From the East

Brethren All,

A new year is upon us and as the incoming new Worshipful Master, I am simply overwhelmed by the kindness and support that I’ve received so far.

At our January stated meeting, I think we got off to a great start. As our theme this year is “Successful Together”, we put together nine committees to help us on our way. Each of the committees is vital to our success this year. If you have an interest in a committee, please let either the chairman of the committee or myself know and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Here’s a partial list of committees—

· Sickness and Distress/Widow’s Welfare

· Fellowship

· Charity

· Cemetery

· Community Relations

· Masonic Youth and Travel

· Concordant Body Relations

· Masonic Research and Education

· Finance and Investment

We have lots of work to do. At the January stated meeting, we balloted favorably upon two new candidates. We’ll be scheduling the first degrees of the year shortly (likely on Friday, February 1).

We also have several EA’s in waiting to be passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft and a couple of Fellowcrafts waiting to be raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

It promises to be an exciting year, but we can only be truly successful with your help and support.

Fraternally,

WM Jeremy Yielding

The future depends on what we do in the present.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Helping Hands from Steilacoom

On Saturday, January 26th, several brothers from Steilacoom Lodge helped move the Diaz family to a larger residence.

Our brother Sean Diaz is serving in Iraq and his wife, Rachel, is currently expecting a daughter in May. With the addition of the new baby, it was time to move the Diaz’s to larger quarters.

Brothers Fred Robinson, Jason Adams, WB John Geier, and WM Jeremy Yielding all helped Brothers Jake Yaconetti and Bruce Everett to get the move done.

We were able to get the Diaz family moved in less than three hours, and enjoyed fellowship throughout the day despite the freezing rain.

Special thanks to Brothers Jake Yaconetti and Bruce Everett for their help in coordinating this event. It was another great example of Masons working together to provide relief.

We’re also looking to hold a baby shower for Rachel in April. More details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

Masonic Youth Night February 29th

Please come out and support our local Masonic Youth! Representatives from the local chapter of DeMolay, Rainbow Girl assembly members, and Job’s Daughters from our local bethels will be on hand for our annual youth night on February 29th.

The spaghetti dinner starts at 6:30, after which we’ll have a brief presentation by the youth groups.

We’ve tentatively scheduled Tacoma Chapter of the Order of DeMolay and the Tacoma-Kenrick Assembly of Rainbow Girls to present the “Seven plus Seven Equals Ten” Degree. The degree explains the values that the groups share and those that are unique to each of them.

The DeMolay will then sponsor their Spring Dance until 11:00 at the Lodge.

We should also note that the Order of DeMolay is having a membership drive right now.

If a DeMolay gets three boys to join the Order by May, they will get a free trip to Anaheim, California (and a day at Disneyland too)!

If you have a son, daughter, or grandchild that might enjoy seeing what the Masonic Groups have to offer, please bring them along to meet with these wonderful kids so they can find out what our youth groups are all about!

Notes from the Secretary’s Desk

We began the 2007 Masonic year with 229 members and as of December 21 2008, there were 232. There were 15 stated communications and 19 specials. A total of 29 degrees were conferred during the year. Other membership changes were 3 demits, 6 dropped for non-payment of dues and six deaths. Three members were re-instated from NPD status.

Our financial status has varied over the year. We thought we would be under budget for the year until we were asked to assist the South Tacoma Masonic Hall Association in repairing the leaky roof which reduced our treasury by about $20,000.

Our outlook for 2008 is great for personnel and sort of shaky at present for finances due to the national economy. Our dues for the year, which by the Washington Masonic Code is due and payable on the 1st of January is coming in fairly well. There have been 199 dues cards issued to date with approximately 30 more due. If anyone has a financial problem which precludes them from paying their dues please contact the Worshipful Master or the Secretary so we can find a way to assist you.

Let us all as individual members of the Membership committee strive to replace themselves in lodge this year. If this were to happen I’d be happy to report a gain in membership of almost 200 next year.

Thank you for your support throughout the year. I ask for your assistance and cooperation in helping our lodge grow in Masonry.

Fraternally,

VWB Donald Campbell, Secretary

The Treasurer’s Word

Brethren

As we all know, with the latest roof repairs, the turbulent stock market, and other unexpected expenses, we are spending more money than is coming in!!!

As near as I can tell, that means that we are eventually going to be broke. Therefore we will either have to generate some money-making schemes or spend less money. Personally, I do not see the Lodge doing either of those things.

However, there are ways which can help keep the Lodge afloat financially. One is put the Lodge into your will as a beneficiary for some amount. Another is to take out a “one shot” life insurance policy. These are usually for $1,000 and cost no more than a few dollars. Either of these last two measures will help keep the Lodge afloat financially.

Brethren…Think about it…we’re all going to die some day; and this is would be your legacy to the Lodge and a way to immortalize your memory. If you need help in setting up such an animal, please contact me.

Fraternally,

Bro. J W Illes, Treasurer

Upcoming Events

February 1—1st Degree 6:30

February 14—Study Session—6:00 until 9:00 or however long our
wives allow us to be at the lodge on Valentine’s Day!!!

February 15—Stated Meeting dinner at 6:30, meeting at 7:30—Chicken Ragout—A-G dessert, H-N side dish, O-Z salad.

February 16—Lodge Officers and Members Association (LOMA) - at the Scottish Rite (817 S Vassault St., Tacoma) beginning at 8:00, breakfast is included at this meeting. Topic—One Day Degree Conferral Practice

February 22– Study Session—6:00 until 9:00

February 29—Special Meeting—Masonic Youth Night—Spaghetti Dinner at 6:30, program at 7:30, dance until 11:00.

March 1—One Day Degree Conferral—Afifi Shrine Temple