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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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April is Scholarship Month for Masons (April 2002)
District Four has a thirty-year tradition and commitment to the young men and women of our area in our District Four Public Schools Committee. Over these years many thousands of dollars and also thousands of hours have been donated by dedicated Brethren to the idea that the students in our public school need and deserve our support in their efforts to continue their education after high school. Recently, as a member of a lodge in District four, you received a request for your continued support of this program. If you sent in a donation, we thank you. It is not too late to do so now. This year ten $1,000 awards will be made to students of Ballard, Roosevelt, Ingraham and Nathan Hale High Schools. On May 10th, there will be an Awards Program at Doric Lodge and I personally ask your support and attendance at this event. We need to turn out in strong numbers to show our support of this program. There will be more information on this event in the next issue. Again, I urge you to come out. You will be impressed by the quality and character of these students and also see the dedication of the Brothers, particularly WB M. Gene Ross, in running this program.
The month of February has been an interesting one for me. We started out with a very good Reception for our Grand Master by the combined Districts Four and Five and I want to express my appreciation to VWB Dave Campbell for his work on this program. It was hectic for both of us, but the results were worth the effort. I also thank the Stewards of our District and the other young Masons who helped in the dining room and filled the chairs during the meeting. The Worshipful Masters all did a great job telling of their Lodge activities and telling the Grand Master what they thought Grand Lodge should be doing for the lodges.
I had eighteen Masonic events that I attended in February and each one was interesting and fun. March looks to be just as busy, and during that month I will attend the Prince Hall Phylaxis Society meeting at Tuskegee, Alabama. I attended two years ago and this famous College is a fascinating place. During the sessions there are talks by many Prince Hall Masons and a visit to a local lodge. I look forward to seeing many Brothers that I have been fortunate enough to meet and know over the last 14 years of my membership in that group.
Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research will be presenting a program featuring RWB Thomas W. Jackson, a Past Grand Secretary of Pennsylvania on April 12th. Details of this program will be found in another article, but I urge you to attend this event. He is an excellent speaker and will bring interesting ideas and thoughts. This program is a continuing one in connection with several Research Lodges in Canada and by splitting up the cost of transportation, etc. we are able to hear some outstanding men give talks about Masonry. There are several other events in the works for the next few years and Walter F. Meier has continuing plans to tie into for future programs.
On a personal note, a year ago I was urging all Brothers over the age of 50 to get a Prostate Cancer Blood Test. You may remember that I had surgery in March last year and they were able to remove all of the problem, or so we thought. Early tests and prompt actions saved my life and I am grateful to others who persuaded me to have the test. I would not have bothered otherwise. The next three months after surgery my test was .06 and three months later was .07, both very low and everything looked good. In February the number had jumped to .2, which while still low, indicates that there may be a problem. In late May I will have another test and if necessary may have to have radiation or other treatment. My point is, if YOU have not yet had a test, get one soon. The longer you wait, the more chance of a problem that cannot be corrected. Prostate cancer sneaks up on you and can be slow or fast growing. Mine was fast and I was really surprised to find that I had the problem. Please don't wait. We need all the Masons we have and I don't want to lose you as a friend and Brother.
I hope you will make every effort to attend your Lodge and the others lodges in our great District this month. Please read the Masonic Monitor from cover to cover. You will find some interesting events and meetings that you will enjoy and I hope to see you at some of the events.
Fraternally, Bob J Jensen
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.