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

At 6:15 PM on April 15th the brethren and guests of St. John's Lodge No. 9 met once again for the monthly Stated Communication.  While the Brethren sat down to a full dinner the youth present for out Youth Night were treated to pizza and pop.  Everyone enjoyed the meal

PROGRAM OF EDUCATION

Bothell Rainbow Assembly #47 (16) paid a beautiful “Tribute to Mothers.”  Members (5) of DesMoines Chapter Order of DeMolay were also present.    The Worshipful Master congratulated the young ladies and gentlemen for their ritual work and presented each group a check from the lodge to help support their organizations.

OPENING OF LODGE

The Lodge opened on the third degree at 7:55pm, thirty-two members and eleven visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register.  The above officers were in their stations and places, except that VWBro. Jim Maher filled the place of the absent Chaplain, WBro. Joseph Lund took that of the absent Junior Deacon, and Bro. Aren Hakobyan took the place of the absent Senior Steward.

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.

PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION

The Worshipful Master called upon Bro. Phillip See to demonstrate his proficiency on the Master Mason degree.  He was examined by his coach Bro. George Rine.  The brethren of the lodge expressed their full acceptance of Bro. See’s work.  No candidate shall be passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft nor raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason without proof of proficiency in the preceding Degree. As a minimum, a candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the obligation, signs, words, and grips and all modes of recognition of each Degree.

The Lodge shall be the sole judge of the proficiency of the candidate in the preceding Degree, which shall be ascertained by examination, either in open Lodge or by a committee appointed by the Master of the Lodge and recorded by the Secretary.

CALL DOWN TO FELLOWCRAFT DEGREE

The Master declared that labor be suspended on the third degree and opened a lodge of Fellowcraft Masons for the purpose of conducting business on that degree.  Bro. Yuri Redkin of Daylight Lodge No. 232 was admitted and joined his brethren.

INTRODUCTIONS

Following the Tyler’s standing invitation to tile the outer door and join his brethren at the inner door, 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 were six visiting brothers, Bros. Carl Cook (University Lodge No. 141), WBros. Jim Lumsden, Scott Barbour, and Larry Blake (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Daylight Lodge No. 232), and Bro. David Colbeth (King Solomon Lodge No. 60).  Also present was Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253).

The Junior Warden introduced his counterpart, Bro. Steve Martin, Junior Warden of Greenwood Lodge No. 253.  The Senior Warden introduced Bro. Jeff Harden, Doric Lodge No. 92.  All guests were accorded a warm St. John's welcome.

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 (photography), VWBro. Mike Davis (Chmn. CHIP Foundation), VWBro. Jim Maher (finance), VWBro. Michael Cuadra (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 5), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Asst. Grand Secretary Emeritus), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), and MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence).  They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

PRESENTATION

The Master presented a framed photo of the ground breaking ceremony of the Masonic Retirement Home which has been among the archives of our lodge.  Now located at DesMoines, WA, the Masonic Home of Washington, a retirement home open to Washington State Masons, their wives, widows and widowed mothers, was originally located in Puyallup.  By 1923 it had outgrown its capacity, so in May 1924, the Masons purchased the picturesque site

in Zenith that has easy access to Seattle.  Construction began in 1925, the cornerstone was laid in 1926, and in July 1927, fifty-eight residents moved in. The building has seen many renovations over the years.  In addition to a large water system and lawns, an arbor, gardens, recreation fields, a pool and fountain, a conservatory, and a sun room, a fifty-bed infirmary was added in 1967 and was increased by 24 beds in 1987.  The Health Center, added in 1988, sports a multipurpose room, hobby room, physical therapy area, hydrotherapy pool, patio, porch and storage space.  Major expansion is underway for what is now called the Landmark on the Sound.

TREASURER'S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that our financial portfolio had increased 7.7% during the month of March.  We have seen further increases since the first of April.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­APRIL

The  bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Jim Maher and WBros. Hans Wehl and Darrel Womack ), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting chairman, VWBro. Maher, 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:

We have received a copy of the resolutions which will be considered at the 152^nd Annual Communication of Grand Lodge to be held in Spokane June 11, 12, & 13.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association acknowledges our gift of $200 and urges us to be present at their fund raising auction May 2^nd.

Our Masonic Home Endowment Committee has challenged all Worshipful Masters and District Deputies to support the Masonic Home Endowment Fund.  They request that we take a collection this evening to bail out our Worshipful Master who will be assessed $25 (in good fun) at June’s Grand Lodge Communication.  Minimum bail amount for District Deputies is $50.

We have received newsletters and trestleboards from HOPE Heart Institute, Heirloom Bible Publishing, Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association, Eureka Lodge No. 20, University Lodge No. 141, and Lafayette Lodge No. 241.  Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

 [The Master’s hat was passed to receive contributions to bail out the Master on behalf of the Masonic Home Endowment Fund.]     

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Bro. Brian Downie reported that the Scholarship Committee has held its initial meeting.   Interviews will be conducted April 29 and 30 with students from Ballard, Chief Sealth and West Seattle.

WBro. Mark Campbell offered that it had been a great night watching the young people of the Masonic Youth organizations perform their work.  He remarked that these youngsters represent the past, present and future of our fraternity.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

VWBros. Carl Alexander (4/17/41) and Mike Davis (4/21/43) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

NEW BUSINESS

Pizza Expense Re-imbursement

The DeMolays, Jobies and Rainbow, and some of their adult advisors, all shared pizza and beverages provided by the lodge.  It was m/s/p to re-imburse Mark Campbell from the stated dinner budget for the pizzas supplied to the Masonic Youth.

Lodge Officers Competition

St. John's Lodge No. 9 and Daylight Lodge No. 232 will be going head-to-head in ritual competition for opening and closing lodge at 11am on Saturday, April 25.  The Master will arrange a time for officer practice.

Entered Apprentice degree

The Master will request that our Junior Deacon arrange a team and time for the Entered Apprentice degree.  It will be a date in May for our recently elected candidate Mr. Simon Letarte.

Grand Lodge Fellowship Dinner

 The Grand Lodge annual communication will be June 11-13 in Spokane this year.   It was ms/sp to purchase 22 tickets to the Grand Lodge Fellowship dinner for $660.

FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch

Our annual family brunch will be held Sunday, May 17.  A limit of 130 adults and children over five has been set.  To date, 95 reservations have been made.  It was m/s/p to authorize the Treasurer to write a check to Ivar’s Salmon House to pay the May 17 brunch bill upon receipt.

Archives Housekeeping

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. informed the lodge that he has been trying to do a little housekeeping in our archives storage.  He has found some things which are not useful or have little historical value.  For example, we have several Steward and Deacon rods and duplications of old American flags.  He asked to be empowered to discard some duplications of items.  It was m/s/p to empower WBro. Lane to determine what items should be permanently removed from our archives.

MASONIC EDUCATION

The Master said that his experience at a previous Warden’s Conference was valuable and one of the things he brought home with him was an understanding of the value of maintaining trust and integrity within one’s Masonic lodge.  He read from a book by Steve Covey (“You Can’t Take a Duck to Eagle’s School”) which addressed the issue of trust.  Negative comments can break down trust.

The Master distributed an outline for resolving lodge conflict, which was developed for the Warden’s Conference.  It included what to DO and NOT DO in conflict resolution, as well as strategies for resolving lodge conflict.  He further included an example of a conflict between himself and one of the brothers of the lodge.  This conflict has resulted in a directive by the Grand Master.   WBro. Carney has responded to the Grand Master, and this evening brings the communications before the lodge brethren. There was no further discussion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

GOOD OF THE ORDER

WBro. Helmuth Svoboda delighted the brethren with a story of his recent trip to Vienna, Austria.  He visited Zur Wahrheit (Truth) Lodge of Vienna, which meets weekly.  They schedule speakers who present Masonic education in art, music, and historical significance.  They actively visit sick or infirm brothers.  They make a true commitment to devote their life and time to Masonry.

MWBro. Richard Mecartea invited the brethren to the April 23 meeting of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research, with dinner at 6:30pm.  WBro. Errol Scott added that a table lodge with prime rib will be held at 6pm on May 23.  The WF Meier College of Knowledge is supported by proceeds from the table lodge.

VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan thanked Bro. Matt LaCroix for his recent MM lecture at Daylight Lodge No. 232 when eight brothers were raised.  Another seven are expected to be raised on Saturday, May 2^nd.

CLOSING OF FELLOWCRAFT LODGE

The Master closed the Lodge of Fellowcraft Masons and resumed labor on the Master Mason degree.

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 Master Masons, the flag was retired and the lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 9:28pm, peace and harmony prevailing.  Bro. George Rine volunteered and gave the closing charge.