District No. 5),  WBro. Roger Barnstead (Senior Grand Steward), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), MWBro. James Reid (Executive Officer Order of DeMolay and Past Grand Master), and MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence), 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 investments continue to suffer with the downturn in the economy, but hopefully we have bottomed out and will enjoy a return ride.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

The following bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (Bros. Adam Mackler, Nick Mitchell and WBro. Darrel Womack), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting chairman, Bro. Mackler, attested to the accuracy of each bill or invoice, he stated the expenditures were in order and moved for the payment of the bills.  The bills were approved for payment.  Itemized below are the expenses for the month of April:

COMMUNICATIONS

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

We have received a clarification from the Grand Master on the use of the Masonic Emblem and the subject of Freemasonry on personal websites.  The Square & Compasses may NOT be used on personal sites.  A Brother may have a personal website or “blog” or other form of internet forum, communication or publication as long as it maintains the Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love, relief, and truth and in no way disparages our Fraternity or any Brother.  A lodge may have a Lodge-sponsored web site  and may use the Square & Compasses in a tasteful manner.  The Master must be aware of - and will be held responsible for - its content.

The Nile Shrine will be celebrating its 2008 All-Masonic Night on the evening of May 14.

We have received thank you notes and letters of communication from the  Blue Nile Children’s Organization, John Rogers Elementary School, University Street Ministries (Teen Feed), and SSS Ship Propeller of the Sea Scouts.

The Job’s Daughters of Bethel 28 hosted a dinner & games night in Ballard last Saturday.  The Rainbow Girls of Washington/Idaho will be holding their annual walk-a-thon benefiting the Burned Children Recovery Foundation.   Jennifer Danner of Richmond Highlands Assembly in Shoreline seeks a monetary pledge for the walk that she will be participating in.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association will be holding a fund raising auction on Saturday, May 3.  We have been invited to promote our fraternity during the coming Greenwood Car Show, Saturday, June 28.

We have received newsletters and Trestleboards from Conversay, The Phinney Neighborhood Association, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers, Mercy Corps, HOPE Heart Institute, The Landmark on the Sound, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Diamond Lodge No. 83, University Lodge No. 141, Edmonds Lodge No. 165, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Greenwood Lodge No. 253.

Please take home the extra copies of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

WBro. Mark Campbell was pleased the Masonic youth were able to present samples of their ritual work to the brethren and guests.

Chairman Bro. Joe Oates, assisted by WBro. Jeff Lane, displayed the new banner which will be “flying” at our August Michael Rust Memorial Picnic at the Nile.

WBro. Charles Tupper, chair for the St. John’s social events committee, reminded the brethren of  two events on the horizon.  You haven’t seen Seattle until you’ve seen it from a Duck!  We’ll take a musical tour of the Emerald City on an amphibious World War II vehicle on both land and water.  We’ll see downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square, Funky Fremont, then, splash into Lake Union for a spectacular view of the city skyline, luxurious yachts, and Sleepless in Seattle Houseboats.  This Ride the Ducks event will leave from the Greenwood Masonic Center July 19 for a minimal charge of $5 each and will include a soup and sandwich lunch at our return.

The Leavenworth Oktoberfest tour will be opened up to more of those who want to share this experience with their families.   WBro. Tupper reported that the bus has been chartered and will hold 59.  The brethren of  Zarthan Lodge No. 148 (Leavenworth) will be preparing a sauerkraut and ribs dinner about 5pm.  The cost of the trip will be $10 per person.  It is expected that the bus will be leaving the Seattle area October 4 about 8:30 and will return that evening.  He noted that the UW Huskies will be playing an “away” game.

Bro. Brian Downie reported that the scholarships committee will be meeting to interview students from Ballard and Sealth high schools on May 7^th and 8^th.  They will be selecting four scholarship recipients from each school.  Bro. Chris Carney added that the committee is formally preparing a revised mission statement.

Bro. George Rine reported that he and Bros. Carney and Nick Mitchell attended the Wardens Conference in Yakima and expressed his gratitude that he was able to attend.  He said that St. John’s Lodge already has in place many of the recommendations that were presented at the Conference.

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that the Little League Masons team won their game earlier this evening and have evened their record at 2 wins, 2 losses.  A link to the Little League schedule and record can be found on our web site.

Bro. Ryan Stoulil expressed his appreciation to the brothers who assisted in preparing a dinner for the homeless young people in the University District.  Sixteen, including family members and friends, assisted in the teen feed.  He said it was a wonderful experience for him; the kids loved it and we received a lot of compliments.

Bro. Joe Oates is assembling a team for the Entered Apprentice degree, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30.  The Master called for a show of hands of those who will be able to participate in the degree.  Practice will be held on Wednesday, April 23.

READING OF PETITIONS

Petitions for the degrees were received from Mr. Jonathon Davis Munday and Mr. Phillip James See.  Mr. Munday was born in Redmond, Washington on May 5, 1989.  He is a student, a DeMolay, and a grandson of MWBro. Richard Mecartea.  His petition is signed by MWBro. Mecartea, MWBro. Al Jorgensen, and VWBro. Jim Russell.  Mr. See was born December 30, 1960, in Orange, California.  He is a computer systems architect for Washington Mutual Bank.  His petition is signed by Bros. George Rine, Nick Mitchell and VWBro. Russell.  Both men are single.

Committees will be appointed to visit Mr. Munday and Mr. See to report back to the Lodge.

MEMORIAL SCROLL

A memorial scroll was read for Bro. Richard Ernest Knott, followed by a memorial service by  Bro. Brian Downie.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

VWBro. Mike Davis (4/21/43) was honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in his journey through life.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Dinner Expense

The Secretary m/s/p that WBro. Mark Campbell be reimbursed for the pizza and beverages served to the Masonic youth and their advisors this evening.

NEW BUSINESS

MSA Short Talk Bulletins

In 2000, we sent a check for $100 for 25 Short Talk Bulletin subscriptions to the Masonic Service Association.  Since that time, we have continued to receive the bulletins but have not paid for any renewal.  The price has increased over the years, and the MSA has now realized that we have not been billed since 2000.  The Secretary m/s/p that we renew our subscription for 2008 for 25 copies of the Short Talk Bulletin at the current rate of $6 per year per subscription, or $150.

Open Air degree

The Master informed the lodge that there will be a few expenses associated with our opening/closing and conferring the Master Mason open air degree at Granite Falls Masonic Park in August.  The Park is in good condition following this winter season, not receiving similar damage as experienced during the 2006-2007 winter.  We will need to rent some props for the drama and a trailer to haul equipment to and from the site.  It was m/s/p to authorize  expenses related to the Open Air degree. 

2008 Grand Lodge Resolutions

The Master briefed the brethren on nineteen resolutions which will be presented to the delegates to Grand Lodge in Wenatchee.  MWBro. Al Jorgensen further explained the purpose behind Resolution 2008-17 (Allow formation of Historical Lodges in the Jurisdiction) and noted that it was to re-constitute a lodge no longer active but one of the original four that established the Grand lodge of Washington 150 years ago.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Secretary reported that about 92 reservations have been received for the FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch at Ivar’s Salmon House, Sunday, May 4.  We usually have 125 – 150 in attendance.  Several brothers added their names to the list of attendees.

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

·         April 23 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting

·         April 23 (7pm):  Officers meeting/practice EA degree

·         April 25:  Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau

·         April 30 (7pm):  Entered Apprentice degree

·         May 3:  Phinney Neighborhood Association Auction

·         May 4 (10am):  FABulous Family Brunch – Ivar’s Salmon House

o        Immediate Families, prospective members and their families

·         May 12 (7-9pm):  Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center

·         May 13 (6pm):  Board of Trustees

·         May 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated; JGW Candidates

·         May 28 (7pm):  Master Mason degree practice

·         May 28 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting

·         June 12-14:  Grand Lodge (Wenatchee)

Bro. Nick Mitchell reported that five of the seven candidates for Junior Grand Warden have responded that they plan to be in attendance at our May stated communication.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

WBro. Michael Reynolds, Master of Temple Lodge No. 70 of Mt. Pleasant, TX, brought greetings from his Lodge brethren and expressed his appreciation for the hospitality shown by St. John’s.  He was pleased to “hear a live voice answer the lodge telephone” when he called.  He complimented the lodge on our web site.  He was exposed to the public Grand Honors 3x3 for the first time and expressed his hope that he can introduce this greeting to the brethren of his Texas lodge.

VWBro. James Maher, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, brought greetings from MWBro. Wayne Smith and introduced Bro. Michael Cuadra who has been appointed by RWBro. Doug Tucker to be our Deputy for this district next term.

VWBro. David Campbell congratulated WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. on his excellent work in the East at last week’s Fellowcraft degree.  VWBro. Campbell encouraged more brothers to come and witness our degrees and reminded them how the candidates value their presence as they advance in Masonry.

WBro. Terry Grove reminded the brethren that the Nile Shrine will be hosting an All-Masonic Night at the Nile on Wednesday, May 14.

MWBro. Jim Reid, Executive Officer for the DeMolay of Washington, thanked the brethren for our support of DeMolay over the years.  He said that whenever he has asked a member of St. John’s for assistance to help the DeMolay cause, he has never been disappointed.  

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 9:28 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.