January 2009 Trestleboard

first set. Thus, 10 is said to represent Rebirth (our 150^th anniversary perhaps!) in that a new phase of ten (11-20) is then at its origin and infancy.

But wait, is 2009 symbolic of 9 only, or is it symbolic of 11 as well, as 2+0+0+9=11? As 10 denotes rebirth, the 11 that follows it is said to represent the beginning of the new order, which 11 establishes numerically. It is also the first of what are known as Master numbers, 11, 22, 33, and so on, which are symbolic of new initiatives founded upon a complete understanding of what has come before (symbolically represented by the complete set of 10 preceding it). 11 is also considered to be the number of mystery, as it represents the beginning of all that extends beyond the sum of the ordinary whole (10). This being the case, this year it is probable that we will investigate the mysteries from the perspective of old world knowledge (like numerology).

If we look for meaning in the name of January, we find that it is derived from the Pagan Roman God Janus, reported to be the keeper of all doors and gateways, and the author of every soul’s rite of passage. Janus is most commonly represented as a single head bearing two Faces, an old bearded face looking back, and a young, freshly shaven face looking forward, alluding to the process of refinement and longevity, whereby we base our resolutions for the future on the wisdom of the past, all the while balancing our ideals with what is practical.

Therefore my brothers, if such speculation is any indication of our year to come:

1) We are going to change things up a bit by reflecting upon the oldest and highest principles of our Order.

2) We will find fulfillment in the art of individual Mastery by studying Masters.

3) We will endeavor to meet the necessity of our ideals because our ideals are necessary.

4) And in all things, we will become better Masons.

Be well brothers and see you at our Stated!

MILESTONES

Last year, we received word that twenty-five Brothers left us for that “undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns:”

George Atterson, Murray Barnett, Marcus Bateman, William Brown, Dalton Cassin, David Cole, Clarence “Bud” Glandon, Ralph Herth, Bedford Kilburn, Jr., Richard Knott, Max Leichtag, Mervin Lessley, James McCrary, David Moffat, James Partee, Douglas Poland, Harold Reece, Jackson Richardson, Cmdr. Max Roushman, Jr., Jorgen Seather, Jorvard Smith, George Warburton, Lawrence Watkins, Henry Wells, William Wisman.

Until we meet again, dear Friends and Brothers, until we meet again, farewell.

CALENDAR

· January 8 (7pm): Master Mason degree (Thursday)
· January 12 (7-9pm): Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center
· January 21(6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated
· January 23: Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau (election of officers
· January 28 (7pm): District 5 LOMA meeting
· February 9 (7-9pm): Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center
· February 11 (6pm): Board of Trustees
· February 16 (8:30am): laying of wreath at George Washington Memorial
· February 18 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated

WILL SNOW DISRUPT JANUARY MEETING?

Worshipful Master Chris Carney invites all brothers to join him and his officers for the second stated communication of this Masonic year. The weather, especially the falling snow that seemed to keep coming and never leave, disrupted what would otherwise have been a festive December gathering of friends and brothers. Still, twenty-one St. John's brothers and six visitors made the effort to battle the threatening elements for a most enjoyable evening.

Junior Warden Bro. George Rine hopes to continue the St. John's tradition of food, fellowship, and entertainment leading up to the 7:30pm stated communication. He will challenge us to give thought to the meaning of passages from Ecclesiastes xii: 1 -7, where King Solomon admonishes us to make peace with the Lord early in our lives. “Remember now thy

Creator in the days of thy youth…” We will examine these passages more thoroughly.

Our Worshipful Master WBro. Christopher Carney will lead us in the business of the lodge, as well as renewing a challenge to each of us to consider the meaning of today’s “speculative Masonry” as it has advanced from operative Masonry.

We will honor the memory of a couple of departed brothers and help celebrate the lives of a few brothers who have achieved birthday milestones this month.

Please make your 6:15pm dinner reservations with the secretary at stjohns9@seattlemasons.org or 206 623-0261 by Friday (January 16^th) prior to the stated meeting. Invite a brother to accompany you to lodge.

MASTER TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION, TRAINING

In his inaugural stated meeting of his term, WBro. Chris Carney told the brethren that he wanted to get “back to basics.” He wants to measure the success of our performance by data collection, followed by analysis, goal setting action planning, and re-measurement. He wants us to develop a better definition of our organizational structure and processes; to use constructive feedback by listening, asking appropriate questions for clarification, staying focused on possible solutions, and to openly face one other about a problem. He intends to initiate officer and committee training and to develop “clockwork” floor work in our ritual performance and to gradually re-incorporate the lectures into the regular officer line training. Lastly, he challenged each of the brothers to look up the definition of “speculative,” especially as it applies to Freemasonry.

THREE BROTHERS TO BE RAISED MASTER MASONS THURSDAY

MWBro. Richard Mecartea will preside when three brothers, including his grandson, will be raised Master Masons on Thursday, January 8. Junior Warden Bro. George Rine has assembled the degree team and invites all brothers to come out and be a part of this special occasion. Bros. Aren Hakobyan and Carl Tokarek will join Bro. Jon Munday, MWBro. Mecartea’s grandson. The lodge will open under the direction of WBro. Chris Carney at 7pm.

MWBro. Mecartea and Bro. Munday shown here following Bro. Jon’s Fellowcraft degree.

Definition of “Speculative”

Juxtaposition: An act of comparing two things, especially in a way that suggests connection between them or to distinguish them.

Speculative (1): characterized by speculation: based on guessing or unfounded opinions.

Speculative (2): The speculative deal involves taking a big risk, but deliberately so, in the hope of making an extraordinary gain.

WE WORK IN SPECULATIVE MASONRY

Readily identified as part of the Middle Chamber lecture, the statement is intended to put the candidate "in tune" for the series of instructive and philosophical discourses he is about to hear. It contrasts the kind of “work” done by modern members of the Fraternity to the manual labors performed by stone-cutters, masons, and builders in the days of operative Masonry.

In the eighteenth century, when Speculative was first used in this monitorial expression, it had a rather clear and definite meaning for the average member. He certainly wasn't misled by the image of a man taking a chance in the stock market. Speculative doesn't “register” with candidates today as it did two hundred years ago. Consequently, the statement in our headline often falls flat for twenty-first century Fellowcrafts.

This is regrettable, since the word is so often used to describe Freemasonry and has great value for preserving a tradition of Masonic development. We really can't do without the expression, Speculative Freemasonry, even though Symbolical Freemasonry might be a more descriptive term today. source Short Talk Bulletin

Online Trestleboard? If you would like your monthly Trestleboard delivered to you online rather than by mail, please let the secretary know at stjohns9@seattlemasons.org.

DUES REMINDER

Dues for 2009 were due and payable by December 31, 2008. If you are not holding a dues card marked 2009, you still have not paid your dues for this year! Please remit $13, today. Send to PO Box 30069, Seattle, WA 98113

Lodge of Sorrow Open for Masonic Funerals

The Washington Masonic Code, Sec. 23.02 B.L. allows a Master, on vote of a Lodge, to open a Lodge of Sorrow, which will remain open only during his term of office, for the purpose of conducting Masonic funeral rites. St. John's conducts funeral and memorial services for departed brothers at the request of the family.

PAST MASTER SKIP ALBERTSON WRITES AND PRODUCES CHRISTMAS PLAY

WBro. Skip Albertson has been putting his hidden talents to work this fall and winter, first writing and then producing a Christmas play for the young people at his church in Olympia. This 2008 Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Church (OUUC) Yule play was a parody of Dickens’ Christmas Carol set on the streets of Olympia, WA. Featuring a default credit swapping Scrooge and a singing homeless woman named Suzy Song (and her son Tiny Tim), the play had two original songs and many traditional Christmas songs with lyrics altered. “Together Yes We Can” song from Finale (2008-Skip Albertson) is dedicated to shared optimism for the future).

Scrooge gets his comeuppance on the mean streets of Olympia when Suzy Song and Tiny Tim conspire to help him listen to what's inside his heart rather than inside his wallet.

Writes WBro. Albertson, “Whether you live on the Street of Dreams or at Camp Quixote (Olympia’s tent city), you don't want to be left out in the cold on this one!”

Operation Kid Smile

ANNUAL VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS AND ST. JOHN’S

This year we helped eight families and fifteen children of the 555th Engineering Brigade at Fort Lewis. Personnel from the Brigade are partially deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan at this time. Therefore, many of the families are unable to have one of their adult members at home for the holidays.

The ages of the children ranged from 6 months to 15 years old. We provided every family with a complete Christmas dinner plus clothing and toys for each child. The families were overwhelmed with emotion; several were nearly speechless as they beamed with excitement and joy.

The morning was spent purchasing food, clothing and toys. We assembled all of these items and tagged them for delivery, then proceeded to the Engineering Brigade Headquarters building for a Christmas party for the children. Santa’s “Grand Entrance” was spectacular and fun for all ages.

Our own Santa Claus (known only to Mrs. Hans Wehl) clearly had the most fun and the worker elves all enjoyed it as well. Christmas is a special time and the enjoyment we are able to bring to those families is very rewarding. Santa is still... Ho, Ho, Ho-ing... Back at home, all agreed that we clearly made a difference for these military families.

St. John's provided $1,500 for this event, and brothers from the lodge personally contributed another $1,000! We thank St. John's Lodge and the brothers for their generous donations and gifts which made this event possible.

Coming to Dinner at 6:15? RSVP at 206 623-0261 or email the Secretary at stjohns9@seattlemasons.org.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1582, the Gregorian calendar reform restored January 1 as New Year's day. Although most Catholic countries adopted the Gregorian calendar almost immediately, it was only gradually adopted among Protestant countries. The British, for example, did not adopt the reformed calendar until 1752. Until then, the British Empire, and their American colonies, still celebrated the New Year in March.

ST. JOHN’S BRINGS CHRISTMAS TO GREENWOOD

Again this year, St. John's Lodge continued to supply Christmas cheer for families in the greater Greenwood area. Working with one of our charities - the Greenwood Food Bank - along with local churches and direct appeal, we assisted nine families. These were comprised of three seniors, six adults, eleven children and two cats! Faced with the recent downturn in the economy, many seniors and even people fortunate to have jobs have become working poor families unable to afford gifts. Many that we assisted were receiving help for the first time and were saddened with the prospect that this may be a Christmas without presents for their children.

Not to be deterred, we were better than the U.S. Mail - neither rain, sleet nor snow kept our cheerful band from shopping, wrapping presents and delivering them on time Christmas eve! We met the tearful parents, who with gratitude and thankful hearts warmly gave us hugs and expressed their praise to the Masons of St. John's Lodge for making a difference in their time of need. We were welcomed into their homes where most did not have a Christmas tree or a single present.

Merry cheers issued from two of the small kids, a boy and a girl who received their first bike, letting us know that we had delivered what Santa could not.

Many thanks go to the Brothers and family members who participated in making this such a wonderful success: Brad and Kristen Greco, Rick and Laurie Heston, Brian Downie and his lady Sarah, Phillip See, Ken and Darlene Lane, Errol and Kazi Scott, Matt LaCroix and Liz Lamb-Ferro, Joseph Lund, and Ken, Joyce, Kenny and Sarah Lane. With the sudden change in our weather, special thanks for delivery sleighs and many hours of driving in four-wheel hazardous conditions. Thanks Brad, Rick and Brian. You took us where reindeer couldn't. We wouldn't have been successful in our deliveries without you!

SYMBOLIC AND OPERATIVE FREEMASONRY

Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) was the first to record a personal account of initiation into Accepted Freemasonry. His writings help solve the debate between operative and “speculative” origins of Accepted Freemasonry, demonstrating that symbolic Freemasonry existed within the Masonic trade bodies. Ashmole was one of the leading intellectual luminaries of his time: a founding member of the Royal Society, a fellowship and later academy of natural philosophers and scientists; alchemist; astrological advisor to the king; and the creator of the world’s first public museum. While Isaac Newton regarded him as an inspiration, Ashmole has been ignored by many conventional historians.