January 2012 Trestleboard

Volume 87 Issue 1
SCHEDULE
Monday January 2
Dark for New Years
Monday January 9, 7:00 PM
Regular Communication
Wednesday January 11, 7:00 PM
Temple Board Meeting
Monday January 16, 7:00 PM
Officer Meeting/Degree Practice
Monday January 23, 7:00 PM
Master Mason Degree
Monday January 30, 7:00 PM
Entered Apprentice Degree
Monday February 6, 7:00 PM
Regular Communication
January 2012
T h e M a s t e r s Wo r d
Brethren,
This is my initial message from the East, and I would like to first thank
the brothers of Berkley #536 for allowing me to serve as Worshipful
Master for 2012.
We are starting the new year with a busy schedule. We have a Master
Mason degree this month and will also be initiating two new brothers as
Entered Apprentices.
This lodge is really starting to take flight with all the energy we have
received from our new brethren raised in 2011 and I am sure we can
keep up the momentum with your help.
One of the community service programs I would like to institute this year
benefits a local food pantry. At each meeting when possible, I would like
the brothers to bring at least one item of non-perishable food that we will
then deliver. The goal is for Berkley lodge to donate 2000 pounds or a
total of 1 ton of food. I think that would be a wonderful achievement
and in these times of need would be a great help to deserving families.
And helping people is what Masons do.
These events can and do
change. For the most up to date
calendar, please check our
website at:
www.berkley536.org/
Jeff Watts
Worshipful Master
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single
word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.
- Winston Churchill -
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Volume 87 Issue 1
January 2012
L e t t e r s f r o m t h e We s t
Fraternal New Years Greetings, Brethren!
It's a real honor for me to serve as Senior Warden this year
and I thank you for the trust you have placed in me.
It's a new year and we're in the middle of a lot of exciting
events. There is much Work to be done this month and
your Lodge needs you to help make it happen. Come out
and join us and be a part of your Lodge.
Mark Day
Senior Warden
Tidings from the South
Brothers,
Calling the Craft. It is a mandate inherent in this new role I assume. And it is my belief
that this mandate should go well beyond serving up the refreshments.
When I became a member of this Lodge, I was astounded by the number of its members.
As I have come up through the line, I am continuously amazed by the geographic range of
our fellow brothers in this Lodge, which extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from
the southern reaches of Florida, to the Canadian border.
I will be very blessed this year serving as Junior Warden as we had installed 6 able and
energetic stewards, whom I will call on to assist with many of the Lodge activities and functions. And it is with that hope and expectation, that I will be committing time to try to
make contact with all the current brothers of our Lodge this year.
For those of you who are distant, we wish to hear from you. For those of you who are nearby, we welcome your presence for fellowship and brotherhood. Come when you can and
as often as you can. The refreshments will be on the table and ready for you.
John Stevens
Junior Warden
If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat
two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.
- Mark Twain -
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Volume 87 Issue 1
January 2012
Sick and Distressed
Brothers recently passed on to the Celestial Lodge:
Stephen Robert Mandell, PM
Born: Detroit, MI - April 6, 1937
INITIATED (05/26/1958) Craftsman #0521
PASSED (06/14/1958) Craftsman #0521
RAISED (09/26/1958) Craftsman #0521
Passed to the Celestial Lodge December 2011
Soft and safe to thee, my Brother, be thy resting place! Bright and glorious be thy rising from it. Fragrant be
the acacia sprig that there shall flourish! May the earliest buds of spring unfold their beauties o'er thy
resting place and there may the sweetness of the summer's last rose linger longest.
Please keep these members of our Masonic Family in your thoughts and prayers this month:
Bob Damery who is recovering from surgery.
Richard Leith who suffered a fall.
Jack Goldberg is recovering from surgery.
Elisa Martin fiancé of Andy Goldberg
Brother Jeff Schmidt is improving.
Condolences to Brother Irv Bernstein of Perfection Mosaic whose daughter passed away
To report a brother or family member who is ill or needs our support,
Please contact WB Larry Kay at 248-399-7233
Email: bluescouple@wowway.com
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Volume 87 Issue 1
January 2012
2011 Holiday Party
The Berkley 2011 Holiday Party was held on December 3. About 60 children and their parents were in
attendance. Between the crafts, food, gifts and a visit from a certain “Jolly Old Elf”, everyone who attended
had a wonderful time. It was great to see brothers and their families, children and grandchildren enjoying
the season.
As always, thanks to WB Jason Halbert and his wife Sharon for coordinating the event and making sure
there was plenty of food, drink and fun.
After the party, several of the attendee’s marched in the annual Berkley Holiday Parade. This year they
marched behind MWB Fred Kaiser’s Grandmaster’s banner.
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be
plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. - Calvin Coolidge Page 4
Volume 87 Issue 1
January 2012
Berkley #536 Installation of Officers
December 17, the entire Grand Lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons of the
State of Michigan installed the Berkley
officer line for 2012.
Presiding over the ceremony was MWB
Fred Kaiser, Grandmaster of all Masons
in Michigan.
Senior Warden Mark Day was awarded
“Mason of the Year” for all of his hard
work during the past year.
WM Jeff Watts presented the WB Jerry
Steinard with a “Visitation Gavel” meant
to encourage inter-lodge visitation.
WM Watts also presented the lodge
with a brass Masonic door knocker to
be installed on the outer door so all visiting brethren can be welcomed by the
lodge.
Berkley #536 2012 Officers Installed
Congratulations to Berkley’s #536’s
2012 Officer Line!
WM Jeff Watts and the Michigan Grand Lodge
Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness - great wealth, great return,
great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.
- Jim Rohn -
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Volume 87 Issue 1
January 2012
Are you ready for a party?
Berkley #536 is proud to host the 4th Annual Berkley Bowl
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012
Doors open 1 hour before the kickoff
of a certain athletic event (You know which one!)
Food and beverages provided, along with entertaining games
Admission: $20
Location: Berkley Masonic Lodge
Proceeds to benefit Berkley Lodge
See you there!!
Grandmasters Prince Hall Visit
Saturday, November 26, a delegation of Grand Lodge
Officers and brothers from many Masonic lodges led by
MWB Fred Kaiser visited Redeemer Lodge #53, PHA.
This was the first time in Michigan history that a sitting
Grand Master has attended a Prince Hall Affiliated
Lodge.
The Brothers at Redeemer raised two worthy brothers as
Master Masons and put on a wonderful display of ritual
work.
After the degree, fellowship was held in their meeting
hall.
It was a wonderful night for Masonic Brotherhood and
hopefully can be a springboard to even more joint events
and visitations.
Fred Kaiser, GM, Paul Cross, PGM and
Harry Weaver III, WM of Redeemer #53
Brotherhood is not just a Bible word. Out of comradeship can come and will come the happy life for all.
- Heywood Broun -
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January 2012
Senior Wardens Challenge
Brethren,
Each of you has a special skill, profession, avocation, or interest which you're good at, or know something
about, or are expert in.
Think about what that might be, and consider delivering a short talk on the subject during a Fellowship
night this coming year.
The audience will be friendly, the venue informal, so even if you're not thrilled with speaking in front of a
crowd, you'll find this easy and fun. Plus you'll educate your Brothers on some topic and add something extra to a fellowship evening. I'll be taking names, topics and dates. Get working on it.
Mark Day
Senior Warden
Rainbow Initiation
Berkley Assembly #46, Rainbow for Girls would like the members of Berkley Lodge to join us on Thursday,
January 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm for the initiation of Paula Moses. This is the first initiation Berkley Rainbow
officers have done in quite a few years so everyone is really excited.
This is a closed meeting. Those eligible to attend a Rainbow initiation are Master Masons, Members of the
Order of Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, or parents, grandparents or legal guardians of active or Majority Rainbow Girls. The dress code is shirt and tie (jacket optional)
for men and a dress or dress pants for women (no jeans, please).
We do hope you will be able to join us on January 12th
and enjoy this beautiful initiation as Berkley Assembly
exemplifies the Degrees of our Order. Our Rainbow
Girls, along with the Advisory Board, look forward to
sharing this evening with you.
Please contact Sally Brock, Mother Advisor, with any
questions. Thank you.
PS: Check us out and "like" us on Facebook - Berkley
Assembly #46 Rainbow Girls. Thanks to Jim Hecker for
getting us up and running!
Sally Brock, 248-914-0380
deputysal@hotmail.com
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January 2012
Why to St. John the Baptist?
By history, custom, tradition and ritualistic requirements, the
Craft holds in veneration the Festival Days of St. John the
Baptist on June 24th, and St. John the Evangelist on December 27th. Any Blue Lodge that forgets either of these important Festival Days forfeits a precious link with the past
and loses an opportunity for the renewal of allegiance to
everything in Freemasonry symbolized by these Patron
Saints.
No satisfactory explanation has yet been advanced to explain why operative Masons adopted these two particular
Christian saints, when, for example, St. Thomas, the patron
of architecture and building, was already in wide use.
Regardless, Freemasons agree that the choice of these two
ancient Brethren was, indeed, wise. No other two great teachers, wise men, or saints could have been
found who better exemplified through their lives and works the sublime doctrine and ageless teachings of
Freemasonry.
It was a common custom in the Middle Ages for craftsmen to place themselves under the protection of
some saint of the church. All the London trades appear to have ranged themselves under the banner of
some saint and if possible they chose one who bore fancied relation to their trades Thus, the fishmongers
adopted St. Peter; glove makers chose St. Crispin; guards chose St. Matthew; tilers chose St. Barbara; tailors often chose Eve; lawyers selected St. Mark; lead workers chose St. Sebastian; stone cutters chose the
Four Crowned Martyrs; doctors chose St. Luke; astronomers chose St. Dominic; and so on.
Eleven or more medieval trade guilds chose John the Baptist as their Patron Saint. Even after exhaustive
research by some of the best Masonic scholars, no one can say with any certainty why Freemasons adopted the two Saints John, or why they continue to celebrate feast days when they once held a far different
significance. However, the appropriateness of the two Johns is obvious in our system of Great Moral Teachings, if we consider the spiritual suggestion of their lives.
St. John the Baptist was a stern and just man, intolerant of sham, of pretense, of weakness. He was a man
of strength and fire, uncompromising with evil or expediency, and, yet, courageous, humble, sincere, and
magnanimous. A character at once heroic and of rugged nobility, the Greatest of Teachers said of the Baptist: "Among them that are born of woman, there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist."
What do we know about John the Baptist? John was a Levite. His father Zechariah was a Temple priest of
the line of Abijah, and his mother Elizabeth was also descended from Aaron. The Carpenter from Nazareth
and John the Baptist were related. Their mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, were cousins. John the Baptist was
born 6 months before the Nazarene, and he died about 6 months before Jesus. The angel Gabriel
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separately announced the coming births of the Great Teacher Christ and John the Baptist. Zechariah doubted
the prophecy, and was struck dumb until John's birth. John lived in the mountainous area of Judah, between
Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his
waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
John had a popular ministry. It is generally thought that his ministry started when he was about the age of 27,
spreading a message of repentance to the people of Jerusalem. John's ministry became so popular that
many wondered if he was the Messiah prophesized in the ancient Hebrew teachings. We are also told that
John the Baptist baptized Jesus after which he stepped away and told his disciples to follow Jesus. It would
seem logical that these two would combine their ministries. Oddly enough, however, they apparently never
met again.
Descriptions from various historical sources seem to indicate that John was a strong, handsome, well-formed
man, and there is every indication that he was attractive to the opposite sex. However, we know that he never
married, and chose to devote his life to his ministry. In addition to being concerned with the spiritual reformation of the people of the Hebrew nation, John was also interested in the affairs of state.
John's ministry and life ended when he admonished Herod and his wife, Herodias, for their sinful behavior.
John was imprisoned and was eventually beheaded. Saint Jerome wrote that Herod kept the head for a long
time after, stabbing the tongue with his dagger in a demented attempt to continuously inflict punishment upon John. After he was murdered, John's disciples came and buried his body, and then went and told the Great
Teacher all that had happened. The Carpenter responded to the news of John's death by saying, "John was a
lamp that burned and gave Light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his Light."
On June 24th, we observe the festival of summer sun and on December 27th, we observe the festival of the
winter sun. The June festival commemorates John the Baptist and the December festival honors John the
Evangelist.
The Festivals of the Saints John bear the names of Christian Saints, but ages ago, long before the Christian
era, they bore other names. Freemasonry adopted these festivals and the Christian names, but has taken
away Christian dogma, and made their observance universal for all men of all beliefs.
St. John's the Baptist's Day, June 24th, marks the summer solstice, when nature attains the zenith of light
and life and joy. St. John's the Evangelist's, December 27th, symbolizes the turn of the sun's farthest journey,
which is symbolic of the attainment of wisdom, the rewards of a well-spent life, and goodwill toward men. The
Catholic Church observes the birth of the Baptist as a hallowed event. Interestingly, they have no such commemoration for the birth of any of the other Saints.
In addition to being the initial Patron Saint of Freemasons, the Baptist was also considered to be the Patron
Saint of the following: Bird dealers, convulsions, cutters, epilepsy, furriers, hailstorms, Knights Hospitaller,
Knights of Malta, lambs, Maltese Knights, monastic life, motorways, printers, spasms, and oars. The first
Grand Lodge organized in England in 1717, on the Festival Day of the Baptist. The United Grand Lodge of
England was created in 1813 on the Festival Day of the Evangelist. The day of St. John the Baptist is truly
symbolic of a day of beginnings, while the day of the Evangelist is symbolic of endings. In the English
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catechism of the early eighteenth century, the following three
questions and answers were included as an explanation of why
Lodges were dedicated to the Holy Saints John:
Why to John the Baptist?
In him, we have a singular instance of purity, of zeal, simplicity
of manners, and an ardent wish to benefit mankind by his
example. To him we are indebted for the introduction of that
grand tenet of our institution, which it is our glory to support:
Peace on earth, good will toward men.
Did John the Baptist have any equal?
To carry into execution this grand tenet; and to transmit to future ages so valuable a doctrine, an equal has been selected,
John the Evangelist, in whom we find talents and learning alike
conspicuous. Hence, it is to him we pay due allegiance as the
patron of our art.
In what is he considered the equal of John the Baptist?
He is considered to be equal to the former in this. As the
personal influence of John the Baptist could not extend beyond
the bounds of a private circle or so effectually defuse the
benefits of the plan he had introduced, an assistant was
necessary to complete the work he had begun. In John the Evangelist, therefore, we discover the same zeal
as John the Baptist, and superior abilities displayed to perfect the improvement of man; copying the example
of his predecessor we view him arranging and ably digesting, by his eminent talents, the great doctrine which
had been issued into the world; and transmitting by his writings, for the benefit of posterity, the influence of
that doctrine to which the zeal of his predecessor had given birth. As parallels in Masonry, we rank these two
patrons and class them as joint promoters of our system; to their memory in conjunction with Solomon, we
are taught to pay due homage and veneration.
Thus, we define the two great characters to whom we owe the establishment of our tenets, and the improvement of our system; while, in the ceremony of dedication, we commemorate the virtues and transmit them to
latter ages, we derive from their favor, patronage and protection.
The Volume of Sacred Law tells us that when the multitudes asked of the Baptist, "What shall we do", John
responded, thusly: "He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him
do in like manner." To the tax collectors, he enjoined then not to exact more than the rate of taxes fixed by
law. To the soldiers, who served as the police of those times, he recommended not to do violence to any man,
nor falsely to denounce anyone. St. John the Baptist was a man of character and integrity, and someone we
would all do well to emulate. John was a humble man, in the best sense of the word. John preached a
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message of repentance. Repentance means more than just saying that, "you are sorry." The Greek word
"metanoia," from which the word "repentance" comes literally means, "to turn around." In other words, John
urged his followers to literally turn around and move in a new direction, i.e., to move toward God instead of
away from God. - mere lip service was not enough because actions speak louder than words. John wanted
his followers to live lives that demonstrated their orientation toward God. Moreover, he preached this message not only with his words, but through his actions as well.
John the Baptist was simply a man who lived in one particular historical moment. Yet, his message of repentance, humility, devotion and love of God transcends time and culture. It is a message that is just as urgent
and just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. It is a message that was illustrated by John's daily life.
Moreover, it is a message that underscores so many of the values that Freemasons today exalt as ideals for
the living of a moral life.
Our ritual speaks of a Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem. Many Brethren take this to refer to a
Lodge at Jerusalem when it actually only refers to the Holy Saints John as being at Jerusalem. Hundreds of
years ago, Scottish Lodges were referred to as Saint Johns' Lodges. Therefore, when a Brother referred to
himself as coming from a Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem, he meant only that he came from a
Scottish Lodge.
When were the Holy Saints John selected as patrons of our Order? We do not have exact dates, but our ancient manuscripts indicate that St. John the Baptist was selected by Scottish, and later British, Lodges long
before the Evangelist who appears for the first time in any Masonic documents in the 17th century.
We may never know the truth about John's historical relationship with Freemasonry. We may never find out if
he was a member of our Fraternity, although it is highly unlikely that he was. The truth is that it really does
not matter if he was a member of our Ancient Craft. Freemasonry honors the humble man who came to be
known as St. John the Baptist because his entire life exemplified duty to God through his faith, his religious
practices, and through the very living of his life.
It is regrettable that we note an apparent increasing disinterest on the part of Lodges and our Brethren to
honor the two Patron Saints of our Order. It is not that these two Saints need to be honored based on any
ancient rituals and tradition. Rather, by holding an annual celebration in their honor, we recall to ourselves
the great moral lessons each taught, and the example of piety and devotion to Deity they exhibited throughout their lives.
The imminent Masonic scholar, Joseph Fort Newton, wrote, "Righteousness and Love -- those two words do
not fall short of telling the whole duty of a man and a Freemason." And Freemasons around the world could
do no better in their choice of a Patron Saint and a model for living than they have in John the Baptist - a
man whose life continues to shine as an example to us all - Mason and non-Mason alike!
Written by: Phillip G. "Phil" Elam, Grand Orator (1999-2000) Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Missouri
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January 2012
Rumblings, Grumblings & Groans
Rumblings, Grumblings & Groans is an opinion piece. Specifically, since I am writing this, it will
be my opinion. I hope some of the things that I write about will cause you to pause and think.
Perhaps they can be a springboard to productive discussion and discourse. -Jeff WattsLast month on this page I had a lot of trouble finding things to rumble, grumble or groan about.
Well brethren, this is a new month.
I would like to talk about the brother who hasn’t been in lodge for a while, sometimes for a good while.
Shame on him for failing us huh? Goodness knows there can’t be anything more important than coming to
lodge every Monday is there?
WRONG!
How in the world is he failing us? If we can’t make it worth his while to come to lodge, we are failing him. And
believe it or not there are things that are more important than Mondays at the lodge.
“Although a mans frequent appearance at our regular communications is earnestly solicited, it is not meant
that Masonry should interfere with your necessary vocations.” Or your home life. Does that sound familiar?
Those of us fortunate enough to have the time and the means to frequently attend our lodge functions and
communications should on no account demean or think less of those who cannot. Everyone has a different
situation and we need to realize and respect that.
But those who just sit at home because the TV room is more interesting than the lodge room are the men we
need to reach. It’s up to us to provide the incentive for those men to come back to lodge.
Educational programs, public service and family activities are a good start.
We also need to make sure our brothers feel welcome when they do come
back to lodge. Offer them a cup of coffee, sit with them and find out what is
going on with their lives.
Lets make our lodge a welcoming place for that brother and for all brothers.
That’s what I think anyway! What do YOU think?
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January 2012
Thanks to our Sponsors!
Do you have news you’d like to see in the Trestleboard? Please send your submission to:
trestleboard@berkley536.org, and we will see about getting you published!
Need a ride to Lodge? Contact any officer!
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Volume 87 Issue 1
January 2012
Berkley Masonic Lodge Officers
Worshipful Master
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
Secretary
Chaplain
Senior Deacon
Junior Deacon
Steward
Steward
Steward
Steward
Steward
Steward
Marshal
Tyler
Musician
Jeff Watts (Renee’)
Mark Day (Kathleen)
John Stevens (Liz)
Kenneth LaBenne, PM (Connie)
Paul Swayze, PM (Marsha)
Robert Rowland, PM (Cossette)
Richard Baer (Darlene)
Kristopher Schlutow (Erin)
Troy Wehner (Julie)
Michael Crum (Amanda)
Andrew Goldberg
David Altwerger
Matt Roznowski
Dave Fox (Patricia)
Jason Halbert (Sharon)
Marvin Jones
Bruce Briggs
248-885-0470
248-761-4529
248-643-7900
248-879-3601
248-435-5071
248-969-1416
248-443-0758
586-489-0192
248-722-1551
248-721-1706
248-229-7026
248-464-1662
248-990-2337
313-805-4446
248-978-2587
jeff_watts@yahoo.com
mday1961@gmail.com
jalden123@aol.com
kencon2@att.net
swayzep1@gmail.com
bobcoe7@yahoo.com
baers2@comcast.net
kschlutow@gmail.com
troywehner@gmail.com
mcrum@berkleymich.net
drewgold@comcast.net
david.altwerger@mssb.com
mattroz@wowway.com
northwestpassage@aol.com
eviljason@me.com
rydenchevys@yahoo.com
Committees
Trestleboard Editor
WEB Site
Sick & Distressed
Dues & Retention
Jeff Watts (Renee’)
Jason Halbert (Sharon)
Larry Kay (Marcia)
Paul Swayze, PM (Marsha)
248-885-0470
248-990-2337
248-399-7233
248-435-5071
jeff_watts@yahoo.com
eviljason@me.com
bluescouple@wowway.com
pswayze1@comcast.net
Share the Secret
Berkley Masonic Temple, 2290 Eleven Mile Rd. Berkley, Michigan 48072
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