My Brethren,

Mission Lodge’s one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary is fast approaching and now is the time to begin preparations for this event, but also to take this opportunity to set up a five and ten year plan. We therefore are beginning with a 150th Anniversary Survey created by our Brother Kevin Hackett. This survey will be distributed along with this month’s Trestleboard. Your response to this survey is most important and will be greatly appreciated! Remember my brethren, that the future of Mission Lodge depends on you. Stand up and be counted.

Valentine’s Day falls on Tuesday February 14th, a lodge night, and it’s the feeling of the brethren that the Lodge remain dark thus affording the brethren the opportunity to take their “Valentine” out for dinner. What could be more romantic!

Our monthly Masonic Forum will be held on Saturday, February 11th at 9:00 AM. It was decided at the January Forum to study Masonic literature and the first book that we will be reading and discussing will be “The Craft and Its Symbols” by Allen E. Roberts. Herein lies a great opportunity to receive further light in Masonry. Hoping to see you there! A light breakfast will be served.

Your Master is in search of a meaningful “Mission Lodge Statement”. The Statement should be short and suggest our long and short range goals and plans. It could begin with ” Our Masonic Mission………..”. It’s in your court, so let me hear your input on this.

My congratulations to all of the officers for their wonderful performance in the Master Masons degree upon our courtesy candidate, a brother who wishes to remain anonymous on the web version of this article. He was so impressed that he has applied for affiliation with Mission Lodge. Keep up the faith and above all, the good work. God bless

Fraternally,

Garvin F. Lohman, P.M.

Worshipful Master

Soldier, explorer and archaeologist, Charles Warren was born in Bangor and educated at Sandhurst. As an agent of the Palestine Exploration Fund in 1867, he surveyed Herod’s Temple and conducted excavations in Jerusalem, recording his discoveries in two books: The Temple or the Tomb and Under Jerusalem.

Warren was elected Founding Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, in 1884.

Sir Charles was London Metropolitan Police Commissioner from March 1886 to November 7, 1888.

The following article was forwarded to us by a Brother in Southern California and was originally printed in a May 1876 edition of Australian Freemason.
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The first Masonic funeral that that ever occurred in California took place in 1849, and was performed over a brother found drowned in the Bay of San Francisco.

On the body of the deceased was found a silver mark, upon which was engraved the initials of his name. A little further investigation revealed to the beholder the most singular exhibitions of Masonic emblems that were ever drawn by the ingenuity of man upon the human skin. There is nothing in the history of the traditions of Freemasonry equal to it.

Beautifully dotted on his left arm in red and blue ink, which time could not efface, there appeared all the emblems of the entire apprenticeship. There was the Holy Bible, square and compass, the twenty four inch gauge, and common gavel. There were also the Masonic pavement, representing the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple, the identical tassel which surrounds it, and the blazing star in the centre. On his right arm, and artistically executed in the same indelible liquid, were the emblems pertaining to the Fellow-Craft’s degree, viz., the square, the level and the plumb. There were also the five columns representing the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.

In removing his garments from his body the trowel presented itself, with all the other tools of operative masonry. Over his heart was the pot of incense. On other parts of his body were the bee-hive, the book of constitutions, guarded by the Tyler’s sword pointing to a naked heart; the All-Seeing Eye, the anchor and ark, hour glass, scythe, the forty-seventh problem of Euclid, the sun, moon, stars and comets; the three steps which are emblematical of youth, manhood and age.

Admirably executed was the weeping virgin, reclining on a broken column upon which lay the book of constitutions. In her left hand she held the pot of incense, the Masonic emblem of a pure heart; and in her right hand was a sprig of acacia, the emblem of the immortality of the soul.

Immediately beneath her stood winged Time, with his scythe by his side, which cuts the brittle thread of life, and the hour-glass at his feet, which is ever reminding us that our lives are withering away. The withered and attenuated figure of the destroyer was placed amid the long and flowing ringlets of the disconsolate mourner.

Thus were striking emblems of mortality and immortality blending in one pictorial representation.

It was a spectacle such as Masons never saw before, and in all probability, will never witness again. The name of the deceased was never ascertained.

Saturday, February 4th

Financial Planning Roundtable
Mission Masonic Center @ 8:00 AM
Trustees, Hall Association Board of Directors, Interested Party

Sunday, February 5th

Super Bowl Crab Feed
Mission Masonic Center @ 2:00 pm Reservations required
Jason Marandas (415) 400-6685

Monday, February 6th

Hall Association Meeting @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday, February 7th

Stated Meeting
Dinner @ 6:30 PM, Meeting @ 7:30 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie

Saturday, February 11th

Masonic Forum
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
AND
150th Anniversary Committee
Meeting Following

Tuesday, February 14th

 Happy Valentine’s Day
The Lodge is dark, enjoy the evening with your Sweetheart!

Saturday, February 18th

Inventory Day at the Lodge
Volunteers requested. Please contact Jim Lintner (510) 798-1464

Tuesday, February 21st

Sweetheart’s Luncheon
Joe’s of Westlake @ 12:30 PM
Reservations required
Jim Lintner (510) 798-1464

Tuesday, February 21st

District School of Instruction
Host: Mission Lodge #169
Subject: Official Visit, Reception of Grand Lodge Officers, & New MM Education
Dinner @ 6:15 PM, DSI @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Casual

Tuesday, February 28th

Double 2nd
Dinner @ 6:00 PM, Degree @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie, Tuxedo (Officers)

“Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men’s blood – make big plans, aim high in hope and work.”
- Daniel H. Burnham

My Brethren,

It is indeed an honor and pleasure to serve as your Master in 2012. The officers pledge to you a year of Renaissance in building and strengthening our Lodge. Many fine degrees are planned. We encourage your attendance, participation and support as we continue to improve ourselves in Masonry.

An important monthly endeavor will be a Masonic Forum, scheduled on the second Saturday of each month to be held from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Mission Lodge. The Forum will be open to all masons. The purpose of the Forum will be three-fold, (1) An educational presentation by a Masonic Orator, (2) Proficiency coaching sessions to assist in degree advancement, (3) Degree ritual rehearsals will be performed. You are encouraged to serve as a backup degree team member. This will provide a golden opportunity for all to receive further light in Masonry.

Our Mission Lodge’s One-Hundred and Fiftieth anniversary is less than a year away. Your officers are dedicated to making this celebration a momentous occasion. All of the brethren are encouraged to participate in the planning and preparation of this event.

Some of our event planed for this year will be: monthly dinner programs, Northern California excursions, a mystery night, a fishing outing, and baseball. These are but a few of the activities being planned. Suggestions are welcome by all!

Many thanks to the Installing Officers Melchor Malang, PM, Moises Mendoza, PM, Bruce McKelvie, PM for their superb work, and to Gregory Pantages for his stirring rendition of "Stout Hearted Men" and "God Bless America".

On behalf of the officers we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Fraternally,
Garvin F. Lohman, P.M.
Worshipful Master

Monday, January 2nd

Hall Association Meeting @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday, January 3rd

Stated Meeting
Dinner @ 6:30 PM,
Meeting @ 7:30 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie
Open to Members and Invited Guests.

Tuesday, January 10th

District School of Instruction
Host: La Parfaite Union #17
Subject: Welcome, admin, opening & closing 3rd degree, etc.
Dinner @ 6:15 PM,
DSI @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Casual
Open to Members only.

Saturday, January 14th

Masonic Forum
Starts @ 9:00 AM (sharp)
Open to Members, Candidates, and Invited Guests.

Tuesday, January 17th

3rd Degree, 2nd section practice
@ 7:00 PM, Casual
Open to Members only.

Tuesday, January 24th

Courtesy 3rd Degree
Dinner @ 6:00 PM,
Degree @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie, Tuxedo (Officers)
Open to Members and Invited Guests.

Monday, January 30th

2nd Degree practice
@ 7:00 PM, Casual
Open to Members Only.

Tuesday, January 31st

2nd Degree (Bro. Ronald Hunter)
Dinner @ 6:00 PM, Degree @ 7:00 PM
Dress: Coat & Tie, Tuxedo (Officers).
Open to Members and Invited Guests.

Happy New Year! As I write my first article after being installed in the West, I am excited in what we have ahead of us for the upcoming year.

As most people already know, I am an enthusiast for the ritual we perform; it is the foundation that everything that we do is built upon.
My hope, is that we don’t “just parrot the words”, but integrate the meanings behind the words.

I have often said that “Masonry is the world’s oldest men’s self-improvement group,” and here’s why:

Our Masonic path contemplates the journey of man’s life, from childhood to “mature masculinity.” We learn through our teachings, the concept of the Imperfect & Perfect Ashlars:

We view ourselves as imperfect, rough stones; which being shaped using the tools of morality, we are transformed into perfect stones.

We all know that we’ll never get to perfection, but it’s the constant drive towards making ourselves better men, better husbands, better fathers, and better pillars of our communities.

…and in turn, God willing, we’ll influence others to be better, and hopefully the world, a better place.

In closing, I ask you… What have you done today to implement your working tools?

Fraternally,
Andrew Brumana
Senior Warden

New Year, New Life, New responsibilities are set in the South. Year 2012 is going to be a wonderful venture for the Junior Warden. I look forward to initiate as many Entered Apprentices who may apply and whom we may find worthy. I have been preparing myself to deliver a long form first degree using power point projector and journey into the ancient meaning of the craft and manifest them into the present. This, I have high hopes to do with your 101% support. The sad old is gone, behold the new life has come. Be on our side where hope is upheld and light illumines the darkness.

It is also my hope as your Junior Warden to be able to serve you not only in refreshments but also in any matter I may deem able to assist as a true brother in masonry. I will stand for justice when issues are presented to me in the south, but will also strive to whisper good counsel for harmony and unity.

In our attempt to serve you and be able to accommodate your visitors for dinners and refreshments, I would ask you to please subscribe to the “Meet up” set on our website for food reservations or otherwise email me at OakesLeonard@msn.com or simply call me at (650) 534-5831.

Lastly, I would like to thank Worshipful Master Lohman for allowing the Junior Warden, in his earlier stage, to sit down with the Senior Warden and Secretary in the Budget Committee Meeting. There is yet a lot of things to learn for this young officer and I ask you to allow me in seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and be able to sit in the East in due time just as those who have gone that way before.

Happy New Year and Happy New Life to All.

Fraternally,
Leonard Oakes
Junior Warden

Mission Lodge No. 169 Officers

2012

MASTER

Garvin Lohman, P.M.

SENIOR WARDEN

Andrew Brumana

JUNIOR WARDEN

Leonard Oakes

TREASURER

Larry Cerini

SECRETARY

Richard Downing, P.M.

CHAPLAIN

Chaplain Name

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

David Kidd

SENIOR DEACON

Jose Gomez

JUNIOR DEACON

"Lefty"

MARSHALL

Hakka

SENIOR STEWARD

Omar Valles

JUNIOR STEWARD

Jason Marandas

TILER

James Lintner