From the East
Brethren and Ladies,
September is upon us and we are still in the grip of the pandemic. Per Grand Lodge, we are still unable to meet or conduct any Masonic business. Grand Lodge this year is entirely virtual and we received notice they are working on a plan for the lodges as well. More to come on this as we get more information.
We are having Zoom meeting monthly now and they are well attended. There is no masonic business being conducted and it is not a tiled lodge. We are doing our monthly updates and it is just nice to see people and talk to everyone. Please join the fellowship if your time allows. We will be sending out an email with the Zoom link soon.
The bank building is still in escrow. The buyer has requested an extension and has provided us with some money upfront for it. Everything is going well and we expect to close the end of October.
Brother John Ford has laid down his working tools and has gone to the Great Celestial Lodge above. Please keep his family in your prayers. Please see Wor. Peter Krickhuhn for service information.
Please be careful during these times and stay safe.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ken Bychak - Worshipful Master
Senior Warden Dave Murray
From The West
Sad news indeed – The passing of our Worshipful Brother John Ford – Past Master San Diego 35. A man committed to masonry without question. He could talk your ear off about pretty much anything. The first question he asked me when I met him: “Have you ever gotten around too it?” I looked at him like I was an idiot. I asked him, “around to what?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his signature wooden challenge coin. On one side reads. “John W. Ford PM SD35” on the other it simply reads, “TUIT”. I said thank you, pushed it into my pocket and just walked away shaking my head. What an introduction. I expect the first thing he asked Peter at the gates: “Saint Peter, have you gotten around too it?” Please keep his family in your prayers and they heal through this tragic loss.
We usually remind everyone, in June, that school is out, and to keep an eye out for the kiddos when driving around town. Well, with the schools not opening and home schoolers running a muck, please CONTINUE to keep an eye out for kiddos when driving around town.
Stay safe everyone, keep your family and friends close, love one another, and pray for our country in this time of turmoil and strife.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Philippians 4:13
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”" John 16:33
Fraternally,
Your Senior Warden.
Dave Murray
Junior Warden (Elect) Chase Murray
From the South
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
Here we are entering September with the dark cloud of loss over our heads as Worshipful Brother John Ford lays down his tools and joins the Supreme Architect in that Heavenly lodge above. Please keep his family in your prayers.
As we STILL continue to deal with the pandemic, please do your best to keep yourself and your families safe. With the opening, closing, re-opening, re-closing, and re-re-opening of certain aspects of the country, which has affected some of our local businesses, do not take these events as “everything is back to normal.” Please continue practicing social distancing where able, as well as washing of hands to assist in combating the virus spread.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray, Junior Warden
Worshipful Bill Graham (PM)
Secretaries Corner
My deepest condolences to the widow and family of Worshipful John Ford. He was a great brother and a great Mason. He will be truly missed.
I hope everyone is continuing to stay safe! We continue to be barred from meeting in person and opening the Lodge. The Grand Lodge is putting together a plan to have a virtual Annual Communication and is also working on a plan for Lodges to have virtual installations. We will just have to wait and see what we can and cannot do.
The Master is setting up virtual meetings with Zoom. All Brothers are encouraged to join us. If any Brother needs help, please contact the Master, one of the Pillars or me. We will do our best to help you or refer you to a service that can help. Even as we continue to Social Distance from each other, remember, we are one family and it is our duty to help one another!
Even with the restrictions on meeting, we still need to work on our qualifications. If you are in line, or are hoping to get in line, please continue to work on your next level of qualification. I can meet you one on one, maintain social distance and work with you as needed. Our Inspector, Worshipful Tom Handell, has informed us that he is still able to complete qualifications under the same guidelines. We can meet in the Lodge Room, maintain our distance and perform the work necessary.
The Grand Lodge has rolled out iMember 2.0. Please go check it out at member.freemason.org there are many things you can do there such as changing your address, changing your personal information, locate lodges, find resources and documents.
The year continues to move on and there are still approximately 24 Brothers who have not yet paid their dues. The Per Capita bill to the Grand Lodge has been delayed to October 1st this year due to the COVID-19 shut down. This means if you are one of the 24 that are in arrears, you can still pay your dues and not affect the payment we make this every year. By not paying your dues in a timely manner, you infringe on the Lodge finances and affect your Brothers.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
Please remit a check in the envelope provided with your dues notice. If you have lost your envelope, you can mail your dues to:
Santa Maria Lodge No. 580 PO Box 68, Ramona, CA 92065
You can also go to our website, http://www.santamaria580.org, and pay online. You can make payments for 2018, 2019 and 2020 there. If you have paid and have not received your card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or e-mail me at secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
Donations to the California Masonic Foundation when you shop Amazon!
Brothers and Families, we all shop often online and from Amazon. Use your Amazon account to make donations to the California Masonic foundation every time you shop.
What is AmazonSmile?
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To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.
Fraternally,
Michael Reher, Marshall
Calendar of Events
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Ken Bychak (Laura)
Senior Warden - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Junior Warden - Chase Murray
Treasurer - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Keith Cochenour (Caren)
Senior Deacon - Peter Johnson
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Marshall - Michael Reher
Senior Steward - Michael Norton (Nhan)
Junior Steward - Kenneth Bychak
Tiler - Bruce Smith (PM) (Beverly)
707-328-9617
619-302-1223
619-607-2935
760-789-5254
951-970-4294
619-843-3019
858-943-1079
760-788-4957
760-566-6953
858-924-2558
805-268-6270
760-788-9475
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Peter Krickhuhn, PM
Vice President - Chase Murray
CFO - Pete Johnson
Secretary - Michael Rehar
760-612-1978
619-607-2935
858-843-1079
760-566-6953
