The month of our Illustrious Brother George Washington's birth is upon us once again. Preparations are almost complete for the 201st annual banquet commemorating the 271st Anniversary of Brother Washington's Birthday on February 22nd. We will begin with our traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Mount Vernon at 8:45 AM (this was pushed back from the time I originally mentioned in the Master Plan due to a scheduling conflict with the Mount Vernon staff wreath-laying), followed by a reception at Collingwood at 9:30 AM. At 4:00 PM, a tiled Master Mason Lodge will be opened to officially receive Most Worshipful Frederick Garrison Martin, III, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, also serving as our speaker for the evening. While in Lodge, there will be at least one charter bus (perhaps two, depending on the head-count) to take the ladies and non-Masons to Carlisle House for a series of tours and shopping in Old Town Alexandria. The bus(es) will leave promptly at 4:00 PM and should return in time for dinner at around 6:00 PM. Following dinner, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial will be open for tours in the Replica Lodge Room, the various rooms in the upper levels and, weather permitting, the observation tower at the highest point. Many thanks to the Memorial Association in assisting in making this evening of remembrance and fellowship a success. Tickets for this event are available from the officers.
We have a couple more visits scheduled for the month of February. The first is another visit to Skidmore Daylight Lodge No. 237, where Worshipful Master Harry Shaffer will start a series of programs in honor of other Lodges. As February is Washington's month, he has asked our own Worshipful Brother Frank Dunaway to speak about the life of George Washington in recognition of our Lodge. I ask all brethren who can attend to come out and support Brother Frank.
At our first stated meeting, the District Blood Coordinator, Worshipful Robert Mertz will come out to talk to us on the blood donation programs for this year. At the final stated communication of February we will have the District Education Officer, Worshipful Brother Sean O'Neill.
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: The south entrance and parking lot of the Memorial will be open and accessible during all Stated and Called Communications.
Sincerely and fraternally,
James M. Stevenson
Worshipful Master
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 02/03/2003 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Tue 02/04/2003 | 11:00 am | FRATERNAL VISIT TO SKIDMORE DAYLIGHT LODGE NO. 237 |
| Thu 02/06/2003 | 7:00 pm | COMMITTEE ON SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: Lodge Anteroom, GWMNM |
| Mon 02/10/2003 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Master Mason Degree |
| Tue 02/11/2003 | 7:00 pm | TRUSTEES MEETING: Lodge Anteroom, GWMNM |
| Thu 02/13/2003 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Dinner to follow District Blood Coordinator (Changed to George Washington's Life as an Entrepeneur) |
| Sun 02/16/2003 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Practice for the reception of the Grand Master & EA Degree |
| Tue 02/18/2003 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: Entered Apprentice Degree Cancelled due to snow |
| Thu 02/20/2003 | 7:30 pm | FRATERNAL VISIT TO ANDREW JACKSON LODGE NO. 120 |
| Sat 02/22/2003 | 8:45 am 9:30 am 4:00 pm 6:00 pm |
WREATH LAYING CEREMONY: Mount Vernon RECEPTION: Collingwood STATED COMMUNICATION: Official Visit of the Grand Master DINNER: GWMNM Assembly Hall |
| Tue 02/25/2003 | 7:00 pm | DISTRICT RITUAL SCHOOL: Fellowcraft Degree John Blair Lodge No. 187, Hosting |
| Thu 02/27/2003 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Dinner to follow District Education Officer Masonic Birthdays Cancelled due to snow |
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.