May 2024

From the East

Matthew Mason - Worshipful Master

Wow, things are moving right along this year.

We have now accepted our second gentleman into our Fraternity this year. On April 25, Brother Joshua Valentin went through his first degree with a wonderful performance by all our officers, especially Brother Bill Workman sitting in the East. Our Officer’s performance shows there is great strength in the lodge for years to come.

Speaking of things to come, we do have some VERY exciting things on our calendar for the rest of the year.

Our next Table Lodge will be again directed by Worshipful Joseph Dongo with food organized by Brother Joe Wallach on August 15 at 6:00 PM (note the time). It is a stag event and will consist of food, libations, and fellowship. You don’t want to miss it. It is great fun and, if you haven’t been to one, you really have been missing out.

On September 21 is the Master’s Ball (previously Ladies Night). Bro. Bill Workman is planning a wonderful luau for us all to enjoy. Please plan to attend with your lady, partner, or just by yourself. It is setting up to be a grand event.

We are also hoping to have a Third Degree in September, but that is still in the planning stages…

Except for Stated Meetings, we will be DARK for June and July. Also remember that, during June, July, and August, business casual dress is acceptable for Stated Meetings.

The September Stated Meeting will be a dress-down day of Hawaiian wear to help drum up support for the Masters Ball (Ladies Night) and inject a little fun before the end of the year. If anything, make sure to come that night to see me in an aloha shirt and a top hat!

I want to let everyone know that due to unforeseen circumstances, this Saturday’s Hiram Award ceremony is being postponed. With dark clouds hanging over us with our recent loss, it was decided to move the ceremony a few months out. The new date has not been selected but it likely will be sometime after the summer.

I must switch gears now as I cannot close without acknowledging the loss of our wonderful Brother and dear friend, Bob Taylor. He passed away on April 25 due to complications from his recent surgery.

Most of us know Bob from his work with the Cordon Bleu team preparing meals for our dinners and always having a smiling face to greet us as we walked into the banquet room. He gave from himself to us all and gave more than many of us knew.

He was a 55-year Master Mason, receiving the Hiram Award in 2012 for his tireless efforts. He also was a Shriner for more than 50 years.

Please keep his family in your prayers as our Almighty Father receives our Beloved Brother into his arms.

Photo Credit: Brother Jacob Cummins

From the West

Joseph Wallach - Senior Warden

Greetings, Brethren.

It is May already and as I enjoy the present and look forward to the future, I find myself reflecting on the past.

Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Masters and Wardens retreat, my first. I did not know what to expect and had found myself ruminating on the previous week’s vacation as I passed through the Sierras on the way to Lake Tahoe.

On my arrival, I saw Masons bustling here and there within the hotel and about in the beautiful surrounding nature.

Over the course of the retreat, I met many Masons from different Lodges and attended workshops. I learned about events and programs that were implemented at other Lodges.

I was focused on the exchange of ideas and in the evening reflected on where I was on the way to the conference, where I was at that moment, and where I wanted to be in the future.

The common thread between all three moments in time was how it is spent by us. It is important to be present in the moment, to take advantage of life’s opportunities, and to enjoy the company of those around us in that moment.

The moments pass quickly and many of them become cherished memories. If one dwells too much on the past or the future you will miss out on some of life’s greatest experiences and people.

I look forward to our moment together this stated meeting and, once it’s passed, I will look back at it fondly and look forward to our time together with anticipation next month.

From the South

William Workman - Junior Warden

Relief in Life and in Death

Relief is one of the Principal Tenets of Masonry. Recently, during a lecture, it was emphasized that relief is a duty incumbent among all men, but particularly among Masons. This sentiment resonates deeply with those of us who have faced challenging circumstances, not only within our own ranks, but their families as well.

The recent loss of our dear Brother, Bob Taylor, weighs heavily upon us. As one of our own fought valiantly for his life, we, his Brothers, stood united in prayer and unwavering support. Our bond, forged by the shared principles of Masonry, is a testament to the depth of our indissoluble link of sincere affection.

In these trying times, how do we find solace? How can we restore peace to our troubled minds and hearts? The path to restoring peace lies in reflection and unity. Let us hold Bob’s memorable legacy by cherishing the moments we shared, the lessons he imparted, and the love he spread among us in his own unique way.

Though Bob has departed this earthly realm, we believe his virtuous life has secured him a place in that Celestial Lodge above. May his soul find eternal rest, and may we, his Brethren, find comfort in our shared memories and the enduring bonds of Brotherhood.

May we all find peace at this troubling time. I hope that this Masonic prayer will comfort you.

Great Architect of the Universe, in whose holy sight centuries are but as days, to whose omniscience the past and the future are but as one eternal present, look down upon Thy children who still wander among the delusions of time, who still tremble with the dread of dissolution, and shudder at the mysteries of the future.

Look down, we beseech Thee, from Thy glorious and eternal day into the dark night of our error and presumption and suffer a ray of Thy divine light to penetrate our hearts, that in them may awaken and bloom the uncertainty of life, reliance upon Thy promises, and assurance of a piece at Thy right hand.

AMEN.

Photo Credit: Brother Jacob Cummins

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MAY

• 02 Monthly Stated Meeting Dinner (Banquet Room) Thursday 06:00 PM

• 02 Monthly Stated Meeting (LR1) Thursday 07:30 PM

• 09 Second Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 06:30 PM

• 15 Officers School of Instruction (LR3) Wednesday 07:00 PM

(Third Degree, Second Section)

• 16 Entered Apprentice Class (Club Room) Thursday 06:30 PM

• 23 Second Degree Brother Jonathon Miller (LR1) Thursday 06:30 PM

• 30 Advanced Stations Practice (LR1) Thursday 06:30 PM

JUNE

• 04 Monthly Executive Committee Meeting (Zoom) Tuesday 06:30 PM

• 06 Monthly Stated Meeting Dinner (Banquet Room) Thursday 06:00 PM

• 06 Monthly Stated Meeting (Advanced Stations) (LR1) Thursday 07:30 PM

• 13 DARK or Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 06:30 PM

• 20 DARK Thursday

• 27 DARK or Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 06:30 PM

MAY

BIRTHDAYS

03 Robert Hessee (Entered Apprentice)
05 Washington Lodge No. 20 (172 Years)
05 Jesse Solis-Jacques (Past Master)
07 Prezell Harris (Master Mason)
08 Richard Pullen (Past Master)
11 Douglas Pope (Master Mason)
12 Paul Derouen (Master Mason)
12 Walter Santwer (Master Mason)
15 Richard "Smokey" Stover
19 Mauro Lara (Past Master)
19 Jonathan Brizuela (Master Mason)
20 Michael Quinn (Master Mason)
23 Stephen May (Entered Apprentice)
24 Joshua Valentin (Entered Apprentice)
25 Colin Quinn (FellowCraft)
26 Paul McNamee (Master Mason)

MASTER MASON ANNIVERSARIES

01 Prezell Harris (14 Years)
08 Dallas Calmes (10 Years)
08 Charles Moore, Jr. (55 Years)
11 Martin Buff (Tiler) (07 Years)
11 Joseph Mayo, IV (29 Years)
12 Ronald Forsberg (47 Years)
14 Thomas Goodwin (67 Years)
15 Terry Cooley (10 Years)
16 Joseph Wallach (Senior Warden) (11 Years)
16 Scott Van Wagner (26 Years)
17 Ko Chang (23 Years)
18 Robert Brooks (52 Years)
20 William Dillon (60 Years)
20 Ernest Owen, Jr. (42 Years)
21 Albert Lazare (11 Years)
21 Phillip Richards (54 Years)
22 George Morrow (66 Years)
22 Emad Sweidan (14 Years)
25 Brian Jones (20 Years)
31 Thomas Weary (12 Years)

Washington Lodge No. 20 F. & A. M.

Mission Statement

To practice and promote a way of life that binds like-minded men in a worldwide
brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences.

Through Masonic principles and tradition, and by the outward expression of these
through its fellowship and compassion, Washington Lodge No.20 Free & Accepted Masons provides ways in which to serve God, family, country, neighbors, and self in an environment that contributes to the enrichment and betterment of its members, mankind, and its communities.