MASTER'S MESSAGE

MAY TRESTLE BOARD

 

 

Brethren,

We are experiencing the greatest resurgence of interest in our great fraternity in the last 25 years. That's right, at the recent Masonic Service Bureau Annual Breakfast, the Most Worshipful Richard Wakefield Hopper, Grand Master of Masons in California, announced that we had conferred more degrees last year than in any other year since 1983!

  Perhaps it's The History Channel or the innumerable new books flooding the market on Freemasonry? Perhaps it's a trend or perhaps we are still doing something right, for whatever reason, it is Good News!

This is not just good news for Masonry; this is good news for our society. This statistic is evidence that despite what you keep hearing in the media about a dark, "morally bankrupt" world, we know that GOOD men are still looking to Freemasonry to provide them with a BETTER life.

  A whole new generation of seekers are finding that the same excellent tenants that have served our gentle craft so well for centuries, can bring direction and meaning to their lives today. If our recent petitioners are any example of the quality of members that Reseda Lodge is attracting, I am very optimistic about our future!

  This would be a good time to introduce our two newest members, Bro. Hratch "Harry" Ghanimian and Bro. Antranig "Tony" Kouzian, who took their first degrees in April. Bro. Harry manufactures jewelry and Bro. Tony manufactures fiberglass motorcycle parts. Two talented and bright young men.

  Welcome to our Lodge Brothers!

You will note from the May Calendar that we have another First Degree this month and a Third Degree Proficiency. When was the last time that you listened to a full form Third Degree proficiency? It would be great to see a large turn out for both of these important evenings. Your attendance is not just appreciated; it increases the meaningful effect of our rituals.

FellowCraft Mason, Bro. John Martinez has offered to share his expertise in Computers with any of the members or ladies who would like to learn more about working with computers and the Internet. Bro. Martinez will be teaching those interested in learning more about the computer in the dining room during the closed portion of our Stated Meeting. Please see Bro. Martinez at the Stated meeting to ad your name to his list.

 

 

In last month's Trestle Board I announced that Bro. Lee Aimesbury had been sitting in as our Senior Steward for our degrees and meetings. Alas, Bro. Lee had to return to New Mexico sooner than he had expected, so we have a new opening for the Stewards position. Please contact me if you are interested in joining our line of Officers.

 

At last month's Stated Meeting, Bro. Paul Robertson announced the return of his very successful Public School Reading Program and Constitution Program. Both of these programs found popularity among the school children and were actually proven to cause higher reading skills scores for the students participating. This, Brethren is Masonry In Action! Please contact Bro. Paul if you would like to be involved.

I want to thank Sandy Monroe for her efforts in putting together a more current Widows Roster. Sandy and some of the other ladies have spent a great deal of time on this project and it is getting closer. If you, or someone that you know has not been included in our notices, please contact me. You are very important to us and we are working hard to create a 100% accurate roster.

And lastly, on a very serious note, I want to address a letter that was sent from our Secretary's office last month concerning Delinquent Dues. It has been brought to my attention that many members were sent this "Demand for Dues" letter in error due to inaccurate data in the Grand Lodge database.   I want to personally apologize to any of our valuable members who were offended by this letter and assure you that our Secretary is working very hard to update all records in the office to avoid this confusion in the future.

Don't forget to make your reservations for the Stated Meeting Dinner. You are welcome even without reservations, but it will aid us in the preparation.

Fraternally,

William H. Malouf, Master