The Stars We Think We See

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1 B U R L I N G T O N - U N I T E D MASONIC LODGE #93 TRESTLEBOARD March 2012 Greetings from the East. Bretheren: At the February stated meeting we changed the date of our annual Sweetheart's Dinner to Wednesday, February 15. We appointed WB George Foster and Bro Jerry Lounsberry as our representatives to the Widow's and Orphan s Fund. Bro. Lounsberry will replace Bro. David Cooper as the Fund's secretary. Our Stated meeting on March 1 will occasion the Official Visit of the District 9 Deputy to the Grand Master. It would be beneficial for the officers to review the procedure for this visit in the "Lodge Officer's Handbook" prior to the meeting. Also in March: The annual corned beef and cabbage dinner for BU, OES, and the Shrine on March 22 at our Lodge, and Fairhaven #73 will visit on a date yet to be determined. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding these or any other activities in our Lodge. Yours in Masonry: WB Tom Thompson From the West The Stars We Think We See Freemasonry contains many references to the heavens and to the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars. A few words about the stars is, therefore, appropriate. Any of us, looking into the heavens on a clear night, would say he saw millions of stars, and most of you may be astounded to be informed that we never actually see any of the stars we think we see. What we actually see are rays of light sent out by those stars. The stars themselves are so many thousands, and millions and billions of miles away that the rays we see tonight were on their way to us last night, or the night before that, or last week, or last month, or last year, or many years before that. Some of the rays that reach us tonight were on their way to us

2 during every year any one of us has ever known. Some of the rays were on their way to us before Masonry was born. Some of the stars are so many billions of miles away that their rays have traveled day and night, at the speed of light, clear nights and dark nights, through generations, through centuries, through the rise and fall of nations, through the rise and fall of civilizations, since before the birth of Christ, since before the first stone was laid for the Great White Temple which crowned Moriah s Mount, in order to reach us tonight and guide our feet on our way home from this meeting. If the stars were close enough to come within the range of our vision, their brilliancy would destroy us. Scientists tell us rays of light still are reaching us from stars that ceased to exist hundreds, or thousands, or even millions of years ago. The life of a human is but a moment in the span of time it takes the twinkle of a star to reach us. We live by rays of light produced by stars that have ceased to exist. Masons live by the bright rays of a Great Light produced twenty centuries ago, or more. Those who follow us will be guided by what we have done, and we, who are here but a fraction of a moment, should hasten to start rays of Masonic light on their way to Brethren who shall live a century, or a hundred centuries, or a thousand centuries after we have ceased to exist. From the South By the Plumb Several years ago, the story was told of a Mason who always wore his Masonic ring and lapel pin when in public. On some occasions, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. On one such trip and when he sat down, he discovered the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, Oh, forget it, it s only a quarter; who d worry about this little amount. Anyway, the transit company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet. When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, Here, you gave me too much change. The driver with a smile replied, I noticed your Masonic ring and lapel pin. I have been thinking lately about asking a Mason how to join. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. You passed the test. Can you tell me how to become a Mason? When the Mason stepped off the bus, he said a silent prayer, "Oh God, Great Architect of the Universe, I almost sold you and my beloved Masons out for a mere quarter. Our actions are the only Masonic creed some will ever see. This is a really almost scary example of how people watch us as Masons and may put us to the test even without us realizing it! Always be diligent, whether it be at the theater, restaurant, grocery, service station or just driving in traffic. Remember, whether it be a lapel pin, a ring, or an emblem on the car, you carry the name of our great fraternity

3 on your shoulders whenever you call yourself a Mason. You never can tell who might be watching! Jerry Lounsberry Junior Warden MASONIC WIDOWS AND ORPHANS FUND Of District #9 and San Juan County, Washington This Fund has been in existence since the 1920s and is not an insurance, but a system whereby the Masons can contribute to the relief of the widow or family of a deceased Mason, without the act taking the form of charity. For the benefit of those who may not know the scope of this creditable design, we state that on a minimum payment of $5.00 you become a member of the Fund. At each death of a member of the Fund, your account is debited the sum of $2.00. After five deaths you will be informed of you fund account and called upon to pay the balance due, if required, within thirty (30) days of the notice. It is a worthy cause, and its operation places ready money, currently $ , in the hands of the beneficiary at a time when funds are most required. Only Masons in good standing of the Masonic Lodges of District #9 and Masons of other Lodges who actually reside in District #9 and San Juan County, Washington, are eligible to membership in this fund. Please contact Burlington-United #93 Masonic Widows and Orphans Fund Trustees, WB George Foster and Brother Jerry Lounsberry, for additional information and membership. Fraternally Yours, Jerry Lounsberry Junior Warden Ambassador Masonic Outreach Services District #9 Widows & Orphans Fund - Secrertary/Treasurer Burlington-United #93 Masonic Outreach Services By Mary Craves-Hollands, Director Happy New Year - to all of you from the staff here at Masonic Outreach Services. We are moving into a brand new year and are hoping that the program will continue to grow like it did in Sometimes before looking ahead we need to reflect on where we have been. I would like to share with you how the Outreach Services Program has been growing and to recognize those who have been nurturing it along. Near the end of 2010, Past Grand Master Santy Lascano, who is a great advocate of Outreach Services, sent a

4 letter to all of the Brothers who were 62 years of age or older, telling them about Outreach Services. This is the first many of the Brothers ever heard about the Outreach Services Program. We had a tremendous response from the almost 10,000 letters that were sent out that fall. In addition to the letter, PGM Santy designed a logo for Outreach Services which we are very proud of and which we will continue to use. In June, 2011, Michael Sanders became the Grand Master of Washington. As is the tradition, Grand Master Sanders and his Lady, Patty, had the opportunity to choose a charity to promote and for which they would raise money. They decided that rather than going outside the Fraternity, they would focus their energy on philanthropy by Masons for Masons and chose Masonic Outreach Services. Grand Master Sanders is challenging every Masonic Lodge and all other Masonic Orders to hold a fundraiser for Masonic Outreach Services between now and the Annual Communication. This encouraging gesture by Grand Master Sanders is the kind of support the program needs in order to be recognized for the good work we do for the older Brothers, their wives and or widows. In addition to making Outreach Services his chosen charity, Grand Master Sanders also appointed Douglas Haughton as the Special Deputy for Outreach Services. Doug has been working closely with the Outreach Services Program over the last several months assisting us in finding Ambassadors in each District to help build an infrastructure statewide to assist us in delivering our services to the entire state of Washington. We now have twenty Ambassadors in seventeen Districts. This means that over half of the Districts have an Ambassador (or two) who work as liaisons between the Brothers across the state and the Outreach Services staff. The Ambassadors are working hard to get the word out about Outreach Services. They do this in many ways including attending Lodge meetings and giving a short presentation. This has been a tremendous help to the Program. In addition, they are on the lookout for older Brothers, their wives and/or widows who may be having a difficult time. When the Ambassador learns of someone in need, they contact Outreach Services and we work together to help the Brother in need. They are the eyes, ears, and hands of the Outreach Services Program as we try to serve the almost 10,000 Brothers statewide who are 62 years of age or older and their families in negotiating the issues of aging. The Ambassadors are an invaluable asset to the Masonic Outreach Services Program. With all of the good work everyone has been doing to promote the Outreach Services Program, we have been very busy, and that is how we like it. It is very gratifying to have calls come in from all over the state allowing Outreach Services to provide a tangible link to the Masonic family a link bridging years of experience in the past with the future. We want to assure members of the Masonic family that you have a continuing resource available and are not alone in dealing with the challenges of aging. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us at / Ext Website is masonicouteachservices.org check it out! Technology Based Approach: As we move forward in the technology era, it is felt that it is necessary to move forward with technology in the lodge. We have discussed a website and the benefits that it brings. As you are aware it has now come to fruition and it allows us more exposure not only our brethren, both local and worldwide, but also to individuals who desire to join our Honored Fraternity especially at Burlington-United #93. If you have not been to the site, please visit, There is also a new WA Masons District 9 Website

5 In an effort to help control the costs of operating Burlington-United #93, this will be the last edition of the Trestleboard to be printed and widely distributed using the United States Post Office. The costs of printing and distributing the Trestleboard have become overwhelming. It is our intent to have the Trestleboard in its current form available on our webpage and electronically delivered to those Brothers who have an address. This delivery system will help us communicate more effectively and allow us to redistribute funds for the betterment/benefit of the lodge. We do not plan on having any Brother left out due to the lack of a computer or address. Here is the plan to get everyone an electronic copy of our Trestleboard and a back-up plan for those brothers who have no internet access: 1. If we have your address now, we will send you a copy of the March trestleboard and future Trestleboards using that address. You will always find it on the website first, but it will be sent to you electronically as well. If you would like a hard copy of the document, feel free to print it from the website. 2. If you do not have access and if you wish to receive the Trestleboard, we will send a it to the home address we have on file for you. Just give me a call at or drop me a line at 7173 State Route 9, Sedro Woolley, WA and tell me you want to receive the Trestleboard. WB George Foster Upcoming Events Mar 1 6:30 Dinner 7:30 Stated meeting Mar 22 6:30 pm annual Corned beef and Cabbage Dinner for BU, OES, and the Shrine Mar Fairhaven #73 will visit on a date yet to be determined.