February 2026

From the East

William Workman - Worshipful Master

Travel and Discovery: Continued

What a spectacular start to our year!

If you were unable to join us for our first dinner of the year, you truly missed a remarkable evening of fellowship. The atmosphere was filled with joy, catching up with old friends, and welcoming new faces to the Washington Lodge No. 20 family. The dinner was in honor of our first responders.

I am delighted to report that the meal was nothing short of outstanding. Our sincere appreciation goes to Worshipful Luis Montero, PM, his wife, Wendy Montero, Brother Richard “Smokey” Stover, and Brother Isai Jaimes - our exceptionally talented culinary team, fondly known as the Crown and Cross Team. Their dedication and skill provided a dining experience that truly exceeded all expectations and added a special touch to the evening.

Going above and beyond the call of duty, Worshipful Luis Montero, PM, and Wendy graciously donated the entire dinner to the Lodge. Their dedication to the Craft and their generosity to our Brothers, families, and guests exemplify the true spirit of Masonic Charity and Brotherly Love. The time, effort, and resources they invested in preparing this feast did not go unnoticed.

Let us carry this energy and commitment forward into the rest of our 2026 Masonic year. Thank you again to the entire Crown and Cross Team for nourishing both our bodies and our spirits.

As we welcome February, we look forward to a month packed with fraternal spirit and a focus on our shared heritage. We have three very important dates in our upcoming calendar that require strong attendance to show the strength of our lodge.

Stated Meeting and Presidents' Day Celebration

Thursday, February 5th – 6:00 PM

Join us for our monthly Stated Meeting as we take time to celebrate Presidents' Day, focusing heavily on the legacy of our Worshipful Brother and namesake, George Washington.

As a dedicated Mason, Washington embodied the principles we hold dear. Come share a meal at 6:00 PM and join in the fellowship, honoring the "Father of His Country" and his dedication to the Craft.

Please RSVP for dinner at WLN20.org.

“Being persuaded that a just application of the principles, on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother.” - George Washington

Special Event: Initiation of Mr. Marcos Leal

Thursday, February 26th – 7:00 PM

We are incredibly excited to welcome a new member into our fraternity. Please join us in supporting and welcoming Mr. Marcos Leal as he takes his first step into Freemasonry. We encourage all members to attend this special First Degree to make it a memorable experience for our candidate.

We look forward to seeing you in the Lodge!

Honoring Our Pillars: A Celebration of the Ladies of Washington Lodge No. 20

As we look toward our upcoming calendar, it is with great enthusiasm that Washington Lodge No. 20 announces a special event dedicated to the women who support our Craft and our community.

On Saturday, February 28th, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, we invite the Ladies of Washington No. 20 to gather with us for a special Ladies’ Luncheon dedicated to celebrating their creativity, fellowship, and the important role they play in our Masonic family.

A Canvas for Creativity

This activity will be more than just a meal; it is an opportunity for our Ladies to explore their artistic side. We will be hosting a "Paint by Number Masterpiece" session, providing all the supplies needed for guests to create their own beautiful works of art. Whether you are a seasoned artist or haven't picked up a brush since childhood, this guided experience ensures that everyone leaves with a personalized treasure and memories of a relaxing afternoon.

Served with Gratitude

To show our deep appreciation for everything they do, the Men of Washington No. 20 will be trading their Aprons for chef’s whites. The Brethren will be on hand to prepare and serve a sumptuous multi-course luncheon. It is our honor to wait on the women who give so much of their time and heart to the success of our Lodge, ensuring they don't have to lift a finger - except, of course, to paint.

Event Details:

When: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Saturday, February 28th
Where: Washington Lodge No. 20 - 2M Dining Room
Attire: Casual and comfortable (aprons will be provided for painters!)

Please RSVP at WLN20.org to ensure we have a canvas and a seat at the table reserved for you. We look forward to a joyful day of laughter, artistry, and Brotherhood, dedicated to our wonderful Ladies.

Yours in Fraternity,

William Workman

Worshipful Master

Washington Lodge No. 20

Congratulations, Brother Brandon Jenkins!

Taking your first step into the officer line in the Scottish Rite is an exciting and meaningful transition. It marks the moment when one moves from being a witness to the degrees to becoming a steward of the Rite’s inner workings.

The office of Captain of the Host is a unique one, bridging the ritual world with the physical and logistical operations of the Lodge. While it shares similarities with the Blue Lodge office of Tiler, it carries a distinct sense of precision and discipline well-suited to the Lodge of Perfection and its themes of duty and order.

It also appears that our very own Worshipful Joseph Dongo, PM, has reached a remarkable milestone in his illustrious Masonic journey. Having presided over the Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, and now the Council of Kadosh, he has effectively completed the “Grand Slam” of leadership within the Valley.

The office of Master of Ceremonies in the Council of Kadosh is especially significant due to the unique atmosphere of the 19°–30° degrees. While the earlier bodies emphasize historical allegory and religious philosophy, the Council of Kadosh focuses on the ideals of Chivalry, Ethics, and Philosophy, making this role both symbolic and impactful.

Worshipful Matt Mason, PM, has also begun an exciting new journey in Masonry with the Shrine. He was installed as Second Ceremonial Master on January 13, taking the first step toward eventually becoming Illustrious Potentate in 2032.

Matt shared that he is enthusiastic about this new chapter and the opportunity to support children’s hospitals and healthcare initiatives around the world. He greatly enjoys the fellowship and fun events of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, while continuing to remain active and involved with Washington Lodge No. 20.

If you are interested in learning more about the Shrine, feel free to ask Matt anytime—he will be more than happy to share his experience.

Congratulations, Worshipful Matt!

From the West

Brandon Jenkins - Senior Warden

Greetings, Brethren, and welcome to February!

The days are beginning to grow brighter, although the temperature remains bracingly cold. I’ve noticed that the older I get, the more the cold seems to get to me - but I still prefer it over the sweltering, sticky Sacramento summers any day. The longer days remind us that the heat is coming; prepare thyself!

February is traditionally celebrated as the month of love, and although this usually refers to love of the romantic variety, I wish to relate it to one of the three tenets of Masonry about which we are taught so frequently – Brotherly Love.

We know from our rituals that Brotherly Love is defined as, “That principle which leads us to regard the whole human species as one family, created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet.” We understand that every person on Earth is our celestial sibling, and we, as Masons, are charged to care for them as best we can.

Among the members of our own fraternity, our Masonic brothers, we are especially directed to care for them, their families, their wives, widows, and orphans (should it ever come to that). We often tend to think that this skews towards their physical needs and comforts, but what of their emotional or spiritual needs?

I recently had the privilege of being initiated into the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, sometimes colloquially known as the “University of Freemasonry.” Many educational materials exist among the Scottish Rite to expand our understanding of the rituals, recitations, and regulations of Freemasonry (which I would wholly recommend to anyone seeking further light regarding our mysteries). These extended Degrees and studies have helped me understand a little better my responsibilities regarding Brotherly Love, and I hope to share with you some of that understanding here.

In one of the degrees of the Scottish Rite, we are reminded of our human condition before the Great Architect. We learn, “Ever remember that, being human, you must of necessity often err;… The strong who easily resist temptation are less deserving than the weak who struggle to overcome. To fall and rise again is more heroic than by greater strength never to fall. To do wrong and make amends, to sin and to repent belong to a noble nature. The gods love men the more, because they are not perfect, even as fathers love their children, with their weaknesses and faults.”

I contemplated this statement for some time, trying to decide what meaning it held for me. We will all fail at so many things. We engage in errors constantly. As mortals, this is our work: to try, to fail, to try again, on and on until we are perfect (which probably won’t happen until we are residents of the Celestial Lodge).

It is noble to fail and return to the work…to knock away a piece that ruins the stone, but starting over with a rough block, begin our attempt at shaping the perfect ashlar once again. He that is perfect at the outset of his attempt often lays aside his tools quickly, feeling he has nothing left to learn. He never realizes that had he first failed, the work would have cemented itself into his heart because of the challenge it provided and the accomplishment he feels at finally presenting a work to the Master, which is deemed “good”.

Regarding Brotherly Love, we must try to recognize that the faults of our brothers are allowing them to proceed along the path to perfection. As long as they rise again to continue the work and make amends for the errors that may have harmed the work of another, they are worthy of our love. And should they falter in this, should they leave, stop the work, not make amends, or even speak ill of us, they deserve our compassion in an even greater measure. As the Great Teacher counselled, “all…fall short of the Glory of God…he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” (Romans 3:23, John 8:7)

We will all prove inadequate to the work. I can personally attest to this in my own life. But the Great Architect loves you and me anyway. He is our Father, our Creator, and He made us to experience what it means to fail. The Supreme Master allows us to all feel the same sun, breathe the same air, have the same amount of time to perform His work, even though he knows we will constantly err. As the degree taught, “…fathers love their children, with their weaknesses and faults,” and our Heavenly Father continues to do this, and will forever. As his sons, we must work as He works, even if our efforts are constantly imperfect.

Get back up, and start again. Help your brother to do the same.

This is the work.

This is Brotherly Love.

From the South

Nicholas Johnston - Junior Warden

Greetings Brethren,

February is one of my favorite months. As I tend to prefer a warmer climate, I appreciate how February gives us our first indication of the lengthening of the days. The days certainly do get longer after the winter solstice. However, the rate of change of the day length is not linear throughout the year. February is one of the months with the largest rate of change, at almost 2-3 minutes per day starting at the middle of the month through the Equinox in March.

One of the other ways February is a harbinger of Spring is the blooming of the Acacia trees. These trees are one of the earliest plants to bloom after the New Year. If you have read my column in years past you know I love to mention these trees this time of year, and also pitch to you a wonderful exhibition of this genus of tree right here in the Sacramento area.

A short drive over the causeway takes you to the Eric E. Conn Acacia Grove at the UC Davis Arboretum. There, you can see over 50 species of Acacias from Australia, Africa, and the Americas. In previous years I wrote about the commercial applications of Acacia, from food additives to furniture.

In this revisiting of the subject, I thought I would write a little about the benefactor of the Arboretum itself. A professor at UC Davis, Eric Conn spent his career understanding the chemistry within the plant itself. Specifically, he was interested in how the plant produces cyanide, and with that compound being toxic, how understanding that pathway could help to breed safer varieties of foodstuffs that lack such compounds.

He had a fascinating career (I may be biased as a UCD alum), but if you are interested, much more can be read at the links below:

https://biology.ucdavis.edu/news/remembering-eric-conn-founding-father-biochemistry-and-biophysics-uc-davis

https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk1546/files/inline-files/Acacia%20Grove_0.pdf

Before I close, here are a few more unique biological features regarding the acacia:

● Many acacia species have a symbiotic relationship with ants - the trees provide hollow thorns for shelter and nectar for food, while the ants protect the tree from herbivores

● Some species can "communicate" danger by releasing ethylene gas when being eaten, which triggers nearby acacias to increase tannin production in their leaves, making them less palatable

● Their deep root systems allow them to access water during droughts, making them incredibly resilient

I hope this provides some really fascinating insight into this amazing tree.

This month promises to be a really great one for Washington No. 20. We are excited to welcome our members and guests to a festive Presidents’ Day Celebration, a delightful Ladies’ Luncheon, and the conferral of a First Degree, and we look forward to sharing these special moments together.

I hope to see you there!

MINUTES ARCHIVE

01/08/2026 STATED

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY

(Masonic Widows Month)

• 03 Executive Committee Meeting (Zoom) Tuesday 7:30 PM

• 05 Presidents' Day Celebration Dinner (Banquet Room) Thursday 6:00 PM

• 05 Monthly Stated Meeting (LR1) Thursday 7:30 PM

• 12 Officers Practice (First Degree & Reception of GLO) (LR1) Thursday 6:30 PM

• 18 OSI (Officers School of Instruction) (LR3) Wednesday 7:00 PM

• 19 DARK Thursday

• 26 First Degree - Mr. Marcos Leal (LR1) Thursday 7:00 PM

• 28 Ladies' Luncheon (2M Dining Room) Saturday 11:30 AM

MARCH

(Youth Orders Month)

• 05 Roll Call Dinner (Banquet Room) Thursday 6:00 PM (Stated Meeting Dinner)

• 05 Monthly Stated Meeting (LR1) Thursday 7:30 PM

• 12 Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 6:30 PM

• 18 OSI (Officers School of Instruction) (LR3) Wednesday 7:00 PM

• 19 DARK Thursday

• 26 Second Degree - Brother Ivan Flowers (LR1) Thursday 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY

BIRTHDAYS

03 Joseph Dongo (Past Master)
05 George Jamison, Jr. (Past Master)
05 Allan Harlan (Entered Apprentice)
07 William Dillon (Master Mason)
08 Richard Redmond (Master Mason)
09 Joaquin Lopez (Entered Apprentice)
10 Bradley Mitchell (Master Mason)
13 David W. Cameron (Master Mason)
13 William D. Cameron (Master Mason)
16 Angel Lopez, Sr. (Master Mason)
17 Wally Clark (Master Mason)
17 Garth Tanner (Master Mason)
18 Phil Hardiman (Past Master)
18 Craig Spilman (Master Mason)
19 Eric Hardiman (Master Mason)
27 Dallas Calmes (Master Mason)

MASTER MASON ANNIVERSARIES

11 Michael Mc Glone (38 Years)
16 Michael Allen (9 Years)
20 Carlos Brusel-Casals (Junior Steward) (12 Years)
20 Douglas Pope (57 Years)
21 Paul McNamee (13 Years)
21 Richard "Smokey" Stover (7 Years)
22 Richard Pullen (Past Master) (25 Years)
22 Nicholas Johnston (Junior Warden) (8 Years)
23 David W. Cameron (14 Years)
23 Gerald Singer (42 Years)
24 David H. Cameron (Past Master) (21 Years)
25 Douglas Arrington (44 Years)
25 Victor Novak (27 Years)
26 Cyril Shah (28 Years)
27 D. Edward Entrican (Past Master) ( 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.

Freemason's Guide and Compendium

by Bernard E. Jones

First published in 1950, the 'Freemasons' Guide and Compendium' is filled with authentic, detailed information on a wide variety of subjects related to masons and masonry.

Written by an experienced Freemason with the interests of rank-and-file members of the ordinary lodge in mind?

Especially the young Craftsman who wished to learn the nature of Freemasonry's claim to have a history that goes back to ancient days?

It provides key facts about masonic history, tradition, and lore. In doing so, the book offers a far greater scope of information than any other comparable book.

Bernard E. Jones critically examines conflicting ideas about how some of the traditions came to be, coming to conclusions of his own.