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VWB Bob Jensen Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2001-2002 Mailto: bjjcmj@aol.com 23313 94th Place
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Masonic Funerals and Your Obligation (January 2002)
In recent times I have attended some Funeral Services for our Brothers in the District. In general, the number of Brothers attending has been small and this is sad. Our Brothers worked in Masonry, whether in our Lodges, the other bodies of Masonry, or just by living a good life and being good men. They deserve our concern and attendance at their final services.
Walter F. Meier Masonic College had a program in December by the Masonic Service Bureau on Masonic Funerals. Most of our Lodges depend on them to perform the final services and only a few Lodges can actually handle these themselves. As of this time there arc only a few dedicated Brothers available to work on a funeral team. They sometimes have two or three a day, which adds up to a lot of traveling and time spent by only a few Brothers. You don't have to be retired to take part occasionally, but if you do have time, this could be the most important service to Masonry that you perform in your lifetime.
If you can attend services for Brothers in your Lodge or others, be sure to sign your Lodge Name and number after your signature in the register. Even if it is not a Masonic service, the family will appreciate knowing that members were present and cared enough about the deceased to attend. If you can help with the services, ask your Master to help get a team together for your Lodge, or volunteer at the Masonic Service Bureau and learn a part. They will teach you what to do, how to do it, and you will find great satisfaction in your participation in this vital part of our obligations — caring about a Brother and helping him on to the next stage in his Masonic career.
Elsewhere you will see information about the District Four and Five Joint Reception for our Grand Master, Robert VanZee. As a reminder it will be Saturday, February 2nd at 3:00 p.m. at Seattle Scottish Rite. I ask that you make a special effort to attend this year.
By now all the Installations in our District are completed. Last year's Masters can rest a little, but don't neglect coming to Lodge. You can still be a sparkplug and a great help to the new Master.
To the members on the sidelines, the new Masters are all asking for your help and attendance and I join them in requesting your input and your help on projects during the coming year. The number of new members in our Lodges is growing and these new Brothers need help not only in learning ritual, but also in learning the traditions of their new home. Each Lodge is unique in customs and traditions. New members also need to learn about the Lodge's history, the history of Masonry and why we do what we do. Try to help each one of these new members find a spot in their home away from home. Some of them will shortly become Masters of your Lodge. Sitting in one of the Lodges is a future Grand Master of Washington. Each one is very important to the future of Masonry and the future of your Lodge. Don't let them become lost or confused about our reasons for being. If you can't answer their questions correctly, ask someone who can.
If I can be of service to you or your Lodge, make use of the email or phone numbers above.
Thanks to both the Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them. The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA. Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.