Moonlighter

Steilacoom Lodge #2

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4

 April 2003 Newsletter

  
 

Howdy Brothers and Sisters,

            Well spring is almost upon us. Time to dig out the lawn mower and hedge trimmers.  The March potluck was quite a success.  I would like to thank Peg Cybulski for being my stand in Mom while my Mom was out of town.  With out her help the corned beef may well have been charcoal briquettes.  So thank you very much Peg.

            Our Youth Appreciation night was also a success.  Br Jr Warden John arranged for one of our schools from Project Outreach to bring some of their students.  These youngsters read from one of the books our donations have help provide.  The story was about a lost mole and making friends.  The children then showed us some of the art work they had made relating to the story.  It was really neat to see these young children read at this level.  Br Sr Warden Joe and Br Secretary Lee then shared the working tools of Masonry with the audience.  Thanks goes out to all that help put this together and to everyone that was able attend and make this a night worth remembering.

            Just a reminder April’s potluck is Beans and Weenies, a Tax Day theme.  So bring simple things that can be stretched so to speak.  Also on April 26th we will be having our Tulip Family Day.  Gather at the lodge at about 8:00 AM for a continental style breakfast.  We have a bus that will then take us up to the Tulip Festival for a guided tour of three tulip farms and a box lunch.  The bus will leave the lodge at 9:00 AM sharp, so please be there on time.  We will then, if time permits, visit the street faire followed by diner at Mama Stortini's Ristorante for those that would like to round out the evening.  The ticket prices are $35, children 12 and under are free, seniors and young adults 13 to 17 are $25.  Please contact myself or one of the officers for tickets and availability.

Please remember in your hearts and prayers those service personnel at home and aboard, their family's and loved ones during these troubled times. May the Father watch over them and protect them.

Tom K.,  Master

May all your travels be safe,
May the wind always fill your sails,
May your table be filled with plenty,
And may the sun keep you in its' warm embrace!

Greetings from the West,

Greetings Brethren!

Sorry I missed last month's deadline, I will try to keep up with the editor!  In my last missive I spoke about "Sharing the Light". In these times when the darkness seeks to overwhelm and destroy us, let's pause a moment and consider how we can turn it back by "Sharing the Light".

We share the light every time we visit a De Molay, Rainbow or Job's Daughter meeting. When we let our youth know that we care about them, that as Mason's we think that they are worth our time and energy, we share the light. When we go to the Masonic Retirement Center and visit with the residents, we share the light. When we march along side the Masonic float in SmallTown, WA we are sharing the light. When we cheerfully donate our time, money and energies to Operation Outreach and put books into the hands of children that may otherwise never own a book, we share the light. When we give out food baskets to those in need, we share the light.

How about "Sharing the Light" within the lodge? When we become the coach and mentor for a new mason, we share the Light. When we volunteer to do a part for a degree, we share the Light. When we walk into the kitchen and give the Junior Warden and Stewards a hand, we share the Light. When we give an old friend that is not a mason the "Friend to Friend" brochure, we share the light. When we pick up a shut-in and take him to lodge, we share the light. When we help one of our older members with their coats, or finding a seat, we share the Light.

Each time we share the Light, the darkness is driven a little further away.

What will YOU do to "Share the Light" today? Tomorrow? Everyday? Only you can answer that, and only you can do it!

Share the Light my Brothers!

Fraternally,

Joe Fuller

Senior Warden

Announcements

Kaffee Klatsch

Catch the 0900 ferry in Steilacoom, wander up the hill and be prepared for hot coffee and a fresh goodie. This happens on every Tuesday! Well, almost every Tuesday! I will send e-mail to most who come on Mondays!

I can promise you refreshments, you bring the friendship and fraternity and we all will have a fun morning. It seems that our discussions are getting increasingly interesting. Keep it up!!

Y'All Come, Y'A Hear!!!

Jer

Tressleboard for April:

April 11, 2003 Stated Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30 PM
        Tax Day, Beans & Weenies
April 25, 2003   Special   Degree Work/Lodge Proficiency
April 26, 2003   Very Special   Tulip Family Day

Hello brethren,

There is no doubt that spring is here.  And where else can you have a comfortable day then drizzling rain, then sunshine, then frozen rain (that is hail to those not indigenous to Washington), cold air, sunshine, then wind and so on.  It just makes us appreciate the nice days coming up.

Wow, what a month.  We are doing degrees, having great food, and several special events.  My brothers, if you can make it to lodge, by all means, come!  And it only gets better.  So come and enjoy what is happening at Steilacoom lodge and have fellowship with brothers.

Off I go to do my duty as secretary.  I would like to leave you with a poem a dear friend, Ray Tullis, gave me because we went together a lot visiting other lodges. 

 

I SEE YOU’VE TRAVELED SOME

Wherever you may chance to be, wherever you may roam

Far away in foreign lands or just a home, sweet home;

It always gives you pleasure, it makes your heart string hum,

Just to hear the words of cheer, “I see you’ve traveled some.”

When you get the Brother’s greeting as takes you by the hand,

It thrills you with a feeling that you cannot understand,

You feel that bond of brotherhood that tie that’s sure to come,

When you hear him say in a friendly ways, “I see you’ve traveled some.”

And if you are a stranger in strange lands all alone,

If fate has left you stranded, dead broke and far from home,

Oh, it’s a grand and glorious feeling, it thrills you, makes you numb,

When he says with a grip of fellowship, “I see you’ve traveled some.”

And when your final summons comes to take a long trip,

Adorned with lambskin apron white and gems of fellowship,

The Tyler at the Golden Gate with square and rule and plumb,

Will size up your pin and say, ”Walk in, I see you’ve traveled some.”

 

“The great secret of power is never to will to do more than you can accomplish.” - Henrik Ibsen 

“Our life is what our thoughts make it.”                                                                   - Marcus Aurelius

“Duty is the sublimest word in the language; you can never do more than your duty; you should never wish to do less.                                                                                                                    - Robert E. Lee

“Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.”          -Henri Bergson

If you haven’t sent in your dues, please do so and receive your dues card.  And if Anyone hears or knows of the passing of a brother, contact me.  Thank you.

Fraternally,

Lee R. Webb II

 

Hello All

Once again, I have tons of input this month!  This is great!  Keep it up!

Thanks

The Editor!

                                                The Best Event in a Mason’s Life

 

                                              I heard the knock on the Temple door

                                              and then it opened wide.

                                              I felt the grip of a Mason’s hand

                                              and I slowly went inside.

 

                                              I was lowered down on bended knees,

                                              As a prayer was said for me;

                                              And then I was helped to pass around

                                              For all bretheren to see.

 

                                              And all to me was like black of night,

                                              As my leader took me around ;

                                              And my racing heart I heard more clear

                                              Than the solemn organ’s sound.

 

                                              My faltering footsteps here and there

                                              Were halted on my way;

                                              And several questions were put to me,

                                              As I struggle not to sway .

 

                                             With my right hand resting on the “Law”

                                               I took my obligation;

                                               I swore to be a Mason true

                                               At my initiation.

 

                                               I shall not tell more what I saw,

                                               Or what was spoken;

                                                But I saw the sign and heard the word.

                                                And I felt the Mason’s token.

 

                                                I’ll tell you this, that I heard a charge,

                                                Which later I would learn by heart;

                                                And it told me all that a man should do

                                                As a Mason from the start.

 

                                                It matter not if you pass the chair,

                                                Or reach the highest station;

                                                The best event in a Mason’s life

                                                 Is the night of his initiation.

 

 _ _  By A. Danks from SA Masonic News Journal of Masonry in South Africa

This was submitted by WB Bob Thetford.  Thanks! --  Editor

 

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