Brethren,

We welcome our "youngest" Entered Apprentice into Warren Lodge. Bro. Roy C. Brimer received his EA Degree on June 10^th. Our Past Masters conferred the Master Mason Degree in May on Bros. Mike Gandy, Bill Sudek and Yoni Adika. Mike’s step father, Bro. Steve Kolbe assisted with the raising. Congratulations to Bro. Rick Petry for another excellent dinner!!

Our thanks to Bro. Ira Kolman for the magic show and to Bethel No. 36 of Job’s Daughters for their assistance with the preparation and serving of Strawberry Night, and also with "face painting" at the Annual Picnic. Thanks also to the Fowlers for the games and prizes for the children. It was a lovely day for all of us.

Summer is now history, and Warren Lodge is welcoming us back after our summer recess. We have several exciting programs planned for the remainder of this Masonic year, and encourage all to participate in our Lodge.

Your Officers and several members attended the Grand Lodge Summer School of Instruction, continuing to perfect their ritual and knowledge of Masonry. On some evenings Warren Lodge had the most members present of all the Lodges participating!! Congratulations to all who attended Summer School!!

We are fortunate in having at least one new petition in hand, ready to read out at our next meeting. Sure hope there will be more!

Your Worshipful Master is most appreciative of the cooperation and diligent work performed by the Brethren of Warren Lodge. This has been a most memorable and rewarding year for me!! Thank you...

Brethren, remember, someone shared Masonry with you... won’t you please share Masonry with a friend or relative??

Sincerely and fraternally,

Bro. Louis F. Bandell, Jr., P.M., W.M.

In our last bulletin, I presented some thoughts on the rough and perfect ashlars. If we start out as rough ashlars, how are we to arrive at the perfect state?? I submit it is by the practiced use of the Masonic working tools, allowing each of us to expertly apply their teachings in our daily life.

If we consider that our feet are taking us on a journey, where the past is dimmed from our view, future unknown, and only the present observable, then we can relate this approach to our passage on the Winding Stairs explained in the Fellow craft Degree.

Is this journey "timed"?? That is, is a specific elapsed time necessary for its completion?? It is suggested that this journey will be of different duration for each of us, and that it is completed when we enter the Middle Chamber, there to meet God and receive our wages.

Advanced Masonic Degrees teach that each will receive a wage at the completion of their journey, no matter how much time has been spent in its completion. Here I will defer to St. Matthew in chapter 20: laborers in the vineyard. If everyone would strive to live a Masonic life, then indeed we would achieve the goal enumerated by Bro. George Washington: ", so far as I am concerned the grand purpose of Freemasonry is to promote the happiness of the human race."

Thus our journey upon the winding stairs, continuing until we hear the welcome words: "Well done, good and faithful servant..."!

Bro. George Washington laying the Cornerstone of the Capitol Building

First, the angle of the compasses is 60 degrees. This means that the inter-secting angles of the points to the quadrant must also be 60 degrees as there are 180 degrees in a triangle and the compasses have equal lengths. This yields an equilateral triangle (all sides are equal). This reflects many things; harmony, perfection, completeness, mastery of all three phases of Masonry (EA, FC, MM), encompassing equally. But why the quadrant? Also known as a protractor. Quadrant: an instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction. If one closely looks at the compasses as it sets over the quadrant one sees another instrument of measurement. That being the sextant. The sextant is very much like a quadrant and is also used for determining altitudes, but more importantly, the sextant can be used for navigation. It is my belief, that this is not an accident but as a reminder to a PM that his role is to guide (navigate if you will) and help direct a course of his Lodge. Navigation deals with the future (long range planning etc.) not the now.  It deals with helping a WM not hindering.

The sun in the center reminds us that the search for light is continuing, and will never cease. We are to "spread and communicate light and instruction" to our brethren.

Got Blood? Blood is the gift of Life!

From the Secretary

The Lodge is reviving its Telephone for emergency notices and Funeral Notifications. A copy of the first draft, reflecting largely Line members, local Past Masters, and active members is forthcoming. If you would like to be added to the list, we will need your phone number. There are no duties attached with this system, other than making one or two phone calls if you are assigned that duty.

There are a significant number of proficient York Rite Masons now members of Warren Lodge. In fact we have sufficient talent within our Lodge alone to confer the Degrees of the Royal Arch Chapter and the Council of Royal and Select Masters. If there is interest among our members, the presiding officers of Druid Chapter and Hiram Council will sponsor an extraordinary event: Members of Warren Lodge conferring these six York Rite Degrees on Brothers of Warren who so desire. This would be scheduled for the last Saturday in October 2003. Please contact me if you are interested in being a candidate, or if you are already Exhalted, Received and Acknowledged, to help confer the degrees. (410 288-4281). The work would be done at the Temple at Bonnie Blink in full costume. Are you still seeking further Light?

Warren Lodge No. 51 has a web site that you may visit:
www.mdmasons.org/gl/No.51/default.htm

COMMITTEES FOR 2003

Chairmen are listed first.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Bro. Joseph H. Pyles, III, S.W. (410) 549-1050
Bro. Richard W. Petry, J.W. (410) 833-1407
Bro. Warren "Pat" Green, S.D. (410) 484-4973
Bro. Gabriel Armijo, S.S. (410) 236-6434

MASONIC FAMILY COMMITTEE

W. Bro. John R. Sponsel (410) 821-5479
W. Bro. Lunda W. Laird (410) 527-0790
W. Bro. William Marshall (410) 633-5812
W. Bro. Lee Smith (410) 377-0360

BLOOD DONOR COMMITTEE

Bro. Richard W. Petry, J.W. (410) 833-1407
Bro. Vernon M. Price (410) 377-6355

TEMPLE COMMITTEE

Bro. Warren "Pat" Green, S.D. (410) 484-4973

RITUAL COMMITTEE

W. Bro. Louis F. Bandell, Jr. (410) 665-9331
W. Bro. Adam S. Fowler (410) 876-0527
W. Bro. Gordon P. Grabus (410) 356-7018
W. Bro. Earl Hoopes (410) 665-5919
W. Bro. Clifford Keffer (410) 876-1015
W. Bro. Joseph R. Sanchez, Sr. (410) 574-3153

INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

W. Bro. Joseph R. Sanchez, Sr. (410) 574-3153
W. Bro. Joel Davis (410) 922-5405
W. Bro. Clifford Keffer (410) 876-1015
W. Bro. Ross J. Shindledecker (410) 644-4118
Bro. John Devitt (410) 489-3671

WORTHY CHARITIES COMMITTEE

Bro. Richard W. Petry, J.W. (410) 833-1407
W. Bro. Thomas M. Chagouris (410) 661-3181
Bro. Ralph A. Fowler, Sr. (410) 465-6820
Bro. Warren "Pat" Green, S.D. (410) 484-4973
W. Bro. Clifford Keffer (410) 876-1015

ENTERTAINMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS

Bro. Joseph H. Pyles, III, S.W. (410) 549-1050
Bro. Gabriel Armijo, S.S. (410) 236-6434
W. Bro. Joel Davis (410) 922-5405
W. Bro. Adam S. Fowler (410) 876-0527
W. Bro. Ralph A. Fowler, Jr. (410) 750-2453
Bro. Ralph A. Fowler, Sr. (410) 465-6820
Bro. Richard W. Petry, J.W. (410) 833-1407

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

W. Bro. Vernon H. Huebschman, Secretary (410) 288-4281
W. Bro. R. Frederick Lunn, W.M. (410) 329-4003

TRUSTEES OF WARREN LODGE No. 51

Bro. John Devitt, J.D., Term ending 2003 (410) 489-3671
W. Bro. Adam S. Fowler, Term ending 2004 (410) 876-0527
W. Bro. Harry M. Ford, Jr. Term ending 2005
W. Bro. Louis F. Bandell, Jr., W.M.
W. Bro. Leslie W. "Lee" Smith, Treasurer (410) 377-0360

PAST MASTERS’ NIGHT

W. Bro. Adam S. Fowler (410) 876-0527
W. Bro. Ralph A. Fowler, Jr. (410) 750-2453
W. Bro. Thomas M. Chagouris (410) 661-3181

LODGE DISPLAY CASE

Bro. Joseph H. Pyles, III, S.W. (410) 549-1050
 

Grand Lodge Notes

Grand Lodge of Maryland:

The Grand Lodge Board of Managers has worked diligently over the summer to produce an austere budget for the Grand Lodge. There has been a general reduction of 10% in all line items that are under our control. One staff position has been eliminated from the Grand Lodge Office staff. The strain has been spread as evenly as possible. The budget now includes a fund for the future repairs and replacements necessary to the Grand Lodge facilities. The proposed amendment to increase the Grand Lodge assessment is for this purpose. The net effect is that, if this amendment passes, Warren Lodge dues for 2004 will be $56.00, including our own dues and the Grand Lodge assessment. This facility is our home.

Who else has a better reason to support the proper upkeep of the Grand Lodge Buildings?

Warren Lodge Notes

TrestleBoard

Roman Room Masonic Temple

Cockeysville Maryland

Catechism of the Entered Apprentice Degree

If found worthy, those Entered Apprentices presenting themselves for examination will be Passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

Ballot upon the Petition for Affiliation of Bro. Raymond F. Lunn, currently a member in good standing of Washington Lodge No. 3 A.F. & A. M., Cockeysville, MD. The effect of this ballot will be to transfer Bro. Lunn’s membership from Washington Lodge to Warren. Bro. Lunn has served Warren Lodge faithfully for several years as Tyler.

Ballot upon the Petition for Reinstatement of Bro. Robert Coleman, who is now a resident of Tennessee. Our thanks go out to the Brothers of that jurisdiction for their assistance in making all necessary inquiries.

A "Further Light in Masonry" Topic will be presented, time permitting

Presentation of Grand Lodge Proposed Amendments, and Grand Master’s message on the 2003 - 2004 Grand Lodge Budget.

Light Refreshments to follow

Brief Business Meeting

Reception of the Members of St. Alban Universal Lodge No. 233

At the close of Lodge, the members of St. Alban Universal Lodge No. 233 will demonstrate the The Discipulus Degree of the FOLGER MANUSCRIPT

The Folger Manuscript contains the Rituals for "Blue" Degrees or grades of Disciple, Fellow and Master Mason from a Masonic System unlike any widely known in the USA. A detailed examination of the text shows that it a very good version of the first three degrees of the Rectified Scottish Rite, and is in fact the earliest evidence of this Rite in the U.S.A. This ritual was deciphered by our Honorary Past Master, W. Bro. and Dr. S. Brent Morris, W. Bro. Morris is one of the founding members of the St. Alban Universal Lodge, and the guiding spirit behind this effort to display a unique form of Freemasonry from a time when many such forms existed. You are invited to this view of 19^th Century Masonry. We will also have the opportunity to greet St. Alban Universal Lodge yet again. Warren Lodge has supported Maryland’s youngest Lodge in its efforts to shed further Light on our beloved Craft.

General Business Meeting:

On this evening, the members of Warren Lodge will consider its votes on the several Proposed Amendments to the Grand Lodge Constitution. While several are focused on the affairs of the Grand Lodge itself, there is one which has a direct bearing on every member of every Lodge. An amendment would inflict Suspension for Non-Payment of Dues by January 31^st of each year. This means that if your 2004 dues are not paid by January 31, 2004 you are no longer in good standing, and suspended. Currently, the date for suspension is December 31^st of each year.

In a related Proposed Amendment, it is required that all members suspended must be re-elected to membership within 30 days.

Also, another proposed Amendment would raise the Semi-Annual Grand Lodge Assessment from $6.00 to $9.00, or a total change from $12 annually to $18.00. The previous change in Grand Lodge Assessments was in 1989. For our members choosing Remission this is not an issue, as the increase is paid out of the Trust. For all others, this would mean an increase in Warren Lodge’s bill to you from $50.00 to $56.00 total for your dues

Please see the reprint of the Proposed Grand Lodge Amendments included in this communication.

Our Honorary Past Master, W. Brother and Dr. S. Brent Morris will deliver an address entitled, "WHY THE SQUARE?" W. Bro. Morris is a frequent guest within Warren Lodge, and is well known for his Masonic Scholarship, his ready wit, and his contributions to the general well being of our gentle Craft. W. Bro. Morris is the Director of Membership for the Southern Jurisdiction for the Scottish Rite of North America. In Maryland, Bro. Brent has received the Thirty-Third Degree and the Grand Cross for his distinguished scholarship and tireless service to Masonry. He is the second Mason so honored in the Valley of Baltimore.

2004 DUES

Dues bills will be out soon. Your prompt attention to this obligation is requested. For our senior members regarding the dues obligation for Warren Lodge, this is from our by-laws:

"A. Any Brother having been a member in good standing in Warren Lodge for at least ten (10) years, and having attained his seventieth (70th) birthday shall be exempted from all Lodge dues, assessments and Grand Lodge assessments, and that this amount shall be reimbursed to the Lodge General Funds from the Funds available in the Trust. This is not meant to discourage voluntary contribution to the Lodge, Maryland Masonic Homes, Inc., or any other recognized and sanctioned Masonic charitable endeavor."

To take advantage of this option, each member is asked to sign his dues bill, or have his representative sign it for him, and return it to the Secretary. This must be done each year so that the Lodge is informed of the health and well being of her members, and that we have a positive statement of each member’s wishes. It is expected that signing and returning the Dues Statement with a signature is not too much to ask to receive a dues remission in the value of $50.00.

The Lodge extends its thanks to the many Senior Brothers who continue to pay dues, and to those who make a voluntary donation while having dues remitted. Your fidelity to your Obligations is noted and your generosity is appreciated deeply.
 

In the Spring of 2003, W. Bro. Louis F. Bandell, Jr., our Ritualist, and the Assistant Director of Work for the Scottish Rite, directed a Degree Team from Warren Lodge in the conferral of the 27^th Degree, The Knight Commander of the Temple. More than a dozen Warren Lodge Brothers labored to present this impressive Degree during the Spring Class in Baltimore. Warren Lodge will reprise this conferral during the Fall of 2003, this time as a special presentation for the edification of all members. W. Bro. Lou may be looking for some additional help, as some cast members, with and without lines, may need to be substituted this season. If you are a Scottish Rite Mason, and would like to participate, give W. Bro. Bandell a call.

Every Scottish Rite Mason is expected to observe the conferral of all the Degrees, so this would be an excellent opportunity to see a rarely conferred Degree, and support the members of your Lodge in this test of their ritualist skills.

The Degrees and Orders of the York will be conferred for the special benefit of the members of Warren Lodge this Fall. What will be truly special in this instance is that the Work will be conferred by casts of Warren Lodge York Rite Masons. The Schedule for the conferral of the Degrees will be as follows:

The Degrees of the Royal Arch Chapter will be conferred under the auspices of Druid Royal Arch Chapter No. 28 on:

Friday, October 24,2003, 7:30 p.m
Oriental Room, Freemason Hall, Bonnie Blink
Mark Master Degree & Past Master Degree (Virtual)

Saturday, October 25, 2003 10:00 a.m
Oriental Room, Freemason Hall, Bonnie Blink
Most Excellent Master Degree & Royal Arch Degree
Lunch will be served between Degrees

Wednesday, November 5, 2003 7:30 p.m
Oriental Room, Freemason Hall, Bonnie Blink
Royal Master Degree & Select Master Degree

Commandery Orders are currently being scheduled with the assistance of Monumental and Crusade Commanderies.

Special thanks are extended to W. Brothers Louis Bandell, Donald Adams, Gordon Grabus, Lee Smith, Joseph Sanchez, Earl Hoopes, Frederick Lunn & Vernon Huebschman, and Brother William Eppig. These Warren Lodge Brothers and a few additional cast members, well known to Warren will fill the chairs in each degree.

If you are interested in being a candidate in this extraordinary Degree Cycle, please contact W. Bro. Louis Bandell or W. Bro. Vernon Huebschman. (410) 288-4281.

Please note well: There is no catechism required, and no one will recruit you for ritual work. Our hope is that this further Light will be appreciated by more Warren Lodge Members.