​We, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts, is emblematic of the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three parts, whereby we find a part for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, a part for our usual vocations, and a part for refreshment and repose.

 

As Master of the Lodge, the symbolic use of this instrument has proven to be my greatest challenge. I initially found myself caught up in the logistics - how we inherited an inch-based tool from English masonry rather than using the metric system. However, the real test is applying its division of time to my daily life. Working ten-hour shifts and needing eight hours of sleep leaves me just six hours to balance everything else: serving God, maintaining a loving relationship with my wife and four sons, and supporting distressed worthy brothers. Leading a busy lodge, chairing every committee, and trying to remain a patient role model when things don't go as planned is a monumental balancing act.

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In my tenure as Master of the Lodge, I am blessed with a deeply supportive and flexible partner in my wife, Dawn. Together, we manage the daily rhythms of our home and the demands of our son’s academic and crew schedules with shared intuition and balance, as well as keeping a close relationship with my 3 adult sons who live in other states. 

 

My foremost duty in this life is the upbringing of my son, offering him a steadfast exemplar of what it means to be a good man in modern society. The love I hold for my family inspires my work in the East, just as the tenets of the Craft enrich my home. Dawn recently observed that my devotion to the lessons of Freemasonry shines through in all I do. Thus, my time away from home in service to the Lodge is, in itself, a profound lesson for our son - demonstrating that there is no nobler purpose than serving God, country, neighbor, and family. Balancing this part of my life with the 24-inch gauge is truly the most challenging.  

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One of the most valuable lessons Freemasonry has taught me is that our Lodge is a living compilation of the past, present, and future. Standing before you tonight is a humbling experience. While I aspired to accomplish great things for our Lodge this year, I deeply understand that my opportunity to serve was paved by the Past Masters and older brethren who can no longer attend our labors. Staying connected with them has been a cornerstone of my year; fortunately, long commutes afforded me the time for deep, meaningful phone conversations with these brothers that might never have happened within the busy walls of the Lodge.

 

For our active membership, I strived to connect on a truly personal level. Many of our brethren faced periods of distress this year, challenging me to offer Brotherly Love when and where it was needed most—often when it was least expected. This application of the 24-inch gauge has been the most rewarding part of my journey.

 

Looking ahead, I humbly hope that others will rise after me to build upon this foundation and elevate our Lodge in ways I could not. I have always believed that sitting in the Oriental Chair is not about power, entitlement, or ego. Instead, I am reminded of the profound words that guide our journey from the West to the East: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own.” The true energy of the East is not a mandate to rule, but a duty to charge the future with direction, purpose, and meaning through Charity—which, in its highest sense, is divine, selfless, and active love.

 

For refreshment and repose, I turn to the garden and the woodworking bench, teaching my son the patient crafts of wood, metal, and stone. Utilizing tools both modern and ancient, operative and speculative, I carry on the lineage of my father, brothers, and mentors. This labor ultimately fits our minds as living stones for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. This is the practice that brings me true peace.

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Travel and Discovery: A Memorable Degree at Siminoff Daylight Lodge

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Our recent "Travel and Discovery" event was a truly engaging and rewarding highlight of this year's journeys. The Lodge officers traveled to the Masonic Homes campus in Union City to conduct a Third Degree ceremony at Siminoff Daylight Lodge, raising Brother Isai Jaimes to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

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It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the brethren of Siminoff Daylight Lodge. Several of their members joined us, with one serving as Junior Warden during the degree and many others supporting us from the sidelines. We also owe a special note of appreciation to a brother from UT3, who stepped in to fill a meaningful role during the ceremony - perfectly exemplifying brotherly love and relief. Thank you, Brother Jhason Wint!

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On a lighter note, our journey concluded with a bit of unexpected humor: we accidentally packed up all of Siminoff Daylight Lodge’s aprons! Rest assured, they have since been returned to the place whence they came and are once again safely deposited in their faithful chests.

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A new journey begins for our newest brother, initiated on October 29th, David Crow, who has made his first steps in his east-to-west travel.  We welcome him with open arms and wish all the blessings of heaven in his journey.  Please join us in welcoming him to Washington Lodge#20 for his first dinner and stated meeting on November 5th.  

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Looking Ahead in this Month

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Stated Dinner and Meeting on November 5th. See the dinner menu below. During the Stated Meeting, we will be holding our Annual Election of Officers and more for the 2027 Masonic year. Please attend if you are able. 

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Ladies' Night!  Saturday, November 7th!  See the flyer under the Junior Warden's article. Please bring your lady, spouse, partner, girlfriend, auntie, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, love interest, date, etc. It is a Wild West theme, so go ahead and dress the part!! 

 

Just leave the six shooters at home or in the car. You can tie up the horses in the parking lot, come in and feast on BBQ, imbibe cocktails, beer, and wine.  Let's show our ladies an evening that they will cherish. 

 

RSVP HERE 

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Let us not forget a most important American holiday this month. Thanksgiving has a close connection with the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and how the Founding Fathers acknowledged the role of religion – and God – in the founding and the survival of the United States.

 

In fact, in 1789, the U.S. House and Senate formed a special committee that asked President George Washington to declare a day specifically dedicated to prayer and thanksgiving. And thus, in October of that year, President Washington issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation, in which he thanked God for the documents that brought our great nation into fruition. And, what’s more, Washington had no reservations about calling religious liberty a blessing:

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Thanksgiving Proclamation 3 October, 1789:

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By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation.

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Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

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Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be - That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks - for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation - for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war - for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed - for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted - for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

 

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions - to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually - to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed - to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us - and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

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Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

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As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate this season of gratitude, I want to extend my warmest fraternal greetings and heartfelt blessings to each of you on behalf of the East.

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Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings bestowed upon us by the Supreme Architect of the Universe. It is a reminder of the strength we find in our families, the comfort of our homes, and the enduring bonds of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth that unite us as Masons.

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May your homes be filled with warmth, laughter, and peace during this festive season. Let us also keep in our thoughts and prayers those who are facing hardship, traveling, or unable to be with their families, extending our hearts to them in true Masonic charity. Thank you for your continued dedication to our Lodge, our Craft, and to one another. May the year ahead bring you and your families abundant health, happiness, and prosperity.

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Happy Thanksgiving, Brethren!