From the East
Brethren,
I don’t know about you, but I am finding it harder and harder to read or watch the news these days. I remember back in the “old days” before the internet, I would enjoy finding a newspaper to read , from time to time. Now, it’s just a click on my phone or pad, and I can select from a multitude of news sources, of which you never know, who has the true and whole story. The problem is that the news is well, “dire and depressing. The last few days’ stories have been featured detailing the west coast brushfires burning out of control, the Midwest flooding, the resurgence of COVID, war abroad, strife between the nuclear nations, and dire climate predictions around the globe. On other days you find stories about the totally divisive nature of our politicians.
It’s interesting reading a few resources with positive content and outlook that most of the world doesn’t see, and they all seem to have a common theme, any report, journal, or article related Masonry and the concordant bodies. Whether it be the California Freemason magazine, the Scottish Rite Journal or a communication from the Grand Lodge of California. The Shriners have good news stories of children being helped around the world and the Commandery? – Eye research and assistance. Pick a body within the Masonic family and you will see the impact we have on the world. I must confess, Masonry has become somewhat of a refuge to which, I can retreat. I think that if you take a minute to compare the Masonic environment to your everyday experiences outside our organizations, you too will realize that due to our shared values and civility, the Masonic world is definitely a place we can turn to for that solace or comfort, knowing there is a friendly face there to bring you up when the world is pressing in. There is always an outstretched hand if you need it, and a prayer being said to lift you up.
Beyond this, the lessons and experiences received in Lodge will also carry over to make the non-Masonic world more enjoyable as well. The more we spread our Masonic values in everyday life, the better the outside world will become. This is because the tenets of Masonry can be infectious and the more we spread them, maybe non-Masons take away a lesson, and embrace those values.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” - Colossians 3:12
In a culture that emphasizes self, it’s easy to lose sight of the important role that kindness plays. Along with loving others comes the Christian principle of caring for them — and of being compassionate.
Dave Murray - Worshipful Master
Senior Warden Chase Murray
From The West
Welcome to the month of July my Brothers and friends.
A thank you is in order for the brothers that were able to make it to the Masonic Burial Service for Brother Michael Bonner. The service itself was very moving with a great turn out of brothers from the lodge. Brother Bonner’s family was very grateful for conducting the service in the lodge, and thankful for those who were in attendance.
The Stated Meeting this month, as we are dark, will be starting at 6:30pm on the 8th. As a reminder, there will be NO dinner, this will be purely a business meeting. If you have anything you would like to bring up during the Stated Meeting, please reach out to me by email or phone before Monday to ensure all questions or concerns will be addressed at the time instead of needing to be tabled until a later date.
Have a great month everyone, and watch out for the heat.
Chase Murray - Senior Warden
Worshipful Bill Graham (PM)
Secretary’s Corner
August is here, the year is rapidly winding down. The Lodge is Dark this month. There is no meal at the Stated Meeting. Remember, per our By-Laws, the August Stated Meeting starts at 6:30PM. Our Senior Warden, Brother Chase Murray, will be running the meeting as a test run for next year. Come and support him as he prepares to take his next step in Masonry!
If you are in arrears for your dues, you need to pay all that is owed to be brought back in to good standing. As an example, if you pay for 2022 only, and owe for 2021, I cannot send you your 2022 dues card. You are still in arrears and will need to bring your dues up to date first. Please contact the Master or myself to discuss this if you have any questions.
The dues for 2022 are $118.00. Per our By-Laws, the calculation is $60.00 + per capita rounded up to the nearest dollar. Per capita is $57.25 this year, which gives us our total of $118.00. We will be paying the Per Capita to the Grand Lodge in July and your lack of payment affects the Lodge’s abilities to make its financial commitments.
iMember 2.0 is in full swing. Please go check it out at member.freemason.org. There are many things you can do there such as changing your address, your personal information, locate lodges, find resources and documents. Maintaining your contact information ensures that you will receive all notices that the Lodge sends out in a timely manner. Please go check it out!
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
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. If you have paid and have not received your card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
S/F
Bill Graham, PM - Secretary
Reminder!!
Have you moved? Changed your phone number? Changed your e-mail address? Have you notified the Lodge if you have done any of these things?? In an ongoing effort to ensure that all member get due and timely notice of all Lodge information, it is important that you keep your information updated with us.
I would greatly appreciate it if all of you would log in to member.freemason.org, go to the My Profile section and ensure that all of your address/phone number/e-mail is up to date. This will automatically update the i-member section that I use as the Secretary to for your mailings and other contacts.
Calendar of Events
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Senior Warden - Chase Murray
Junior Warden - Vacant
Treasurer - Ken Bychak II, PM (Laura)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Don Ruch, PM (Vicki)
Marshal - Bruce Smith, PM (Beverly)
Senior Deacon - Vacant
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Senior Steward - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
Junior Steward - Cole Dick
Tiler - Mark Lantz
619-302-1223
619-607-2935
707-328-9617
951-970-4294
619-787-3858
760-788-9475
760-788-4957
760-789-5254
760-533-3733
858-231-4646
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Peter Krickhuhn, PM
Vice President/Treasurer - Chase Murray
Secretary - Dave Murray
Member - Ken Bychak II, PM
Member - Bob Weldon, PM
Member - Don Ruch, PM
Member - Bruce Smith, PM
760-612-1978
619-607-2935
619-302-1223
707-328-9617
760-789-5254
619-787-3858
760-788-9475