February 1, 2010 From The East

Masons do not solicit new masons. Is that true? One of the first questions asked of a new candidate is if they have come to masonry of their own free will, without mercenary motives, and unsolicited. Masons all promise to keep the secrets of masonry. Yet I am 100% sure you know at least one man who you are just itching to get into Masonry. You probably have been trying to figure out how to approach him on the subject without violating some written or unwritten Masonic rule around non-solicitation. Consider that the non-solicitation rule specifically states there can be no coercion; a man must come of his own free will and accord. This does not prevent a Mason from discussing Masonry with others. Further it does not prohibit us as Masons from approaching those we respect and consider a potentially suitable applicants and showing them the door for them to consider becoming a part of Freemasonry. At the Occidental Lodge No. 92 January 2009 Stated Meeting the Grand Master himself said although you cannot ask “would you like to be a Freemason?” you are fully empowered and enjoined to ask worthy men “have you ever considered becoming a Freemason?” to see where that conversation may take you. You are empowered and entrusted to help ensure our fraternity by helping potentially worthy candidates find the door of Freemasonry; no matter if they choose to knock or not you have done your duty in showing them that the door is there.

I fully understand the shyness from asking friends if they have considered becoming a Freemason. Green Lake Lodge hosted a great event called “Bring a Friend Night” where we had a wonderful dinner, some amazing magic, outstanding live music, and well structured entertaining short presentations on Masonry for all who came. We are doing this again this year on April 24th. If you are looking for a way to broach the subject with a friend, this is a great opportunity. Please come to our next Stated meeting to get more details!

You are invited to come to our Stated Meeting we will have live dinner music, a great dinner and a fabulous time. After all we are Seattle’s friendliest Lodge!

Finally we have 6 candidates and new masons moving through the degrees (3 1st degrees to do in February), 1 2nd degree to confer, and possibly 2 3rd degrees. So there will be at least one degree night in February. We will finalize the degree plan at the February Stated meeting. If you wish to attend or participate please let one of the officers know and we’ll work this out in Lodge.

January 9, 2009 From The East

Friend: So where in the world have you been?
Me: I am so swamped I cannot am only able to deal with the most immediate things, so been a little remiss on my communications with friends.
Friend: But I thought you said to get something done give it to a busy person.
Me: Yep I remember that too. Well there is such a thing as too much. I think I have hit that limit now.
Friend: Well fabulous, did you see that new movie?
Me: Uh, no I’ve been too busy.
Friend: Oh you missed out, did you read that new Dan Brown book?
Me: Uh, no I’ve been too busy.
Friend: Well do read it when you get a chance, talk to you later.

--- And thus goes many conversations I have had in the past 6 months.

“Forget not that in your lodge you promised to befriend and aid every brother who may need your assistance.” I say that line at the closing of every lodge meeting. A few of my friends have actually ended the above conversation with “is there anything I can do to help.” It has occurred to me that those rare few are also brothers. Honestly I did have some things I would love to off-load and have to some easing some of the load. To those of you who are reading this that have done this for me or anyone else: Thank You. To those of you who have not the next time you have this conversation with an over burdened friend I challenge you to listen to the quiet call for help and lend a hand. Remember many hands make for light labor, and this is true regardless of if it is about running the lodge, setting up a dinner, or just taking the trash out for your neighbor. In lodge we learn many things, even when simply paying the bills there are subtle things happening in lodge that I have seen happen nowhere else. I invite you to come out to Green Lake Lodge for our next meeting. We are going to have a fabulous time, we always do.

I hope you had a truly happy holidays and wish you the very best in this wonderful New Year!