September 2016 Stated Communication

Brethren,

I wanted to use this Lodge Bulletin to enter into the record the Masonic Education piece I did at the August Stated on the Forget-Me-Not flower and its importance to Masonry.

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The Forget-Me-Not is the colloquial term for the genus of flowers called Myosotis (Greek for “Mouse’s Ear”). There are actually 74 accepted species who all get the name Forget-Me-Not, and share very similar characteristics: about 1 centimeter (cm) in width, having a yellowish center, and 5 petals (usually in the colors of pinks, blues, and whites).

The mythology around the flower began in Germany, where the story is told that God named all the plants and a tiny unnamed flower cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name!” The importance of the flower continued, and in 15th Century Germany, men and women tended to wear them as to not be forgotten by their lovers.

The English use of the Forget-Me-Not name came from England’s King Henry IV, who adopted the flower as his symbol while in exile around 1398. When he returned to England shortly after, he directly translated the German name “Das Vergissmeinnicht.”

The role of the flower in Masonry began in 1926 when the Grand Lodge of Zur Sonne in Bremen, Germany chose the emblem to remind Masons of the “Poor and Destitute” and not to forget their Obligation, specifically to those groups. 

Unfortunately, with the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany in early 1930’s; Masons became a political target for the new regime. One of the first edicts put out by Adolf Hitler was to have the Nazi control all manners of education within Germany, and the second, to make Masonic membership a crime against the State. Hitler saw the allegory and symbolism of Masonic history as counter to the “actual” German Aryan history, and in league with the “Jewish Conspiracy.”

Masons aware of this threat to themselves and the Craft, decided to cease using the publicly known Square and Compass, and instead used the Forget-Me-Not as a signal to other Brothers.

While the Masons were able to keep the secret of the Forget-Me-Not emblem throughout the war, the relentless attacks by the Nazis could not be held off forever.

Sadly, shortly after, Adolf Eichmann, who would go on to later orchestrate the horrible “Final Solution,” raided the Grand Lodge of Germany and was able to acquire records (including names and addresses) of the most of the 85,000 Masons in Germany at the time. His orders were to eliminate these ‘Enemies of the State’ which he did with terrifying results. It is estimated that only about 5000 Masons managed to go into hiding with Lodge documents and associated paraphernalia. Many of the others would be executed immediately, charged in shame State courts, or sent to Concentration Camps.

Masons within Nazi capture regions throughout Europe during World War II were found similarly to be political undesirables and enemies of the State. Those sent to Concentration Camps were given an inverted Red Triangle, the same symbol shared by political prisoners: social democrats, socialists, trade unionists, communists, and anarchists.

The total number of Masons killed by the Nazi regime is unknown, but many have put the value between 100,000 to 200,000.

Ironically, the factory used to make Masonic Forget-Me-Not pins in the 1920’s and early 1930’s was requisitioned by the Nazis in 1938 to make Forget-Me-Not pins for the new Nazi Charity Organization. This organization was meant to force average Germans to pay for the State’s social programs (pensions and insurance) so that money could be used instead for weapons and rearmament projects.

The Masonic use of the flower would continue throughout the war, with Masons in hiding, and those in the Camps wearing them to show their true dedication to the Craft. Actually, the Nazi’s use of the flower for their own devices, actually gave Masons some ability to be covertly public.

In 1947, as Germany begun to come out of the darkness of Nazi control and the defeat by the Allied Powers; the Grand Lodge of the Sun chose the Forget-Me-Not as a memorial to those Masons who had lost there lives, and those also who had lived through the darkness. The Light of Masonry in Germany was to be rekindled.

In 1948, the newly reformed first Convent of the United Grand Lodges of Germany, would proclaim the flower as a remembrance for all Masons who had died during World War II.

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Bon voyage, Worshipful!

Fraternally,
Ryan Nalty Worshipful Master 

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August 2016 Stated Communication

Brethren,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this [ed. second to] last Lodge bulletin as the sitting Master in the East.

As most of you are aware, my wife and I will be moving to London in September to begin Masters programs. While this represents a major step forward in my life, it sadly also means stepping away from Washing- ton, D.C., and St. John’s Lodge No. 11.

It has been one of my proudest accomplishments to be a part of this illustrious and noble Craft, and even more to do it within the halls of St. John’s. This Lodge has seen so many Masons traverse through, that I feel incredibly honored to be a name within the many great chapters this Lodge has written, and will continue to write.

To the Brethren, thank you all for being my Brothers, my confidants, and, importantly, my friends. I know that the bounds of Brotherhood are not easily broken by any length of distance.

Especially now, in the ever more chaotic world in which we live, the importance of Brotherly love and esteem is ever more paramount.

So, I leave you with the words of 1980’s American musicians and philosophers, Bill S. Preston, Esq., and Ted "Theodore" Logan;

“Be most excellent to each other”

Fraternally,
Ryan Nalty Worshipful Master 

June 2016 Stated Communication

Brethren,

First, it is really excited to have EA Brothers Timbers and Smith join the Craft and St. John's.

I thought this was a good point to reminder ourselves of what we were looking for when we first joined Masonry.  We all came with different passions, needs and thoughts of what this journey meant to us.  Personally, I wanted to be a part of something bigger than just myself, and in full honesty, I wanted to join a fraternity that was willing to not just support me, but also my wife and potential children.  Some may a support or safety net, I call it a family.

As I mentioned in Lodge, we are reminded that this is a lifetime commitment and journey. When we put on the apron, walk into the Lodge room; we are reaffirming our pledge to be a better man, to seek the just path.  But in reality, we should be wearing those aprons each and every moment of our lives.  The Lodge room moves with us, everywhere we go.

While on the surface this can seem daunting and arduous; remember the "me" becomes a "we".  As Masons, we walk our own life paths, but paths are blessed when in the company of friends.  Each and every brother supports one another, from the EA to the Past Master.  

And most importantly, everyone has something to teach about life, and everyone needs to learn.

Fraternally, Ryan Nalty, Worshipful Master

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May 2016 Stated Communication

Brethren,

I wanted to use my place in the Lodge Bulletin to discuss the power of debate and discourse. With the U.S. election cycle all around us, it can be very difficult to sometimes see that debate has a purpose and a nobler truth.  Often now, debates have become about talking points, press conferences, or tweets to a captive and agreeable audience. The chance to have an honest debate and really understand issues, now long gone.

I am reminded of the quote from US Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes:

There are one-story intellects, two-story intellects, and three-story intellects with skylights. All fact collectors with no aim beyond their facts are one-story men. Two-story men compare reason and generalize, using labors of the fact collectors as well as their own. Three-story men idealize, imagine, and predict. Their best illuminations come from above through the skylight.

Masonry was founded as a place, no...a sanctuary, for three story men.  We seek to look at the world, its facts and its generalizations with an illumination that few others ever seek.

Today, one could even assume that Justice Holmes would likely even create a new status of basement intellects, as facts have become less valuable than opinions and passions.  Our abilities to see opposing viewpoint as valid seems to be lost in this world of instant media and self-selection of information.

We as Masons must keep discourse alive.  If you look at our Lodge, we have many Brothers, with different political viewpoints, different outlooks on life, but we can all sit as equals in our great temple of Brotherhood.  We must attempt to bring that intellectual equality to our lives every day.

If only the world could look a little more like the Craft.

Fraternally, Ryan Nalty, Worshipful Master

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April 2016 Stated Communication

Brethren,

As most of you know, I was away from Lodge during March Stated as I was in Jerusalem, Israel, for my twin brother's wedding.  The city is truly a fascinating place as it does serve as a confined microcosm for human history.  You could tell the layers of history which had been built upon each other over the course of thousands of years, usually as one group, one religion, or country conquered over another.  But through all of that, there was this firmness to time in the very stones which built the city.

In many ways, Jerusalem serves as a perfect allegory for Masonry.  While different men, different political views, and, yes, different egos, pass through the great lodge halls of global Masonry, the Craft itself endures.  This is because the Craft is bigger than any one man, or any one ideal.  We have all been there as voices dictate the way we should see Masonry, which actions are expected, or even how a Lodge should look or act.  We, ourselves, can often be the mouths behind those voices, and thus just as liable.

The truth is that our Lodge, our Craft, and our place in the world as Masons, is just that, "our."  As much as this is an individual's journey, it is also a journey we take as a larger group.  Just like the many different opposing groups who all ended up together building Jerusalem over the last three thousand years; we, too, are building something meant to endure longer than any one of us.

In the short term, I will, unfortunately, not be with you again in April, as work is taking me to Montreal, Canada, for UN meetings.  I am working on putting together an appropriate program for that Stated, though.  In May, I plan for us to conduct an Entered Apprentice degree for a series of men wishing to join the Craft.  We will also be having the Grand Lodge Visitation at our June Stated.  I strongly urge every Brother who can to make it to both the degree and Grand Lodge Visitation.

Fraternally,

Ryan Nalty, Master

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March 2016 Stated Communication

Brethren,

The symbol of the Master is that of the Square of 90 degrees. I was intrigued by the history or the allusion of the square, not just to Masonry, but to the man as a whole. I was lucky enough to find a passage in Pamphlet No. 15 from the Wisconsin Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Research, published in 1922. I want to share it with you.

The Square

“The square as an emblem is geometrical and not mechanical in its origin according to authorities, who trace it back to the ancient Egyptians, who in solemn processions carried the cubit of justice, by which perpendiculars, right angles and squares might be laid out, its form being that of one arm of a square, with the inner end cut to an angle of 45 degrees.

“The close analogy between justice and that which is perfectly upright is so obvious as to have become universal. The terms ‘an upright man’ and a ‘just man’ are in nearly all languages synonymous, hence the scriptural phrases: ‘The way of the just is uprightness; thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just;’ ‘He that walketh uprightly’ and the admonition ‘to walk uprightly before God and man.’ Besides this, the square was used in Egypt to predetermine the boundaries of each man’s possessions when, as frequently happened, the landmarks were swept away by the inundation of the Nile, thus recovering to every man his just rights. The Egyptian land-measure itself was an aroura or a square, containing one hundred cubits. 

“The square representing the fourth part of a circle, has a direct allusion to division of the ecliptic and celestial equator into four equal parts, indicative of the solstitial and equinoctial points, and the division of the year into four seasons. By it we are also enabled to divide the circle of the horizon into quadrants, and by the aid of the sun in the south to correctly mark out the four cardinal points of the compass. In not only geometry, but astronomy also, the use of the right angle is indispensable.”

Fraternally,

Ryan M. Nalty Worshipful Master

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January 2016 Special Communication

"To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications, that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race."  - George Washington [Letter to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, January 1793]”

Brethren,

Firstly, I want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday season and wonderful New Year! I think that there are a lot of good things in store for 2016, especially in St. John's

I would also like to thank all of you who were present for the Induction at our Stated December meeting. It truly meant a lot to see so many of you with family, loved ones, and even some potential new Brothers.

I thought that starting off 2016, it would be helpful to be reminded of the words of a great man, and Mason, George Washington on his thoughts about the value of the Craft. There is some very dark events happening in the world today, and in many ways can make you doubt the true potential of the human race; but Masonry provides a candle of good light to break into that darkness.

The Craft provides a forum for good men to become better men. 

We hear that line, or something like it often, but stop a moment a think of what it really means. We are one of the front line troops against the bad men and the darkness out there. We cannot give into the fear and anger that can come in times like these, because we know ourselves, our worth, and our purpose. Combine our individual value, with the millions of men in the Craft and you begin to see a large force for good.

But every soldier of good needs his orders right? Yes, but your orders are yours, and yours alone. Look around, do what you can everyday to make the world a slightly better place. Whether that means making someone smile, showing a person the proper respect now often withheld by others, or even providing a sense of calm understanding which can help others through difficult times.

I ask you all to be the very Masons that the world needs right now.

Fraternally, Ryan Nalty

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December 2015 Stated Communication

FROM THE EAST

Brethren,

My Masonic tenure serving in the East is coming to a joyful, yet very reflective end. I once overheard a Brother Mason say "the two greatest days in a man’s Masonic career are the day he is installed in the East as the Master of his home Lodge, and the next is when he watches the next man take his place." Perhaps this statement has great merit. Those are indeed great days in Freemasonry. I believe that each Brother has picked for himself which days are the greatest. For me, it was a Freemason who never gave up his encouragement to get me to become a Mason; the next was when I was raised as a Master Mason; and, my Brothers, knowing each and every one of you have been my greatest days in Masonry.

It has been truly a journey of illumination and of enlightenment of Masonic Brotherhood. Sitting in the East and looking out over the Lodge and seeing that place of Masonic Light has been a very moving and humbling experience. I sincerely hope that I have done my best to serve St John’s Lodge No. 11 and have given to the Craft good and wholesome instruction. It was indeed made easier, and, quite frankly, tremendous to have the confidence of my fellow Brethren to whom I served with this past Masonic year. It is with no reservation in my mind that I will hand over the gavel to a fine man, a proven leader in Worshipful Master Elect, Ryan Nalty, whose energy and foresight will lead us well into the next Masonic year. And, if I was a professional baseball manager, I would be excited to see the heavy Masonic hitters coming up with Brother Nalty as Worshipful Master; filling the position of Senior Warden, Brother Parkhurst; Junior Warden, Brother Sam Chin; Secretary, Worshipful Brother Anand Trivedi, P.M.; Treasurer, Worshipful Brother Karl Gruel, P.M.; Senior Deacon, Brother Sean Parkhurst; Junior Deacon, Brother Jason Lee; and, of course, with all of the Past Masters. For St John’s lodge No. 11, the future never looked brighter.

Of course, at this time of reflection questions arise; “Did I achieve everything this past year that I wanted to?” Well, No. “Did I experience trials and tribulations?” Yes; however, what impressed me the most was the willingness and the enthusiasm of all our Brethren. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on all of our Past Masters, who came to the aid of the Lodge without any criticism, but with outstretched hands of Brotherly Love and Affection for our Brotherhood, and especially for St John’s Lodge No.11. Of special note, my thanks to all of the Past Masters whose Masonic counsel was always given upon my request and sometimes without it.

As Master, I still have a few things I'd like to wrap up. After December’s stated communication and with Brother Nalty installed, I will be taking a short break from labor in the quarry. Not sure exactly what I’ll be doing during that break; maybe a vacation to “Phantom Ranch” or start my preparation for a summer’s journey to Philmont Scout Ranch in North Central New Mexico.

I am so looking forward to our Stated on Friday, December 4th. We will be opening on the Third Degree, and getting to Business as soon as possible. A new and exciting Masonic Journey awaits .............. See you all in December. 

D.W. Stephenson Worshipful Master

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November 2015 Stated Communication

FROM THE EAST

Brethren,

As I have reflected on our upcoming stated in November, and the Master Masons degree that we are going to confer, I ran across a quote from Albert Einstein that I would like to share with you. “A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.” I wrote and researched different aspects of the Mason Masons degree in last month’s bulletin. Once a brother is raised as a Master Mason the lifelong journey begins. Fraternal Brotherhood, Masonic Charity, and Masonic Virtues are now exposed for a lifelong experience and personal growth. Fraternal Brotherhood is much like a university degree, others join the fraternity for both the social aspect of lifelong brotherhood as well as the fellowship enjoyed by its members. Masonic Charity is a vital part that members of our fraternity believe in and actively participate in Masonic charity to various and innumerable worthwhile causes which creates a satisfying feeling of "giving back" to their local communities. The Masonic Virtues of tolerance, prudence, faith, hope, and charity are not simply spoken words, but these, too, are put into practice in the everyday lives of the brotherhood of Freemasons. Participation in your lodge, there are a variety of ways to serve and to benefit,...a period of duty on the one of the committees, waiting on the brothers who have previously waited on you, learning to participate as a sideliner in the degree work until you are comfortable to help in the work; supporting the Lodge simply by regular attendance at Stated and Special Meetings, calling on a brother who is ill; bringing wives, families and friends to social functions, taking up the study of Masonic research, and, of most special importance,... partaking of all the good fellowship which is available to you through your Lodge.

However, the Masonic Third Degree will be a lifelong course of study. Just as college or university degrees prepare students for a lifelong career in their chosen field, financially, your Masonic degree will not enrichen you, monetarily. The enrichment you will find is in the spiritual practice of the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, each day of your life, as you attempt to help others do so, as well.

We will be having our November stated on Friday the 6th. We will have a busy evening. 

It is VITAL THAT YOU MAKE EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT WITHIN YOUR CABLE TOW TO BE IN ATTENDANCE. We will be having elections for the next year's Officers. Your attendance is also important as we are having a Master Mason's Degree and by our last count we have 4 Brothers to raise to sublime degree of the Master Mason.

If you have never seen King Solomon performed before or if you have, you have never seen it done as our Grand Secretary, MWPGM Joseph S. Crociata does it. Then to watch and listen as RWB Chip Mahaney, Grand Lecturer provides the lectures with a passion that only he does - We're in for a great treat my brothers!

I look forward to seeing you all in Lodge in November on Friday the 6th. 

Fraternally,

D.W. Stephenson Worshipful Master

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October 2015 Stated Communication

FROM THE EAST

Brethren,

I ran across THE BENEFITS of MASONIC MEMBERSHIP by Brother Alphonse Cerza, and I wanted to share some of it with you. “In a general way, the benefits of Masonic membership are both tangible and intangible. A benefit may be considered as anything that is helpful, profitable, favorable, and advantageous to a person. A benefit may take many forms such as improving a person in some way, promoting his happiness, raising his status socially, increasing his personal contacts with others, or assisting him in any number of other ways. If a Mason finds himself stranded in a strange place and is in need of help, there is always available help not too far away. Clearly, the intangible benefits predominate over the tangible ones. In some instances the benefits defy classification because they are a blend of both general benefits. The first benefit received by a candidate for the degrees is the contacts he makes with those that recommend him and those who investigate his petition. The next benefit is the receiving of the three degrees and the friendships that develop with the poster and others connected with his securing the needed proficiency to advance from one degree to the other. The ceremony of receiving the degrees together with the lectures is a new experience and hopefully the candidate has come to the meetings in the spirit of anticipating an important event with a receptive heart and mind. The impressive presentation is bound to have an important effect on him. He is bound to observe that he is the center of attraction, that the degree is conferred on him alone, and that we are concentrating our attention on him. This should convince him that we are devoted to the importance of each person who joins us in our work. Each member knows that in common with all other members he has taken a solemn obligation to be a good man and true. As a result, when meeting another Mason there is immediately established a close sense of friendship resulting from the unexpressed knowledge that they both have a common philosophy of life which makes them better men and that they can help and trust one another. This is often over-looked is that the Craft teaches its members a philosophy of life. The importance of this benefit should not be overlooked because every person needs a philosophy of life to guide him or her in the journey through life. Each member, if he gives this matter some thought, undoubtedly can recall instances in which his Masonic membership that has proved to be a benefit to him. Above all else, it is well to be prepared to answer the question should the occasion arise, ‘What Benefits do you receive from your Masonic membership?'"

My Brothers, after reading and reflecting upon the short talk of Brother Alphonse Cerza, It became quite apparent how the supreme architect of the universe has truly blessed St John’s Lodge No. 11. 

In countless ways, the multi-cultural talents amongst our brothers have contributed to make our Lodge great and diverse. We have brothers who are world traveled and well versed, while others are experts in website design and upkeep, while another uses his immense verbal skills over the airways covering politics to now sports. And we have others that fill the lodge with their gift of delightful music. We have brothers whose years of Masonic wisdom and teaching add up to more years than can be respectfully counted. And our Past Masters who make every effort to be at each Lodge Stated Communication to assist the overall advancement and growth of the Lodge by setting the example of being present in Lodge. The importance of this cannot be measured, as they’re past leadership experience and assistance is priceless! The point of all of this is to acknowledge the ongoing Celebration of the Year of Masonic Brotherhood. As we seek further enlightenment in Freemasonry through the talents of each other, may we be so ever humble and thankful for each other and for what each brother brings to our Lodge. Take a moment, if you would my brothers, to reflect upon what each of us brings to help each other become better in the Brotherhood of Freemasonry, as brothers, and as men, who do and can influence the world around us.

Brothers, we will have Lodge on October 2nd. If there is anything you wish to have on the agenda, please get it to me no later than Saturday, September 26th.

I do wish to thank W.B. Anand for filling in for Brother Secretary, W.B. Perkins, W.B. Russell for filling in for Brother Junior Warden, Senior Deacon Sam Chin for filling in for Brother Senior Warden and the rest of the Brothers who stepped up and filled chairs in Lodge during our September stated. It was an educational night, and peace and harmony prevailed.

I look forward to seeing you all in Lodge in October on Friday the 2nd.

Fraternally , D.W. Stephenson Worshipful Master

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