Your Lodge had a very busy April, and May will be busier yet! Please, if you have not been to Lodge for some time, take a night and come back to join us. We hope you will want to make it a regular thing. There are a lot of new faces, men with whom I am sure you would enjoy sharing an evening of fellowship.
We conferred each of the degrees in April, including four Entered Apprentices in one evening. We had superb attendance for the degrees, and the candidates' experiences were made all the more memorable by having over twenty Masons lined up when they received light. I am very proud of the officer line's ritual work, and encourage you to witness it for yourself.
In May, we will have four Monday degree nights and will confer one EA, two FC, and two MM degrees. The officers will be moving up to their chairs for the next year and would enjoy your support. The candidates would certainly benefit by your attendance as well. Our Lodge is fortunate indeed to have this wealth of candidates!
Our first Stated Communication will feature Worshipful Daniel M. Clark, District Blood Coordinator. Dan is a most fervent advocate for the blood donation program. His zeal comes from a personal experience as a young man when he saw how quickly people can become dependent for their very lives on those who give blood. He will be glad to relate his story after Lodge.
At the second Stated we will be privileged to hear from Worshipful Herbert C. Hollander, District Education Officer. Herb will speak on the history of the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England. His talk will feature some of the controversy surrounding that event and focus on its significance to Freemasonry in the United States. We will also consider and vote on nominations for the Community Builder Award and celebrate with those Brethren who have Masonic birthdays in May.
On May 14 we will participate in one of the great traditions of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 by traveling to King of Prussia, PA for William Elkins Lodge's Ladies' Night. Worshipful Dave Cowen has planned a nice time for us to include a reception in the afternoon followed by dinner and entertainment in the evening. We will be staying at the Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia. We may be able to get in some last minute reservations, so please call me immediately if you find you can attend.
Hope to see you in Lodge during May!
Sincerely and fraternally,
Jesse T. McMahan
Worshipful Master
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 05/01/2005 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Practice for FC Degree |
| Mon 05/02/2005 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: FC Degree |
| Sun 05/08/2005 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Practice for FC Degree |
| Mon 05/09/2005 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: FC Degree |
| Thu 05/12/2005 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: District Blood Coordinator, Worshipful Daniel M. Clark |
| Sat 05/14/2004 | LADIES' NIGHT AT WILLIAM ELKINS LODGE King of Prussia, PA |
|
| Sun 05/15/2005 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Practice for MM Degree |
| Mon 05/16/2005 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: MM Degree |
| Sun 05/22/2005 | 7:00 pm | LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL: Practice for EA Degree |
| Mon 05/23/2005 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION: EA Degree |
| Thu 05/26/2005 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION: District Education Officer, Worshipful Herbert C. Hollander, History of the Formation of the United Grand Lodge of England Community Builder Award Election |
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, June 24th for Saint John the Baptist Day 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 2:00 pm in the North Lodge Room. Bethel No. 22, International Order Jobs Daughters, meets the first and third Sundays at 6:00 pm in the North Lodge Room.
All the very best to our Birthday Masons. Note the thirteen Brothers with 50 or more years as Masons! Special greetings and best wishes to them. If you see a Brother here who you know has not been to Lodge in some time, please give him a call and remind him to come - we would love to celebrate with him in person.
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It is with great sadness that I report the passing to the Celestial Lodge of Brother George Thomas Breedlove, a 50 Year Veteran, on March 24th. He was born on March 16, 1916, initiated on May 25, 1953, passed on October 15, 1953, and raised on December 12, 1953. Right Worship Frank R. Dunaway, DDGM, led our Lodge in the Masonic Service for Bro. Breedlove on March 26th, for which we had a very nice attendance. Please include Brother Breedlove and his family in your prayers. |
Job's Daughters:
Although I do not have an input for the Bethel for May's activities at the deadline for the Trestleboard, please check out their web site at http://calendar.yahoo.com/vabethel22 for the latest details.
I can report that the girls had a very busy and productive April. Their charity ball to support St. Jude's Children's Hospital was a huge success. On April 17th Honored Queen Mira Cox hosted the Bethel's Masonic Recognition Night. Although the turnout from our Lodge was light, the girls genuinely appreciated seeing members of their sponsoring body in attendance. We were very impressed with the ritual work the girls demonstrated. The highlight was the proficiency return by one of the girls. Just like our catechism returns - lots of nerves, but great commitment and performance. Please show the girls how much AW22 cares about our youth groups by attending one of their meetings.
Demolay:
May 7th is the D.A.D. class from 9am-2pm at Springfield Lodge. Any Master Mason is eligible to attend. The Chapter really needs more help from we adults. Please let me know if you can help out.
The Chapter will hold elections for the next term on May 15th, which will be their last meeting before the new line of officers assumes their duties.
I have received somewhat conflicting reports of the "Great DeMolay vs Masons Paintball Match" which was held on April 16th. Both sides are claiming victory, but some of the claims sound suspicious. It sounds as if Worshipful Skwirut must have been a prime target given the numerous reports of his bruises. Sure wish I could have joined in. Hopefully, the boys will schedule another event!
Congratulations to the following members have assumed distinguished positions in the Appendant Bodies: Worshipful Terry L. Gigure has just been installed as President of Old Dominion Chapter 364, National Sojourners, Inc., and Worshipful Mark F. Arbeen was just installed as Commander of Old Dominion Commandery #11, Knights Templar.
Brother (Captain, USA) David Buffaloe will be moving to the region to become an active member of the Lodge. You may recall that special dispensation was given to Brother Buffaloe to be raised in our Lodge because of his intense desire to be a part of the history and tradition of George Washington's Lodge. He became a LMIP this last January. He will be moving to Springfield and starting a Masters Program in Policy Management at Georgetown University (courtesy of the US Army) on May 25th. Welcome, Brother Buffaloe. We are truly happy to have you and your enthusiasm as part of AW22.
Thanks to those who supplied news inputs for this month! If you have been elected to office in an Appendant Body, have received a Masonic honor, or have a personal milestone you would like your Brothers to know about, please give me a call or email!