Home - Archive Index - 2010 Archives - July Stated Communication July Stated Communication Written by aid of the Secretary's Minutes --- Photographs by WB Darrel Womack
At 6:15 PM on July 21st our annual Herb's Night dinner was served by the girls of Job's Daughters Bethel 45.
OPENING OF LODGE The Lodge opened on the second degree at 7:44pm, thirty-two members and thirteen visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register. The above officers were in their stations and places, except that VWBro. Ashley Brinkley filled the place of the absent Junior Steward. VWBro. Jim Maher presided in the East and MWBro. Al Jorgensen sat as Treasurer for the formal opening ceremonies. HERB’S NIGHT
The ladies then adjourned for an additional program led by Mrs. Nancy Jorgensen. 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. WELCOME BY THE MASTER The Master welcomed all brothers to this evening’s stated communication and thanked VWBro. Maher for his opening work in the East. He acknowledged the presence of our two newest Master Masons, Bros. Eric Koteles and Ron Woodall, Jr. 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 three visiting brothers, Bros. Raymond Liongson (Hawaiian Lodge, HI), Sam Saleh (West Gate Lodge No. 128), and Mike Sanft (Ark Lodge No. 126). Also present were Bro. Justin Hunter (Queen Anne No. 242), Chaplain Bro. Alex LaBarba (Doric Lodge No. 92), and Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253). The Junior Warden introduced his counterpart, Bro. Todd Johnstone, Junior Warden of Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302. The Senior Warden introduced Bro. Barry Sherman (King Solomon Lodge No. 60). All guests were accorded a warm St. John's welcome. The Master introduced WBro. Baltazar Gatan, Master of Verity Lodge No. 59. He was accorded the public Grand Honors and presented with a St. John's lapel pin.
The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to escort the Grand Lodge officers and committeemen East of the Altar and extended a hand of friendship to each as he announced their names. In attendance were, WBro. Hans Wehl (Public Schools), WBro. Baltazar Gaton (Photography), WBro. Darrel Womack (Chmn. Photography), VWBro. Chuck Brockway (Military Recognition), VWBro. Jim Maher (Finance, MRC Trustee, Long Range Planning), Bro. Todd Johnstone (Library & Museum), WBro. Tony Hipolito (Credentials), WBro. Terry Grove (Chmn. CHIP Committee, Charity), VWBro. John McKinley (DDGM 13), VWBro. Charles Tupper (DDGM 5), WBro. Neil Quinn (Grand Orator), RWBro. Dean Heinemann (Senior Grand Warden), MWBro. Dick Mecartea (PGM), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (PGM, Jurisprudence, Masonic Retirement Center Trustee), and MWBro. Gale Kenney (PGM, Jurisprudence), 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: TREASURER’S REPORT The Treasurer reported that St. John's remains financially healthy. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JULY The following bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, VWBro. Jim Maher, WBro. Terry Grove), were submitted to the Lodge for approval. After the acting chairman, WBro. Grove, 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 letters and cards of appreciation from the Greenwood Food Bank, the Secondary Academy for Success, Job’s Daughters Bethel No. 45, and one of our scholarship recipients (Anna Mason) for our support of their respective programs. A thank you card has been received from the family of WBro. Paul Wickward for our visits and flowers during his time in the hospital in Olympia. Requests for charity have been received from the people at Teen Feed, Mercy Corps, and the Blue Nile Children’s Organization. The Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce is asking for interested members to attend a re-organization meeting on Friday, August 6, at 7:30am. Apparently there is a crisis in leadership and direction. The Grand Lodge of Washington has issued a reminder to all lodges that copies of corporate 990 returns need to be sent to the Grand Lodge office to confirm they have filed their returns. (We are listed among the “good guys” who have filed and copied the Grand Lodge.) We have received a summary of the blanket insurance coverage for all constituent lodges. For the record, we have word that Centralia Lodge No. 63 has in their display case, the trowel used in 1915 by Grand Master Robert Sebastian to lay the cornerstone of the Main Masonic Temple at Harvard and Pine. That building was sold in 1992 to Seattle Public Schools and is in constant use as a classroom building by Seattle Central Community College. Grand Lodge of Washington has sent a synopsis of the 153rd annual communication of Grand Lodge in Grand Mound. This includes a brief description of legislation passed, carried over, and defeated; awards and presentations and, of course, who was elected to serve the Grand Lodge for 2010-2011. District 5 LOMA has issued a letter outlining its goals for the coming year. Lafayette Lodge No. 241 invites all Masons to join them for a picnic and outing to the Everett AquaSox baseball this coming Sunday, July 25. A BBQ party will precede the game matching the AquaSox with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. In direct competition for your baseball interests, the Grand Lodge is promoting Masonic Day at Cheney Stadium this Sunday, with a church service at 10am followed by a tailgate party at 11am and a game between the Tacoma Rainiers and Sacramento Bees at 1:30. The Grand Master will throw out the first pitch. We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, the City of Hope, and Eureka Lodge No. 20. Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading. COMMITTEE REPORTS Bro. Flood also reported that the annual Michael Rust Memorial Picnic will be Sunday, August 8. He has reserved our usual spot, Area B, on the Nile Shrine picnic grounds. Brothers are encouraged to attend and also to lend a hand at the grill, setting up the chairs, the food, and the games. Pray for sunny weather! VWBro. Chuck Brockway reported that the 150th Anniversary committee continues to meet and prepare for the recognition of our sesquicentennial event. On Saturday, September 11, our Grand Master MWBro. G. Santy Lascano and his Grand Lodge officers will reconstitute St. John's Lodge No. 9 to the principles of Freemasonry. This public ceremony will take place at 1pm at the Greenwood Masonic Center. A reception with light refreshments will be held immediately following at the same location. At 6pm, a gala social hour will be held atop the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle, followed by dinner at 7pm. This social hour and dinner is by special invitation, not open to the public. There will be dinner, wine, music and dancing. Ill. Bro. Jim Tresner of Oklahoma Masonry, a noted author, educator, and orator will be our featured speaker and will bring us some thoughtful words in recognition of this special day. The committee will next meet at 5:30pm on the day of our August 18 stated communication. The Master announced that VWBro. Charlie Tupper will give us an historical presentation on the constitution of lodges at our next stated communication. MEMORIAL SCROLL Memorial scrolls were read for Bros. Harry C. Fraser and Robert "Bob" Covach, followed by remembrances from two brothers of the Lodge and a memorial service by the Chaplain. Bro. Adam Creighton offered an appropriate dirge on the piano. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Fremont Fair Masonic Education Booth Masons of Seattle again staffed a booth at the Fremont Solstice Fair Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20. This annual opportunity to spread the word on our fraternity generated several inquiries about Freemasonry. Three completed forms expressing interest were distributed by the Secretary to brothers in the lodge who volunteered to contact these gentlemen. Bro. Erik Hill of Daylight Lodge would like feedback on the results of our follow-up. NEW BUSINESS Degree Conferrals to be Scheduled The Master requested the Senior Warden to schedule a date for a Master Mason degree to be conferred on Bro. John Louderback. The Senior Deacon has an Entered Apprentice degree scheduled for Monday, July 26, and still needs a Senior Warden and Senior Steward to complete the cast. Mr. Hector Ramos, the candidate, is a co-worker with our Junior Steward, Bro. Simon Letarte. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
GOOD OF THE ORDER The Master conducted a drawing for several new items from the company store. Eight members and two guests held winning tickets for an assortment of gifts.
The Master then offered the gavel to RWBro. Dean Heinemann, who brought greetings from the Grand Master and complimented MWBro. Alvin Jorgensen for bringing this lodge to a renewed sense of energy and warm fellowship among the brothers. RWBro. Heinemann noted the two non-Masons who were in attendance prior to the opening of Lodge and remarked that many are looking to the fraternity for guidance and moral strength. There is a resurgence in Masonry and it is our responsibility to meet these young men’s expectations and to offer an opportunity for spiritual and principled growth. 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 Fellowcraft Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Senior Grand Warden at 8:55pm, peace and harmony prevailing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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