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January Stated Communication
Written by aid of the official Minutes - Photographs by WB Darrel Womack

At 6:15 on January 21st the members, visitors, and guests of St. John's Lodge No. 9 met in the dining room at Greenwood Masonic Center for our monthly dinner prior to our Stated Communication. 

This month Steve (Steve's Cafe Expresso, Bothell, WA) served an excellent steak dinner with all the trimmings.

ENTERTAINMENT

Following the meal everyone was invited upstairs to the Lodgeroom for the pre Stated entertainment.  This month Ms Morgan Vance, age 13, entertained the assembled members and guests with a few selections on the violin.  Ms Vance is a member of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and her father is a brother of the Craft.  Following a demonstration of appreciation from the audience, the Master presented Ms Vance with a gift from the lodge.

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.

INSTALLATION OF MUSICIAN AND TYLER

GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

The Master expressed his desire to elevate the dignity of the work and actions of St. John's Lodge No. 9 this year.  He hopes to accomplish this by taking a number of actions.  He will hold officer meetings on Tuesday a week before our stated communications for planning and preparation.  He wants to provide greater opportunity for our younger (or newer) brothers to speak in open lodge.  He wants to place a greater focus on Masonic art, music, and philosophy during the course of our stated communications.  And lastly, he wants to conclude our meetings as close to the nine o’clock hour as reasonably as possible.

The Master caused the Deacons to hand out printed slips to afford opportunities for the brothers to “grade” the officers and himself on their performance throughout the evening.  These are to be returned to the Senior Warden in exchange for their St. John's “bucks.”  

INTRODUCTIONS

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 was Bro. David C. Sheldon, an Entered Apprentice Mason recently initiated at Occidental Lodge No. 72.  He was introduced by WBro. Errol Scott.   Also present were Musician Bro. Adam Creighton and WBro. Jim Lumsden (Greenwood Lodge No. 253).

The Junior Warden introduced his counterpart, WBro. Errol Scott, Junior Warden of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281.  The Master introduced VWBro. Mike Davis, Master of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242, and MWBro. Richard Mecartea, Master of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 from the East.  They 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. Charles Tupper (technology), WBro. Darrel Womack (public relations), WBro. Jack Saelid (Masonic Retirement Center Trustee), VWBro. Jim Maher (long range planning), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP and charity), VWBro. Mike Davis (Chmn. CHIP Foundation), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence), and RWBro. Gale Kenney (Deputy Grand Master), 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.  The minutes reflected the following:

The Lodge opened on the third degree at 7:35pm, twenty-one members and six visitors in attendance. The minutes were read in short form and approved as posted; the Treasurer reported that our portfolio continues to reflect market trends.  Expenses were approved.  Communications were read; committee reports were received.  The Master addressed the brethren with an overview of his term year.  A Lodge of Sorrow was opened.   Announcements were made.  The Lodge was closed at 8:55pm, peace and harmony prevailing.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that following six consecutive months of losses, our portfolio was up 4.7% in December.  He added that we are financially “solvent.”

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, MWBro. Al Jorgensen, WBro. Allan Pinch), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting chairman, WBro. Pinch, 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: 

The Masonic Service Bureau will be meeting this Friday, January 23, at the Greenwood Masonic Center.  This important quarterly meeting will open at 7:30pm.

The Grand Lodge of Washington invites all Wardens and Senior Deacons to attend the annual Wardens Conference in Yakima, Friday evening March 13 through Sunday morning, March 15, in Yakima.  Fees are $300 per registrant, plus $50 for your lady.  Deadline for registration  without a late charge is February 13.  The Washington State DeMolay convention will be March 19 to 22.  We are asked to again place an ad in the convention program.  Copy deadline is February 1, 2009.

 Invitations have been extended from the Phinney Neighborhood Center, the Richmond Highlands Rainbow Assembly #97, the West Seattle Rainbow Assembly #18, and the Masonic Park annual meeting.  Holiday greetings come from Mercy Corps.  The Bellevue Chapter Order of DeMolay writes to thank us for our contribution to that Chapter with added appreciation for our support over the years.  We have received a “thank you” note from one of our Christmas families and a holiday greeting from the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The Senior Services Meals on Wheels is asking for consideration in our charity giving.  Daylight Lodge will be hosting a dinner honoring the Principal Players of the Seattle Youth Symphony at the University Masonic Center, Sunday, February 22^nd.  Tickets are available for $25 and help toward the SYSO scholarship program.

Joseph Warren Lodge No. 235 in Tacoma invites “Wednesday Night Lodges” to a Table Lodge Celebration, Wednesday, April 22.  Bremerton Lodge No. 117 will be hosting a 50’s theme Dinner Show featuring Elvis impersonator Danny Vernon on Saturday, February 28.

We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Neighborcare Health, City of Hope, Eureka Lodge No. 20,  and University Lodge No. 141.  Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Senior Warden called on Bro. Brian Downie to report on the Christmas Family Charity.  Bro. Downie said that it was an honor for him and a team of brothers to represent St. John's as we brought gifts of food, clothing, and toys to several families in the Greenwood area.  It was a pleasure to see the looks on the faces of all those we assisted.  WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. added his appreciation to those who provided 4-wheeled “sleighs” in the snow-filled streets of Seattle.  The shopping, wrapping and delivering of gifts was a full St. John's team effort.

Bro. Mitchell added his gratitude to those who made Operation Kid Smile a success at Fort Lewis.  He asked those who want to get involved next year to contact VWBro. Chuck Brockway.  WBro. Hans Wehl reported that a lot of work went into the planning and executing of the Christmas giving to families of soldiers at Fort Lewis, and extended his appreciation to VWBro. Brockway.  Brothers from the lodge donated not only their time, but also personally contributed $1,000 to the lodge share.  A stranger who saw the brethren shopping at the PX added a $40 gift to Santa’s assortment of gifts.

READING OF PETITIONS

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. Simon Letarte.  Mr. Letarte works as a scientist at Institute For Systems Biology.  He was born April 14, 1974, in Quebec, Canada.  He is divorced.  He approached us through our web site with an interest in Freemasonry.  He has attended our last two stated communication dinners.  He comes recommended by Bro. Nick Mitchell, VWBro. Jim Russell, and WBro. Helmuth Svoboda.

A committee will be appointed to visit Mr. Letarte and to report back to the Lodge by the next Stated Communication.

MEMORIAL SCROLLS

Memorial scrolls were read for Bros. George Dalton Cassin, William James Brown, and  James Adams Partee, followed by remembrances from three brothers of the lodge and a memorial service by  Bro. Brian Downie

VWBro. David Campbell also made note that his brother Robert William Campbell had passed away just before Christmas.  Mr. Campbell was a World War II veteran and the son of a Mason.  Two of his brothers were Masons, as well, including, of course, VWBro. Campbell. 

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

VWBro. Chuck Brockway (1/8/43), VWBro. Jim Russell (1/11/40), WBro. Darrel Womack (1/16/34), 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. 

MASONIC EDUCATION

At our December Communication, the Worshipful Master challenged each of the brothers to look up the definition of  “speculative,” especially as it applies to Freemasonry.  This evening he reminded us that Speculative has at least two definitions:

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 might add also that to speculate is to meditate on a subject and to reflect.

The Master invited Bro. Matt LaCroix to enlighten the brethren on cryptology:

In ancient Masonry many of the brethren were illiterate.  They were taught by repetition and by cryptic texts, often through a variety of coded methods.  No study of symbolism would be complete without a section devoted to the consideration of cryptograms. The modern world has overlooked the important role played by cryptography in literature and philosophy. If the art of deciphering cryptograms could be made popular, it would result in the discovery of hitherto unsuspected wisdom possessed by both ancient and medieval philosophers. It would prove that many apparently verbose and rambling authors were wordy for the sake of concealing words. Ciphers are hidden in the most subtle manner: they may be concealed in the watermark of the paper upon which a book is printed; they may be bound into the covers of ancient books; they may be extracted from the first letters of words or the first words of sentences; they may be artfully concealed in mathematical equations or in apparently unintelligible characters; they may be revealed by heat as having been written in responsive ink; they may be word ciphers, letter ciphers, or apparently ambiguous statements whose meaning could be understood only by repeated careful readings; they may he discovered in the elaborately illuminated initial letters of early books or they may be revealed by a process of counting words or letters. If those interested in Freemasonic research would give serious consideration to this subject, they might find in books and manuscripts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the information necessary to bridge the gap in Masonic history that now exists between the Mysteries of the ancient world and the Craft Masonry of the last three centuries.

The Master challenged the brethren to look up the definition of juxtaposition (an act of comparing two things, especially in a way that suggests connection between them or to distinguish them.)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no unfinished business to be conducted.

NEW BUSINESS

DeMolay Convention Program

The DeMolays of Washington will be holding their annual convention March 19 - 22 in Grand Mound.  This annual event gives the young men of Washington DeMolay an opportunity to conduct business, elect their new leaders and have a tremendous time with friends from around the state.  The convention program relies on the convention brochure to off-set some of the expense for DeMolays attending the Convention.  It was m/s/p to sponsor a full page in the DeMolay Convention brochure at $185.

2009 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 $900 for the registration of our two Wardens and Senior Deacon to attend the annual Wardens Conference in Yakima, March 13 - 15.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

GOOD OF THE ORDER

VWBro. Mike Davis invited the brethren to attend the stated communication for Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 on Thursday, February 12.  A second degree to pass four Brothers as Fellowcrafts will be held.  Dinner will be served at 6pm, with the communication opening at 7:30.

WBro. Darrel Womack invited the brethren to attend an installation of officers for West Seattle Rainbow Assembly #18 on January 31 at 7pm at Alki Masonic Center.

WBro. Terry Grove was asked to fill in for WBro. Charles Tupper at the District No. 5 LOMA monthly meeting next Wednesday.

Bro. Nick Mitchell invited the brethren to attend the next stated communication for Esoterika Lodge No. 316, Tuesday, January 27.

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 9:15pm, peace and harmony prevailing.