FROM THE EAST

Greetings Brethren,

This being the month following the funeral of Worshipful Garvin Lohman, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of those who attended his memorial service, and offer condolences to Jan, Gar’s wife.

I also wanted to thank those who have assisted in putting on the service & those who worked behind the scenes on making it a proper memorial.

At the Stated Meeting on April 3rd, 2012, we had the annual Official Visitation of our Inspector, Sebastien Taveau. During this meeting the brethren were informed of the decision of Most Worshipful Frank Loui to appoint me as Master for the rest of the ensuing Masonic year.

I thank him for his appointment, and although there’s no way I can fill Worshipful Gar’s shoes, I will do my best to make him, and you proud.

We will schedule elections shortly to fill the vacancies now opened. The specific dates will be announced in a future Trestleboard.

Last week, we had our annual Mystery Trip, and although I could not attend (due to my niece’s wedding), I have been informed by numerous attendees that the trip was a very fun, spectacular experience. Kudos go out to Joe Castelli & Larry Cerini for a job well done!

Upcoming, our May Stated Meeting will be held on May 1st, and the week later, we will be hosting the District School of Instruction on May 8th.

We have our second conflict resolution meeting on May 12th at 8:00am. All Master Masons are expected to attend.
On Saturday, May 19th, we will hold our Masonic Study Forum from 9-11am.

Additionally, we will have our annual Child ID program at the SF Carnaval Festival on May 26 & 27. We always have a great time there; we’d love if you could join & participate in the good work we do there. Please phone Bro. Dennis Menikheim at 415-846-0762 to join us!

Lastly, one of Worshipful Gar’s wishes for the month of May was to have a representative from the DeMolays give the celebrated ‘Flower Talk.’

I, personally, have never seen it & am anxiously looking forward to it; we will have this event on May 29th.

We have a busy next few months, and I invite everyone to participate in the upcoming events.

During these events, I have a bit of homework for us all: I ask each one of you to step out of your comfort zone; choose one person you don’t know very well. Talk with him and get to know him better. Do that at every meeting you attend this month and see what happens!

I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Fraternally,
Andrew Brumana
Worshipful Master

FROM THE SOUTH

Sometimes our sorrow overwhelms us so much that we no longer can believe in joy. Life just seems a cup filled to the brim with war, violence, rejection, loneliness, and endless disappointments.
At times like this we need our friends to remind us that crushed grapes can produce tasty wine. It might be hard for us to trust that any joy can come from our sorrow, but when we start taking steps in the direction of our friends’ advice, even when we ourselves are not yet able to feel the truth of what they say, the joy that seemed to be lost may be found again and our sorrow may become livable.
We need prayers in our moments of sorrow, fear and disappointments. King Solomon himself, upon the suggestion of Hiram of Tyre, said, “when human strength and wisdom fail, we should ever remember that Divine assistance will Vouchsafe us through the medium of prayer.” Our prayer therefore is for God to allow us to pass through the shadow of confusion and be able to shine as the stars.
May we all become true and faithful brothers to each other.

Fraternally,
Leonard Oakes
Junior Warden

Tuesday, May 1st

Stated Meeting
Inspector’s Official Visit
Dinner @ 6:30 PM, Meeting @ 7:30 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie, Tuxedo (Officers)

Tuesday, May 8th

District School of Instruction
Host: Mission Lodge #169
Subject: 3rd Degree, 2nd Section
Dinner @ 6:15 PM, DSI @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Saturday, May 12th

Conflict Resolution Meeting
@ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Tuesday, May15th

3rd Degree, 1st Section Practice
Dinner @ 6:00 PM, Practice @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Saturday, May19th

Masonic Forum
@ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Tuesday, May 22nd

3rd Degree, 2nd Section Practice
(floor team required)
Dinner @ 6:00 PM, Practice @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Saturday – Sunday, May 26th – 27th

Child ID @ Carnaval Festival
Contact Dennis Menikheim to volunteer
Tel. (415) 846-0762
Email. dmenikhem@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday, May 29th

Family Dinner @ 7:00 PM
DeMolay Flower Talk
Dress: Coat & Tie

LOOKING AHEAD

May

26th & 27th: Carnival (Child I.D.)
29th: Mother’s Day Flower Talk

June

23rd: Hiram Award for William H. Kahrau, PM
26th: Coming Home
30th: 12th Annual California Masonic Symposium

July

Delta Discovery Cruise

August

4th: Filoli Garden Tour
11th: Salmon Fishing

September

6 Flags Visit
17th: Mason’s Night at AT&T Park
28th – 30th: Grand Lodge Annual Communication

October

30th: Masonic Youth Night

November

10th: Fall Dinner Dance
20th: Thanksgiving Dinner
28th: Past Master’s Dinner

December

8th: Holiday Party
22nd: Installation of Officers

Dr. Rob Morris established the OES around 1850 with the General Grand Chapter of OES forming in 1876. It grew into a worldwide organization with over 500,000 members under the General Grand Chapter. The OES is a very strong supporter of Masonic lodge and their ideals. The presiding officers of the OES are the Worthy Matron (a lady) and Worthy Patron (a Master Mason) who preside in the East and West with 16 other supporting officers.

The colors of this emblematic star are blue, yellow, white, green and red; and represent five of the great women from the Old Testament, Ada, Ruth, Ester, Martha, and Electa. As new candidates are conducted to each star point, they are instructed in the account of each heroine. Together they teach the candidates lessons of fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love.

To join the Order of Eastern Star you must have a direct blood line to a Master Mason. The OES can be much of a family organization as wives, daughters, husbands and children (over 18) may join together to enjoy each other and the Masonic world.

For more information about the Order of Eastern Star visit their website at www.easternstar.org or call Barbara Ratti, Secretary Golden Gate Chapter No. 1 at (415) 664-7829. Golden Gate Chapter No. 1 meets at San Francisco Scottish Rite Center, 2850 19th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 on the first and third Thursdays.

Fraternally,
Bro. Jim A. Marshall

This has been a trying month for all of us at Mission Lodge. Our Worshipful Master passed to the Celestial Lodge above on Thursday, March 22, 2012. As I assume his station (until we hold new formal elections in May), it is my intention that we dedicate this year to his memory. His plans for the year will be followed, and it is my hope that in these trying times, the lodge will come together in peace and harmony. Worshipful Gar’s funeral will be at the San Francisco Scottish Rite on April 15, at 4:00 pm.

Like many of the brethren of our lodge, Worshipful Gar was my candidate coach going through the degrees, and he has touched the lives of literally hundreds of Masons. I want to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Jan, Gar’s wife, the first lady of Mission Lodge.

I would also like to extend my thanks to Oakland Durant Rockridge lodge for performing a second degree in our building on March 27th; it was one of Gar’s biggest wishes to re-establish visitation with our ‘child’ lodge, and it is my wish to do so as well. A special thanks to Worshipful Tim World, PM, who held a moment of silence in Worshipful Gar’s honor.

In April, we have the stated meeting on April 3rd, which will be our official visitation by our Inspector, The Worshipful Sebastien Taveau. Worshipful Seb will address the lodge as to the official process of succession due to the passing of a sitting Master.

On April 7, at 9:00 am, we will hold a conflict resolution meeting with Assistant Grand Lecturer, Chuck Jeronimo. It is imperative that all Master Masons attend.

Although the balance of the month will be dark per Grand Lodge’s instruction, the officers will be attending our District Schools of Instruction & we will hold degree practices in the interim.

During these next few months, let us reflect upon that brittle thread of life.

…and when we stand before the Great Architect, will we be praised for being a uniting force for Masonic ideals and brotherhood, or will be judged for being divisive and selfish?

Fraternally,
Andrew Brumana
Senior Warden

Garvin Frederick Lohman
Raised February 23rd, 1967
Entered into rest March 22nd, 2012
77 years, 6 months and 26 days

Garvin Frederick Lohman was initiated an Entered Apprentice on April 14, 1966, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on August 11, 1966 and raised a Master Mason on February 23, 1967 in King Solomon’s Seaport No. 260 (now Pacific Starr-King No. 136), a member for 45 years. He served King Solomon’s Seaport No. 260 as Master in 1974 and Mission Lodge No. 169 as Master until his passing on March 22, 2012. He affiliated with Mission Lodge No. 169 on March 3, 1992.

He was a Past Patron of the Pacific Star Chapter No. 252 Order of Eastern Star; KCCH San Francisco Bodies Scottish Rite, Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Past Master of the Chapter Rose Croix; Member of Asiya Shrine, Director of the Greeters, Architect of the Construction Club; and Past High Priest of San Francisco York Rite. He was a member of the Chinese Acacia Club.

Garvin received the Hiram Award from two different lodges; King Solomon’s Seaport No. 260 in 1986 and Mission Lodge No. 169 in 2005, a testimony to his dedication to Freemasonry and a feat not many can claim. He served as our Candidates’ Coach for many years and guided many of our newer members through their degree studies. He served on the Board of Directors for the Mission Lodge Masonic Hall Association since 2009. He also played the role of one of the ruffians in the second section of the third degree.

“Soft and safe to thee my Brother”

The following article was forwarded by Jan Lohman and is from Golden Rule Lodge’s April 2012 TrestleBoard.

———————————–

It has long been understood that the Baby Boom generation didn’t join the Masons. As a result, there is a five-decade difference between the generation of men who kept Freemasonry alive for us and the men who are now moving into leadership positions throughout the fraternity. At any other time in the history of Freemasonry, each succeeding generation came along approximately in twenty-five year intervals, making changes in their lodges, and in Freemasonry as a whole, to reflect their needs and desires. Masonry has always adapted to serve the societies in which it resided. Until recently. Now, instead of a twenty-five year adjustment in direction, Freemasonry is suffering from fifty years of habit and hardening of the arteries.

Leadership has no age, and there are no limits on imagination. But a lodge has to mean something to its members. It has to remain part of their lives, every day, every week, every month. Because once it’s more fun, or less hassle, to stay squeezed comfortably in the LaZBoy, curled up with a remote control, than it is to go to lodge, we have lost them. No one would ever voluntarily join a memorization club, and no one wants to join the oldest, greatest, most legendary fraternal organization in the world, only to be sentenced to a lifetime of cold cut sandwiches made with suspicious meat, generic cola, and monthly meetings of nothing but minute-reading, bill-paying and petulant sniveling over why no one comes to meetings anymore. Be honest with yourself. What rational human being seriously wants to go to the trouble of leaving home to go and listen to someone spend twenty minutes reporting that nothing happened at last month’s meeting either?

It will be the lodges that provide programming for their active members – whatever their age may be – that will survive and prosper into the future. But those that stubbornly cling to the notion that lodge is no event, that lodge is just one more meeting to be borne, that lodge is that most terrible of things, Ordinary – those are the lodges that will literally bore themselves to death. Those are the lodges that will slip silently away in the night. And the shadows of things that Might Be will have faded into the concrete Reality of a deserted lodge room.

The following poem was forwarded by Bro. Tommy Lee and is dedicated to Wor. Bro. Garvin Lohman.

———————————–

"The Old Masters Wages"

I met a dear old man today,
who wore a Masonic pin
It was old and faded like the man,
It’s edges were worn quite thin.

I approached the park bench where he sat,
To give the old brother his due
I said, "I see you’ve traveled east,"
He said, "I have, have you."

I said, "I have, and in my day Before the all seeing sun,
I played in the rubble, with Jubala, Jubalo and Jubalum."
He shouted, "don’t laugh at the work my son,
It’s good and sweet and true,
And if you’ve traveled as you said,
You should give these things their due."

The word, the sign the token,
The sweet Masonic prayer,
The vow that all have taken,
Who’ve climbed the inner stair.

The wages of a Mason,
are never paid in gold,
but the gain comes from contentment,
when you’re weak and growing old.

You see, I’ve carried my obligations,
For almost fifty years,
It has helped me through the hardships
and the failures full of tears.

Now I’m losing my mind and body,
Death is near but I don’t despair,
I’ve lived my life upon the level,
And I’m dying upon the square.

Sometimes the greatest lessons
Are those that are learned anew,
And the old man in the park today
has changed my point of view.

To all Masonic brothers,
The only secret is to care,
May you live your life upon the level,
May you part upon the square.

Wor. Bro. Mike Tchakedjian was recently hospitalized after collapsing in his chair at his home. After four days at Kaiser Hospital in South City, he was moved to St. Francis Pavilion Nursing in Daly City for nursing and recuperation. He is unresponsive, but in stable condition.

Bro. Eric Goldberg has been receiving treatments for prostate cancer, but the treatment are going well.

Bro. Greg Pantages is feeling under the weather.

Wor. Bro. Fred Peeters is recovering from a recent five way heart bi-pass surgery on his cattle ranch in Oregon. He is making fine progress with the aid of his wife, Jean.

Bro. Alex Mamier is now able to walk after recent leg surgery. He required surgery after he sustained a fall from a ladder in the engine room of a ship while at sea. His wife and daughter are helping him recover.

Monday, April 2nd

Hall Association Meeting @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday, April 3rd

Stated Meeting
Inspector’s Official Visit
Dinner @ 6:30 PM, Meeting @ 7:30 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie, Tuxedo (Officers)

Saturday, April 7th

Conflict Resolution Meeting
@ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Tuesday, April 10th

District School of Instruction
Host: La Parfaite Union #17
Subject: 2nd Degree
Dinner @ 6:15 PM, DSI @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Sunday, April 15th

Masonic Memorial Service
Worshipful Garvin F. Lohman
@ 4:00 PM
San Francisco Scottish Rite Center
2850 19th Ave, SF, CA 94132-1602

Tuesday, April 17th

1st Degree Practice
@ 6:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Saturday, April 21st

Masonic Forum
@ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Sunday, April 22nd

Mystery Trip
Bus leaves @ 11:30 AM
Brotherhood Masonic Center

Tuesday, April 24th

3rd Degree, 1st Section Practice
@ 6:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Monday, April 30th

Hall Association Meeting @ 7:00 PM
(tentative)