My Brethren:
Among the many treasures of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 are the traditions we observe. This month we have several that we will again be enjoying, including Visiting Lodges, Official Visits to Lodges in our district, and our own Warden's Night to celebrate, which is always an enjoyable night for the Lodge.
At our first Stated Communication this month, our Lodge Education Officer, Brother Lucian Guthrie, will be discussing the positive changes we are experiencing in Masonic Education here in Virginia. Brother Guthrie's work promises an enlightening outlook, and the Brethren will both enjoy and learn from the discussion he will provide.
At our second Stated Communication, Senior Warden Daniel M. Clark, and Junior Warden Jorge I. Fernández will present a program on Living by the Rule to celebrate Warden's Night. Brother Fernández will open Lodge for us, and Brother Clark will present the program and will close Lodge. We look forward to welcoming our brothers to the East, as well as seeing many Wardens from Districts 1A, 1B, and 54, all of whom are invited to join us. Additionally, a dinner will be served before this Stated Communication at 6:30 p.m., with desert and coffee following the meeting. Our Wardens are inviting not only their fellow Wardens, but all Brethren and their ladies to this fraternal and social exchange of dinner and desert. Entertainment will be provided for the Ladies while the Brethren are in Lodge.
Our Secretary, Most Worshipful Floren L. (Monty) Quick, has informed me that dues statements for next year will be issued and mailed immediately after Labor Day. Therefore, please assist him in this effort by returning your dues checks promptly to his attention so that dues cards may be sent without delay, and we will have all dues cards issued to the Brethren before the Grand Annual Communication in November.
Reservations have been made for the Lodge to attend the Grand Annual Communication in Richmond on November 9-10. If you are planning to attend, please contact me to make sure you are on our List of Brethren Attending. Rooms are limited in availability-therefore we will need to know if you are planning to join us no later than our second Stated Communication on 27 September.
I would also like to extend a sincere word of thanks to the many brethren who called, visited, and sent cards and notes congratulating my wife Jennifer and I on the birth of our son, James Reedy Campbell, this past month. The time and dedication required of officers of Alexandria-Washington Lodge is substantial, and I made it more so by leaning upon my brothers and brother officers during the time of this wonderful, but exhausting, family event. I appreciate all of your kindness and good wishes, and look forward to seeing you in Lodge.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 9/3/01 | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Labor Day, Cancelled | |
| Thu 9/6/01 | 7:30 pm | ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE'S OFFICIAL VISIT: Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120 |
| Mon 9/10/01 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Entered Apprentice Degree |
| Tue 9/11/01 | 7:30 pm | ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE'S OFFICIAL VISIT: Henry Knox Field Lodge No. 349 |
| Thu 9/13/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: How Masonic Education is Changing in Virginia Bro. Lucian G. Guthrie, Lodge Education Officer |
| Sat 9/15/01 | 12:00 pm | DISTRICT 1A PICNIC: Hosted by Henry Knox Field Lodge |
| Mon 9/17/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 9/24/01 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Degree and ritual practice |
| Tue 9/25/01 | 7:00 pm | DISTRICT 1A RITUAL SCHOOL: Hosted by Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 |
| Thu 9/27/01 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Wardens Night, Living By the Rule 6:30 p.m. Dinner for District Wardens, Brethren and their Ladies |
| Sat 9/29/01 | 7:00 pm | VISITING LODGE: Greenleaf Lodge No. 561 Allentown, PA |
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 Monday evening at 7:00 pm except Mondays during which Called Communications take place 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.
The first corner-stone laid by this Lodge was on the 7th day of September, 1785, when the corner-stone of the "Alexandria Academy" was laid with imposing ceremonies.
The second occasion in which this ceremony was performed was erecting the first corner-stone of the District of Columbia. This was laid at Jones' Point, at the mouth of Great Hunting Creek, on the west bank of the Potomac, and marked the south-east corner of the District of Columbia.
Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, Worshipful Master, accompanied by the Lodge, performed the ceremonies on the 15th of April, 1791, in the presence of the commissioners appointed by President WASHINGTON, the mayor and Common council of Alexandria, citizens and strangers, after which Rev. James Muir, D. D., Chaplain for the Lodge, delivered an address. After partaking of refreshments, the company returned to John Wise's tavern, where a number of toasts were drank.
The next important event of this kind was the laying of the corner-stone of the United States Capitol, at the city of Washington, on the 18th day of September, 1793. The Masonic ceremonies were conducted by His Excellency General Washington, President of the United States, a Past Master of this Lodge, which was present and holding the post of honor [Note: Dr. Dick, elected Worshipful Master in 1789, still in office, invited Washington to act as Master on this occasion, in accordance with his own wishes, and those of the public.] The stone was deposited in the south-east corner of the building, instead of the north-east, as is now the custom. The inscription on the plate stated that Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, was present, and participated in the ceremonies:
'This south-east corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States of America, in the city of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, 1793, in the thirteenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the second term of the presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as conspicuous and beneficial as his military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties, and in the year of Masonry 5793, by the President of the United States, in concert with the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several Lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge No. 22, from Alexandria, Virginia. Thomas Johns, David Steuart, and Daniel Carroll, Commissioners. Joseph Clark, R.W.G.M pro tem. James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, Architects. Collin Williamson, Master Mason.'
Compiled from The Lodge of Washington by F. L. Brockett, Past Master Lodge No. 22, 1876, pp. 44-48.