Moonlighter

Steilacoom Lodge #2

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 8

 August 2003 Newsletter

  
 

Well Howdy Brothers and Sister,

            I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderfully hot weather we are having.  Remember if you’re out and about to wear plenty of sunscreen, a good hat and drink plenty of water. 

            We have plenty going on this month.  Sunday, Aug 3rd we have the joint church service with our brothers from Prince Hall in Dupont, which starts at 4pm.  Lodge officers please wear your jewels, aprons and white gloves.  All others please wear aprons and white gloves.  Attire is suit and tie; we will meet at the post office and march to the church which is about 4 blocks away.  Ladies are invited and there will be a picnic afterwards.

            Aug 8th is our regular stated meeting with potluck, starts at 6:30pm.  Remember it is Scandinavian night and I hope it will be interesting and fun for all.

            Saturday the 16th will be a busy day.  First we have a cornerstone laying at the new Tacoma Fire station #8.  The Grand Lodge will open at 10:00 a.m. in Royal A. Gove Masonic Hall, 3736 S. Sheridan.  Following instructions by the Grand Marshal, the team will proceed to the site. The Cornerstone Ceremony will commence at 11:00 a.m.  Following the Cornerstone Ceremony, lunch will be served in the Lodge dining room.  All are invited and it is requested a donation be made to the Lodge's scholarship fund.  RSVP to Perry Smith at 253-474-4773, or cedar104@msn.com.

            Also that same day we will have a booth at the South Tacoma Street Fair on 56th Street and South Tacoma Way.  Let’s try and have as many brothers and their families out there as possible.  This is our community and we need to let them know we are there and who we are.

            The 22nd is our special communication night.  This is a night for us to work on degree or floor work.  At our last special we had several of our newer brothers there.  It was quite refreshing to see them so interested and enthusiastic in learning the floor work.  The 23rd we will have our second cemetery clean up.  Many brothers have worked hard to get it into shape and now more then ever we must continue to keep it that way.

            Then of coarse is our 7th Annual Lodge Picnic at the AFIFI Shrine area at 1:00pm, on the 24th of August.  This will be a potluck with the lodge providing the main meat dish.  Bring the family, bring your friends, it promises to be fun for all.  We will have lawn games for the young ones.

              I would like to thank WB Bill Rohrer and WB Jerry Berg for the excellent work they have done restoring the alter.  If you get the chance please check out the wonderful craftsmanship of these two brothers.  It is great to see our brothers working together to bring a bit of history back to life.  I would also like to thank WB Ken Kershner for finding a home for Steilacoom’s old collars.  Frank S. Land lodge was in need and Br Ken was able to help fulfill that need. 

            As you can see we have a pretty busy month ahead of us.  Some of these dates may change, so please check our website or the Grand Lodge website to make sure that the event you wish to attend is still being held.  Remember to keep those brothers and sisters that are ill in your prayers.  We still need to keep those that are in harms way, whether they are here or in foreign lands, in our hearts and prayers.

Take care,

Tom K., WM

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!

 

The Vikings are coming!!!

The Vikings are coming!!!

Let those Vikings come on over to Steilacoom Lodge #2.  Our Tyler will definitely be able to handle them, especially with his BIG sword.  Come out and see how BIG his sword is!!!!

Fraternally,

Joe Fuller

Sr Warden

From the South

[Editor:  Could not find a good plum to use like the Master and Senior Warden!  Maybe I will by next month.]

BRETHREN,

I have been told that it is time for me to get off my behind and contribute to our Moonlighter. I agree. This year is rapidly slipping away, only six more Stated Meetings, our annual Picnic, and a number of other doings. All listed in our activities schedule.

The Annual Picnic will be on 24 Aug at 1:00 PM at the Shrine Picnic area. the Lodge will provide Bratwurst, Hot Dogs, and Hamburgers. Also condiments, Water and Pop. Other than that it will be POT LUCK. In past years we have had a great crowd and wonderful food provided by the Brothers and Sisters. The weather in the past few years has been less than favorable. With this in mind I have ordered Sunny and warm weather. Hope I don't have to eat my words. If you have and are willing it would be great if some of the members could bring some Yard Games. Croquet, Badmiton, lawn Darts etc.

On a serious note, there is a need for willing Brothers to fill Appointed places in the Lodge. The duties performed in these Positions cause you to learn more about Masonry, be more active, and feel more a part of the Lodge. Some of the brothers that I have talked to show concern about learning the Rituals and Floor Work. Not a Problem. Lodge Officers and Past Masters are more than willing to provide One on One instruction for each position. This will eliminate the embarrassment of being asked to fill a position that you are not prepared for. Believe me, these positions are fun and make you feel more a part of our Fraternity. It also helps you decide if being Master of our lodge is something you would look forward to. If you are interested please contact any of the elected Officers.

John Geier
Junior 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 July:

August 3, 2003   Special   DuPont Joint Church Service
August 8, 2003 Stated Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30 PM
        Scandinavian
August 16, 2003   Special   Cornerstone...see WM message
August 22, 2003   Special   Degree Work/Lodge Proficiency
August 23, 2003   Special   Cemetery Cleanup Starts at 9:00 AM
August 24, 2003 Special 7th Annual Lodge Picnic at Afifi Temple Picnic Area
September 5, 2003 Stated Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30 PM ( Asian)

Howdy Brethren,

            Ain’t this weather been great for outdoor activates and sports and sunburns.  Do take care not to get burnt and dehydrated.  Drink plenty of water and use some type of sun block.  It has almost been hot!  But when I call home in Oklahoma, I am thankful of these lovely days we have here.  And with these beautiful days, I do take time to appreciate what the Supreme Architect has made for us to enjoy.  Even with the littlest things, we need to look at with awe, for time is ever ready to diminish our place here on earth.

            Ever time I am thinking of the things to write for our brothers, I find myself asking, who are these brothers we touch with our words?  Then when I look at the rooster of members, I realize that there is such a wealth of wisdom and life experiences that I would love to hear.  So invite you to take a little bit of your time and share your lives.  And I hope and pray all is well with each of you.

            Masonic Age is appropriated to each degree; the Entered Apprentice is three, the Fellowcraft is five, and the Master Mason is seven.  These ages are not arbitrarily selected, but have a reference to the mystical value of numbers and their relation to the different degrees.  Three is the symbol of peace and concord and has been called in the Pythagorean system the number of perfect harmony, for the initiate comes in an Order whose fundamental principles are harmony and brotherly love.  Five is the symbol of active life, the union of the female principle two and the male principle three, and refers in this way to the active duties of man as a denizen of the world. Seven, a venerable and perfect number, is symbolic of that perfection which comes with age and experience.  Thus the mystic numbers in Masonry are 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 27, 63, and 81.

            So I encourage you all to take some time and touch some one you know or would like to know and that warmth of friendship and brotherly love.  May you be blessed and share it some one.

 

“Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.”     Benjamin Franklin

“Things are pretty, graceful, rich, elegant, handsome, but until they speak to the imagination, not yet beautiful.”    Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don’t worry about your individual numbers.  Worry about the team.  If the team is successful, each of you will be successful too.  Branch Rickey

“Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket; do not pull it out and strike it, merely to show that you have one.”    Earl of Chesterfield

 

Your friend and brother,

Lee R. Webb ‘number 2’

 

 

Hello All

Once again, I have tons of input this month!  This is great!  Keep it up!  For four months in a row!!!

Thanks

The Editor!

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