News and Highlights

February 12, 2005 Tonight the York Rite and Scottish Rite bodies hosted the our 51st Annual All Masonic Night right here at Pasco Lodge. A marvelous dinner, prepared by WB Floyd Snyder was served. The evenings program began with an Arch of Steel by V. S. Baynes DeMolay (of Richland) for our MW Grand Master Saturo 'Sat' Tashiro and his escort Miss. Cortney Rehberg LeMaster. Following the presentation of the flag, Ms. Peggy Huston sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Introductions of all the Blue Lodges, Concordant Bodies, and Grand Lodge officers were made. The evenings entertainment began with the Kool Kats, a chorus organized by Ms. Helen Bakshus (OES). We were then treated to an outstanding presentation by the Rainbow Girls of a symbolic white apron to the Grand Master. The Jobs Daughters presented a excellent inspirational piece.

The MW Grand Master then spoke on about the improving outlook of Masonry. He made a point to recognize the positive impact of recent books and movies, which present Masonry is an honest light. He encouraged to continue making an effort to innovate while keeping the Craft relevant.

The flag was retired and the closing benediction given by B. Jim Door, whereon we adjourned the evening.

Dates and Events

We will be having our monthly dinner on March 15th at 6:30 PM. Contact W. Russ Campbell (735-1966) for details.

From the East

We all want that fleeting feeling of contact with the divine. We prefer what Martin Buber calls "I-Thou" moments, even though most of our days are made up of "I-It" moments. According to Buber, I-It moments come when we interact ordinarily with the world. Unfortunately, most of our interactions with other people are I-It moments too.

However, when we interact completely with another person, honestly and without mask or pretense, then we experience an I-Thou moment. Such moments are difficult to describe, but when you experience one, somehow it feels right. Such an experience cannot happen with ordinary things, although we feel fortunate when it happens with great objects or ideas, like art or music. We see a great sculpture, hear a great piece of musics, or read a great book, and we feel the fleeting touch of something divinely inspired.

Unlike people, we can only have I-Thou moments when it comes to the divine. It is inconceivable that we could have an I-It moment with God. The challenge for us is to sense those moments when they occur, not afterwards when it is too late.

When you thought about the last 24 hours, did you notice that almost all of it was I-It moments, and that in trying to think of I-Thou moments, you thought first about moments with your loved ones, or music, or with great ideas. We often try to change I-It moments into I-Thou moments later. If only we could experience them at that instant as I-Thou moments, then we would feel the immediate presence of the divine at the moments they occurs and appreciate the people, places and events that surround them all the more.

The Masonic tradition in part helps us learn how to do this. By teaching respect for societal laws, knowledge of natural laws, frienship and brotherhood we learn to remove the barriers to achieving I-Thou moments at the time they occur. Let's try to do that more often.

From the Secretary's Desk

Anniversaries

Visitation

Naturally we don't announce when or where the next crash is so as to not spoil the surprise. Besides Benton Lodge we successfully crashed Kennewick Lodge No. 153 in January, Euclid Lodge, No. 125 in November. We are still considering crashing some lodges in other districts, so if you're interested keep an eye of this column for clues about that.

To find out more, please contact W. Russ Campbell at 735-1966.

Communications

It looks like the net savings to the Lodge for the switchover is about $1400/yr. This includes the cost of mailing paper Trestleboards to those who asked for them.

If you would like to receive a monthly notice electronically, please send an e-mail to B. Dan Walsh at tradepst@bossig.com. You will be added to the electronic mailing list.

We are always interested in news from brethren who have been out of touch for while. Please send us the latest about you and your family so that we can keep the brethren up to date.

History

We recently updated the list of Past Masters. See past_masters.htm.

Education

WB Terry Crabb continues to work on our new Music Scholarship program, now named the 'Al Butterfield Memorial Scholarship'. We are looking forward to our first event in the spring, at which graduating Pasco High School students will present a musical program.

Transportation

Proficiency

Youth Groups

We have created a spot for them to publish information on this website. Keep an eye out for their postings in the Youth section.

Sickness and Distress

Low Twelve