rethren, our EA degree
last June was my first opportunity to stand before you in the role of WM
and I must admit to how truly invigorating it was for me to function in
that capacity. I hope that our recent experiences, in lodge and in our
degree work, are fair assessments of what’s to come over the
following year. We have a great many bless-
ings to be thankful for,
and I thank each of you, not only for the moments that we get to share in
lodge as brothers, but for so
many wonderful and intriguing opportunities to improve ourselves as
men, both competent and forthright in our abilities. I have never
experienced such a unique opportunity as that of simply being a
Mason.
To you, my brothers, I promise not
only to maintain that standard of excellence that we all enjoy in
St. John’s, but I promise to search out, for all of our benefit,
some agreeable enhancements to explore along the way. Be it
something to complement our ritual work, our fellowship, or any
other opportunity where we might find inspiration through our own
St. John’s brand of entertainment, education, and/or enlightenment,
and I ask you to do the same. Above all, and with your assistance,
if I am granted a favorable vote, I promise that we will improve our
selves as Masons.
1)By providing officer
line and committee members orientations for Masonic career
development.
2)By further developing
communication between the chairs, so that the responsibilities of
each station may be more clearly and consistently articulated to
each incoming officer, thereby allowing a fuller experience with
which to contemplate the subtleties of our craft.
3)By focusing on audience
appeal and learning “straight from the horse’s mouth” what qualities
you would like to see more fully represented in your lodge.
It’s been said that in order to lead,
a person must first know how to serve, and I am convinced through
experience that it is this quality that most clearly defines any
leader’s true capacity. So with that I ask you, will you assist me
in this service? Will you assist me in the duty of governing this
lodge? Our future, my year as Master, and every Master to come after
me will require your experience, your vision, and above all, your
friendship in order to make this lodge truly our own, with all of
our unique strengths and enjoyable qualities. Together we can make
St John’s exactly so, and what better future could we possibly
suppose?
Be well brothers and I hope to see
you soon.
AWARDS AND
PRESENTATIONS
At July’s “Herb’s Night” stated
communication, MWBro. Richard Mecartea and Bro. AJ Wold were
presented their 50 year pins and recognition cards. Bro. Jim Jensen
was honored for 50 years of service when the Master presented him
with his pin before family and brothers at the St. John’s picnic,
Sunday, August 10.
The
reason often given for eliminating or reducing memory work is that
men
are too busy. Few would try to refute the idea that
the President of the United States has one of the busiest jobs in
the world. Yet MWBro. Harry S Truman,
when he was President, took time to go to lodge many
times, and even conferred degrees at times. So the "too busy"
excuse is a very weak one.
CALENDAR
·August 10 (11am –
4pm): Rust Memorial Lodge picnic at Nile
·August 12 (7pm):
FC degree
·August 13 (6pm):
Board of Trustees (at Oppenheimer)
·September 17
(6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated
·September 24
(7pm): Officers meeting/practice
·September 24
(7pm): District 5 LOMA meeting
·October 4:
Oktoberfest at Leavenworth
St.
John’s Approaches 148th Anniversary
August 20
Stated leads up to celebration in September
Mark your calendar for our big event
of the year, when we host our 148th anniversary dinner at
the Ballinger Lake Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace, Saturday,
September 13. Dinner and entertainment by Neil Diamond (or
Nearly Neil featuring Bobby Bruce) will highlight this special
evening. Suit and tie or semi-formal attire; tuxes for
officers.
Our Social Hour with wine bar will
begin at 6pm, with dinner following at 7:00.
Worshipful Master Jim Wold has
planned and prepared an evening to remember. All members of St.
John’s and their ladies are invited to join the festivities.
Reservations are a must, and may be made by returning the
enclosed card, by email at
stjohns9@seattlemasons.org, or calling the secretary at 206
623-0261. Indicate your preference for cedar-planked salmon or
stuffed flank steak; a vegetarian option will also be
available. In addition to a Rosemary-rubbed chicken breast, these
entrees will be accompanied with baby red potatoes and pan seared
green beans. Dessert will feature Apple Blackberry Crisp and
vanilla ice cream.
Those who request a vegetarian choice
need to do so when making their reservation. All reservations must
be received by Saturday, September 6!
According
to the Australia Adelaide Advertiser, “Neil Diamond had better be wary
if he ever comes to town. Bobby Bruce is a hard act to follow. The
Canadian impersonator not only mimics the great Neil Diamond to a tee
but also implants some of his own pizzazz and style, a combination so
clever and disarming that he brings the house down. Bruce, in rhine-stoned
dress trousers, and a white, beaded fringe shirt, achieves the essence
of Diamond’s raspy stridency in such favorites as Solitary Man, Cracklin’
Rosie, and I Am I Said. But it is the passion and energy of his
performance, his connection with the audience and his infectious warmth
which sets him in a league of his own.”
GRAND LODGE ISSUES “LOW-BRAINER”
The new combination Monitor/Cipher has
become a little un-wieldy! Last year, with the decision to reduce the
costs of publication, Grand Lodge requested and received permission to
combine the Masonic Monitor and ciphers into one 8 ½” x 11” notebook
format. Sounded good. Until one wants to study the Work at lunch hour
or in a quiet place for instruction. No longer can you carry your
cipher in the shirt pocket.
So much for progress!
ST.
JOHN’S PERFORMS WELL FOR OPEN AIR DEGREE
Worshipful Master Jim Wold led a fine St.
John’s team to open lodge and conduct a Master Mason degree at the
Granite Falls Masonic Park earlier this month. Brothers John Samudio
and Bill Feldner were raised Master Masons in an historic moment for
this lodge.
On the first Saturday of every August the
Master Mason’s Club of Snohomish and Island Counties invites a team to confer the
Master Mason degree. The setting is in
the natural amphitheater of the Masonic Park.
Following the degree performed by the St.
John’s team, the lodge was closed in Ample Form by Grand Master MWBro.
Doug Tucker and his corps of elected Grand Officers. Over two-hundred
were in attendance, including 30 from St. John's.
Dress will again be “business casual” for
our August 20 stated communication. (We keep hoping for warm summer
weather.)
Dinner will be accompanied by music and
iconic Masonic imagery. We will then have a presentation by Jim
Geiszler from the alternative school Secondary Academy for Success on
its “Blues In the Schools” program partially supported by St. John’s.
“The "Blues In the Schools” program is a
perfect representation of the raw talent and diversity that makes up
S.A.S. The course is not only fast paced and fun, but very educational.
There are opportunities to work with some of the best musicians in the
Northwest, including Curly Cook, former guitarist for the Steve Miller
Band, and Bernadette Bascom, a popular and talented vocal performer.
With all this and much more, this
program really is the chance of a
lifetime.
Worshipful Master Jim Wold invites all Masons to join us for a full
evening of entertainment and business.
Dinner begins at 6:15. As always, please let
the Secretary know you (and a guest?) will be in attendance so we can
give the chef an accurate count!
LONG AGO BUT NOT SO
FAR AWAY….
Our lodge sesquicentennial is only a couple
of years away, and so it’s time to start thinking about how to celebrate
150 years in Seattle! Bro. Nick Mitchell has accepted the challenge to
make this a very special year in the life of our lodge.
We
received our charter to conduct business on September 4, 1860. The
third meeting as a lodge, and the first meeting of the lodge under the
charter was on Saturday, September 15, 1860, where it was arranged to
meet in a room supplied by saw mill owner Henry L. Yesler. The place
where the room was located is not definitely known, but is believed to
be in the upper part of the building adjoining the cook house.
FUN-FILLED TRIP TO
LEAVENWORTH
Fun
in Leavenworth! Only 10 seats on the St. John’s chartered bus to
Leavenworth to celebrate Oktoberfest remain available. Don’t worry
about the price of gas – the lodge will be subsidizing travel expenses.
The bus will leave the South Northgate P&R at 8am on October 4. For your $10,
Zarthan Lodge No. 148 will be furnishing a sauerkraut and ribs dinner at
5:30.
This outing is a blow-out for St. John’s
Lodge No. 9! Bring the family and we will transport everyone to
Leavenworth for the first Saturday of Oktoberfest. We’ll be there in
time for the Mayor of Leavenworth to tap the keg at noon. Parades,
amusements, special events, and good old-fashioned fun are in store for
all who attend. There’s even a playground for the youngsters!
DON'T WAIT TOO LONG
OR YOU WILL BE LEFT OUT!
Remember that some didn't get their reservations in time to go on the
Duck! Make your check payable to WBro. Charlie Tupper or VWBro. Jim
Russell. They will see that your name is on the list.
