Rusty? As the Grange was opened, fewer people than normal were early to the meeting. One of the early arrivals was Mr. J, a man who has been looking into the Fraternity for some time and quickly lent a hand in setting up Lodge. However, by 6 PM the hall was full of motion, excitement, and sounds of greeting. A full two months had passed since our last Stated Meeting and anticipation was in the air to get back to business.
Henry Wentworth delighted the tastebuds with BBQ chicken with sides for dinner and a total of $220 was raised in RAK funds. A few announcements were then given, including North Bank’s upcoming BBQ event and Washington’s Fellowcraft Degree on Sept. 21st, before a slideshow began for people to enjoy over dinner.
Our usual “In Case You Missed It” segment was shown via a picture slide show over dinner, highlighting the many events that occurred. The 5th Thursday Fun Night at Vernardo’s Circus, 4th of July party at Br. Mike M.’s home, Degree practice, then following ‘Little Lodge on the Prairie’ Fellowcraft Degree, Washington’s MM Degree for Br. Britten E., the Grand Master’s official visit, the District 19 BBQ, Afifi Shriner’s Hank Williams Jr. Concert, and more were all shown.
As the clock neared 7:30 PM, Brothers were ushered to the Lodge room where they were met with the theme song from Back to the Future as they found their seats. An image and quote by our 27th President was showing on the projector screen in the East.
The secret of Masonry, like the secret of life, can be known only by those who seek it, serve it, live it. It cannot be uttered; it can only be felt and acted. It is, in fact, an open secret, and each man knows it according to his quest and capacity. Like all things worth knowing, no one can know it for another and no man can know it alone.
-Brother William Howard Taft
As the Worshipful Master stood in the East, flanked by both the Traveling Gavel and Masonic Traveling 8-Ball, a quick gavel rap was given to start the show. In a ‘you just had to have been there’ series of events, a dramatic opening preceded a presentation of the poem “Fall Reunion” which marks the third year in a row it has been given at our September Stated Meeting.
After an enjoyable opening, the spirit of Masonry was heavy in the room with Brothers eager for a proper Lodge meeting after our two-month hiatus. Introductions were given to several Brothers from around the District, including our District Deputy, VW Ric B., and MW Mike S., Past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.
Communications included two letters and three notices from Grand Lodge, as well as a handwritten wrote from someone in the community who at been the recipient of a “Random Act of Kindness”. Their letter expressed a heartfelt thank you for the act and shared that they had a few deceased family members who were members of the Fraternity. Their letter of thanks included a $150 donation to the Lodge to assist in our good works. After the reading, we quickly went through our Treasurer’s report and paid routine bills.
Old business included an update on our plan to purchase a set of branded plates for the Lodge, the availability of Lodge polo shirts available for sale, and some background about why the August 5th Thursday Fun Night was canceled. The last item included a recap of the Grand Master’s Official Visit in Kelso last Saturday by our District Deputy, VW Ric B. In addition to highlighting the amazing things Lodges in Districts 18 and 19 are doing, he announced that VW Gordon J. has been nominated as a Special Deputy to help our District when needed.
New Business was brief, announcing both our upcoming 5th Thursday Fun Night (5TFN) in November and the 7 Masters Table Lodge in December. Time was given to stress the importance of signing up for events in advance, and fight the temptation to wait until the last minute. Reservation payments are now available on our website, as well as the opportunity for EA’s and FC’s who would like to participate as Stewards.
Spirits were lifted during Joy, Sickness and Distress including a proposal announcement and a family member receiving an associate’s degree. However, compassion filled the room as several Brothers then shared some difficult times they were facing. After which, the Lodge was risen as our Chaplain, Br. Conner G., gave a heartfelt prayer.
After a moment’s pause, the Worshipful Master then rose and shared a secret about himself. The secret was that he loved the whole of the Fraternity, and shared how its Degree structure, history, and community involvement provided endless opportunities for personal fulfillment. However, he then pointed to the greatest source of continuing excitement about the fraternity, that being watching new men join and start their own heroic journey in Masonry.
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
-T.S. Eliot
Parallels were then made between Masonry and the book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Cambell. A brief summary of ‘The Hero’s Journey’ reads, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”. As the meeting continued, several men on their own journey through Masonry were then highlighted.
First, petitions were read for Mr. Randy R. and Mr. Joey K. to receive the Degrees of Masonry, as well as a Brother dropped NPD who currently resides out of state looking to resume his own journey. After assigning investigating committees Br. Conner was then asked about the status of his mentee, Br. Ian R.
Our Lodge Chaplin reported excellent advancement in Br. Ian’s proficiency, then they both moved to the alter to answer several questions about the Entered Apprentice Degree. After a job well done, Br Ian was given the RAK funds from that evening’s meal and asked to extend our goodwill to the community in some small way.
The Worshipful Master then asked the Secretary to read the minutes from the previous meeting as Br. Mark P. was called to the East. The minutes reflected that Mt. Hood conferred a Fellowcraft Degree in the ‘Little Lodge on the Praire’ for Br. Mark P, who was then presented an EA lapel pin to remind him that while he is a Fellowcraft Mason, he is also a proficient Entered Apprentice.
Afterwards, the Secretary recorded that a committee had been convened consisting of WB Will L, VW David E., and VW David D. for the purposes of testing Br. Justin G. on his proficiency in the 3rd Degree. As the full and favorable result was announced, Br. Justin stood in the East to receive a certificate of proficiency and a Mt. Hood lapel pin noting not only his proficiency but the confidence in him as a Master Mason.
As a surprise to some, the Junior Deacon was asked to present the Chaplain in the East. Having been raised as a Master Mason in August of last year, these two Brothers were acknowledged for their significant contributions to the Lodge over the past year. Br. Conner in providing depth to our ceremonies as Chaplain, and spearheading our Masonic Musicle group, and Br. Jerramie R. has streamlined our inventory management and impressive involvement in ritual work.
Worshipful Brother Mark W. was then called to the East. As a Past Master of Mt. Hood, whose stewardship of our Lodge is legendary, he was recognized for his twenty-five years of service to the Craft. After being presented with a dues card and lapel pin noting his years of service, he then gave the Lodge a few words underlining the lessons about the Fraternity he’s learned over the years. The excitement of an Officer team committed to promoting and growing Masonry was alive and well when he was going through the chairs, just as he sees it now with our current Officer line. If it not for the commute to Lodge, which is several hours round trip, he would be here more often seeing the excitement grow. A warm thunderous applause followed WB Mark as he took his seat.
VW Ric B. was then called to the East, as was Br. Alex B. A somewhat surprised Junior Warden passed off his jewel to WB John F. sitting nearby and headed East. With a certificate in hand and a beautiful lapel pin, VW Ric announced Br. Alex’s completion of the Proficiency in Lodge Management (PiLM) program. The course involves a series of tests showing knowledge of the Code, Ritual, and Lodge Officers Handbook, followed by a practical exam involving the opening and closing of Lodge through the various Degrees. The lapel pin denotes one who is well versed in the practices of our Order, of which Br. Alex is no stranger. After a warm applause, VW Ric was asked to step down as Br. Alex remained.
The Worshipful Master then advanced a slide deck to show an email sent in 2018 from a “Mr. Alex” asking for more information about Masonry. In a series of slides, following Br. Alex’s career in Masonry, the Lodge enjoyed reminiscing about Br. Alex’s significant impact not only on Mt. Hood, but in the District and Fraternity as a whole. Early photos of his involvement when Mt Hood still met at the Healthman Hotel, and his support of early activities like our “Blind Charity Poker” event, led to noting his support of dozens of events, Degrees, and Lodge activities throughout the District. It was an emotional time for many as we all took a moment to highlight a Brother that means so much to so many.
The moment of reflection culminated in Br. Alex being presented the Hiram Award, the highest award a Lodge may bestow on a Mason. An unprompted standing ovation was then given to Br. Alex, followed quickly by Public Grand Honors. After much excitement and handshaking, Br. Alex took his seat in the South.
Finally, the Senior Deacon advanced to the alter to prepare for our in-lodge remembrance of Br. George W. and MW Lawerence W. During the ceremony, many shared memories of these men. VW David E. and WB Dick P. recounted memories of Br. George and MW Mike S., WB Mark W., and VW Ric B. shared memories about MW Lawerence. At the close of the remembrance, Br. David H. sang an old Masonic Hymn in honor of those who have passed. As candles were extinguished and the remembrance concluded we moved on for a bit of reflection of the evening and all of the Masonic journeys we had the opportunity to honor that evening.
Being a Stated Meeting, there were a few necessary items required before closing. Announcements included the upcoming Installation of Officers, MW Steve Martin’s Charity Gala, and North Banks’ BBQ concert. Then, as WB Todd E. was away on travel, the Marshall’s Bottle was presented via video, promising a delicious 10-year Alexander Murry waiting for after the meeting.
With quick and crisp ritual, the first Stated Meeting of the year was closed, peace and harmony prevailing.