From the East
Matthew Mason - Worshipful Master
I just flew in from Frankfurt through Taiwan and boy, are my arms tired! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.) As I return from an around-the-world trip, I am excited by the things going on to experience here at home with Washington 20 this and next month.
Our Annual Table Lodge is just weeks away! The men of the Lodge will gather on August 15 at 6:00 PM for food, libations, toasts, and fun. Worshipful Joseph Dongo, PM, will walk us through the toasts and Brother Joe Wallach has arraigned the seven, yup-seven, courses we will eat through in the evening.
Buy tickets HERE
Make sure you bring some smaller bills in cash for the small “fines” for violations in the ritual you will be walked through beforehand. The “fines” are voluntary, small, and ALL the money raised will go to purchasing items needed at the Shriners Hospital school.
On September 21 is the Master’s Ball (previously Ladies' Night). This year, it is a luau with all the laid-back Polynesian latitudes—or is it attitudes—of fun, consisting of a wonderful dinner and some tropical drinks.
Buy tickets HERE
Finally, a reminder that the September Stated Meeting will be a dress-down (or is it dress-up?) evening of Hawaiian wear to end the summer months and support the theme of the Master's Ball (Ladies Night). It is just a to inject a little fun before the end of the year. If anything, make sure to come that night to see me in my aloha shirt and a top hat!
From the West
Joseph Wallach - Senior Warden
It is August, and as it happens every year, we are greeted with a searing kiss from the hottest time of the summer.
There are many tasks put upon us that are limited as to the time they can be accomplished, when the day is
most temperate. As the sun rises in the East at early dawn and sets in the West at the eve of day, that is
when we can work best at our labors.
This month is also on the cusp of change from being restrained in activity to being free to do more over a greater span of time. We are more than halfway through the Masonic year and there is always much to be done. Those ahead prepare those behind, those behind work to do what’s necessary in the next step of the journey.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our August Stated Meeting when we are once again in fellowship with one another.
From the South
William Workman - Junior Warden
August Greetings, Brethren.
This summer heat, relentless and unyielding, turning the canvas from green to brown, has siphoned some of the energy from me. This, indeed, has been a hot summer here in Sacramento.
Our family has taken some dips in cool waters, had a few otter pops and cold drinks, and spent some time in the shade of big trees. I hope you have all found a refreshing way to beat the summer heat.
Despite the drained energy level, I still feel energized when it comes to my fellow Brother Masons. We have a great supply of inspiration from a rich and diverse fraternity.
I would like to share with you something from one of my favorite Founding Fathers of our great nation that gives me a lift in spirits. I admire his insight and appreciate his deep understanding of Masonry and his dedication to the Craft and to our country.
“Freemasonry has tenets peculiar to itself. They serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only conferred after due course of instruction and examination. These are of no small value; they speak a universal language, and act as a passport to the attentions and support of the initiated in all parts of the world.
They cannot be lost as long as memory retains its power. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned, let him be stripped of everything he has got in the world, still those credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances require.
The good effects they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history. They have stayed the uplifted hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they have subdued the rancor of malevolence; and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation.
On the field of battle, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men of the most hostile feelings, the most distant regions, and diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other, and feel a special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a Brother Mason.” - Benjamin Franklin.
I hope to see you all at the next stated meeting on August 1st!
Special Announcement
Please join us as we are transported to the Polynesian latitudes for a fun luau that includes a wonderful dinner, some tropical drinks, and maybe even some hula dancing.
Please plan to attend with your lady, partner, or just by yourself.
Saturday, September 21st
6:00 PM
Island Casual Attire
Get your tickets today!
$40 per gentleman
Wives, partners, and significant others are FREE
Reservations are required
RSVP to homerailway@me.com
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUGUST
• 01 Monthly Stated Meeting Dinner (Banquet Room) Thursday 06:00 PM
• 01 Monthly Stated Meeting (LR1) Thursday 07:30 PM
• 08 DARK or Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM
• 15 Table Lodge (Banquet Room) Thursday 06:00 PM
• 21 Officers School of Instruction (LR3) Wednesday 07:00 PM
(Advanced Stations, First Degree)
• 22 DARK or Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM
• 29 DARK or Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM
SEPTEMBER
• 03 Monthly Executive Committee Meeting (Zoom) Tuesday 06:30 PM
• 05 Monthly Stated Meeting Dinner (Banquet Room) Thursday 06:00 PM
• 05 Monthly Stated Meeting (LR1) Thursday 07:30 PM
• 12 Annual Constitutional Observance Night (Banquet Room) Thursday 06:00 PM
• 18 Officers School of Instruction (LR3) Wednesday 07:00 PM
(Advanced Stations, Second Degree)
• 19 DARK or Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM
• 21 Masters Ball: Aloha Tiki (Ballroom) Saturday 06:00 PM
• 26 DARK or Degree (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM
AUGUST
BIRTHDAYS
-
01 Mark Hammer (Entered Apprentice)
-
02 Branden Polupan (Master Mason)
-
04 Charles Moore, Jr. (Master Mason)
-
06 Richard Hixson (Past Master)
-
06 Marcus Bole (Master Mason)
-
07 Carlos Brusel-Casals (Master Mason)
-
07 Lance Vayder (Master Mason)
-
08 Kamyl Assè (Master Mason)
-
09 Tony Contreras (Entered Apprentice)
-
16 Phillip Richards (Master Mason)
-
17 Creston Whiting-Casey, III (Master Mason)
-
22 Jared Yoshiki (Past Master) (Officers Coach)
-
23 Ehsan Ghanizadeh (Master Mason)
-
24 Douglas Dern (Master Mason)
-
26 Dwight Bradish (Master Mason)
-
26 Robert Brooks (Master Mason)
-
27 Bob Cameron (Master Mason)
-
28 Reaburn Lenau, III (Master Mason)
-
30 Luis Montero (Past Master)
-
30 Terry Cooley (Master Mason)
-
31 Ramey Packer (Chaplain)
-
31 William Hill (Master Mason)
MASTER MASON ANNIVERSARIES
-
01 Patrick Fischer (4 Years)
-
08 Jeret Burnett (Past Master) (17 Years)
-
10 Robert Hovorka (22 Years)
-
13 Stanley Sanders (43 Years)
-
14 William Sherrard (25 Years)
-
16 Marco Lopez (28 Years)
-
20 Ronald Speno (9 Years)
-
24 James Dimmitt (Organist) (14 Years)
-
26 David Huez (14 Years)
-
27 Frederick Hardiman (Past Master) (26 Years)
-
29 Juan Faranda (Past Master) (46 Years)
-
30 Heath Hamm (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.
Freemasonry is
Kindness in the home,
Honesty in business,
Courtesy in society,
Fairness in work,
Pity and concern for the unfortunate,
Resistance toward evil,
Help for the weak,
Forgiveness for the penitent,
Love for one another and,
Above all, reverence and love for God.
Freemasonry is many things but
Most of all:
Freemasonry is a way of life.
Table Lodge
A Forgotten Masonic Practice
By Roberto M. Sanchez
In 1717, when the Mother Grand Lodge was formed to revitalize the Lodges in and around London, one of the reasons given was “To revive the Quarterly Communication and hold the Annual Feast”.
Many historians claim this Annual banquet was the most important move made by the new Body. And a short time later, the Grand Master directed there be installed “the old, regular and peculiar Toasts and Health’s of Freemasons”.
From the idea of a feast in which Brethren broke bread together and drank in common, came the Table Lodge of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
The Table Lodge is no mere banquet or dinner—it is a special ceremony. It is complete with a Ritual that incorporates terminology from centuries ago.
This piece was originally published in the Transaction of Texas Lodge of Research, and later used in my book, The True Masonic Experience.
However, I was encouraged to publish this as a single book for those lodges who wish to have this readily available for their members. I hope you enjoy learning about one of our history's most enjoyable Masonic practices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roberto M. Sanchez is a very active Freemason. He is a Past Master of seven Masonic Lodges and has presided over 30 different Masonic Organizations.
Roberto has given lectures on Masonry all over the United States and across Latin America and Europe. Because of his love for history and Masonic research, Roberto joined American Lodge of Research, Missouri Lodge of Research, Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research, & Texas Lodge of Research, where he has submitted various papers and therefore was elected as a full member.
Roberto is considered by many an excellent Ritualist, his ability to do degree work in the many facets of Masonry put him head and shoulders above most.
The Houston Scottish Rite honored Roberto with the award of Best Orator in the inception of the Warell Awards in 2010.
What is Freemasonry?
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Washington Lodge No. 20 F. & A. M.
2024 Officers
Matthew Mason
Worshipful Master
Joseph Wallach
Senior Warden
William Workman
Junior Warden
Eric Hixson (PM)
Treasurer
Francisco Marques (PM)
Secretary
Ramey Packer
Chaplain
Brandon Jenkins
Senior Deacon
Kevin Hall
Junior Deacon
Christopher Hamilton
Marshal
Nicholas Johnston
Senior Steward
James Dimmitt
Organist
Martin Buff
Tiler
Mauro Lara (PM)
Junior Past Master
D. Edward Entrican (PM)
Treasurer Emeritus
Jared Yoshiki (PM)
Officers' Coach
Joseph Dongo (PM)
Head Candidates' Coach
David Lagala (PM)
Inspector 414th Masonic District
Brandon Jenkins
Hall Association Board President