. 316).  All were accorded the public Grand Honors.

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. Darrel Womack (public relations), VWBro. Mike Davis (CHIP), WBro. Terry Grove (charity & CHIP), Bro. Vince Kodikal (technology), WBro. Charles Tupper (technology), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Jim Maher (Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5), WBro. Roger Barnstead (Senior Grand Steward), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), MWBro. Sat Tashiro (jurisprudence), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence), and RWBro. Gale Kenney (Senior Grand Warden), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that our portfolio has grown by 5.08% over the past twelve months ending December 31, 2007.  We remain solvent.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

The following bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, MWBro. Al Jorgensen, Bro. A. J. Wold), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting 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:

Frank S. Land Lodge No. 313 sent an invitation to last Saturday’s annual installation of officers.

 Our Grand Lodge of Washington again encourages all lodges to participate in the Grand Lodge Scholarship program and to support students at the local community level.  One Day degree Conferrals will be held, this year in Spokane, Wenatchee, and Tacoma.  The Tacoma date is set for Saturday, March 1^st.  Our Wardens and Senior Deacon are encouraged to participate in the Wardens Conference to be held April 11 – 13 in Yakima.  The cost will be $300 for each brother attending, with an added fee of $50 for a brother’s lady.  February 15 is the deadline for registration and fees.

A District 4 & 5 reception for the Grand Master will be held Saturday, March 8, at the Ballard Masonic Center.  All lodges are being asked to contribute a minimum of $350 for the evening.  With this come six tickets for the dinner portion of the evening.

Our Master and lodge officers are encouraged to attend a reception for the Grand Master this coming Sunday, January 20, to be held at the Bellevue Masonic Center at 3pm.  This January event is sponsored annually by the Scottish Rite.

A regional workshop will be held in Everett on January 26^th for brothers throughout the jurisdiction who wish to gain knowledge, share experience, and renew enthusiasm.  Pre-registration fee will be $10 to cover lunch and materials, or $12 will be accepted at the door.

The Masonic Service Bureau requests the presence of our Master and Secretary on Sunday, January 20, to discuss the future direction of the Bureau.

Washington State DeMolay again encourages our support with an advertisement in their convention program.  The deadline for ad copy will be February 15, 2008.  This is a great way to show support for our young men in DeMolay.  The cost of a full page ad is $175.  The Washington DeMolay Foundation will be holding a breakfast to tell the DeMolay story and to raise money for the DeMolays of Washington on Saturday, February 23, at the Landmark on the Sound.

The Daughters of the Nile also are requesting sponsorship of an ad in their annual convention program.

Thank you letters have been received from Ms Alexandra Rust, widow of our late WBro. Michael Rust; and from Sacajewea Elementary School for our accelerated reader contribution.

We have received a request to participate in a one-night count of the unsheltered homeless between 2-5am Friday, January 25^th.  This is led by those who assist with the nightly teen feeds in the University District.

We have received newsletters and Trestleboards from Neighborhood Health Centers, Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association, HOPE Heart Institute,  the City of Hope, the George Washington Masonic Memorial, Diamond Lodge No. 83, Doric Lodge No. 92, University Lodge No. 141, 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.

MASTER’S PRONOUNCEMENT 

The Master made the following declarations:

1.      In the future, he will direct all requests for charitable funding be reviewed by the Board of Trustees for their recommendation for course of action by the brethren, and

2.      All cell phones shall be turned off before the opening of lodge.  In the event of any interruption by sound of a cell phone, an appropriate penalty will be assessed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that our Christmas Family charity giving was well-received by several families in the Greenwood area.  Assisting with the shopping, wrapping, and delivering were WBro. Lane, Bros. Brad Greco, Brian Downie, Matt LaCroix, WBro. Ken Lane, Sr., Ken’s daughter Sarah, and mother Darlene.  Also assisting were a couple of merchants, who provided four much-needed used tires and tire-mounting service to one of the families.

Bro. George Rine reminded the brethren that there will be a Fellowcraft degree on Wednesday, January 30, at 7pm.  All brethren are encouraged to come and share in passing Bro. Raymond Gehrig to a Fellowcraft.

WBro. Hans Wehl announced that the company store has now stocked its inventory with firing cannons.  They will sell at $15 each and would make wonderful gifts.  The cannons are inscribed “St. John's Lodge No. 9” on one side and the Masonic emblem on the other.  Additionally, he sought input from the brethren on their preference for a variety of Freemasonry decals which may be stocked.

Bro. Brian Downie introduced a new mission statement adopted by the scholarship committee:   To provide annual scholarships for improving fundamental competency in our community to targeted high school students who because of adverse financial circumstances might not otherwise be able to participate in higher education.  The committee is focusing on Ballard and Sealth high schools and is attempting to maintain quarterly contact with those students who are benefiting from our scholarships.  He added that if any brother is interested in taking an active role on the committee to see him or WBro. Ken Lane, Jr.

Bro. Chris Carney reported that he is looking at three venue options for the Family Brunch on Sunday, May 4 – The Palisades (Magnolia), Salty’s (West Seattle), and Ivar’s Salmon House (north Lake Union).  He was encouraged to make a decision soon before all three are booked by other parties!

WBro. Charles Tupper reported that the lodge website was viewed yesterday by 587 different persons from around the world, who on average browsed five pages each (2,943).  He added that a majority of our petitioners have been introduced to the lodge through our website.

VWBro. David Campbell reported that he had inquired of Grand Lodge how the contributions for the flood relief program have been distributed and was informed that many brothers have been beneficiaries of the money donated to the fund.  One, a Master of his lodge, lost his home and his business.  He received $5,000 from the Grand Lodge-sponsored fund.

READING OF PETITIONS

Petitions for plural membership were received from WBro. Roger Barnstead and Bro. John Douglas Kelly.  Both brothers being present, they were afforded an opportunity to introduce themselves.

Committees were appointed to visit these brothers and to report back to the Lodge by the next Stated Communication.

BALLOTING ON PETITION

A favorable ballot was spread on Mr. John Ramon Samudio for the degrees.  The petitioner had received a unanimous favorable recommendation by the investigating committee.  A date of February 12 was established to confer the Entered Apprentice degree.

MEMORIAL SCROLLS

Memorial scrolls were read for Bro. Donald H. Longanecker, Bro. Holgar J. West, and WBro. Robert Clifton Melius, followed by remembrances from brothers of the lodge and a memorial service by  Bro. Brian Downie.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

VWBro. Chuck Brockway (1/8/43), VWBro. Jim Russell (1/11/40), WBro. Darrel Womack (1/16/34), Bro. Vince Kodikal (1/25/75) and WBro. Ken Lane Sr. (1/26/31) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Social Outing

The first scheduled outside event for 2008 will be an outing to the new movie sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets.  This first outing will be Friday, January 18.  Brethren and their families are to meet at 7:15pm for the 7:30 showing.  St. John’s will be purchasing the tickets for distribution.  It was m/s/p to provide $300 for theatre tickets for the movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets.  Other outings will be scheduled throughout the year.  

NEW BUSINESS

New Website Authorized

Webmaster WBro. Charles Tupper drives to Burien each month to retrieve pictures for our lodge website from our photographer, WBro. Darrel Womack, and the time consumed as well as the gas bill have gotten out of hand.  He proposes that we purchase a new website for the purpose of uploading and downloading documents, applications, and mostly - photographs.   The reason we need a new site separate from our seattlemasons.org website is that this would enable many people to login to upload large files for download by the recipient.  (The webmaster will not give out the login and password to our seattlemasons.org website without a definite need for access by anyone other than himself, the Master, and the Secretary.) 

The cost of this additional site is $119.40 per year.  This would be another routine expense for the lodge in addition to the other regular expenses of hosting, indexing, and webmaster fees.   If approved, it would be annually submitted as a regular bill without separate vote of the lodge.  It was m/s/p that funds be allocated to establish a new website for the purpose of uploading and downloading documents, applications, and photographs. 

Rainbow Assembly No. 87

Rainbow Assembly No. 87 (Kent) has been invited to help serve dinner prior to our February stated communication.  Our Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5 will be making his official visit that evening and he is an advisor for that Assembly.  Through the recommendation of the Masonic Youth Committee, it was m/s/p to contribute a check to the Rainbow Girls of Assembly No. 87.  This check will be presented to the girls in February.

2008 Wardens Conference

Each year the Grand Lodge hosts a conference of Wardens (and Senior Deacons) to assist in educating those future leaders of our lodges.  The fee for the conference is $300 per participant and $50 per spouse.  It was m/s/p to pay for the registration of our two Wardens and two Deacons and one lady to attend the annual Wardens Conference in Yakima, April 11 – 13. 

Geek Squad to the Rescue?

The Secretary expressed frustration at no longer being able to communicate to the lodge brethren by group mailings using our seattlemasons.org server.  This problem arose around the time we installed our new computer.  Several hours have been spent by VWBro. Russell and WBro. Tupper trying to solve the problem.  It was m/s/p to authorize funds to enlist the aid of a professional troubleshooting technology service to restore our group emailing capabilities.

District Reception for the Grand Master

The Masons of District 4 & 5 will host a reception for our Grand Master MWBro. Wayne I. Smith on Saturday, March 8, at the Ballard Masonic Center.  A social hour will begin at 5:30pm and dinner will be served at 6:30.  Last year’s event raised a total of $4,000, which was split equally between the Seattle Youth Symphony and the Ballard Food Bank.  Our Grand Master has designated the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program as his charity of choice for the year.  All net proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be donated to this great organization.  Thirteen members [i] of St. John’s Lodge have indicated that they plan to attend the reception.  It was m/s/p that the necessary money for tickets and the charity be allocated for the District Reception for the Grand Master.

Summer Picnic

Next year’s picnic will again be held at the Nile Shrine grounds, on Sunday, August 10^th.  This year the Nile will require a refundable $250 damage deposit in addition to the minimum $250 to reserve the date and location.  WBro.  Ken Lane, Sr. m/s/p that $500 be deposited with the Nile Shrine to reserve the August 10, 2008 picnic site, including damage deposit.  (This motion was also presented and approved at the December stated communication.)

Scholastic Assistance

Bro. Brian Downie requested that the lodge approve a scholarship for Mr. Jason Moe, who had previously been in school, but had dropped out for a period of time following the death of his father.  It was m/s/p that a scholarship be awarded to Mr. Jason Moe.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

• January 18:  lodge outing National Treasure – Book of Secrets movie

• January 20 (3pm):  Grand Master reception for Masters and lodge officers (Scottish Rite)

• January 23 (7pm):  Officers  & Committee Chairs meeting

• January 23 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting

• January 25:  Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau (election of officers)

• January 26:  Leadership Training Workshop (Everett)

• January 30 (7pm):  Fellowcraft Degree

• February 11 (7-9pm):  Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center

• February 12 (7pm):  Entered Apprentice Degree

• February 13 (6pm):  Board of Trustees

• February 18 (8:30am):  laying of wreath at George Washington Memorial

• February 20 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated – Official Visit of the DDGM

• March 8 (6pm):  Districts 4&5 Celebration of Masonry (Ballard Masonic Center)

The Master also announced the appointment of WBro. Charles Tupper as our alternate Trustee to the Masonic Service Bureau.  WBro. Joseph Lund remains as the principal Trustee from St. John’s No. 9.

GOOD OF THE ORDER 

VWBro. Jim Maher, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, encouraged the brethren to attend the laying of a wreath at the foot of the George Washington statue on the University of Washington campus, Monday, February 18.

The Master directed the Senior Deacon to escort brothers Virendra Agarwal and George Dyer to the East, where they were presented copies of the St. John’s histories, lapel pins, and dinner aprons; and encouraged to visit our lodge again on their travels.

WBro. Richard Hawley, who lost a nephew last week to a suicide bomber attack in Iraq, asked that the brothers set aside any political differences they may have and pay honor to our service personnel who give of their time and lives in defense of our country.  Whenever we see a man or woman in the uniform of our country, please say thank you – they might never return to their loved ones.

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 Entered Apprentice Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 9:48 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.

 

[i] Ken Lane, Jr., Charles Brockway, Richard Mecartea, Darrel Womack, Charles Tupper, Mike Davis, Adam Creighton, Helmuth Svoboda, Vince Kodikal, Richard Heston, Bill Collison, Jim Wold, Jim Russell

 

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