I would again like to express my deepest thanks for being elected as Master of George Washington's Lodge. While it is a humbling and daunting task, it is one that I am motivated to undertake to the best of my ability.

Enclosed with this trestleboard, you will find the 2003 Master Plan and list of elected and appointed positions for this year. Many new faces have joined with Lodge veterans, which should make for a good melting pot of ideas and interaction. I would like to thank each of these brethren, both old and new, for volunteering time out of their busy schedules and away from their families to assist in the smooth operation of our Lodge for the ensuing year. Please keep in mind that the dates listed in the Master Plan are subject to change.

As many of you know, the opening months of any Masonic year are always the busiest. Traditionally, our Lodge has made every effort to follow the new District Deputy Grand Master to each of his official visits around Masonic District 1A. In accordance with this tradition, we have three Fraternal Visits listed to Skidmore Daylight Lodge No. 237, Henry Knox Field Lodge No. 349 and John Blair Lodge No. 187 in the immediate future. I encourage all members to attend these visits and support Right Worshipful Brother Matthew Todd Szramoski as he speaks on this year's theme for the Grand Master, "Pass it on". In addition, I have also scheduled a Fraternal Visit to Olive Branch Lodge No. 114 in Leesburg on January 6 and, more importantly, Williamsburg Lodge No. 6 on January 10, which is where the Grand Master of Masons of Virginia, Most Worshipful Brother Frederick Garrison Martin, III will be doing his first official visit in this Grand Jurisdiction. We hope to have an excellent turnout for these visits and to get a head start on our qualifications for the James Noah Hillman Award. I ask all brethren wheresoever dispersed to make every attempt to participate, if within the length of your cabletow.

At our first stated meeting will have the usual business for the new year. In addition, we will also be hearing from Right Worshipful Brother Walter S. Downs on the rededication of ourselves to Freemasonry. It is an excellent program and is very appropriate for the first meeting in January. The second stated meeting of the month will be the traditional official visit of R.W. Szramoski to our Lodge, as both District Deputy Grand Master and District Instructor of Work for Masonic District 1A.

You may also notice an additional Called Communication on Monday the 20th. Worshipful Brother Kirk McNulty will be presenting the first of a trilogy of programs specifically focused for brethren recently brought into a new degree; in this case, particularly focused toward the Entered Apprentices of the Lodge. Many of us recall our own EA degrees as something of a blur (myself included), with a tremendous amount of information imparted to us in the space of only 2 short hours. Worshipful Brother McNulty will go into detail behind the esoteric meaning and symbolism inherent in this degree. I encourage all brethren, especially Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts, to attend this special Called Communication. There will be only one EA Program of this kind in 2003, followed by similar Fellowcraft and Master Mason programs later on in the year.

Once again, thank you, and I look forward to seeing you all on January 9th as we get this year underway.

NOTIFICATION: With the resignation of Worshipful Brother Brent Campbell from the Archives Committee, we will be holding an election to fill his position at our February 13 Stated Communication. We wish Brother Brent, and his family, all the best in their future endeavors!

ANNOUNCEMENT: All degrees for the year 2003 will be conferred by the officers in tuxedo.

Sincerely and fraternally,



James M. Stevenson
Worshipful Master

• February 22 (Sat) - George Washington Birthday Celebration

STATED COMMUNICATIONS - The Stated Communications of this Lodge shall be held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (GWMNM), Alexandria, Virginia on the second and fourth Thursday of each month except the fourth Thursdays of November and December and for the additional Stated Communications for the observance of George Washington's birthday and December 27th for the installation of officers on Saint John the Evangelist Day.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - Usually on Mondays as announced herein.

LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - Will always occur the Sunday before a Monday Called Communication Degree at 7:00 PM, unless otherwise stated. Additional ritual schools will be announced herein when necessary.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, International Order of DeMolay, meets the first and third Sundays at 2 pm in the North Lodge Room. Bethel No. 22, International Order Jobs Daughters, meets the first and third Sundays at 6 pm in the North Lodge Room.