Although not a very busy month for us, there are several interesting activities scheduled in August. In addition to our Stated Communications, we will receive visiting Lodges, confer degrees and have a leadership conference.
The first Stated Communication in August includes a program by our District Education Officer Worshipful Herbert Charles "Herb" Hollander, PM, who will speak on the "The Legend of the Master Mason Degree". This program is intended to shed more light on the meaning and teachings of our most important degree.
Our second Stated Communication in August, includes a program by a very distinguished Masonic Scholar and Mason, Worshipful S. Brent Morris, PM, who will speak on "The hidden secrets of a Master Mason". Wor. Bro. Morris is the Director of Membership Development of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., recipient of the Philalethes Society Certificate of Literature, and an honorary Fellow of the Phylaxis Society. He is author of many articles on Freemasonry and the books Masonic Philanthropies: A Tradition of Caring; Cornerstones of Freedom: A Masonic Tradition; The Folger Manuscript: The Cryptanalysis and Interpretation of an American Masonic Manuscript; and A Radical in the East and co-author of many other books. Wor. Bro. Morris is a very dynamic speaker and his presentation will be interesting and informative.
On August 8, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, the Lodge Officers and Past Masters will meet to prepare a five-year leadership plan for our Lodge. The objective of this plan is to help up-coming Masters to prepare for their year while helping the Lodge to increase membership participation. This meeting is open to all members of the Lodge and I encourage your participation, especially if you have not been to lodge in a while. Your participation will be essential in planning for the future of our Lodge.
The Grand Master of Masons in the Commonwealth of Virginia will make his Official Visit to Masonic District 1A on August 14. The reception will be held at the Kena temple at 9001 Arlington Blvd. - Fairfax, VA and the Grand Master is looking forward to meeting you and your lady and a special invitation is extended to our widows. If you would like to attend, please contact our Secretary or myself for reservations. Our contact information may be found on the back of this lodge bulletin.
Brother Gordon Thompson will receive his 60-year Veteran Award from the Grand Master on August 21 at the Scottish Rite Blue Lodge Visitation Night. I encourage everyone to attend this special occasion and show your support for a brother who has dedicated a lifetime to Masonry.
I hope you are enjoying your summer and I look forward to seeing at the events listed above.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Frank S. Skwirut
Worshipful Master
My Brother:
If you have not already acquired a Life Membership in Perpetuity (LMIP) in our Lodge, now is the time to consider applying for one. Until the end of 2004, our annual dues are $69, fifty dollars to your Lodge and $19 to the Grand Lodge of Virginia. If you apply for life membership this year and your 2004 dues are paid, the cost will be sixteen times your annual dues, or $1,104. You never have to pay dues to the Lodge again.
Beginning January 1, 2005, your annual dues will be $159, one hundred and thirty-six to your Lodge, nineteen in Grand Lodge fees, three to the Masonic Home of Virginia, and an additional dollar dedicated by the Grand Lodge to youth activities. If you pay dues at that rate for just 7 years, you will have spent $9 more than the current cost of an LMIP. Next year, the cost of an LMIP will be $2,541.
But that's not all. A Resolution was passed at the 2003 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Virginia which raised the Grand Lodge fees to $21 on January 1, 2006 and to $23 in 2007. Each two-dollar raise will add $32 to the cost of an LMIP.
So my advice is to fill out an application and enclose a check for $1,104, and mail it to reach your Secretary before December 1, 2004 to allow time for processing before year's end. Payments can also be made online at http://www.aw22.org/dues.html.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Floren Quick
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 08/01/2004 through Wed 08/04/2004 |
REID JAMES SIMMONS RITUAL SCHOOL Fork Union Military Academy |
|
| Sun 08/08/2004 | 2:00 pm | LODGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE |
| Tue 08/10/2004 | 12:00 pm | VISITING LODGE South Pasadena Lodge No. 290 |
| Thu 08/12/2004 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: DEO OFFICIAL VISIT The Legend of the Master Mason Degree |
| Sat 08/14/2004 | 6:30 pm | GRAND MASTER'S OFFICIAL VISIT TO MASONIC DISTRICT 1A Hosted at Kena Temple, Fairfax |
| Sun 08/15/2004 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL Entered Apprentice Degree |
| Mon 08/16/2004 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION Entered Apprentice Degree |
| Sat 08/21/2004 | 5:00 pm | SCOTTISH RITE BLUE LODGE VISITATION NIGHT Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple, Alexandria |
| Thu 08/26/2004 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: Hidden Secrets of a Master Mason |
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.