 |
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 2001-2003 Mailto: bjjcmj@aol.com 23313 94th Place
West |
Grand Lodge Resolutions - Important for the Future (April 2003)
First, I hope the members of Lodges in District Four will attend the District Four and Five Workshop on April 5th at Queen Anne Lodge - 1608 Fourth Avenue starting at 9:00AM and lasting till noon. There will be coffee and cookies and no charge for admission. VW Gale Kenney has invited a number of the Grand Lodge Committeemen and also the candidates for Junior Grand Warden to speak. WB John Bolding of Greenwood will be giving a demonstration of floor work and this is a chance for all members to learn more about Masonry and also have some fun and fellowship. Please attend. VW Gale and I have found that our two Districts together can plan and carry out some programs that would be harder for just one to do. The District Reception for the Grand Master, a previous workshop last fall and the Senior Warden's competition have paved the way for further joint efforts next year. Having two heads is better than one, unless they are on the same body, and VW Gale and I have enjoyed working together in harmony this year.
Secondly, the Grand Lodge Resolutions will be coming in the mail soon. I urge you to look at them and be present when they are discussed in your lodge. Some may think they will not make much difference in their Masonic lives, but I assure you that each year there are some than make some major changes. Your input and informed discussion at Grand Lodge can make a difference, but you need to really read and understand what is said and not just let emotion rule your mind. The resolution to allow the printed in full Ritual has made some good changes in the ritual I see in District Four. There have been discussions about what is correct and many Brothers are checking it out. I have taken it to practices where new members and old have found the correct word or wording and many have benefited from having it available. A few years ago many would have thought having it printed was illegal, immoral and probably fattening as well. However, no great lightning shot from the sky, nobody was killed or injured by having it printed and I believe there has been and will continue to be good and better ritual from having it available. I still would like to see every Master Mason who wants one be able to get one.
I believe one of the important resolutions this year has been submitted by Maritime Lodge No. 239. Before you say no, think about what it says and think of the confusion our ritual now has by using different wordings on the same subject in different places. This resolution is to change the wording "Holy Bible" to "Volume of Sacred Law" in all places in our ritual and Installation ceremony. In many Grand Lodges Volume of Sacred Law is used to indicate all religions and their Holy books. It covers all faiths that believe in a God, no matter what name he or she goes by and it makes it possible for those of us who are not Christian to be comfortable with our ritual. When we try to make our Masonry fit only one religion, we are changing a landmark in Masonry that has existed since Anderson's Constitutions of 1738. Early Masons in England realized that in order to attract good men of all faiths, they needed to make Masonry available to all men who believed in God and not just those of a particular faith. Our present ritual really recognizes one faith by using the words Holy Bible in most places. We, as Masons in Washington, do not have to follow any other Grand Lodge and their practices, but we can learn from others and perhaps improve ourselves and our ritual by thinking what is best for Masonry and our Brother Masons. This resolution does not ask you to believe in any particular faith, it does not take away your right to believe as you see fit. What is does is make it possible for those of us with other beliefs to be comfortable in lodge. As things stand now, some of us may need to consider whether we can continue in Masonry. This resolution solves a lot of problems for many and does not hurt anyone or any faith. I urge you to consider it carefully.
As this second year as Deputy of the Grand Master winds to a close in June, I want to thank all those that have helped me and the Lodges, Masters, Wardens and members of District Four who have made it such an interesting and enjoyable experience. While it has taken a lot of time, each meeting has been worthwhile and the friendships I have made with new members and old have made my job more enjoyable and interesting. I am sure that you will continue to support and work with the new Deputy next year and give him the same support and help you have given me. While I won't be around as often, I intend to visit and continue to enjoy fellowship with my Brothers.
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.