Brethren!
Greetings from the West! As the month of September is now upon us, I hope that everybody can look back and reflect upon a wonderful summer. I also hope that everybody enjoyed their Masonic “Downtime” in the slow dark month of August. Since I have last written, many wonderful things have happened around Burbank Lodge. We have finally completed the retrofit on our rental property on Victory Blvd. and escrow should now be closed. Once again we can finally continue doing what we do best - Being Masons!
More good news is that Burbank Lodge has qualified as a lodge in two out of the three degrees. Our officers have been working very diligently, and their efforts have surely paid off. Also, thanks to our Officers Coach and our Assistant Officers Coach for their countless hours of education. We could not have done it without you. Great job Guys!
As stated in the previous Trestleboard, starting next month, in October, we are going to get started with a ladies program. I encourage all Masons and their Ladies to attend a dinner prior to the stated meeting in October. When the Brethren retire to stated meeting after dinner, there will be a special event for the ladies in the dining hall. We all really appreciate their endless support, and we would like to encourage them to get involved with us and not spend another night home alone. As with every dinner, reservations are a must. Please contact either John Brennan, Junior Warden, or the Secretary, to make those reservations. The Child ID Program is not very active at the moment. When school resumes in September, I do have plans to contact the local PTA from the different elementary schools in effort to try to initiate some activity. In the past couple months we have greatly improved the system.I would like to personally thank Brother Sterling Lockett for all of his help in enhancing this systems set up. We finally have a beautiful display that looks very professional. At the Family Night this month I will have it displayed.
“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.” Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Fraternally,
Kenneth L. Barnes
Senior Warden
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From the South
Brethren:
Membership development is critical to the future of your Lodge and to the Masons of California. In order to maintain a sufficient membership level, each lodge must add a minimum of five Master Masons per year.
New members are important for lodge growth and prosperity because they:
Provide a range of personal resources and knowledge that can strengthen
the lodge.
Provide a succession of leaders for officer and committee roles.
Provide the financial means to continue lodge operations and add new
programs.
Replace members the lodge loses each year.
Membership development has two components:
Attract new members
Retain members and motivate involvement
The best way for your lodge to be successful at both attracting and retaining members is to offer a comprehensive and diverse program of activities that have broad member appeal. The program selection should include personal growth and leadership, socialization with family members, community service, support of public education, and other programs that clearly and publicly demonstrate Masonic values and dedication to the community. Knowing and meeting member needs will develop and retain members, encourage their involvement, and motivate them to refer potential new members. Successful lodges will implement the Pass It On Program and will frequently sponsor Masonic Information Nights.
Article copied from www.freemason.org.
Fraternally,
John T. Brennan,
Junior Warden
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From the Secretary's Desk
Brethren:
“I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”
Charles Schwab
MAKING MASONRY MEANINGFUL
Freemasonry is not a religion even though it is religious in character. It does not pretend to take the place of religion or serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its Members. Freemasonry accepts men, found to be worthy, regardless of religious convictions. An essential requirement is a belief in the existence of a Supreme Being.
Freemasonry is not an insurance or beneficial society. It is not organized for profit. However, the charity and services rendered are beyond measure. It teaches the Golden Rule. It seeks to make good men better through its firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul.
The tenets of Freemasonry are ethical principles that are acceptable to all good men. It teaches tolerance toward all mankind. It is known throughout the world. Freemasonry proudly proclaims that it consists of men bound together by bonds of Brotherly Love and Affection. It dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular. It seeks no advantage for its Members through business or politics. Freemasonry is not a forum for discussions on partisan affairs.
At our Altars, without any vanity or pretense, we assemble for work and fellowship and to learn to love and cherish one another. By so doing, we bring light out of darkness, beauty out of drabness, exaltation out of despair--to the end that every Brother's life may become more radiant and meaningful.
A Mason believes that Faith is the foundation of justice, the bond of amity, and the chief support of society. He lives by Faith: he walks by Faith; by Faith he has a continued hope in the acknowledgement of a Supreme Being; by Faith he believes he will be justified, accepted and finally saved.
A Mason believes that Hope is the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and center into that within the veil; let a firm reliance on the Almighty's faithfulness animate his endeavors, and teach him to fix his Hopes within the limits of His promises.A Mason believes that Charity is the brightest gem that can adorn his Masonic profession. Happy is the man who has sowed in his breast the seeds of benevolence; the produce thereof is love and peace. The objects of true charity among Masons are merit and virtue in distress, persons who are incapable of extricating themselves from misfortunes in their journey through life, industrious men who, from unavoidable accidents, have fallen into ruin. Widows left destitute by lack of husbands' support. Orphans in tender years, needing a father's care. The aged, whose strength is exhausted, and who are thereby rendered unable to procure for themselves that substance necessary to nourish their declining years. This is Charity, the keystone of our mystic institution.
Author Unkown.
Fraternally,
Norm Furman, Secretary
e-mail: burbanklodge406@att.net
From The Quarry‘s:
GRANDMA'S CURES
Did You Know That?
Coca-Cola cure for rust. Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer. If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Smart splinter remover. Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
OPERATION PHONE HOME
Operation Phone Home is a campaign designed with the goal of providing prepaid international phone calling cards to as many military men and women serving overseas as can be reached. It will be an ongoing effort as long as American Military Personnel serve overseas, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans.
The Masonic Service Association, on behalf of the Masonic fraternity, has entered into an agreement with the USO to participate in this program. MSA has met all of the requirements necessary to have a web site presence and a link to the USO web page and to have a Masonic Logo on the phone card. The card will include the logo of the USO, the participating phone company (AT&T), and the American Flag. On the left side of the card will appear the Square and Compasses and the words Compliments of America's Freemasons. (Image below)
Anyone wishing to participate in this program may send a donation marked Operation Phone Home to:
The Masonic Service Association
8120 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.
All of the monies received will go to this program and an accounting will be made by MSA at the end of each calendar year.
Or go to http://freemasonry.org and follow the links.
Thank you very much for your help!
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Burbank Masonic Center
Youth Groups
Job’s Daughters Job’s Daughters
Bethel 97 Bethel 208
Trish Vossper Amanda Price
818 846-3042 818 500-8202
1st Friday & 3rd Saturday 1st Saturday & 3rd Friday
DeMolay
L.C. Kelley Chapter
Steve Jordan
818 729-0913
2nd & 4th Tuesday
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