September is going to be a busy month for us, my Brothers. After the week of the Stated Meeting, we have Constitutional Observance Night on September 8 at 6 p.m. in the Club Room. It will be a trivia night hosted by our very own Junior Warden, Mauro Lara. Dinner is of course provided and all Washington Lodge No. 20 Brothers and families are invited.
Two days later - on September 10 at 6:37 p.m. - the Sacramento River Cats (Giants affiliate… boo!) will be playing the Las Vegas Aviators (A's affiliate! Go Team!) at Sutter Health Park. You can buy game tickets here: https://fevo.me/3RJsFIP. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to Mason4Mitts.
OSI (Officers School of Instruction) is on September 21 at 7 p.m. in Lodge Room 3. We will be covering the Advanced Stations for the 2nd Degree, so OSI is open to all Fellowcrafts and Master Masons.
September will also have the first Third Degree ritual since 2019 for our Lodge and there will be two this month! Brother Ramey Packer will be Raised a Master Mason on Thursday, September 22 at 7 p.m. in Lodge Room 1. We will open Lodge at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Brother Brandon Jenkins will be raised on September 29 at 7 p.m. in Lodge Room 1. We will follow the same schedule of the September 22 Third Degree.
The officers and Past Masters have been working hard on practicing the ritual for the past month. Some have never seen a Third Degree ritual outside of their own! If you are a Master Mason and are available, please join us in raising these men to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.
Up to this point, out of all of the Trestle Board articles I have written through the years, I do not think I have mentioned my mom. Her birthday is this month, so this is a great time to mention her. Many of us have close ties with our moms and I am no different. I have never shied away from being called a "mama's boy." My wife has even learned to live with this fact although her relationship with my mom is very good.
I bring up my mom because of the many years of being a Freemason, I frequently hear the term "mother lodge." A Brother's home lodge is often referred to as their "mother lodge." It is fascinating to realize that the Lodge where you first became a Mason is awarded such a term of endearment. As if no matter where you go, you can always go back home to your mom. That Lodge is hopefully the one that nurtured your growth in Freemasonry and gave you the love and teaching you received to become a better man. Washington Lodge No. 20 will always be my mother lodge because of this.
My family recently laid my grandmother to rest in August. She was my last living grandparent and a very tough woman. Lived to 93 years old through the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, eventually immigrating to the U.S. (specifically Mississippi first) in the 70s. Married at 14 (it was a different time and she did not have much of a choice), she eventually learned to love my grandfather and with him raised nine boys and one girl. Not even COVID could take her down. When she passed, she lived only 45 minutes away…
I wish I had visited her more often.
I wish her great-grandkids had gotten to know her better.
I wish I had more time with her.
Do not be like me and wish for these things after it is too late.
"No amount of money ever bought a second of time."
The month of September should be a great one for Washington 20. We have two Third Degrees lined up and I am very excited to see all the hard work put in by the Officers come alive.
I had the recent opportunity to read the current issue of California Freemason magazine, and if you have traveled (or plan to travel) south of our border, or have an interest in the cultures of those countries to our South, I would recommend you take the time to go through the summer issue of the periodical.
If you do not have a paper copy, you can check out the electronic version at https://californiafreemason.org/
One of the more interesting articles includes the one titled Freemasonry in Brazil: When Masonry Went Pop, which talks about the influence of Masonic architecture in Rio de Janeiro, along with the recent 21st-century growth of the Fraternity in Brazil.
Another great feature is the story of a traveling Silver Trowel, which was intended to travel around the world and visit every country. It made its way westward from New York, and after a brief stay in California eventually made its way to Mexico City.
Fast forward to modern times, and another article discusses modern relations between Brethren in Southern California and their neighbor lodges across the border. Also discussed is the influence of Freemasonry on the lives of many of Latin America’s famous leaders, including Bolívar, Martí, and Hidalgo.
There is also another article on the various masonic practices in Latin America. Overall the issue is worth a read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
See you next time in Lodge.
Hello, Brethren.
Keeping pace with the day's events, I am happy to report that I bounced back from that fall from the 30-foot ladder. I not only overcame the first step on the ladder when I fell, but I am happy to announce that I made it to the second step. I am indeed on my way!!
September marks the beginning of fall with the Autumnal Equinox on September 22. But the month also holds important national holidays including Labor Day and Patriot Day, which honors and remembers those who were killed in the September 11 attacks. September holidays include religious observances, cultural events, and many days dedicated to food and drink, from Cheese Pizza Day to Fried Rice Day. You'll find September holidays that speak to your identity, background, and stomach.
September also marks Hispanic Heritage Month, Alopecia Areata Awareness Month, and Baby Safety Month, among many others. There are weeks dedicated to Suicide Prevention, Arts in Education, and Assisted Living. Some of these observances can weigh heavy on our hearts, but there are also celebratory moments throughout the month that can alleviate any painful memories that may arise. Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated on September 25, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese holiday that honors the moon, happens on September 10.
There are also fun observances throughout the four weeks of September, ranging from Beer Lover's Day to Read a Book Day. And don't get us started on the mouth-watering list of food holidays this month. Coffee Day and Pancake Day will have you dreaming of breakfast in bed.
September is often associated with fall activities, apple picking, and back-to-school season, but it's also a month full of meaningful holidays and observances that make for a packed calendar. Read on to learn which days to mark on your September 2022 calendar.
Celebrations
Papa? Gigi? Nana? Gramps? No matter what you call them, grandparents are meant to be celebrated.
National Grandparents Day
Mark the calendar — Grandparents Day is coming! The holiday, designed to celebrate the connections we share with older generations, is commemorated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year.
Grandparents Day falls on September 11, 2022.
Grandparents Day celebrates and honors the important role grandparents play across generations.
What is National Grandparents Day?
In 1978, the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day, said Donna Butts, the executive director of Generations United, an organization that focuses on intergenerational strategies. President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation that began the observation.
It was a little-known holiday until 2012 when there was a movement that began spearheading an annual campaign to encourage all generations to ‘Do Something Grand’ and engage with another generation on Grandparents Day.
Grandparents Day is a Time to Celebrate and Serve.
It is a day we set aside to honor grandparents and various generations for their contributions to families, neighborhoods, communities, and the country. We should also take time to remind people of all ages they can do something grand with another and/or for another generation. People at all ages and stages of life have value and something valuable to contribute to making our world a better place.
The official proclamation of Grandparents Day states that the holiday is used “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
How to celebrate Grandparents Day
This is a great opportunity to do something “Grand” with other generations.
Suggestions that have been made include:
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A community service project
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Sharing a meal together
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Exploring your neighborhood
Posting a picture on social media with your grandparents or grandchildren, depending on your generation. It is a good time to reach out to other generations to make their day a little brighter. Sometimes just reaching out can make someone’s day. With isolation taking place in the last couple of years, what a great time today to reach out.
Milestones
A very Happy Birthday to the 14 Brothers who celebrate their birthday in September, and also a very Happy Masonic Birthday to the 17 Brothers who were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in September as well as to the other 16 Brethren enjoying their birthday celebrations this month.
Happy Birthday, one and all.
Just for Smiles
“Never have children, only grandchildren.” - Gore Vidal
SMILE!! 😊
Relief through Masonic Charity
The three principal tenets of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. For this article, I will be focusing on the “relief” aspect of our ancient framework as Masons.
Relief has many definitions and rightfully so, especially because it is such an important cardinal virtue emblematic of the main purpose of our fraternity. According to the California Masonic Foundation: “Relief is one of our fraternity's enduring and relevant values. Through California's Masonic charities, we give back to our brothers, our families, and our communities.” Charitable giving, philanthropy, and volunteerism is where the rubber meets the road in terms of our values as Masons and our impact on the rest of the world.
Washington Lodge No. 20 over the last decade has put great emphasis on our tenant of relief and has a proud record. In just the past three years, we have given to unique charities and supported women’s groups. We have offered boots on the ground at the River City Food Bank to help those most in need. We have collected toys and clothing items for the children at the Shriners Hospital for Christmas. We have hosted blood drives. We collected school supplies and hygiene products for the homeless children, and helped a couple of School Districts with other important needs during the worst part of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, one area specifically where our lodge has been one of the strongest in our region in terms of charitable giving has come through our effort to support the Masons 4 Mitts (M4M) program. Our lodge alone has raised nearly 25-30% of the total funds for the Sacramento Cyclones region, which is composed of roughly 18 lodges.
In the spirit of “relief” I hope our lodge will be able to remain as the top donating lodge in the region for the 2022 M4M campaign! If you wish to donate to the M4M program on behalf of Washington #20, please go to this website: https://masonicfoundation.org/masons-4-mitts/northern-california-region/ .
If you want to save time, you can simply Venmo me @Creston-Whiting-Casey the money directly and I can do the data entry on behalf of you for our lodge. Whichever lodge raises the most between now and September 19th, I will be contributing $200 on behalf of the lodge that donates the most money!
Additionally, at our September Stated Meeting, we plan to hold an auction for some gear the Giants gave us, which includes a signed baseball bat, three signed baseballs, a nice Giants shirt, a Junior Giants Mitt, and a Junior Giants bag. Lastly, you can also contribute by purchasing a ticket for our River Cats game on September 10th. Tickets can be purchased at https://fevo.me/3RJsFIP . The M4M campaign ends on September 19th and this is a fantastic opportunity to live up to our Masonic value of relief!
Masonic Education and the Influence of Freemasonry on the Founding of a Great Nation
Our journey into Freemasonry begins with the learning of ritual and attending dinners and stated meetings. What more is there to keep us interested in learning the Craft? We do have some very interesting and charismatic brothers in our lodge but is that enough to keep us coming back for more? How do we learn more about Freemasonry?
Conrad Hahn, a most distinguished Mason, once observed, "The lack of educational work in the average lodge is the principal reason for the lack of interest and the consequent poor attendance in Masonry over which spokesman have been wringing their hands for at least a century”. So, this is not new to us, however, and has been somewhat of a drain on our numbers nationwide.
He continues, “We, as a Fraternity, have reached the point where far too few of our members have even the faintest idea of why they are Freemasons, let alone, have any real knowledge about our history and heritage."
Let me carry this thinking one step further and bring it into the late 1700's. Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire did not join a workers guild! They joined what they believed to be an educational society which was called, "Freemasonry." These were extremely intelligent men who had no time to waste on things that were not important to them, and yet Franklin was an active Freemason and Voltaire joined only shortly before his death! What was it that they saw in Freemasonry that eludes us today?
I recently attended a lecture at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in which the presenter helped decipher in German, some old, obscure writings found in a church that have significant historical value and may shed some light on how Freemasonry came to the new lands of the Americas in the 17th century. I became intrigued and my interest was passionately piqued. I had never entertained the thought that Freemasonry had influenced the very birth of this nation and those that founded this nation.
Mr. Dennis Hearn, although not a Mason, worked very closely with members of the Grand Lodge of New York and did a great deal of research into the history of Freemasonry as the Ellis Island Project developed. His association with Masons led him to this conclusion: "The Freemasons among our Founding Fathers brought to their work the ancient Masonic Landmarks of Truth and Brotherly love, and they fashioned a constitution which, by the depth and strength of its conviction, embedded those principles in the conscience of a nation. While we as a people have not always lived up to them, neither have we been able to ignore them.”
Some of the more notable founding fathers to also be Masons are George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Chief Justice John Marshall, who greatly influenced the shaping of the Supreme Court. The Marquis de Lafayette and the Boston Tea Party saboteurs were also Freemasons, All together it is believed that about nine of the fifty-six men that signed the Declaration of Independence were masons, and about thirteen of the thirty-nine that signed the U.S. Constitution were also Masons.
Masonic rites were witnessed at such events as Washington’s presidential inauguration and the laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The Masonic Brethren, dressed in their fraternal regalia, had assembled in grand procession and were formed for that occasion as representative of Freemasonry’s newfound place of honor in an independent American society.
According to Old Masonic and family traditions, the cornerstone of the Statehouse in Philadelphia (Independence Hall), built while Franklin was Grand Master, was laid by him and the Brethren of St. John’s Lodge.
Author James Brown wrote this about Benjamin Franklin: "What influence Freemasonry may have had on the life and character of Benjamin Franklin can only be conjecture, but that it did influence him and his contemporaries in the great struggle for American independence seems beyond doubt".
Freemasons are assured that our duties to God and country are not to be interfered with. How then can we justify the participation of American Freemasons in their rebellion against the King? This question came to mind during the lecture at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
Rebellion against the state, whether justified or unjustified, is not a Masonic offense. The Old Charges state clearly “if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State, … if convicted of no other Crime, … they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible.” This simply means that, in the case of the American Revolution, many brethren, feeling that the actions of the crown warranted revolution and independence, were justified in following their consciences without fear of violating their Masonic obligations or any Masonic law.
The revolutionary ideals of equality, freedom, and democracy were espoused by the Masonic fraternity long before the American colonies began to complain about the injustices of British taxation. The revolutionary ideals expressed in the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Thomas Paine, were ideals that had come to fruition over a century before in the early speculative lodges of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, where men sat as equals, governed themselves by a Constitution, and elected their own leaders from their midst. In many ways, the self-governing Masonic lodges of the previous centuries had been learning laboratories for the concept of self-government.
Freemasons must follow their own faith and place their duty to God before all other responsibilities. The Declaration of Independence closes with the statement that the authors relied on divine protection.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is, to know that such truly great men of our Fraternity inspired and shaped this great country that we share, and continue to promote the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth today. I encourage you my brothers to delve into the rich history of Freemasonry in the formation and development of America.
Greater Sacramento Area
Public Education Advisory Committee (CMF)
Greetings, Worshipful Sirs, Brethren, family, and distinguished friends.
This month, Masons of California are celebrating Public Schools all across our beautiful state.
Many of us and our Lodges are planning some very impactful charities and events in our communities to highlight and acknowledge the accomplishments of some very deserving people in our communities.
Why is education important to us as Masons?
In my humble opinion, it is simply an investment in our future.
We understand that one of the main ingredients of ‘making a good man better’ is education – and the ancients provided us with the template for how to do so through the study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences – for, without Grammar, one cannot build a sentence to communicate; without Rhetoric, one cannot articulate a point; and, without Logic, one cannot reason and formulate a scientific stance.
Adding the study of Geometry, Arithmetic, Music, and Astronomy, we not only learn the practical skills to build societies, but we open our minds to seeing the Divinity in each branch of the Arts.
Imagine what society would look like today if our institutions were based on science and philosophy…
My personal goal as a representative of the CMF is to establish positive awareness of our Fraternity and earn influence throughout the educational system while granting financial opportunities to those who may not have the resources to continue their pursuits of knowledge.
Part of our mission was to interview and grant scholarships to first-generation college candidates whom we found most worthy of our investment. I am happy to report that we have identified two amazing young adults in our community whom we have decided to assist with their endeavors for further light in education, and I am proud to extend an invitation to our first public awards ceremony in many years.
The event will be held on September 21st, 2022, at the Sacramento Masonic Temple, beginning with a mixer at 4:30 PM and ending at approximately 6:40 PM.
It would be beautiful to pack the venue with Masons showing support to our next generation of community leaders.
An RSVP link will be sent prior to the event.
If you have any questions or would like to find out what you can do to help, please contact me anytime.
S&F
Gabriel G. Mariscal, PM
Chairman
PEAC Sacramento
SEPTEMBER 2022
BIRTHDAYS
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02 Devin Gray (Master Mason)
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05 Norman Helsel (Master Mason)
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09 Marco Lopez (Master Mason)
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11 Moises Gonzalez (Entered Apprentice)
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12 Rodrigo Bitar (Master Mason)
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13 Brian Jones (Master Mason)
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14 Lucas Zeiher (Master Mason)
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15 Alan Grundel (Past Master)
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17 Norman Hernandez (Entered Apprentice)
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19 David Keehner (Master Mason)
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21 Ian Soli-Jacques (Master Mason)
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25 Alejandro Reynoso (Master Mason)
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26 Ernest Owen Jr. (Master Mason)
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26 Daniel Radman (Master Mason)
MASTER MASON ANNIVERSARIES
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09 Douglas Dern (46 Years)
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10 Craig McKinnon II (7 Years)
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12 William Hill (31 Years)
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12 Jon Isaacson (Past Master) (20 Years)
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12 Jesse Solis-Jacques (Past Master) (9 Years)
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15 Mauro Lara (Junior Warden) (6 Years)
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16 V. Winter Jr. (Past Master) (29 Years)
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16 Lance Vayder (18 Years)
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20 Creston Whiting-Casey III (Marshal) (10 Years)
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20 Alex Baloji (4 Years)
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22 Jacob Cummings (6 Years)
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23 Reaburn Lenau III (29 Years)
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24 Donald Bader (52 Years)
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25 Richard Golden (70 Years)
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27 Garth Tanner (60 Years)
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27 Theodore Miller (49 Years)
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27 Eric Young II (10 Years)
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28 Larry Afzal (44 Years)
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28 Thomas Ansell (33 Years)
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29 Scott Goode (Past Master) (11 Years)
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30 Daniel Radman (68 Years)
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30 David Thomas (9 Years)
Washington Lodge No. 20
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.
Ahiman: A Review of Masonic Culture and Tradition
by Shawn Eyer
Ahiman is a new periodical anthology of Masonic writing, offering a serious exploration of the rich initiatic traditions of Freemasonry.
Edited by Masonic scholar Shawn Eyer, Ahiman is dedicated to stimulating scholarship, penetrating interpretation, and inspiring creative expressions focused upon Freemasonry's history, rituals, symbolism, iconography, and philosophy.
Carefully researched and lavishly produced, each edition of Ahiman offers important material of interest to Freemasons and other students of Western esoteric traditions.
Articles:
"A Spiritual Vision of the Liberal Arts and Sciences"
by Thomas D. Worrel
"The Memory Lodge: Practicing the Art of Memory"
by Erik L. Arneson
"The Allegory of the Cave"
by Plato
"Thomas Starr King: Apostle of Liberty, Brother of the Craft"
by Adam G. Kendall
"An Angle of Perfect Sincerity"
by Shawn Eyer
"Masonic Initiation & Plato's Allegory of the Cave"
by David E. Stafford
"Silence and Solemnity in Craft Freemasonry"
by Shawn Eyer
Literature & Verse:
"Jabbok"
by Erik O'Neal
"Before Dawn"
by Shawn Eyer
"Charge"
by Greg Maier
"A Lodge Salutatory"
by Robert G. Davis
"A Song of Degrees: The Aspirant"
by W.L. Wilmshurst
"First Initiation"
by Mounir Hanafi
"The Vision of Ahiman"
by Lawrence Dermott, 1756
"The Geometry of Character"
by Joseph Fort Newton, 1927
"Our Conscious Temple"
by Thomas Starr King, 1863
Reviews:
Tracing Boards of the Three Degrees in Craft Freemasonry Explained by Julian Rees (S. Eyer)
Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation by Henrik Bogdan (Brian Hodges)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shawn Eyer resides in the Washington, D.C., area, where he leads educational initiatives at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. He is currently helping museums use augmented and virtual reality to expand their effectiveness. He serves on the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission and is a member of the National Civic Art Society.
He is a writer on Masonic symbolism, history, ritual, and philosophy. He holds a Master of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology, and a dual Baccalaureate degree in Psychology and Religious Studies. He has studied at The Defiance College, John F. Kennedy University, Hebrew College, and Harvard University. His current work is focused on the careful reading of early Masonic literature, with special attention to intertextuality, thematic progression, and ritualistic practice.
Shawn Eyer has lectured widely at both academic conferences and Masonic symposia. He is the author of dozens of articles on the subject and is the editor of Philalethes, North America's oldest independent Masonic education journal.
ISBN-10: 1603023658
ISBN-13: 978-1603023658
“Masonic ideas are the precious jewels of Speculative Masons;
They should be kept bright and sparkling for all the Brethren to see and admire.
As such, they should be the special care of Masonic leaders,
particularly those who teach and interpret the philosophy of Freemasonry.”
Conrad Hahn
Quote contributed by Brother
Senior Steward
PAY YOUR DUES HERE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
• 01 Social Hour Thursday • 05:30 PM (Club Room)
• 01 Stated Meeting Dinner Thursday • 06:15 PM (Banquet Room)
• 01 Stated Meeting Thursday • 07:30 PM (LR1)
• 01 Family Hour Thursday • 07:30 PM (Club Room)
• 08 Constitutional Observance Trivia Night Thursday • 06:00 PM (Club Room)
• 10 Rivercats Baseball Fundraiser Saturday • 06:37 PM (Sutter Health Park) (BUY TICKETS)
• 15 Officers' Practice Thursday • 06:00 PM (LR1)
• 21 Officers School of Instruction Wednesday • 07:00 PM (LR3)
• 22 Degree Dinner Thursday • 06:00 PM (Banquet Room)3E
• 22 3rd Degree - Brother Ramey Packer Thursday • 07:00 PM (LR1)
• 29 Degree Dinner Thursday • 06:00 PM (Banquet Room)
• 29 3rd Degree - Brother Brandon Jenkins Thursday • 07:00 PM (LR1)
OCTOBER
• 03 Executive Committee Meeting Monday • 06:00 PM (Zoom)
• 06 Social Hour Thursday • 05:30 PM (Club Room)
• 06 Stated Meeting Dinner Thursday • 06:15 PM (Banquet Room)
• 06 Stated Meeting Thursday • 07:30 PM (LR1)
• 13 Officers' Practice Thursday • 06:00 PM (LR1)
• 19 Officers School of Instruction Wednesday • 07:00 PM (LR3)
• 20 Festive Board Thursday • 06:00 PM (Ballroom)
• 27 Degree Dinner Thursday • 06:00 PM (Banquet Room)
• 27 3rd Degree - Brother Kevin Hall Thursday • 07:00 PM (LR1)
• 31 Executive Committee Meeting Monday • 06:00 PM (Zoom)
Washington Lodge No. 20
2022 Officers
Russell Tomas
Master@WLN20.org
(707) 315-6593
Nicholas Johnston
Senior Warden
Mauro Lara
Junior Warden
Eric Hixson (PM)
Treasurer
Francisco Marques (PM)
Richard Wilson (PM)
Chaplain
Prezell Harris
Assistant Secretary
Matthew Mason
Senior Deacon
Joseph Wallach
Junior Deacon
Creston Whiting-Casey III
Marshal
William Workman
Senior Steward
Michael Contreras
Junior Steward
Martin Buff
Organist
Floyd Tritt
Tiler
Francisco Marques (PM)
Junior Past Master
D. Edward Entrican (PM)
Treasurer Emeritus
Jared Yoshiki (PM)
Officers' Coach
Nicholas Johnston
Head Candidates' Coach
Michael Woo (PM)
Inspector 414th District
