My Brethren:
We are all again looking forward to an enjoyable summer within the Lodge this year. Your Officer Line continues to polish the delivery of the Ritual for which Alexandria-Washington Lodge is known, and I am happy to inform you that both our Junior and Senior Wardens are representing us well as they sit in the East at the various Lodge Ritual Schools in the District.
At our first Stated Communication, our District Education Officer, Worshipful Sean O'Neill, will speak on The Foundations of the Universe. Sean's talks are always enlightening and enjoyable, and we are all looking forward to welcoming him back to Alexandria-Washington Lodge.
At our second Stated Communication, we will celebrate Saint John the Baptist Day at the American Legion Hall, Gadsby's Tavern, on Monday, June 25. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are required for this event as seating is limited. Make sure you purchase your ticket early from any of your Lodge Officers, as they will be required for entrance to the dinner. Please note that because of our Saint John the Baptist Day Celebration, we will not have a Stated Communication on June 28.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those brethren who work so hard, both individually and on committees, to make Alexandria-Washington Lodge such an enjoyable Masonic oasis. Without them, the job of your Line Officers would not be as enjoyable as it is, nor would the Brethren have such a fine Lodge to call home.
Looking forward to seeing you in Lodge this month.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 6/2/01 | 10:00 am | VISTING LODGE: Durand Lodge No. 179, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ |
| Sun 6/3/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 6/4/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Entered Apprentice Degree |
| Sat 6/9/01 | DONOR PLAQUE DEDICATION: George Washington Masonic National Memorial | |
| Sun 6/10/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 6/11/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Fellowcraft Degree |
| Thu 6/14/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: The Foundations of the Universe Worshipful Sean O'Neill, District 1A Education Officer |
| Sun 6/17/01 | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Cancelled, Father's Day | |
| Mon 6/18/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Sun 6/24/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 6/25/01 | 6:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Saint John the Baptist Celebration Table Lodge, American Legion Hall at Gadsby's Tavern (Masonic Birthdays) |
| Tue 6/26/01 | 7:00 pm | DISTRICT 1A RITUAL SCHOOL: Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120 Host |
| Thu 6/28/01 | STATED COMMUNICATION: Moved to June 25, 2001 |
|
| Sat 6/30/01 | FRATERNAL VISIT: Departure to Constitutional Lodge, Beverley, England |
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.
One of the patron saints of Freemasonry, and at one time the only one. His festival occurs on the 24th of June, and is very generally celebrated by the Masonic fraternity. It is said that the stern integrity of St. John the Baptist, which induced him to forego every minor consideration in discharging the obligations he owed to God; the unshaken firmness with which he met martyrdom rather than betray his duty to his Master; his steady reproval of vice and continued preaching of repentance and virtue, make him a fit patron of the Masonic institution.
The Charter of Cologne (1535) says: "We celebrate, annually, the memory of St. John, the Forerunner of Christ and the Patron of our Community." The Knights Hospitallers also dedicated their Order to him.
St. John the Evangelist, whose festival is celebrated on the 27th of December, was connected with the Masonic Order long after the sixteenth century, before which St. John the Baptist was exclusively the patron saint of Masonry. The two are, however, now always united in the Masonic ritual and dedication ceremonies.
Compiled from An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by Albert G. Mackey, M.D., 33rd degree, page 684.
"St. John's Day, June 24, 1784, was an occasion of unusual interest. WASHINGTON having been deprived of the pleasure of accepting courtesies previously extended to him by the Lodge, in a letter to William Herbert, Esq., Secretary, announced his intention to be present at the ensuing festival of St. John in the following terms:
MOUNT VERNON, June 19, 1784.
Dear Sir: With pleasure I received the invitation of the Master and members of Lodge No. 39 to dine with them on the anniversary of St. John the Baptist. If nothing, unforeseen at present, interferes, I will have the honor of doing it. For the polite and flattering terms in which you have expressed their wishes, you will please to accept my thanks.
Your servant (who has been detained on account of some business in which I was engaged) brings the bundle you inquired after for my brother.
I heard yesterday of a ship destined for Liverpool, from your port. I pray you, therefore, to give this letter for Sir Edward Newenham, herewith sent, into the particular care of the captain, to be put into the post-office on his arrival in England.
With esteem and respect, I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
GO. WASHINGTON.
"WILLIAM HERBERT, ESQ., ALEXANDRIA."
The records of the Lodge show that "His Excellency G. WASHINGTON" was among the "visitors" on this occasion."
From The Lodge of Washington by F. L. Brockett and Alfred G. Uhler, ed. 1899, p. 74.