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VWB Greg Stewart Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2003-2005 Mailto: underthetable@earthlink.net 13316 3rd NE |
Get Connected (September 2004)
From our first encounters with other children in school to adulthood it is common for humans to feel connected. We learn to play right together and we learn what types of people we can get along with best and who rubs us the wrong way. Once we have accomplished that we form small subgroups or cliques and as adolescents these cliques will feed or push the group into activities that are later regretted. Some of these people are born leaders. Some are gregarious while some become social wallflowers.
After our years of education and advancement as adults there is still a need to feel connected to a group. This is the primary reason I joined this fraternity. I took my degrees the old way and had all summer to study my proficiency as a Master Mason to prove up in Lodge at the September stated meeting. It was difficult keeping the focus even though I wanted this very much.
September is when District Four gets reconnected with the exception of Walter F Meier Lodge No. 281 which meets Thursday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. They meet on the fourth Thursday in February, April, and June and on the third Thursday of December. Greenwood Lodge No. 253 meets Wednesday, September 1st and continues meeting on the first Wednesday every month through June. Green Lake Lodge No. 149 meets the next day, Thursday, September 2nd at 7:30 p.m., and continues every month on the first Thursday through June. Doric Lodge No. 92 meets the next Tuesday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m., and every first Tuesday through June. Maritime Lodge No. 239 meets the next Monday, September 13th and continues every other month. They plan family-oriented events on the other months and you will have to see what the Worshipful Master has in store for the coming year. Occidental Lodge No. 72 meets later that week on Thursday, September 16th at 7:30 p.m. and continues every third Thursday through June.
It has been brought to my attention that VWB Gale Kenny is the chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee. When I was Master I found some planning to be a challenge without the blessing of the Temple Board. I recommend each Lodge consider this and hold a long range planning workshop that includes their Temple Board and the LRP committee's help. Another thing I found is unless there is a Brother who is an active member of the Lodge the website ends up very outdated and completely useless. I know there are Brothers who do an outstanding job with this type of work and it sure would make this District better connected with the current Masonic events around this jurisdiction. Let's get our Lodge websites up to date.
It has been put to me that I form a database of Brothers competent in specific ritual parts. Right now the best I can do is to recommend someone whom I have seen do a part and that works to some small degree. (No pun intended.) Ritual is impressive if done right and some Brothers feel great joy performing a Lecture or Charge with perfection. I will be circulating a sign-up sheet at each meeting and anyone else interested in participating in degree work may contact me (206) 528-1320 or e-mail underthetable@earthlink.net.
My wife, Heather, is doing well and the good wishes of my friends helped me cope through her illness. Thank You.
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.