January 2025

From the East

Joseph Wallach - Worshipful Master

It’s a new year and, with it, a new Master of the Lodge.

I look back fondly on the many great times I’ve had in previous years under previous Masters and look forward to a year of fellowship, fun, and Degrees.

It will be a busy time as we grow as individuals and together as Masons.

As caretakers of our Lodge, I know we will carry on the traditions that make us proud to be Freemasons and the cornerstone of what makes Washington Lodge so special.

I look forward to seeing you all at our January Stated Meeting and dinner.

From the West

William Workman - Senior Warden

The Masonic year of 2025 begins with the hope that we are all in good spirits and ready to face the challenges that this year will bring. It will likely bring joyous celebrations, sorrowful losses, new journeys and exuberant discoveries.

Just know that, as fraternal brothers, we will, as directed by one of the three principal tenets of Masonry, Truth, promote each others welfare and rejoice in each other’s prosperity whithersoever dispersed around the globe (yes, even in Reno!)

Benjamin Franklin has this advice for the New Year:

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

I hope that this prayer will help guide all of us in our own yet connected way that each of us can bring to the world around us and spread like wildfire across this beautiful land.

“O God, keep us ever thankful for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us: for food, for friends and for fellowship. Grant, too, that we may always carry into our lives the lessons taught to us in our work as Masons; and so, in some small way, make the world a little better. So mote it be.”

I was also hoping to add a little education for those that were curious about this: Why do Freemasons end their prayers with the phrase “So mote it be”? It is customary in contemporary English to end prayers with a hearty “Amen,” a word meaning “So be it.” It is a Latin word derived from the Hebrew word

meaning “certainly.” Thus a congregation saying “Amen” is literally saying “So be it.” The word mote is an archaic verb that means “may” or “might,” and traces back to Old English. The phrase “So mote it be” means “So may it be,” which is the same as “So be it.” Now that we’ve established the equivalence of “Amen” and “So mote it be,” the question remains, “Why do Masons end their prayers with ‘So mote it be’?”

The answer goes back to the Regius Poem of about 1390 AD, the oldest known Masonic document (now housed in the British Museum, London). It is one of the Old Charges or Gothic Constitution used by early Freemasons to regulate their trade. It has a legendary history, regulations to guide the Mason trade and rules of manners and moral conduct. The poem ends famously with this couplet:

Caption: A detail from a facsimile depicting the closing couplet of The Regius Poem (Masonic Book Club, 1970) Amen! Amen! So mote it be! So say we all for charity.

Thus, Freemasons today end their prayers the same way they did in 1390. The next time you’re in Lodge and say “So mote it be” after the Chaplain finishes a prayer, remember that you are continuing a 600-year-old Masonic tradition.

From the South

Brandon Jenkins - Junior Warden

As one year ends and another begins, we may often find ourselves reflecting on what has passed and what may soon occur.

At this time of the season, I frequently am drawn to memories of my family, especially those family members with whom I am no longer able to visit, due to either distance of time or space.

During these periods, I recurrently remember my great-grandmother, who has passed on to the celestial world, but with whom I spent a large amount of my formidable years. She always made this little boy feel special, especially during the holidays, and I miss her greatly during these winter months.

I am sure many of us have fond memories of family to warm us during these long, cold evenings, and we can also count ourselves blessed to be the fortunate few that have found the wisdom, strength, and beauty of brotherly love to strengthen and uphold us.

With the members of Washington Lodge No. 20, we have forged ties of relief and truth, and have become a new family of men and brothers. May we always be grateful to be counted among those found worthy to be joined together by this eternal bond.

Several of our brothers celebrate birthdays this month, including Brother David Freeman (Jan 1), Brother Jonathon Miller (Jan 15), and Brother Mac Contreras (Jan 18). Please be sure to wish these Brothers and all others with birthdays in January many happy returns.

Finally, I wish to express my deep appreciation for all of you who have entrusted me with serving as Junior Warden for the ensuing year. I will do my absolute best to live up to your confidence.

If any brother has any suggestions for improvements I can facilitate with the responsibilities of this office, please do not hesitate to reach out.

I wish you all the best for this New Year.

Secretary Article

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY

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

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

• 09 Officers' Meeting (Zoom) Thursday 07:00 PM

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

(First Degree, First Session)

• 16 DARK Thursday

• 23 DARK Thursday

• 30 Officers Practice (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM

(Reception of the Inspector of the 414th Masonic District)

FEBRUARY

• 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 (LR1) Thursday 07:30 PM

• 13 Second Degree Practice (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM

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

(Second Degree, First Session) (Hosted by WLN20)

• 20 Second Degree (LR1) Thursday 07:00 PM

• 25 Masonic Education (Further Light in Masonry) Tuesday 07:00 PM

• 27 DARK Thursday

JANUARY

BIRTHDAYS

01 David Freeman (Master Mason)
01 Scott Germer (Master Mason)
01 Anthony Ibarra (Entered Apprentice)
07 Kyle Campbell (Master Mason)
08 Frederick Hardiman (Past Master)
12 Steven Anders (Master Mason)
14 Derek Waterman (Master Mason)
15 Jonathon Miller (FellowCraft)
17 Sonny Stormes (Past Master)
18 Mac Contreras (Master Mason)
23 Jerry Livingston-Joy (Master Mason)
26 D. Edward Entrican (Past Master) (Treasurer Emeritus)
31 Cornell Tindall (Entered Apprentice)

MASTER MASON ANNIVERSARIES

16 Alejandro Reynoso (10 Years)
19 William Cameron (12 Years)
22 Morrison England, Jr. (13 Years)
22 Ian Solis-Jacques (9 Years)
25 Eric Hardiman (27 Years)
25 Wesley Jackson (6 Years)
30 Jonathan Brizuela (10 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.

The Seven Habits of Highly Successful Lodges

Revive your Lodge, Grow its membership, Secure its future

by Tony Harvey

Successful Lodges tend to share several common features.

In this exciting new book, well-known author and speaker Tony Harvey draws on his extensive experience in different areas within Freemasonry to identify the key features most often seen in our strongest, happiest, and most attractive Lodges.

He then uses his professional expertise in developing organizations and their leaders to outline how brethren can strengthen, even revive, their Lodges. Rather than duplicating other work, Tony indicates relevant material in the Book of Constitutions and in the Members Pathway.

This makes this book their essential companion and an invaluable guide to managing Lodges in the 21st century.

Included is probably the most extensive study and analysis of our membership position in recent years. Building on this evidence base, Tony offers practical approaches to address the principal barriers to success, growth, and sustainability.

He writes in everyday language for a general audience. This makes this book suitable for Freemasons of all backgrounds who wish to pass on to the next generation a stronger Lodge with a better chance of a successful future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony Harvey is an award-winning trainer, coach, speaker, and corporate facilitator. He writes on personal development, leadership, management, change and how to improve performance, achieve results and be a success.

Tony lives in the East Midlands and travels extensively with his work and hobbies, having delivered lectures and accepted speaking engagements worldwide.

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 085318626X

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0853186267

Purchase Book

Fraternity: The Masonic Apron