A Message from the east

Transcription

1 Trestleboard Odenton Lodge #209, A.F.&A.M. A.L. 6014, Issue 1 Founded May 12, A.L Brethren, I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to serve Odenton Lodge #209 as Worshipful Master. I am keenly aware of the responsibilities and duties associated with this position. But also know I cannot run the Lodge by myself. I am counting on the support of the officers and brethren that together, we may have a prosperous and beneficial year. I would like to thank PM Bob Dumas for all his efforts this past year. Odenton Lodge #209 has explored many different avenues of Freemasonry in From Lodge visitations, to the joint picnic of the Anne Arundel County lodges, to hosting Dr. S. Brent Morris, just to name a few. I hope you enjoyed being Master in 2013 more than your first time in I would also like to thank PM Bob for handing the reins of such a strong officer line to me. A Message from the east This year, I would like to build on the foundation laid in 2013 in exploring more of what Freemasonry has to offer. There is already planning going on for a possible table lodge hosted by Odenton #209. In the spring when the weather breaks, I would like to arrange a field trip (as it were) to Mt. Vernon, Virginia to visit the home and final resting place of our Brother PM George Washington. And as long as the Junior Warden calls us to refreshment, we could abide a small libation from the distillery which is also on the property. I always refer to Odenton Lodge as a working Lodge, which really we are. We are not like some other lodges that everyone just shows up for regular communications and that s it. From Monday night bingos to monthly Sunday breakfasts and Friday dinners, we work side by side with a common goal. Not only does this support the Lodge, but it helps to strengthen the bond of brotherhood we have for each other. Most Worshipful Grand Master Gerald E. Piepiora and his Grand Line attended Odenton Lodge to perform an Open Installation of Officers on January 3, Just a reminder, this is yourtrestleboard. If you would like to submit an article, please contact Brother Secretary and he will help you out. On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. Just a small update: the month of January has been quite a challenge for my family and me. You may or may not have noticed that my girth seemed to increase fivefold. What was odd about that is, though I was doing my best Hindenburg impersonation, I was not gaining weight but losing it. I had some blood work done and, acting on results, was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. After many tests, it was discovered my Liver was secreting fluid internally which was swelling my abdomen. This would explain how pale I looked on installation night. I ended up having to be tapped and they removed five liters of fluid, so I From the social committee We have a ton of ideas cooking for this year. In February we d like to go the Washington Masonic Memorial; in March to Mount Vernon; in April to support a Mason s business; in summer, the GOATS picnic which Odenton is organizing; in September, football night at Perry s; in October, possibly putting together a haunted house; in November, bowling; and in December, our new annual Odenton Family Potluck. Contact Bro. Seth to get involved! 1206 Stehlik Drive Odenton, MD Regular communication first and third Wednesdays at 7pm.

2 No trowel is well used by any man who has yet to do his apprentice work. An Update on the Traveling Gavel Liberty Pickering Lodge #219 and Odenton Lodge #209 have (re)introduced The Maryland Traveling Gavel. The Traveling Gavel is a 24 hardwood gavel with a commemorative band. It is designed to promote fraternal visitations to other lodges. Specific rules guide how to obtain the gavel. The lodge who holds it the longest each year wins special recognition and possibly a prize from the Grand Master! A lodge visitation can be one of the most educational and rewarding experiences within our fraternity. Let s share our fraternal friendship and fellowship with our brothers by visiting lodges throughout our great jurisdiction. May the most traveled lodge win! We kicked off the first year of the Maryland Traveling Gavel on September 10 at Bonnie Blink Daylight Lodge #1. Bros. However, no one has yet captured it! It seems Daylight Lodge is difficult for brothers to attend, especially given the requirement for the WM of the capturing lodge to be present. In collaboration with Liberty Pickering and Daylight Lodge, we are considering some updates to the rules to make it easier to get things moving. We are also considering rehoming the gavel. More From the east dropped 11 pounds in 20 minutes. So now I am on the road to recovery. I have appointments scheduled to see a few specialists and have more tests conducted. I want to thank PM Bob Dumas for stepping up and filling in for me during my absence as well as the serving officers in our line. Lastly, thank you all so much for your prayers, s, well wishes, visits and everything else the Brothers of Odenton #209 have expressed toward me. Also for reaching out to my wife Rachel - she is so appreciative for your concern and support. So, eleven more months to go. I pray they will be easier than January has been. Sincerely and fraternally, Patrick R. Culver, Worshipful Master Odenton Lodge #209 We will announce the changes when they are finalized in the hope of getting some brothers to Daylight Lodge to make the first capture!

3 3 What a pleasure it is to serve as Senior Warden for 2014 of Odenton Lodge #209. This year will be an interesting year. I look forward to the many social gatherings, fundraisers, traditional practices and meetings. While we all grow and expand our Masonic knowledge together, let's try to keep the traditions that have bought us this far in mind. If you have some Masonic memorabilia or a story you would like to share from a Masonic family member, please feel free to share it with the lodge. I'll give 100% to serving as your Senior Warden. Please feel free to communicate your ideas, constructive criticism, and words of encouragement, as I will return the favor. Alright, gentlemen. Let's do this and make this a even better year. Who can top "Beer at Perry's?" Brother Sr. Warden Kenn Adams Chaplain s Corner Greetings Brethren! As we begin the New Year with optimism, commitment, and brotherly love, let's be especially thankful for the wonderful Lodge we are blessed to meet within. As most of you know, recently we were faced with a crisis situation a water line break in our Lodge just after we met for ritual practice on Wednesday evening, January 8, Fortunately, a small group of us decided to stay behind after the meeting, sit down together, and share some Masonic fellowship and storytelling. Shortly into our humorous discussion, at least two of the brothers noticed an unusual noise. Upon further investigation, we noticed water flooding out behind the wall in the lower level main entrance. As a witness to the event, I was truly amazed at how my fellow brothers went to work in identifying the source of flooding, shutting down the main water valve and then proceeding to save our Lodge from further damage. All I can say is "what a team effort" and how the true Masonic characteristics of each brother came out to combat the situation we were faced with. Moreover, we are certainly blessed to have such a diverse group of men with key skill sets, experience, and distinguishing characteristics found in the typical practices and usages of an Operative Mason, and the ability to put those tools to use during a crisis. We thank God that we took the time to stay behind and reminisce with typical laughter and cheer. Clearly, we were at the right place at the right time to prevent a major disaster and impact on not only Odenton Lodge #209 members, but also other Masonic bodies, organizations and functions held at our Lodge. As we reflect on the past and move forward this year in a positive fashion, please keep our fellow brothers and families that are experiencing sickness and distress in your prayers. Be assured I will do everything possible to comfort those in need to bring comfort and joy into their lives. Please give me a call anytime to vet your ideas, concerns or if you just want to share your noble thoughts with me... I am always available. In closing, let's continue to remind ourselves to keep an open mind, shed light in a positive fashion, and maintain peace and harmony between us, as we gain further Masonic truth. Fraternally, Words from the west James F. Miller, Chaplain Words from the south Brethren, I would first like to start by saying thank you for electing me as your Junior Warden. We had a great year last year and I fully expect this one to be just as good. There are already several events and fund raisers in the making that should help to make this a great year. However, we can't do it alone. It will take the support of all the Odenton #209 brothers and even the support of other lodges. Together, I feel we can help do our part in making this fraternity a stronger one here in Maryland. JW Cort Bossert A Well-Deserved Honor At our Open Installation on January 3, outgoing WM Bob Dumas recognized two exceedingly faithful Odenton #209 brothers for their dedicated and devoted service. These two brothers are Paul Romer and PWGT Roy Stevens, who are always to be found at every event, organizing, working in the kitchen, or whatever needs doing. PM Dumas made these two brothers Honorary Past Masters of Odenton Lodge. We honor their service to our lodge and thank them and their families for the time and sacrifice they have put in to make this lodge strong.

4 No trowel is well used by any man who has yet to do his apprentice work. Lodge PINS Lodge pins are now available! They are $5 each. Contact Bro. Cort to get one. The first pin was given by WM Dumas and GI Hill to Bro. Walter Ewanus, along with his service award, in recognition of his sixty years of service to Freemasonry. Lodge Coins We unearthed a cache of commemorative coins from the lodge s 100 th anniversary in They are available for $20 each, or 3 for $50. Meeting minutes If you missed a meeting or didn t write down the date for an upcoming event, no need for you to be in the dark. Contact Bro. Secretary for a copy of the minutes. Ritual Practice Any brother is welcome at our ritual practice, if you ve received the degree we re practicing. We practice every Wednesday on which we don t meet, at 7pm. Dress is casual. Enjoy some fellowship, learn more about the ritual work, or even start learning a chair. You don t have to know a part to attend! By-Laws Update The By-Laws Committee has prepared an update to our lodge by-laws. Once the text is approved by Grand Lodge, stay tuned for an announcement as to the evening we ll be voting. In memoriam Bro. William John Grueninger Born May 17, 1928 Initiated April 7, 1961 Passed April 21, 1961 Raised May 19, 1961 Laid down working tools September 19, 2013 Bro. Darwyn Lane Venden Born August 24, 1937 Initiated June 19, 2002 Passed September 10, 2002 Raised November 6, 2002 Laid down working tools October 7, 2013 The Lessons of MAsonry from the Global Fraternal Network Have you ever wondered if there was some lesson or meaning you missed when you took your first degree? Think about it for a minute. I m sure there were actually times when you did wonder if there was more you were supposed to learn. Have you ever heard the old definition of Masonry, We take good men and make them better, and wondered what the heck that really means? Most everyone just takes that phrase at face value. However, there are deeper meanings that are hidden in each ritual that we are supposed to explore. If all you remember (for the most part) is what was said to you during your initiation, then there is a lot more to learn. If you were asked, what were the lessons of the first degree, would you be able to answer? Would you be able to remember what Masonic secrets were imparted during that first degree? Most Masons would have a real problem with that question. We know what some of the obvious meanings in the EA ritual are, but what are some of the hidden meanings? We spend way too much time agonizing over getting new members into lodge and not near enough time teaching the lessons of Masonry along with the spiritual and moral implications of them. Learning the ritual is all well and good, but they are only words without meaning if you don t understand what they are trying to teach you. Before we can explore the meanings of any of our Rituals, we must first understand what Masonry really is, or is supposed to be. We are told that Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. Again, what the heck does that really mean? Actually, this is the most accurate, most beautiful, and the most comprehensive definition of Masonry in as few words as has ever been given. When it is broken down into its several parts, it becomes clearer: It truly is a system. It is not just a hodge-podge of rules, maxims, and precepts thrown together without order or design. It is a system of morality. Morality is the doctrine of the right and wrong in human conduct. It is veiled in allegory. An allegory is a story that has a deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning. It is illustrated by symbols. What might be otherwise unintelligible in the allegory is made plain by the symbols accompanying it. Therefore, in plain words, Masonry is a clear and orderly program of instruction in living your life in a moral and spiritual way, and the use of words, phrases, and symbols are used to identify and understand the more profound and deeper lessons that are not as readily seen on the surface. The reality is that Masonry is many things. It is different things to different people. For some, it is only a weekly or monthly gathering of friends and brothers to share good fellowship and a meal. For others, it is only performing in the ritual and teaching and training new members in the memory work. For some, it is only attending business meetings of the lodge or being involved in the charitable works of the lodge and the Fraternity. For still others, it is only becoming an officer of their lodge and helping to direct its activities. for many Masons, it is all of these things. But Masonry is really meant to be a philosophy of life. Now you might ask, what is a philosophy? If you look up the word philosophy in the dictionary, you will find that philosophy is: 1. The love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline. 2. The investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods. 3. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

5 5 4. A system of values by which one lives. So, there you have it; those four definitions of philosophy sound a whole lot like four definitions of Masonry, don t they? Masonry is intended to be a philosophy and a way of living one s life. It is not intended that a man be initiated, passed, and raised and then stop seeking knowledge. It is intended that the search for knowledge be more zealous as one progresses through the degrees and continues throughout his life. Masonry is meant to provide, among other things, the means to answer the three questions that every man has asked or will ask at some point in his life. Those questions, simply put, are: 1. Where did I come from? 2. What is my purpose here? 3. Where am I going? It is hoped that a student of Masonry will always be studious and inquiring as to the deeper, more hidden meanings of the lessons of our rituals. It is not meant that the inquiring mind be satisfied only with the obvious and easily seen meanings. To gain all there is to gain from Masonry, it must be constantly studied during one s life. What makes a man a Mason? From a ritualist point of view, some will say the obligation. However, in today s world of information technology, you can find out just about anything you want to know from the TV or the Internet. Just because a man may know how to operate his TV remote and he learns from the History Channel the signs and grips and may know some or all the words, it doesn t make him a Mason. When a man grips your hand with that grip and you look into his eyes, you can see in an instant whether he is a Mason and a Brother. No man can fake what is in his heart. These grips, words, and recognition signals no more make a man a Mason than wearing boots and a hat makes a man a cowboy. They do not grant an imposter access to any secrets or knowledge of our Craft. They will, however, serve to completely confuse any imposter when he fails to find the treasures he seeks. These grips, words, and recognition symbols will prove worthless unless he knows what he seeks. No, a Man is not a Brother Mason until he has himself gone through the process of initiation, passing, and raising and learned the lessons of the ritual as required by our Grand Lodge laws. And sadly, even then some men are never really Masons. Just remember that by being initiated into the Entered Apprentice Degree, passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft, and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason and learning the lessons of those degrees, there has been laid for you a lasting foundation for a moral edifice upon the most sublime principles that mankind has ever known. The Knife & Fork Degree Don t forget about our monthly breakfast (second Sunday, 8am) and dinner (third Friday, 5pm), held at the lodge. These are fundraisers that help our lodge and the THC keep a roof over our heads. They are also great opportunities for service and fellowship, and an extra pair of hands is always needed. These are open events family and friends are invited and encouraged! Upcoming dinners: February: Turkey (fried or baked; Jim Miller) March: Ravioli (incl. vegetarian; Paul Romer & Patrick Culver) April: Fish fry (Roy Stevens & Paul Romer) May: Mexican (Patrick Culver) Upcoming events Don t forget about the following events scheduled throughout the year. February 1: Regional Meeting at Grand Lodge February 14-18: Conference of Grand Masters of North America (in Baltimore) March 21-23: Lodge Leadership Seminar (Grand Lodge) March 23: THC Bull Roast April 5: Statewide Open House April 27: Grand Lodge Bull & Oyster Roast May 4: THC Basket Bingo May 17: Semiannual Communication at Grand Lodge June 1: THC Spring Tea June 7: Grand Lodge Family Day Picnic June 24: Feast of St. John the Baptist June 27: Odenton #209 hosts Bingo at Bonnie Blink July 26: Grand Master s Ball August 3: THC Crab Feast Lodge events Any Wednesday on which there s not a stated communication, we hold ritual practice. We ll be working through one degree or another to make sure we re at our best. Any brother is welcome to attend (and participate!) for any degree you ve already received. Bro. Seth Pickett has been organizing a monthly series of social events for the brothers and their families to spend time together at refreshment. If you have ideas for things you d like to do as a lodge or are interested in helping to organize, contact him at berylpicketii@gmail.com. Find a way to serve your lodge. Many hands makes light work, and everyone has a gift they can share with their brothers.

6 No trowel is well used by any man who has yet to do his apprentice work. Trestleboard Ongoing Bingo every Monday night, 7pm Rehearsal 2 nd /4 th /5 th Wednesday, 7pm February 1: Regional meeting, Grand Lodge, 8am 5: Stated communication, 7pm 8: Lodge work day, 8am 9: Breakfast, 8am 13: Temple Holding Corporation, 7pm 19: Stated communication, 7pm 21: Dinner, 5pm March 5: Stated communication, 7pm 8: Lodge work day, 8am 9: Breakfast, 8am 13: Temple Holding Corporation, 7pm 19: Stated communication, 7pm 21: Dinner, 5pm 23: THC Bull and Oyster Roast, 1pm Please check the website for updated information as plans frequently change. Candidates Scott Thompson, 42, LCDR, US Navy, residing in Ft. Meade, ballot 2/19 Ethan Dietrich, 32, engineer, Data Tactics Corp., residing in Odenton, ballot 3/5 Entered Apprentices Marc Heyl (courtesy), Michael May, Andrew McDowell, Juan Paz, George Simmons, Michael Wigal Fellow Crafts Matthew Williams, Chris Wilson Master Masons Awaiting proficiency Matthew Morris, John Rosario Once a Master Mason, you have acquired the basic working tools and a wealth of inspiration to follow that philosophical path of study, and your inquiring mind may roam for a lifetime and never exhaust the opportunities. I read a Masonic paper the other day quoting Sam J. Helm, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, in This is what he said about Masonry: Masonry is an ocean of fraternity, and every Mason should sail its broad expanse, because its profound solemnity and matchless beauty can never be appreciated by those who merely wade in the shallows at the shore. The tides have rolled mighty waves upon its bosom, and the storms of centuries have lashed the billows into foam upon its surface, but beneath there have remained, undisturbed, and immutable, the principles of the Brotherhood of Man. What a profound quote! We should pay heed to this beautiful description of Masonry and adopt its lesson. As long as we, the members of our fraternity, decide to allow ourselves and our new candidates to just wade along the shore, the future of Masonry and the Fraternity at large will not grow and prosper. My brethren, we have a golden opportunity right now to start a revolution in Masonry, because young men are searching for the things that Masonry has been providing its members for centuries. The lessons of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are basic truths of the ages and the key to our future. However, the study of the symbolism of the Degrees is the further study of Masonic philosophy that is missing in most Lodges today. We have forgotten how to be instructors to the new children of our fraternity. We must take these new Brethren by the hand and lead them as you would your own child in teaching them how to be better men. We brag about doing that, but are we really? Before World War II, we did a much better job of teaching our candidates. Toward the end of World War II, we had so many candidates coming through our doors that we concentrated on just teaching the questions and answers and left the new member on his own to find out about the other lessons in Masonry its rich history, its philosophy of how you should believe in God and live your life as a good citizen, and how to stand-up for justice and be a patriotic citizen and serve your country and your fellow man. All these are lessons that the Masonic student should be taught as we continue to explore the tenets of our fraternity and expand our own knowledge of God, the Great Architect of the Universe and the science of nature. The voice of Masonry from years past gives us a glimpse of some of the thoughts of our forefathers in these words: Thousands of people tread the earth and behold the sky without discerning any of the beauties or wisdom they display. They look upon a landscape, beautifully ornamented with trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers, but receive no definite impression of any part of it, and could not name or describe few objects thereon. They behold the starry canopy above them, but see no constellations, no planets, and no movements indicating the wisdom, the power, and the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe. So, it is with many who are admitted into Freemasonry. They observe the forms, the ceremonies, the emblems, and the jewels, and they hear the lectures and charges, but fail to discern the ethics and philosophy of those lessons. They hear the phrase - Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols, but do not fathom its meaning and consequently do not solve the allegories nor discern the significance of the symbols. They are in the temple, but do not get the temple idea. They are among the workmen, but do not see that they are all to be master builders for time and eternity. They are in the light, but do not receive and apply it as the great means of fitting themselves as living stones for the temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The ritual is beautiful, and should be mastered and impressively communicated. Nevertheless, the ritual is but the burr, the hull, the husk to the wisdom, the strength, and the beauty of Freemasonry. The ritual

7 7 conceals gems of unparalleled richness and beauty, which must be searched for diligently and faithfully if they shall be found and enjoyed. That all the Craft would realize this fact and act accordingly, they would be better supplied and armed with truth, better animated with faith, hope and charity, and be better enabled to build the temple of the soul and, in turn, build for the future of Masonry and mankind. Brethren, this is the heritage our forefathers left us. It s now time for us to preserve our heritage by putting those lessons into action and build Masonry for the future! Edict regarding dues Please note a recent Edict from MWGM Piepiora whereby a member who does not possess the current year s dues card loses the right of visitation to his home and other lodges except upon the invitation of the WM. From the desk of the secretary Brethren, Living past masters James H. Conboy, 1949 Charles W. Boyer, 1953 Ralph E. Long, 1956 * George H. Ruggles, George W. Smouse, 1966 * James Clifford Reusing, 1970, Kenneth D. Bell, 1973 James S. Merrill, 1979 Leo Pluswick, 1980 * Robert W. Evett, 1982 Gerald E. Ketchem, Sr., 1982 Joseph B. Edwards, III, 1984, 1995 Michael W. Patteson, 1986 Grafton L. Aleshire, 1989 Gary T. Neal, 1991 Edward C. Garrant, 1992 Richard L. Garrant, 1993 John A. Edwards, 1994 Howard E. Culver, Jr., 1996 Charles R. Baillargeon, 1998, Thomas A. Keller, Robert A. Dumas, Jr., 2008, 2013 Logan E. H. Starr, Sr Jon F. Zeigler Welcome to a new year. If you are not receiving s frequently from the lodge, I do not have your address. Please send it to me so we can all keep in touch better. We continue to find instances where brothers contact information is out of date when it comes time for important notices please keep me up to date as you move or change phone numbers. If you ever need a publication, Masonic Manual, meeting minutes, copy of correspondence, or other information, please just contact me. I m happy to help. If you would like to receive the Trestleboard electronically, please send me a note. It s more convenient for you and saves the lodge about $3.00 an issue. - John Stoneham, Secretary What are my dues? 2014 dues are late and were due Jan. 1. Regular members: $ Lifetime members: Paid by the lodge Lifetime (Ben Franklin): $26 Dual/plural membership: $77.50 NOTE: due to a change in Grand Lodge assessment to support the MD CHIP program, dues increased to $ this year. This reflects the $3.00 additional assessment for CHIP and $0.50 because the Grand Lodge assessment was incorrectly calculated in previous years. Connect online Find the most up-to-date event calendar, photos, and news on our website at odentonlodge209.net. Join our Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/odentonlodge209. Notify the Secretary to get on our members list, members@odentonlodge209.net. Submissions Contact the Secretary to submit items or photos for inclusion. Please submit items by the end of the second meeting of the month. Updates Please contact your Secretary if your name, address, , phone, affiliations, or profession have changed, so we can keep our records up to date and keep in touch with you.

8 Odenton Lodge #209, A.F.&A.M Stehlik Drive Odenton, MD ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Trestleboard Odenton Lodge #209, A.F.&A.M. A.L. 6014, Issue Officers Worshipful Master Patrick Culver Senior Warden Kenneth Adams Junior Warden Cort Bossert Senior Deacon Ethan Casey Junior Deacon EJ Hanlon, Jr Secretary John Stoneham Treasurer Herb Hopke Senior Steward Dario Fermaint Junior Steward Christopher Barber Chaplain James Miller Tyler Seth Pickett Marshal Paul Romer, Hon. PM You can any officer at <office>@odentonlodge209.net. Trustees Cort Bossert, 2012 [for WM Culver] Jon Zeigler, PM, Howard Culver, PM, Grand Inspector James T. Hill, Jr., PM #222, GI Deputy Grand Lecturer John Thomas, PM #101, PWGL Committee CHAIRs Audit: Roy Stevens, Hon. PM Blood: John Ertel Bonnie Blink: John Stoneham By-Laws: Robert Dumas, Jr., PM Catechism: John Stoneham Family Day Picnic: Patrick Culver GOATS: Patrick Culver Harvest Home Day: Cort Bossert Membership: James Miller Open House: Kenneth Adams Past Masters Night: Patrick Culver Ritual: Robert Dumas, Jr., PM Scholarship: Paul Romer, Hon. PM Sick: Grafton Aleshire, PM Social: Seth Pickett, II Strawberry Night: Kenneth Adams Widows Night: Cort Bossert