My Brethren:
Thank you for electing me to lead your Lodge - the Lodge of Washington, a singular honor and a weighty responsibility. Those able to attend the installation witnessed an impressive ceremony, for which we are grateful to an experienced installing team, talented musicians, expert caterers, and many others who performed the countless tasks necessary to make this event successful.
January represents a strong beginning to the new Masonic year for Alexandria-Washington Lodge. We will initiate a new brother, pass another, and raise two to the sublime degree of Master Mason. At our first stated communication, your new Master will outline some specific goals for the year, and at our second stated we will receive the District Deputy Grand Master on his official visit. RW Brother Richman will convey to us the Grand Master's recommendations for strengthening Freemasonry, some of which he shares elsewhere in this trestleboard. The Grand Master himself will visit our district on Saturday, January 26th.
Though famous for our first President's role as charter Master and prestigious as a repository of his relics, this lodge is more important to you as a "sacred band of brothers," and should truly be a "retreat of friendship and virtue." To the extent your cabletow permits, you should attend lodge to fully experience the brotherhood to which we have pledged ourselves. In the aftermath of September 11th, the civilized world hungers for the principles espoused by our fraternity. Each in his own way, we must demonstrate that, as my theme for the year echoes the closing charge: "every human being has a claim upon your kind offices."
Many of you know that I was called to active military duty and assigned to the Pentagon in October. These duties will, at times, conflict with Masonic events that I would otherwise have attended, and will reduce the number of visitations that I am able to make. For this reason, I am especially grateful to serve with a fine group of officers and gentlemen who can be called upon to execute their responsibilities with distinction. It is important to note that these challenges pale in comparison to the sacrifices made and yet to be made by our armed forces as they defend the fabric of civilization. Pray for them, for they are the swords of freedom which permit the plowshares of plenty to feed a hungry world. As the world again faces uncertain times, let Freemasons young and old - in and out of uniform - rise to the occasion as we have done for centuries, to "spread the cement of brotherly love and affection" among all who honor the equality of man under the Fatherhood of God.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Daniel M. Clark
Worshipful Master
I hope that you and your family enjoyed a holiday season of peace, joy, and contentment. As we return to labor in the quarries of Freemasonry at the beginning of 2002, I look forward to meeting you this month at my official visit to your lodge. Our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Clifford Alan Parker, has developed a program to improve and enhance our beloved Fraternity. This month, I shall explain how we can work together to improve our lodges and our charities. The cornerstone of our Grand Master's program On Course For The 21st Century is Pride in Freemasonry. We are justifiably proud of our Fraternity and all its accomplishments, and should not be embarrassed to "toot our own horn." To promote pride in our craft, our Grand Master encourages your lodge to engage in the following three specific activities. First, celebrate "Masonic Recognition Day" on the a given each month by asking every Brother to wear a Masonic tie, ring, lapel pin, or belt buckle to enhance public recognition of Masonry among neighbors and friends. Second, hold "Bring A Mason Night" by calling a Brother to invite him to join you in Lodge, or accept an invitation from a Brother to join him in Lodge. Third, hold "Bring A Friend Night" by inviting a neighbor, a friend, or co-worker to join you at Lodge for a brief informational session designed to attract good men to our fraternity.
As we are taught that acts of charity extend beyond our lifetimes, our Grand Master encourages us to support both our youth and our elders in concrete ways. Our pride in Freemasonry must be demonstrated through full support of Masonic youth organizations and our Masonic Home - the "Crown Jewel of Freemasonry" in Richmond. Together, these institutions reflect our past, our present, and our future. Our Grand Master encourages us to embrace our youth through expansion of the Grand Lodge Scholarship Fund, and to show respect and appreciation for our elderly brothers and widows by supporting the Masonic Home.
Should the chilly winds of January interfere with your attendance at Lodge this month, you will still know through this brief message what our Grand Master intends to accomplish this year to improve our Craft. I look forward to greeting each of you on the occasion of my Official Visit to Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 on Thursday, January 24th.
Right Worshipful Sheldon Barnett Richman,
District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District 1A
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: We will be sponsoring blood drives at the Temple this year, but please contact our Chairman, Keith B. Throckmorton (703-280-0532) whenever you or someone you encourage gives blood on behalf of our Lodge. Help Alexandria-Washington Lodge qualify for the Seymour Levy Award again this year!
SICK: Contact our Chairman, Wor. Bro. Frank R. Dunaway (703) 548-0318 regarding any sick and distressed brethren.
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 1/1/02 | Happy New Year | |
| Sun 1/6/02 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Entered Apprentice Degree Master Mason Degree and Lodge Opening practice |
| Mon 1/7/02 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Entered Apprentice Degree |
| Thu 1/10/02 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Worshipful Master's Message. |
| Sun 1/13/02 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Master Mason Degree and opening practice |
| Mon 1/14/02 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Thu 1/17/02 | 7:00 pm | RECEPTION PRACTICE: for the Grand Master's Official Visit |
| Sun 1/20/02 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Master Mason Degree practice Practice to receive the District Deputy Grand Master |
| Mon 1/21/02 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Tue 1/22/02 | 7:30 pm | ARCHIVES COMMITTEE MEETING |
| Thu 1/24/02 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Sheldon B. Richman |
| Sat 1/26/02 | 6:00 pm | OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE GRAND MASTER TO MASONIC DISTRICTS 1A, 1B and 54: Most Worshipful Clifford Alan Parker 6:00 p.m. Dinner - tickets required - $10 per Mason, Ladies are guests 7:30 p.m. Tiled Meeting |
| Sun 1/27/02 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Fellowcraft Degree and ritual practice |
| Mon 1/28/02 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Fellowcraft Degree |
| Wed 1/30/02 | 7:00 pm | MASTERS AND WARDENS ASSOCIATION: Archer Bailey Gay Lodge No. 275 Hosting |
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 - Degrees will be performed on Mondays as listed herein.
CATECHISM INSTRUCTION - Conducted in the Lodge anteroom at 7:00 PM Sundays, except on weekends when a national holiday falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Instruction may be conducted at any time by mutual agreement between a brother and his coach. Always confirm an instruction date with your coach.
