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Washington Masonic Center Calendar
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February 2nd, 7:30 pm Council of Cryptic Masons #3
February 4th, 6:30 pm Willamette Lodge #2 Stated Communication
February 8th, 2:00 pm Super Bowl Watch Party
February 9th, 7:30 pm Royal Arch Chapter #18
February 11th, 6:30 pm Washington Lodge #46 Stated Communication
February 14th, 10:00 am The Sunnyside Brunch
February 16th, 7:30 pm Commandry
February 17th, 10:00 am Friendship Rose OES
February 18th, 6:30 pm Washington Lodge #46 Food Carts & Fellowship
February 19th, 6:30 pm Willamette Lodge #2 Entered Apprentice Degree
February 21st, 6:30 pm White Shrine of Jerusalem
February 25th, 6:30 pm Washington #46 Officers Meeting
To have your event added to the calendar, please contact WB Matthew Cox. |
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Brethren,
January is now behind us, but our work together is only just beginning. My first month in the East has gone smoothly thanks to the steady support of our officers and the guidance of Past Masters from Washington Lodge and beyond. I am grateful for each of you. Much has already been set in motion, and the foundation for the year ahead is firmly in place.
As you know, the theme I’ve chosen for this year — Advancing Fellowship — is centered on strengthening our sense of fraternity and renewing our connection to one another and to the Craft. At our January Stated Communication, I invited each Brother to reflect on how he might take even a small step toward greater involvement, contribution, or engagement.
Those small steps matter. When taken together, they become something far greater — building momentum, deepening friendships, reinforcing trust, and helping us hold one another accountable to the principles we profess as Masons. Fellowship is not a single act or event; it is the cumulative result of showing up for one another, again and again.
There are many ways to take part in the life of our Lodge. Attend a social gathering. Join a committee. Sit in on an officers’ meeting. Submit a short piece for the newsletter. Lend a hand in the kitchen, assist with a degree, mentor a candidate, or simply be present. Each of these acts — no matter how small they may seem — strengthens the fabric of our Lodge. Your presence matters. A dining hall filled with Brothers in conversation is not incidental to Masonry; it is one of its most visible expressions.
We are only at the beginning of the year. I encourage you to review the calendar and flyers included in this issue. Several social and fraternal gatherings are coming up, and I look forward to spending time with you there.
With continued participation, our work will build upon itself — one stone at a time.
I would also like to offer warm congratulations to Entered Apprentice Brother Marvin Rivera, and to his coach, Brother Joshua Revert, on the successful completion of Marvin’s EA proficiency examination on January 30th. We all know the effort and discipline this work requires. Brother Marvin, your perseverance is commendable, and we look forward to your continued progress.
Thank you, Brethren, for your encouragement and support as I serve in the East. I am honored to labor alongside you.
Fraternally,
Jesse McCann
Worshipful Master
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Greetings from the West,
The month of February is commonly known as the month of love, Valentine’s Day being the best-known reason we think of love in February. The cultural observance of Valentine’s Day has created huge markets for flowers, chocolate, cards and dining out. For couples it is a reason to focus on love and romance, and many do. Too bad the focus for some is only one day each year.
In Masonry one of the principal tenets of our order is Brotherly Love. Masons regard the whole human species as one family who are to aid, support and protect each other. By doing that, Masonry can unite men of every country and enable true friendship to flourish among those who might never otherwise meet.
Closer to home, Masons of our Jurisdiction, District and Lodge who labor together, eat together and engage socially find reasons to love our Brothers. Brotherly love begins with listening to a Brother, respecting him and sharing with him. With some, we make a deeper connection, and some we may only see at Lodge but either way because of the common bonds we share, we are eternally connected and know in our hearts, that is something special.
So, bring your Brotherly love by showing up for Lodge. Share the love and respect your brother. Make your commitment to labor harmoniously, have a meal and enjoy some fellowship with your Brothers.
Fraternally yours,
Jim Munson
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Quite often, we think of balance as a matter of sacrifice, or giving up one thing in order to attend another. However, the truth is deeper. Balance in Masonry is not neglecting one duty for another; It is about living in harmony with all of life's obligations. We learn this early on when commencing our journey in Freemasonry, which i cannot explicitly discuss in detail here.
Thus, in our devotion to serve the craft, we must not forget the importance of our happiness and that of our beloved ones. Being happy is not selfishness. It is a natural product of a well-governed life. A brother who tends to his own joy, shares laughter at home, committed for renewal, brings more light into the Lodge than the one who arrives exhausted and burdened.
While we strive to be better men and Masons, let us bear in mind that duty and happiness are the same sides of the coin. In finding harmony between them, we not only strengthen ourselves but also enrich the craft.
For a cheerful heart and a balanced life are in themselves, noble contributions to the Brotherhood.
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Contribute to the Washington Lodge Trestleboard! |
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Do you have an article or photos you'd like to submit?
Contact the WM for details on how to contribute! |
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From The Secretary's Desk
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The first meeting of the year is history and by all indications it will be a fantastic masonic year. All the officers did a great job and as we move into the second month it will just get better and better. To start the year off in this manner, our members and visitors are getting a glimpse of a top-notch masonic lodge. On a personal note, I am so proud of the officers for their dedication to the craft and plans that they have for 2026.
At this point, at the end of January, we have already 15 inquiries that our team is working on. What an opportunity we have to change the lives of the men reaching out to us about Masonry. Each of you will need to bring your experiences forward and show these new candidates what Washington Lodge is like and how your time in this fraternity has made you a better man, a better husband, a better father.
We know that February is a special month to honor our wives and loved ones. Valentine's Day falls on Saturday the 14th. This just happens to be our Sunnyside Brunch, and I know that it will be a very special day for all the ladies. Please come and enjoy the fellowship and good food with us.
Finally, my brothers, we will discuss and vote on our budget for the year. We have major projects to discuss, and we want the membership to be well-informed about what your lodge is doing and what it takes to maintain our building and property. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our building board and officer meeting is on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. All are welcome.
Have a super month, take care and God Bless!
Fraternally,
Don Stapleton, PGM, Secretary |
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In late December, Ted Borland was awarded
Honorary Past Master in commemoration of his 100th birthday. Congratulations, WB Ted! |
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