OPENING OF LODGE

The Lodge opened on the first degree at 7:32pm, twenty-two members and ten visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register.  The above officers were in their stations and places, except that VWBro. David Campbell filled the station of the absent Junior Warden and WBro. Errol Scott took the place of the absent Marshal.

PROGRAM OF EDUCATION

Following dinner and prior to opening of Lodge, WBro. Richard Kovak, member of the Grand Lodge Membership Development committee, spoke to the assembled brothers and guests.  He briefed the brothers on a program being developed by the committee to assist Lodges with membership growth.

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 the brothers for their attendance during this busy holiday season.

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 four visiting brothers, Bros. Scott Barbour,  Steve Lowe and Chris Lorenzen (all of Greenwood Lodge No. 253), and WBro. Fred Eastman (Eureka Lodge No. 20).

The Junior Warden introduced his counterpart, Bro. Jerry Lounsberry, Junior Warden of Burlington-United Lodge No. 93.  Also present was Musician Bro. Adam Creighton, Junior Warden of Greenwood Lodge No. 253.  All guests were accorded a warm St. John's welcome.

The Master instructed the Senior Deacon to present the visiting Masters to the East, where he introduced WBros. Al Gustafson (Lafayette Lodge No. 241), Tom Bulson (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), and John Hannaman (Lakeside Lodge No. 258), Masters of their respective Lodges.  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 extended a hand of friendship to each as he announced their names.  In attendance were VWBro. Darrel Womack (photography chair), VWBro Jim Russell (Masonic home endowment chair, long range planning), Bro. Adam Creighton (music research), VWBro. Jim Maher (finance), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP chair, long range planning), VWBro. Donald Munks (DDGM 9), and VWBro. Charles Tupper (DDGM 5, technology), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that our portfolio still “remains hostage” to the rising and falling market.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

The following bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. David Campbell, WBro. Hans Wehl, and WBro. Terry Grove), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting chairman, WBro. Hans Wehl, 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’ve received a kind letter from Mrs. George (Rosie) Rine thanking the brothers for the December 17 memorial service for WBro. George.   The Grand Lodge of Washington elected officers and staff send holiday greetings.

We have received statements of availability from those who will be seeking elective offices at the annual communication of Grand Lodge next June.  For Junior Grand Warden:  VWBros. Charles Compton, Jim Mendoza, Coe Tug Morgan, Donald Munks (present this evening), Sam Roberts, and William Werner.  For Grand Secretary, RWBro. David Owen will be available for re-election.  Also, VWBros. Charles Compton, Steven Guffy, Doug Haughton, Darel Maxfield Sr., Coe Tug Morgan, Donald Munks, Sam Roberts, and William Warner have filed for the office of Senior Grand Warden as two vacancies are in the Grand Line due to the untimely death of our Junior Grand Warden RWBro. Jerry Lingle.

Greenwood Lodge will be throwing a “Game Night Party” on Thursday, December 29, to watch the Huskies vs. Baylor Bears in the Alamo Bowl.  Hot dogs, potato chips, beer, pop and other refreshments will be available so come hungry.

The Seattle Valley of the Scottish Rite will be holding a reception Sunday, January 15, to honor the new 2012 Worshipful Masters and their ladies with an opportunity to greet our Grand Master MWBro. Michael Sanders and his Lady Patty.  All Masonic brethren and their ladies are invited to attend.

King Solomon Council #27 (York Rite) in Auburn will be holding an eight-course dinner and performing the play entitled “The Traitor” on Saturday, January 28.  Tickets (at $35 each) are available through WBro. Vinny DiGiulio.

We have received requests for assistance from “The Christmas People,” the Millionair Club, NeighborCare Health, and the Volunteers of America.  We have also received thank you’s for our help from the City of Hope, the Greenwood Food Bank and from the Kia Williams family who we helped at Thanksgiving.

We have received newsletters and Trestleboards from Garfield Lodge No. 41, University Lodge No. 141, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

VWBro. Charles Tupper reported on the activity of the Christmas family charity committee.  Brothers Tupper, Hector Ramos, David Holdsworth, Joshua Skinner, and John Louderback shopped for food, gifts, and additional staples following WBro. Rine’s memorial service last Saturday.  On Monday members of the committee delivered Santa’s gifts to the happy families.  VWBro. Tupper reported that one 13-year old girl who lives with her grandmother wanted (and received) a guitar.  Bro. Jeff Pullen arranged for four start-up lessons, and Bro. Adam Creighton has offered some additional instruction.

The Secretary reported that six brothers remain delinquent in their 2011 dues.  One has promised to put the check for $16 in the mail or to arrange for the purchase of a life membership through Grand Lodge.  VWBro. Charles Tupper m/s/p that three Brothers be granted a one-year waiver in their dues if we have not received their checks by the end of the year. That leaves two brothers (each with a history of delinquency) who may be dropped for non-payment of dues.

The Master reported that he has (twice) released funds this month from the Master’s charity account within the parameters of the St. John’s bylaws.

WBro. Hans Wehl announced that gift items from the company store will be on display in the library and available for sale following the close of the stated communication.

READING OF PETITIONS

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. Ian Burton Gililland and petitions for plural membership were received from Bro. Christopher Michael Lorenzen and WBro. Frederick Arthur Eastman.

Mr. Gililland was accompanied at dinner by his father, Bro. Frank Gililland of Santa Barbara Lodge No. 192.  Mr. Gililland was born in Seattle, WA, November 9, 1982.  He is single, working as an emergency medical technician for Tri-Med Ambulance in Kent, WA.  His petition was signed by WBro. Terry Grove, Bro. Eric Koteles, and Bro. Hector Ramos.

Bro. Lorenzen is married, living in Everett, WA.  He is a member of and was initiated by Greenwood Lodge No. 253, April 26, 2011, passed May 25, 2011, and raised September 28, 2011.  He was born in Sitka, AK, June 3, 1972.

WBro. Eastman is married and lives in Seattle, WA.  He was born April 19, 1952, in San Francisco, CA.  He is a Past Master of Eureka Lodge No. 20 and was initiated as an Entered Apprentice in that Lodge on April 3, 2000, passed to Fellowcraft, October 20, 2001, and raised a Master Mason, December 8, 2001.

Committees will be appointed to visit Mr. Gililland and brothers Lorenzen and Eastman to report back to the Lodge by the next Stated Communication.

MEMORIAL SCROLL

A memorial scroll was read for WBro. George Millard Rine, 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.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

VWBro. Jim Maher, Bro. James Phelen, WBro. Joe Oates, WBro. Serco Tokatlian, Bro. Phillip See, and visiting WBro. Al Gustafson were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

MASONIC EDUCATION

The Senior Warden presented his research on the origins of the term “entered apprentice.”  He noted that his great great grandfather had indentured himself to a tradesman at the cost of 100 £s (October 1, 1880).  This indenture was for five years.  Indentured apprentices were obligated to their “master” for a specific period of time, usually from 3 – 7 years, where they learned the skills of the trade.  The master was obligated to his apprentice to teach him the skills, and to provide food, clothing and shelter.  Most of their training is done while working for an employer who helps the apprentice learn his trade, in exchange for continuing to labor for an agreed period after he becomes skilled.  The term “obligation” comes from the same root word “lig” as in ligament – those bindings which tie the bone to bone as our obligations tie brother to brother.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Lodge of Sorrow

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.  Last meeting it was erroneously declared that a Lodge of Sorrow could be opened without a vote of the Lodge.  Further research discovered this was the case only if the Lodge had a standing resolution enabling the Master to do so.  St. John’s has no such standing resolution, therefore it was m/s/p that a Lodge of Sorrow, for the purpose of conducting Masonic funeral services under such restrictions as provided by the Washington Masonic Code of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, be opened immediately and remain open until Saturday, December 8, 2012.

Lost Computer Data

Bro. Eric Koteles reported that the secretary’s computer is in the hands of a professional data retriever and we are awaiting word hoping that much of the data can be recovered.  The initial estimate for recovery was $1,500 (if recovered).  Bro. Koteles was able to negotiate the fee to a little over half that amount.  Our fingers are crossed.

NEW BUSINESS

Tree of Life

VWBro. Jim Russell requested authorization to add six more leaves to the Tree of Life, our memorial to brothers and friends of the lodge.  Each leaf is accompanied by $100 for the Masonic Home Endowment Fund.  There is an additional minimal expense for engraving.   It was m/s/p to add six leaves to the Tree of Life in memory of Orrin Niles, Michael Menashe Israel, Paul Wickward, John “Jack” Avery, Gary Pepple, and George Rine.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

The Secretary m/s/p that VWBro. David Campbell be reimbursed $31.16 for refreshments following the meeting.

Teen Feed

In 2010, Teen Feed served 13,481 meals over a total of 345 evenings in the University District community.  They have been dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless and at-risk youth in the University District since 1986. Through its Teen Feed program nutritious meals are provided nightly from the basements of a consortium of neighborhood churches. Volunteer kitchen teams prepare the meals and trained volunteer advocates dine with the youth. The brothers of St. John’s step in a couple of times each year to relieve the many volunteers who make this program a success.  For some reason, we have fallen through the cracks and haven’t been asked to serve since 2008.  However, we have given financial support continuously.

This fall, Teen Feed is hoping to reach out by delivering meals to the homeless beyond the University area.  They hope to raise $8,000 to purchase an “outreach van” to help accomplish this.  It was m/s/p to contribute $1,200 to Teen Feed to help purchase a van to deliver meals to the homeless Seattle young people.

INSTALLATION OF CHAPLAIN

The Master called upon VWBro. Charles Tupper, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, to install Bro. Phillip See as Chaplain of St. John’s for 2012.  Bro. See had been unable to be present for the formal installation of officers earlier this month.  Following the brief ceremony, the Marshall declared the chaplain duly installed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

• December 29 (5:30pm):  Alamo Bowl Party at Greenwood

• January 14 (9am):  WF Meier Masonic College

January 14:  family movie (Greenwood Masonic library)

• January 15 (3pm):  Grand Master reception of Worshipful Masters (Seattle Scottish Rite)

• January 18 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated

The Master announced that the December officers meeting is cancelled.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

WBro. Al Gustafson invited the brethren to attend the Lafayette Lodge No. 241 installation of officers on Thursday, January 5.  Dinner will be served at 6pm, followed by the installation ceremony.  Bro. John Hannaman invited the brethren to Lakeside Lodge No. 258 installation of officers on Saturday, January 7.  The installation will begin at 4pm followed by dinner.

The Senior Warden thanked WBro. Richard Kovak for his contribution to the evening’s educational program and extended his appreciation also to VWBro. Donald Munks for his attendance.

VWBro. Charles Tupper announced that the regional communication of Grand Lodge will be held Saturday, February 4, from 11am to 7pm, at Lakeside Lodge in Bellevue. This regional communication will include Districts 4, 5 6, and 7.  St. John’s will be the “host” Lodge.

VWBro. Tupper also announced that Greenwood Masonic Center will be hosting a number of family activities this coming year to help raise money for the operation of the Temple.  Game nights, movie nights and the like will be scheduled to offset the loss of rentals to outside groups.  The ritual workshops that have been held on the 3^rd Monday will be moved to 4^th Mondays to accommodate the anticipated arrival of Maritime Lodge No. 239 which regularly meets on the 3^rd Monday of the month.      

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 9:22pm, peace and harmony prevailing.