My Brethren:
February is always an extremely busy month for the lodge, and this year promises to continue this tradition. Our calendar is quite full, and we look forward to seeing you at lodge in February. In addition to visiting lodges, and our Called Communications, this month promises to provide lively discourse and enjoyment for the brethren of your lodge.
This month, we will receive the District Deputy Grand Master for his official visit at our first Stated Communication on February 8. Right Worshipful Allison will confer a Fifty-Year Masonic Service Award that evening. This gives us all the opportunity to celebrate with one of our Brethren who has been serving the Craft for more than half a century.
At our second Stated Communication, we are very privileged to have Right Worshipful Jack Riddell speak on Unusual Aspects of George Washington's Life. For those of us who are especially interested in all aspects of our Illustrious Brother, this promises to be a very educational and enjoyable evening.
On Saturday, February 24, we will have the additional honor of receiving the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia at our George Washington Birthday Celebration. We will begin with a wreath laying at Brother Washington's tomb in the morning, followed by a reception at Collingwood. We will then have a tiled meeting in the late afternoon, followed by a banquet, dessert, and entertainment. I am sure all of you join me in inviting our ladies and guests to join us for dinner and the entertainment, which promises to be especially enjoyable. Tickets for the banquet are $20, and are available from any of your lodge officers. Please note that seating for the banquet will be for ticket-holders only, and seating will be limited.
Your officers wish you a safe and healthy February, and look forward to seeing even more of our returning Brethren at the coming Called and Stated Communications.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Brent Nial Campbell
Worshipful Master
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TRANSPORTATION: Contact Wor. Terry Gigure at (703) 360-6177 or (703) 607-4893, whenever you need a ride to Lodge events. We will try to assist you in your transportation needs.
BLOOD: Contact our Chairman, Brother Keith Throckmorton (703) 670-3147 whenever you or someone you encourage gives blood or platelets. What better charity than to give the gift that can save lives.
SICK: Contact our Chairman, Wor. Bro. Frank R. Dunaway (703) 548-0318 regarding any sick and distressed brethren.
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 2/4/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 2/5/01 | 7:00 pm | VISITING LODGE: Potomac Lodge No. 5 |
| Thu 2/8/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: District Deputy Grand Master's Official visit, Right Worshipful George W. Allison, III Presentation of Fifty Year Masonic emblem |
| Sun 2/11/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 2/12/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Entered Apprentice Degree |
| Sun 2/18/01 | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Cancelled (Federal Holiday) | |
| Mon 2/19/01 | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Cancelled (Federal Holiday) | |
| Thu 2/22/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Unusual Aspects of George Washington's Life, Right Worshipful John P. (Jack) Riddell, PDDGM (Masonic Birthdays) |
| Sat 2/24/01 | 8:00 am | WORSHIPFUL GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 8:00 a.m. Wreath Laying at Mt Vernon 9:30 a.m. Refreshments at Collingwood 4:00 p.m. Tiled Lodge 6:00 p.m. Banquet |
| Sun 2/25/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 2/26/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Fellowcraft Degree |
| Tue 2/27/01 | 7:00 pm | DISTRICT 1A RITUAL SCHOOL: at Henry Knox Field Lodge, Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple |
STATED COMMUNICATIONS - held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month except: Thanksgiving; the observance of George Washington's Birthday; and the fourth, Thursday of December, which will be held on Saint John's Day, December 27 for the Installation of Officers.
CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - each Monday of each month unless otherwise noted in the trestleboard.
CATECHISM INSTRUCTION - Conducted each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Lodge Room when confirmed by the Catechism Coaches. Contact the Junior Deacon for details.
LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - Conducted each Sunday evening at 7:00 pm Unless otherwise noted in the Trestleboard.
YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets the first and third Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the North Lodge Room; Bethel No. 22. I.O.J.D. meets the first and third Sundays at 6:00 p.m in the North Lodge Room.
A circular letter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, received on the 23d of February, 1787, informed the Lodge that that Grand Lodge had been established independently of Great Britain, and that it desired the return of the warrant issued to this Lodge on February 3, 1783, in order to its renewal under the new organization. Desiring to be governed in accordance with the usages of Masonry, in determining the course to be pursued, it was ordered, at this meeting, "That Col. Michael Ryan, a member of the Lodge, be requested to inquire of James Mercer, Esq., upon what principle he was appointed Grand Master of the different Lodges held in Virginia." And on the 3d of March following, Col. Ryan reported that he had made the necessary inquiry of Hon. James Mercer, late Grand Master, and was "happy to say, that the Grand Lodge of Virginia is constitutionally appointed consistent with the strictest rules of Masonry, and independently of all foreign jurisdiction; that in its formation the Grand Lodge had not, in any one instance, deviated from the ancient landmarks of Masonry; and that our dependence on a Grand Lodge at Richmond, to which we may conveniently send representatives, will be more natural than our present situation." At this meeting the Lodge decided it would be more convenient for it to work under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, than under that of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and having resolved to make application to the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a Charter, recommended the following persons for appointment by the Grand Lodge: George Washington, Esq., Master; Robert McCrea, Deputy Master; William Hunter, Jr., Senior Warden; John Allison, Junior Warden.
To Messrs. Robert McCrea, William Hunter, Jr., John Allison, and William H. Powell, were assigned the duty of waiting upon General Washington to ascertain whether it would be agreeable to him to be named in the charter, and William Hunter, Jr., and John Allison, to make application to the Grand Lodge at Richmond, for the charter.
General Washington, having given his consent for the use of his name, the application to the Grand Lodge was accompanied by the letter of request, dated October 25, 1788, including the following:
"It is also the earnest desire of the member of this Lodge that our Brother George Washington, Esq., should be named in the charter as Master of the Lodge."
At the next regular Communication of the Grand Lodge, the petition of this Lodge was granted, and its registry number changed from No. 39, of Pennsylvania to No. 22, Virginia.
Compiled from The Lodge of Washington by F. L. Brockett, Past Master Lodge No. 22, 1876, pp. 20-22.