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May Stated Communication
Worshipful Master Jim Wold and his officers opened Lodge on the first degree at 5:30 PM and immediately called to refreshment. By 6:15 five of the candidates for the office of Junior Grand Warden were in attendance as well as about 40 members of the Lodge
Following the invocation by our Chaplain the members of Bethel 40 of the International Order of Job's Daughters served an excellent Salmon dinner. Following the dinner the Worshipful Master presented the Bethel with a check to help with the expenses of Grand Bethel.
When dessert was finished everyone adjourned to the Lodgeroom where five of the seven announced candidates for Junior Grand Warden spoke to the assembled brothers and guests. These were: VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (9-172-100-314), WBro. Andy Olson (39-139-317), VWBro. Michael Sanders (4-52-281), VWBro. John Sleeth (36-56), and VWBro. Mark Wiggins (41-15). Each candidate spoke for about five minutes to relate what they hoped to achieve for our Grand Lodge and each responded to questions from the brethren. VWBro. Steven Guffy (285-112-148-314) and VWBro. Dale Spurlock (185) were unable to be present. All of them did an excellent job of speaking.
Non Masons were then asked to leave the Lodgeroom so that we could commence out regular Stated Communication for the month of May. PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG After the non-mason guests had left the Worshipful Master called the lodge from Refreshment to Labor and led 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, Grand Lodge officers and committeemen. In attendance and receiving a warm St. John’s welcome were five visiting brothers, Bros. Chris DiGiulio (Ashler Lodge No. 121), Michael Foley (Daylight Lodge No. 232), and VWBro. Carl Alexander (Renaissance Lodge No. 312). Also present were our Musician Bro. Adam Creighton
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 & youth), WBro. Terry Grove (charity & CHIP), WBro. Charles Tupper (technology), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Jim Maher (Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley Grand Bible Bearer), WBro. Andy Olson (Junior Grand Deacon), VWBro. John Sleeth (Grand Musician), VWBro. Mark Wiggins (Grand Orator), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Assistant Grand Secretary Emeritus), 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.
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 although the value of our financial portfolio has fallen in the last few months, it has started to climb and we are optimistic for a full recovery. “We continue to be solvent.” He added that he has correspondence from our private holding, MediQuest Therapeutics. MediQuest is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bothell, Washington.EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (MWBro. Richard Mecartea, VWBro. David Campbell, and WBro. Darrel Womack), were submitted to the lodge for approval. After the acting chairman, WBro. Womack, 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 brethren, the bills were approved for payment. COMMUNICATIONS Trestleboards and letters of communication were distributed. Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following: Bro. David Karpilow is rehabilitating at The Caroline Kline Galland Home on Seward Park Ave. So. following a bad fall at his apartment. We have sent flowers, but a phone call or visit would be appreciated. Bro. James Swift will be traveling through Europe for the month of June for one last Hoorah before heading to Kyrgyzstan on July 3rd to serve a couple of years in the Peace Corps! WBro. David Moffat is increasingly experiencing health issues which prevent him from coming to Lodge. I have recently spoken with both him and his wife Dorothy. Your thoughts and prayers will be greatly appreciated for our former lodge Secretary. Bethel No. 28 of Ballard invited us to attend their Installation of Officers on May 4th at the Ballard Masonic Center. San Juan Lodge No. 175 invited us to attend the annual Fellowcraft Outdoor degree and Salmon Barbecue, Saturday, May 17. The Seattle Youth Symphony extended an invitation to a scholarship brunch, Sunday, May 18. Taproot Theatre announces that their season concludes with the comedy “Over the River and Through the Woods!” May 16 – June 14. The Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce invites us to participate in the 58th annual Greenwood Seafair Parade, Wednesday, July 23. The girls from Bethel No. 78 in Auburn have asked for assistance to send members of their group to the annual Grand Bethel Session in Wenatchee in June. An appeal has been received from WBro. Vinny DiGiulio to sponsor an invitational charity golf tournament in August. The Neighborhood Health Centers has made an appeal for contributions. We have received newsletters and Trestleboards from the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce, the Phinney Neighborhood Association, the City of Hope, Heirloom Bible Publishers, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Diamond Lodge No. 83, University Lodge No. 141, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, Greenwood Lodge No. 253, and W.F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. COMMITTEE REPORTS WBro. Hans Wehl reported that the Board of Trustees met on May 13th with representatives of OppenheimerFunds to discuss our investment portfolio. A policy to present Masonic Bibles to each Master Mason at the time he demonstrates his proficiency in open lodge was re-affirmed. We may open up the trip to Oktoberfest to non-members if we are still short of filling the chartered bus by mid-July. Whoever handles dinner reservations should be the one to provide the final number to our caterer for any major event. It was agreed to recommend that St. John’s sponsor the Occidental Chapter Order of DeMolay should it move to Greenwood. It was agreed to recommend that funds be transferred from the charity reserves to the Teen Feed charity line item. A request to support an invitational golf tournament to raise money for charity was denied. The next scheduled meeting will be held at the offices of Oppenheimer, Bellevue, Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 6pm. WBro. Charles Tupper reported that the planned outing for the Underground Seattle Tour is still scheduled for June 28 at 3pm. The guide for the tour is a Mason who has copies of our lodge history books and will be especially prepared to address our interests. The cost of this tour will be borne by the lodge. The Ride the Duck outing will be July 19. Only one seat remains available. This excursion will begin at 10am Saturday, July 19th, followed by lunch at the Greenwood Masonic Center. There are still twenty-one seats available (of 59) for the chartered bus trip to Leavenworth to celebrate Oktoberfest, October 4th. We will open the trip up to those outside our lodge if room remains available after mid-July. WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that the Northwest Little League Masons team sponsored by St. John’s has won its final two games of the season and awaits the opening of league tournament play. WBro. Tupper reported that he has arranged for the Grand Lodge float to again be represented in the Seattle Torchlight Parade on July 26th. Due to a conflict in scheduling, the Grand Master will not be available, and there is an opening for someone representing our lodge to ride on the float. We also need 4-6 walking volunteers to help carry the St. John’s banner at the head of the float. The parade starts at 7:30pm, but volunteers need to be present by 5pm. On behalf of chairman Bro. Ryan Stoulil, the Worshipful Master reported that we will again be serving the homeless teens on Monday, June 16th. This teen feed will be at the University Lutheran Church in the University District. Bro. Brian Downie reported that he and his scholarship committee have been interviewing students from Ballard and Sealth High Schools. In response to an inquiry from the floor, it was acknowledged that there is not really a deadline to receive requests for consideration by members of the committee. The primary consideration for the awarding of a scholarship is based on financial need and to make an impact on the life of the student. The winning recipients of the scholarships will be invited to dinner at our June stated communication. The Master announced that he has distributed the Master’s charity fund for the month and will be glad to speak privately regarding this contribution with anyone following the meeting. READING OF PETITIONS Two petitions for plural membership were read. WBro. Errol Scott is a Past Master of Occidental Lodge No. 72 and a member of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. He was born November 7, 1939, in Taft, CA. He is married and is retired. He was raised a Master Mason, May 31, 2001. VWBro. James Maher is a Past Master of Daylight Lodge No. 232 and of Tyee Lodge No. 115. He was born December 14, 1962, in Denver, CO. He is married and works as a Financial Investor. He was raised a Master Mason, January 11, 1989. Committees will be appointed to visit these brothers and to report back to the lodge by the next stated communication. BALLOTING ON PETITIONS A favorable ballot was spread on Mr. Phillip James See for the degrees. Mr. See had received unanimous favorable recommendations by his investigating committee. He will be initiated as an Entered Apprentice on June 25th at 7pm. The Senior Deacon was instructed to contact Mr. See. MEMORIAL SCROLLS Memorial scrolls were read for Bros. Clarence “Bud” Harris Glandon, James Madison McCrary, and Lawrence Albert Watkins followed by opportunities to share remembrances. A memorial service was performed by Bro. Brian Downie. UNFINISHED BUSINESS FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch Bro. Chris Carney reported that the FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch was well received. Our final numbers included 134 adults, 16 children, and 9 children under five. The total cost for the brunch exceeded our line-item budget. It was m/s/p to approve the expense that exceeded the budget for the Family Brunch. NEW BUSINESS Seafair Torchlight Parade St. John's Lodge No. 9 will again sponsor the Masonic float in the 59th annual Seafair Torchlight Parade. This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, July 26, beginning at 7:30pm. It was m/s/p to approve the float usage contribution to Grand Lodge. The Torchlight Parade is the largest nighttime parade in the Pacific Northwest with more than 300,000 people lining the streets of downtown Seattle. Precision drill teams, community floats, regional and international bands, equestrian units, giant helium balloons, comical clowns and swashbuckling pirates all come together in downtown Seattle to celebrate true family and community entertainment. Teen Feed The Master encouraged the brethren to approve added funding for additional teen feeds. It was m/s/p to transfer funds from the charity reserves to the teen feed line-item, thereby allowing two additional opportunities to serve the homeless teens in Seattle. A check for payable to Ryan Stoulil was prepared to purchase supplies for the June 16th meal. Scholarship Authorization At the request of Bro. Brian Downie it was m/s/p to authorize the scholarship committee to commit funding for scholarships to deserving students. Occidental Chapter, Order of DeMolay At the request and in the absence of the Masonic Youth committee chairman WBro. Mark Campbell, the Secretary m/s/p that a check be issued to the Occidental Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Master Mason degree The Master called for volunteers to assist with two scheduled Master Mason degrees. There will be one Master Mason degree on June 21st, followed by the Open Air degree at the Masonic Park on August 2nd. Two ruffians are needed for the June 21st degree. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
GOOD OF THE ORDER VWBro. David Campbell paid tribute to Bro. Chris DiGiulio, visiting from Ashlar Lodge No. 121, who returned this month from a tour of military duty in Iraq. VWBro. Charles Brockway has just returned from a 2-month motor-home tour of the western United States. He related a tale how he was well-received by Masons along the way and especially enjoyed an opportunity to visit a small lodge in Nevada. He encouraged all brothers to visit other lodges and suggested that they would be rewarded in their experience. WBro. Vinny DiGiulio said that Jim Geiszler of the Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) requests an opportunity to come to St. John's to thank us for our support of the alternative scholastic program for young people. WBro. DiGiulio also invited the brothers to attend the T.H. Little Chapter, Order of DeMolay, pasta feed this coming Saturday. RWBro. Gale Kenney announced that he has become engaged to be married. He added that his fiancé recognizes that this will be a two year engagement, as he has certain commitments to the fraternity as he approaches the Grand East. He also spoke of his recent travels and brought greetings from St. John's Lodge of Boston, where they have just celebrated their 275th anniversary. St. John's Lodge is the first duly constituted lodge of Freemasons in America. The Master reminded the officers that coat and tie (no tuxes) will be the proper attire for June. The July and August stated communications will be casual dress for all brothers. 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 9:15 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
