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Stated Meeting of August 14th 2021

The Stated Meeting of August, was held in person. It was the second stated meeting in person since February 2020, due to the COVID-19 shut down of services by the Governor, who may be recalled in a special election held by mail, in September. The Lodge was opened at 10:20AM after a hearty breakfast enjoyed by all. The Master lead the brethren in the pledge of allegiance to the flag, of our great nation.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:

The minutes of the July 2021 stated meeting, the 1st in Person Stated meeting since February 2020, were approved, with the correction that the sister lodge needing assistance was incorrectly noted a South Valley #187, but the Lodge needing assistance is actually San Benito Lodge no 211.

The Secretary offered the Semi-Annual Report:

The Lodge consists of 50 Master Masons, and 6 Entered Apprentices. Due to the challenging circumstances of COVID-19, the Lodge remitted dues for 10 Members.

Bills:

No bills were received, presented or paid.

Communications:

Its Baseball Season! The Masons for Mitts program is back in full force. To date Freemasons of California have raised $1,300,000.00 in donations for the program.  The Master of Texas Lodge suggested we pass the hat and donate some baseball mitts to children. With the 14 Brothers of Texas Lodge in attendance, $168.00 or enough to gift 8 baseball mitts @ $20.00 each, was found at the bottom of the Masters Hat. To learn more, watch the video below or go to this website. https://masons4mitts.org/

Masonic Speaker Series Online Webcasts: I would like to remind those Historians and Seekers of Knowledge amongst the Brethren, that there are wonderful presentations that are offered online. There are some very intriguing upcoming events, as well as a vast trove of interesting talks you can livestream at your leisure. Speaker Series Archive – Masons of California (freemason.org)

New Business:

Brother Jack Swallow proposed the Lodge consider a fund raiser as was done previously, where the Brothers bring in items of  “man cave nature”, for a Silent Auction of sorts. Items donated for a silent auction, whose proceeds go to the Lodge. Please bring in items you would like to donate, and we will keep the program ongoing for a few months in the Parlor. Items of note from prevous “Bake Sales” have been Black Powder Firearms, swords and other objects of interest by those afflicted with an interest for history.

Brother Charles Baylacq deemed proficient:

Brother Baylacq gave us a wonderful exhibition of his 1st degree memory work, in the full and proper long form. The Secretary of Mount Moriah Lodge Brother Wayne Heimsoth noted with great appreciation, that it had been a decade or more, since he had witnessed the full and long form, Entered Apprentice Proficiency in the flesh.
It was self evident to all in attendance the Lodge room was teeming with brotherly love and respect. Such an occasion will cause one to ponder their own sense of self, in time and space. It is a rare occasion to enjoy such a spectacle performed from memory, exactly as it has been done for nearly 300 years.
In my own mind, I noted that Texas Lodge was founded precisely 100 years after President George Washington was made a Mason with these very same words, from mouth to ear, by memory.
Brother Baylacq’ s work was so impeccable that he found occasion to prompt his interrogator a few times. Seeing Brother Baylacq’ s Interrogator, the Worshipful Raymond E. Hill IV sitting in the North East Corner, was a sign, that all was right in the Lodge, and with his memory.  Only a few short months ago his life was in  great danger due to a Motor Vehicle Accident. On this occasion it gives us great pause, to appreciate each other here and now, those who have come before, and those who will travel this path after us… in this very building, with these very same words.
Join us for Brother Baylacq’ s Second Degree : Saturday October. 16th 10:00 – 12:00

Reception of Applications:

An application for affiliation was received from Brother Tony Alarcon of San Jose Lodge #110. The Lodge voted to accept the application for affiliation.

Old Business:

Hiram Award:
Dinner for Secretary Loren George McKechnie. September 18th at Dinner and Drinks begin at 4:30PM, then at 6:00PM we will honor the Secretary with this lifetime achievement award.
Keep your eyes on your inbox, for an invitation and RSVP to the Master.  Please see our other webpage, outlining the history of the Hiram award.
Horseless Carriage Breakfast: Prior to Stated Meeting of  September October 
Brother Jim Riley has suggested that the Horseless Carriage Club, of which he is a member,  make a stop by San Juan Bautista and the Lodge Offer to hold a Breakfast therefore.  This club of Pre-World War 1 vehicles goes on tours and is a great historical group. Note this has been updated to be at the October Stated Meeting Breakfast, not September as previously planned.

Ladies of the Oriental Shrine of North America coming to tour the Lodge: Sept. 16th Thursday, 10:00 – 2:00

Wor. Kevin Herrick has volunteered to act as our docent and give Tours.  We will have refreshments and cookies.  Stop by and visit with the group, and take a walk around the Mission and San Juan Bautista.

50 Year Masonic Award Presentation: November 6th at 10:00AM-1PM

Please join us to celebrate this momentous milestone with Brother Richard Fischer. He is an esteemed member of Texas Lodge no. 46, and assistant Secretary in 2010, He subsequently served as Secretary of the lodge thereafter in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Closing:

Due to the extraordinary proficiency, the lodge was closed in the short form, which is a rare occurrence.

At 11:22 AM the Lodge was closed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary Loren George McKechnie                 Date: 8/19/2021

Worshipful Master Jeff Strouse                         Date: 8/19/2021