Golden Ark Lodge #595

TRESTLEBOARD

                june 2009

Volume 12, Number 06     

Trestle-Board

26/MAY/09 (Tuesday) -  Lodge opens at 6:30 pm

01/JUN/09 – 03/JUN/09

Grand Lodge Proceedings Grand Rapids  - NO LODGE

08/JUN/09 -  Lodge will open at 6:30 pm. We will be doing Instruction

15/JUN/09 - Lodge will open at 6:30 pm. We will be doing Instruction

22/JUN/09 - Lodge will open at 6:30 pm. We will be doing Instruction

29/JUN/09 - Lodge will open at 6:30 pm. We will be doing Instruction

06/JUL/09 – Regular communications Lodge opens at 7:00 pm

A Note from The Trestle- Board Committee

We have not received much feed-back regarding advertising, so starting in Our July edition, we will implement this.

Also starting in September, we will be going to an electronic format of this newsletter. We are aware that there are members that do not have e-mail and/or internet access, so, those wishing to receive a copy via U.S. Mail, please contact the office and let us know. We do not want anyone missing out on the information that is being distributed.

MASONIC PATHWAYS VISIT - REMINDER

Our JD, Br Timothy Dragone, has arranged for a visit to Pathways, on September 19, 2009. Pathways will provide bus transportation to and from the facility, as well as a lunch during our tour.  We will meet at the Lodge around 8:00 am. This is an opportunity to see some of the services offered to our Masonic family. We need to have at least 20 people committed to going, so please RSVP with Br. Tim. Remember that this visit is open to all of our members and their families

Greetings from the EAST      

Brethren, Family, and Friends

    I would like to start by saying thank you to all that took part in our Annual Ladies Appreciation Night, It was a huge success.

It was a good feeling to see all of our ladies relaxing, laughing and having a good time.

Although we don't have any work for the month of June I would still like to get together to either practice or work in and or around the lodge.

I am also planning to have an officers meeting to discuss how things are going and any plans for the remainder of the year. I haven't set a date as of yet, but I will let you all know as soon as I do

                                             
Until Next Month

Fraternally,

Russell D Ouellette WM

You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!

Writings from the WEST

Brethren, Family and Friends

Our Ladies Appreciation Dinner was a HUGE success. The ladies were presented with a nice lapel pin, treated to a delicious dinner, and entertained with a Murder Mystery performed by a few of the Brethren (whom we have now dubbed as The Not Ready For Prime Time Golden Ark Actors Guild). Everyone in attendance had lots of laughs and great fellowship. It looks like we may turn this into an annual event.

We will be using the upcoming meetings for the purpose of instruction and education. We will use this time to not only enlighten ourselves in proper etiquette, we will also work on lines and give instruction to some of the new brothers. If you have not been to Lodge because you were afraid that you would not remember “the right way” please feel free to come down and join us.

Earlier in the year, the WM agreed to let me organize a team that will give the lectures, without the aid of the slides/DVD. Brothers, I, like many of you, feel that this is one of the most important parts of the degrees. It is my belief that the candidates will learn, and want to keep learning, if they feel a “bond” with someone from their Lodge. Someone that they will see often, and that will make them feel like they belong. It is also my belief that we need to mentor these new Brothers, not only through their 3 degrees, but throughout their Masonic Path of Life. Please see me at Lodge, or drop me a note, if you are willing to assist with taking a part or becoming a Mentor.

Until Next month – stay on the Level, and live by the Square

WB John R Miller, SW

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

salutations from the SOUTH

Greetings Brothers,

   I would like to take the time to thank everyone for showing up

and supporting our Ladies Appreciation Dinner. We all had a lot of fun. Remember, on August 22, 2009, our Annual Lodge Picnic will be held at Jay Cee Park. We are asking all brothers to bring a dish to pass. Contact me for more information               

Paul Loudon– JW

Joy can be real only if people look on their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness

Secretary Scribbles

Musings from an old After Master…..

Dear Brethren,

Something from my past came up just the other day, and I thought I’d share some of my thoughts with you.  We all have our moments of weakness when we, unthinkingly, engage in something that we regret later.  It may be something we say to another, or it may even be our apathy to prevent something from happening.  In either case, every once in a while, we all make mistakes.  It’s called life.  When we do something wrong, we, always, know it.  And, when the wronged person forgives us, unconditionally, without so much as a word, the guilt that we feel will live with us and within us.  We may try to justify our deed, but, our conscience will never rest.  So, the lessons that Masonry has taught me in my particular instance are threefold.  First, do not be coerced to do what you know is not right.  Second, use your own initiative to find out the facts before speaking a word.  Lastly, with all the pride you can muster, be kind and humble.  Kindness is something we ought to nurture.  It is the one factor that stands out in our actions louder than anything else.  Charity is its offspring and humility is its constant partner.  If we are kind, the world smiles, and life becomes bearable again.  By our kindness we make the other person’s life bearable, as well.  Who knows what dark storms and overwhelming calamities befuddle the other person?  We, naturally, try to hide our torments from everyone, and try to bear our burdens as well as we can, but some kindness shown us by somebody out there can suddenly light up our lives like nothing else in the world.  And, the more selflessly it is done the more uplifting its effect.  We have ample opportunities daily to practice this virtue, but, how many of us do so?  Nobody can remain the same if they really, truly, embrace kindness.  Go on, try it out and see what effect it has on somebody and what effect it, then, has on you.  

I’ll leave you with this thought.  Starting today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight.  Your life will never be the same, again.  Remember, it doesn’t cost you anything to be nice.

WB Mike Barham, HA

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