OMN - 2022 December

The Grand Master’s Message: Installation Season

At this time of the year, we are all preparing for our annual installation of Lodge officers. As the Standard Manual reminds us, when properly performed, there is nothing in Masonry more inspiring or instructive. The ceremony reminds us that we are all equals, meeting on the Level no matter what office we may hold. It also contains the pronouncement of the duties of each office, which are to be scrupulously carried out. Finally, the Fifteen Charges constitute additional commitments made by the incoming Worshipful Master.

During the ceremony, the Chaplain reminds us that if we hope to attain the glorious objects to which our Order is dedicated, we must work together and cooperate with each other. By emphasizing these key aspects, the installation ceremony provides clear guidance to all Masons on how we should live and act. Whether your Lodge will hold a public or a private installation this year, it is advisable to seize the opportunity to make it a special event. Look for ways to reach out to Brothers who may not often attend Lodge, members of Appendant & Concordant bodies, as well as the family members of your Lodge Brothers. Incorporate activities that will appeal to all attendees, making the event interesting and fun.

The Masonic year reminds me of the cyclical nature of life as we progress through the seasons and phases of our lives. Each year provides an opportunity to grow and learn, experiencing new events while enjoying the familiarity of traditions. The installation of officers is one such tradition, whereby the leadership of the Lodge is renewed for another year.

To the newly installed officers of the Lodges in the jurisdiction of Oregon, you have my congratulations. As you approach the New Year, you have an opportunity to entertain new ideas and fresh approaches to Masonry while maintaining our important Masonic traditions. I wish you good luck and fair winds in your endeavors.

Fraternally, M.W.B. Mark L. Posler, Grand Master, The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon

Trustees Report

The following is the Trustees report for the first half of the Grand Lodge fiscal year:

The duties of the Trustees are outlined in Sections 18 and 128 of the Grand Lodge By-Laws. It becomes my duty as Deputy Grand Master to report on the progress and actions taken by the Board of Trustees. The Board meets monthly at the Grand Lodge headquarters in Forest Grove and is comprised of the following members: Grand Master - Chairman, Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Warden, as well as the Immediate Past Grand Master. The Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, and Senior Grand Deacon are non-voting members who also attend the meetings. The Trustees are dedicated and diligently work together in a unified approach to address Masonic matters as well as the operation of Grand Lodge in promoting our charitable work.

I will highlight the great work being done by our Lodges and supported by the Grand Lodge Trustees. These include Educational Assistance, Creating A Partnership, and Lodge Restoration and Repair Grants.

continued on page two

M.W.B. Mark L. Posler Grand Master

R.W.B. Craig A. Sipp Deputy Grand Master

Trustees Report,

continued from page one

Educational Assistance provides critical aid for Masonic families in need to support children in obtaining an education in public schools, K-12, or post-high-school through the age of 22. So far this year, the Grand Lodge Trustees have approved financial assistance to help 13 families representing 25 students, providing $59,850 in support. If you know of a Masonic family with school-age kids needing financial support, please contact the Grand Lodge office to start the process for next year.

Creating A Partnership is going strong with Lodges engaged in their communities, helping with scholarships, Bikes for Books, STEM activities, 4-H, sports, after-school programs, and supporting veterans, to mention a few. The Oregon Masonic Charitable Foundation (OMCF) Board first reviews the applications, followed by review and final approval from the Trustees. Lodges are reimbursed at 50 percent. This fiscal year, Lodges have received $32,749, supporting their engagement in the community. Keep up the good work supporting our communities!

The Lodge Restoration and Repair program, started in 2018 to help Lodges with financial support to repair or restore their buildings, continues to be popular. This year’s program budget increased to $150,000, and each Lodge is capped at a $10,000 yearly reimbursement at 100 percent of the project cost. This fiscal year, we have provided $85,349 to 10 Lodges, helping them with critical building maintenance.

On a final note, it is exciting to report that we can now enter and re-engage with residents at Jennings McCall.

Fraternally, R.W.B. Craig A. Sipp, Deputy Grand Master

Greetings from Oregon Rainbow

OregonRainbow has made changes you would not believe! We are becoming a modern and inclusive girlled organization. We have a new ritual. YAY! The wording has changed, making it easier to understand. Many of the parts have been updated to be more relevant to the world we now live in.

The thing I am most happy about, as are many of my Rainbow sisters, are the changes to the dress code. Now, the dress code allows members to wear dress pants and a dress shirt to Rainbow meetings. It feels good to have a choice in how we present ourselves. I believe it will help get new girls to join, lead to membership retention, and make all members feel more accepted as we all learn the lessons of the Rainbow and become future leaders.

Please reach out to any girls you know and share these exciting changes so that we can share wonderful friendships and the lessons of the Rainbow.

Yours truly, Cerena Philpott, Mt. Scott Assembly No. 15

The Oregon DeMolay Hall of Fame was created to recognize the excellence and contributions of Oregon DeMolays over the past 100 years. As a tribute to our Brethren who have served our Order and made a difference for the greater society, I invite you to attend the inaugural Oregon DeMolay Hall of Fame Gala on May 25, 2023. The event will take place at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland where each inductee will be duly honored.

Tickets are on sale for $100. Besides this tribute to several deserving Brethren, this promises to be a memorable evening of recognition, reconnecting with fellow DeMolays, great food, and Northwest wine. The attire is black-tie or business suit, and spouses and significant others are welcome to join in the celebration and tribute. To purchase tickets, please visit https://tinyurl.com/yeh4b9vb

This event is a celebration of a rich and accomplished past and will serve as inspiration for all DeMolays and members of the Masonic Family throughout Oregon. It is a salute and tribute to our Brethren who live their lives with excellence and dedication to others.

Over 100 years ago, our founder, Dad Frank Sherman Land, created our great Order. He had a vision that provided young men with the opportunity that would not only build strong character through the precepts DeMolay teaches, but also the belief and the experience to be leaders to make a difference in the lives of others.

Join us in recognizing the leaders of our rich history as we progress into our next 100 years of Oregon DeMolay.

Mark your calendars and reserve your tickets for this historic event today.

Fraternally, William K. Clark, PIMC, Oregon DeMolay Hall of Fame Chairman

MasonicAid Giving Tree

Spread joy to others

Dear Masonic and Eastern Star Family,

The holiday season is once again around the corner, and our annual MasonicAid Giving Tree event is in full swing. This year, MasonicAid has selected 30 Masonic & Eastern Star members, in need of financial assistance, to receive a gift from the membership at Christmastime. If you would like to make a monetary donation to one of our MasonicAid Sisters and Brothers, please select a member from the list. Donations may be made by contacting the Grand Lodge office at (503) 357-3158 or online at www.masonic-oregon.com/donate. Simply mention ‘Giving Tree’ with your submission. If you would like to mail your donation, please address it to the Masonic Grand Lodge, 2150 Masonic Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. We ask that all donations are received no later than Monday, December 12 to allow delivery by Christmas. Thank you for helping us continue the tradition of charity and goodwill and for supporting our most vulnerable MasonicAid members during the holiday season.

Warm

Regards, Danielle Christopherson MasonicAid Director

MasonicAid seeks to support quality of life for worthy and distressed Oregon Master Masons, their wives and widows, and female members of the Oregon Order of the Eastern Star. These members who are in good standing for a minimum of the previous five years are eligible to apply. MasonicAid is funded through annual earnings of the Home Endowment Fund and has provided relief to the Oregon Masonic Family since 2009.

MasonicAid Members in need:

Cottage Grove Chapter No. 4

Widow, Tigard-Orenomah Lodge No. 207

La Grande Lodge No. 41

East Gate Lodge No. 155

Ashland Lodge No. 23

Washington Lodge No. 46

Tualatin Chapter No. 31

Milwaukie Waluga Lodge No. 109

Friendship Rose Chapter No. 148

Bandon Lodge No. 130

Holbrook Lodge No. 30

Sidney Croft Lodge No. 206

Widow, Tigard-Orenomah Lodge No. 207

Valiant-Sellwood Chapter No. 92

Valiant-Sellwood Chapter No. 92

Prineville Lodge No. 76

Ashland Lodge No. 23

Jennings Lodge No. 9

Newport Lodge No. 85 20. Sunnyside Lodge No. 163

Scio Lodge No. 39

Sherwood-Midday Lodge No. 164

Jennings Lodge No. 9 24. Blanco Lodge No. 48

Cove Lodge No. 91 26. Bend Lodge No. 139

Reames Chapter No. 66

Oakland Lodge No. 16

Alpine Chapter No. 82

La Grande Lodge No. 41

would like to brighten the holidays specifically for # _____ - or -

don’t mind my gift being used for any MASONICAID member in need. Mail to: 2150 Masonic Way Forest Grove, OR 97116

NEWS FROM OUR LODGES —

Salem Lodge No. 4

After a two-year postponement, the Keizer Fire Department held its annual open house on Oct. 10. Salem Lodge No. 4 was invited to return with the Child ID program. W.B. Gene Foster, W.B. Anthony Chase, and Bro. Gabriel Mason provided ID cards to the guardians/ parents of 39 children. This is a great community partnership between Salem Lodge and the Keizer Fire Department that started pre-COVID. We are excited to bring it back.

L

Hermiston Lodge No. 138

Ithas become tradition at Hermiston Lodge No. 138 to give a unique gift to the Grand Master, and this year was no exception. Due to the gift not arriving in time for M.W.B. Mark Posler’s Official Visit to the Lodge in September, R.W.B. Tim Best had the honor of making the official presentation in St. Louis during the Grand Lodge of Missouri on behalf of the Brothers of Hermiston Lodge. Sitting Worshipful Master Jason Edmiston is the Chief of Police in Hermiston, and R.W.B. Best and M.W.B. Posler are both retired police officers, so the Grand Master was presented with a personalized police badge from the Lodge.

- submitted by R.W.B. Tim Best, Senior Grand Warden

Seaport Lodge No. 7

L to R: W.B. Quinn Haase, Bro. Lawrence Luquette, his wife, Loretta, and R.W.B. Greg Hinkleman, District Deputy No. 1.

On June 8, prior to Seaport Lodge No. 7’s Stated Communication, Bro. Lawrence J. Luquette was presented with his 50-year award at his home.

- Seaport Lodge photos taken and submitted by W.B. Ronald L. Atkins.

L to R: W.B. Bert Little, M.W.B. Mark Posler, W.B. Ronald Collman, and W.B. Quinn Haase.

On Oct. 12, M.W.B. Mark L. Posler and W.B. Bert Little, Worshipful Master of Gateway Lodge No. 175, presented W.B. Ronald C. Collman, with his 70year award, assisted by Worshipful Master (pro tem) Quinn Haase.

L to R: M.W.B. Mark Posler, Bro. Robert Westerberg, and W.B. Quinn Haase.

On Oct. 12, M.W.B. Mark L. Posler presented Bro. Robert C. Westerberg, assisted by Worshipful Master (pro tem) Quinn Haase, with his 50-year award during the Grand Master’s Official Visit to Seaport Lodge No. 7.

to R: W.B. Gene Foster, Bro. Gabriel Mason, and W.B. Anthony Chase.

- submitted by W.B. Anthony Chase

Over the years, several Lodges have consolidated to form what is now Blue Mountain Lodge No. 34. It is important to the Brothers in this Lodge that we remember where we came from. One of the consolidated Lodges was from Prairie City, Ore.

Annually, the Community Charity Committee in Blue Mountain chooses a community from the areas we represent to assist a project within that community. This year, they selected Grant County. After soliciting ideas, Blue Mountain Lodge partnered with several organizations to open Grant County Cyber Mill. While people in metropolitan areas are accustomed to high-speed internet, it is rare to have access to technology in rural communities. The site in Prairie City is the second location in Grant County for a Cyber Mill.

With the success of the first location and the need for a second, the Lodge found this to be a worthwhile project to support. Blue Mountain Lodge was fortunate to provide financial assistance to cover the operating cost for the first year. This assistance will allow Cyber Mill to provide their service at no cost to its members, enabling them to develop a strong user base. In upcoming years, they can charge a small fee to ensure the project continues.

Blue Mountain Lodge Brothers (pictured, L to R) Bro. Bill Reynolds, Bro. Casey Taylor, and W.B. Will Benson attended the grand opening. The Grant County Cyber Mill is located next door to the old Lodge building, which was a happy convenience.

Best wishes, Cyber Mill. We are happy to be a part of making this happen in the community.

- submitted by W.B. Will Benson

f you are 72 or older and making Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from your IRA, please consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to one of our Masonic charities. The Oregon Masonic Charitable Foundation and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home are 501(c)3 charities and should qualify for a QCD. Making a QCD may lower your tax burden and help our Masonic charities. Check with your financial advisor before making any contributions.

Blue Mountain Lodge No. 34

OREGON MASONIC NEWS

The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of OR 2150 Masonic Way Forest Grove, OR 97116

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Scan this QR Code for a quick link to the Grand Lodge website.

Oregon Masonic News

The Oregon Masonic News is published monthly (except July and August) by authority of the trustees of The Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon. Editors are the trustees of the Grand Lodge. Deadline for copy is the first of the month preceding the publication date. Example: May 1 for the June issue.

High resolution photos, along with story submissions, may be sent electronically to the Grand Secretary. Photos should not be reduced in size. Printed photos are also acceptable. If you scan your own photos, they should be at least 300 dpi. Photocopies are NOT acceptable. The Oregon Masonic News is a publication of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon and unauthorized duplication is strictly forbidden. Proprietary rights to all articles published in the Oregon Masonic News are the sole property of the author and cannot be reproduced without express permission of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon.

“News from Our Lodges” is solicited. Rights are reserved to edit all submitted material, and views expressed in articles may not necessarily be the official position of the Grand Lodge nor an endorsement thereof. Non-members’ domestic-subscription rate is $5 per year. PLEASE NOTE: The mailing address is Oregon Masonic News, 2150 Masonic Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. Phone: 503-357-3158; outside the Portland-area, 800-970-9920. Fax: 503357-1815.

Website: www.masonic-oregon.com

Email: OMN@oregonfreemasonry.com

JANUARY 28, 2023 • 9 AM – 2 PM

Areyou looking to make the most of the time serving your Lodge as Secretary? Attend the free in-person 2023 Secretary Seminar on Jan. 28, from 9 am to 2 pm, to learn more about how you can best serve in this leadership role.

Hosted in the Richmond Library & Museum, adjacent to the Grand Lodge office, a light breakfast will be served at 8:30 am. Additionally, for those arriving the night before or who have questions for the Grand Secretary, a meet and greet will be hosted at the Grand Lodge office on Friday, 4-6 pm.

The Grand Lodge invites all Master Masons to attend but strongly recommends the attendance of each Secretary, as the presentations and shared information are pivotal to the role. Please register and submit any supply orders to the Grand Secretary’s office no later than one week before the event. There is no fee to attend; simply have a current copy of the Oregon Masonic Code and the Secretary’s Handbook on hand.

Topics are subject to last-minute updates but often include:

• Grand View: The Membership Database

• Books, Forms, and Other Resources

• Q&A with the Grand Secretary

• Additional subjects to be determined

Register online at www.masonic-oregon.com/secretary-seminar or call the Grand Lodge office, (503) 357-3158 to reserve your spot.