Home - Archive Index - 2010 Archives - September Stated Communication September Stated Communication Written by aid of the Secretary's Minutes --- Photographs by VWB Charles H Tupper
At 6:15 on the evening of September 15 the Brethren and guests of St. John's Lodge No. 9 sat down for our monthly repast. This month the meal was served by the girls of Bethel 45 who have done an excellent job for the Lodge these past three months. Next month will see the girls from the Richmond Highland Rainbow serving our dinner as they are the next group on our list to serve. Our caterer served an excellent meal and everyone enjoyed themselves as they ate.
PROGRAM OF EDUCATION
St. John's Lodge. The brethren were most appreciative of
this further examination of our 150 years of Masonic presence in Seattle.
OPENING OF 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. WELCOME BY THE MASTER The Master welcomed all brothers to this evening’s stated communication and thanked Bro. Letarte for his opening work in the East. 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 two visiting brothers, WBro. Roger Thor (King Solomon Lodge No. 60) and Bro. Steve Lowe (Greenwood Lodge No. 253). Also present were Chaplain Bro. Alex LaBarba (Doric Lodge No. 92), and Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253). 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 extended a hand of friendship to each as he announced their names. In attendance were WBro. Hans Wehl (Public Schools), VWBro. Chuck Brockway (Military Recognition), VWBro. Jim Maher (Finance, MRC Trustee, Long Range Planning), WBro. Terry Grove (Chmn. CHIP Committee, Charity), VWBro. Charles Tupper (DDGM 5), WBro. Neil Quinn (Grand Orator), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Asst. Grand Secretary Emeritus), 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: The Lodge opened on the first degree at 7:35pm, twenty-seven members and eight visitors in attendance. The minutes were read in short form and accepted as posted. The Treasurer reported that our portfolio is increasing in value. Expenses were approved. Communications were read; committee reports were received. It was agreed to authorize the payment of expenses for the 150th anniversary within the limitations of our approved budget. Proposed changes to our bylaws were read for action at our September meeting. Expenses for refreshments following the meeting were approved. Authorization for the production of a full-color informational brochure for prospective Masons was given. The Lodge was closed by the Junior Grand Warden at 9:20pm, peace and harmony prevailing. TREASURER’S REPORT The Treasurer reported that our financial portfolio has declined 4.8% in July and August, in large part driven by our exceptionally heavy (scholarships and 150th anniversary) expenses. We remain within our budget. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER The bills, having been reviewed by three members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Hans Wehl, and WBro. David Campbell), were submitted to the Lodge for approval. After the acting chairman, VWBro. Campbell, 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 were approved for payment COMMUNICATIONS Trestleboards and letters of communication were distributed. Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following: The Public Schools Committee has sent out an announcement about the Grand Lodge Scholarship Awards program for 2010-2011. I encourage our own scholarship committee to take it for reference and use. The Masonic Service Bureau is issuing a plea for brothers to assist in the Masonic funeral services. WBro. Errol Scott is the Executive Secretary of the Bureau and will be pleased to speak to anyone who may have an interest. The President of District 5 Lodge Officers and Members Association (LOMA) has sent a letter outlining his expectations for this year. The widow of our late Past Master WBro. Paul Wickward sends a note of appreciation for the kind words, flowers and visits Paul received before his death. She writes that Masonry was an important part of Paul’s life. Friends and family were impressed with the Masonic Funeral Service at his memorial and Grace adds that the “funeral team did a fantastic job.” We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute (2 months – August & September), Eureka Lodge No. 20, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. Please take home the extra copies of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading. COMMITTEE REPORTS VWBro. Chuck Brockway reported that all went well for the 150th anniversary celebration the previous Saturday. MWBro. Santy Lascano and his Grand Lodge team reconstituted the Lodge at a public ceremony in the afternoon, followed by a gala social event that evening at the Columbia Tower. He thanked the several members of his committee for the fine work leading up to the events. MEMORIAL SCROLL A memorial scroll was read for WBro. Paul Wickward, followed by remembrances from five brothers of the Lodge, some of whom encouraged continued support for the Seattle Sea Scouts. A memorial service by the Chaplain followed, with Bro. Adam Creighton rendering an appropriate dirge on the piano. 25 YEAR PIN PRESENTED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS Bylaw Changes Held Over The Master announced that the proposed changes to the bylaws introduced at the August meeting will be held over until October. We had missed the deadline for their distribution to the general membership in time for action at this meeting. NEW BUSINESS November Regional Communication A regional communication for Districts 4, 5, 6, 7 will be held all day Saturday, November 20, opening at noon and concluding with dinner and an evening session. VWBro. Charlie Tupper has the primary responsibility for the event. Tickets for the dinner will be $20 each. All members and ladies are invited for the dinner. It was m/s/p to provide funds for the Grand Lodge Regional Communication. There is sufficient money available in the 2010 budget Lodge expense reserves. Sound System Expenses The Secretary m/s/p to re-imburse Bro. George Rine $14 for a sleeve of batteries for the Lodge sound system. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
WBro. Errol Scott encouraged brothers to volunteer to be a part of the Masonic Service Bureau Funeral team. A workshop will be held at Crystal Lodge No. 122 in Marysville at 10am on Saturday, October 2, for organization and training. Most of the brothers who have been on the MSB team are well-advanced in age and need to be replaced. VWBro. Charles Tupper asked that all Masons, especially those members of the Grand Lodge team, assemble at 9am at the Green Lake Field House this coming Sunday to participate in the “Walk-a Mile for Operation Smile.” Masons will walk along the path surrounding the lake in support of this year’s Grand Master’s Charity. For those who walk the Walk, sponsors are asking for a $10 donation. All monies will go to Operation Smile which raises money to provide cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children as well as for research to reduce the occurrence of cleft lips and palates. GOOD OF THE ORDER Bro. George Rine thanked VWBro. Brockway for his leadership and tenacity as chairman of the 150th anniversary committee. He added that VWBro. Brockway was well-suited to chair this event. The Junior Warden reminded the brethren that there will be refreshments following the meeting and asked that the Stewards be dismissed to prepare the refreshment table. The Secretary asked that all brothers who would like a copy of Ill. Bro. Jim Tresner’s speech at the anniversary dinner to make it known following the meeting. The Master informed the brethren that he and others had delivered the check to assist in the roof repair for Garfield Lodge No. 41, and received grateful thanks from the brothers of Garfield. An added benefit to the enthusiasm generated by repair of the roof was that the brothers of Garfield have taken a renewed interest in upgrading the interior of the building. Past Master of Garfield and Past Grand Master Bud Gilbert has also called to express his deep appreciation for our generosity and expressed his regret that he was unable to participate in our 150th celebration.
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