From the East
Greetings from the East,
January went by very quickly. It seems like a blur. I hope that this Trestleboard issue finds you well and recovered from the variety of coughs and sneezes that everyone was suffering from.
Congratulations to our Brothers Cameron and Mogharab on being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft! I would like to commend the Officers for their fine work delivering an outstanding experience for our brothers.
Welcome to our newly entered Brother Jonathan Godbout! His very well attended degree ceremony was something he will never forget. We look forward to his lifelong pursuit of the craft and a willing participation in our lodge.
There are quite a few important things happening at Natoma Lodge. You have a number of committees at work to make your lodge better.
- A review of the dues structure is under way. For the initial report, you should attend the February Stated Meeting on Thursday, February 1.
- The Community Group Donations Committee is at work helping review the donation requests from local groups that would like our financial assistance.
- We need your help with our Community Support Committee where we can make an impact and become better known in Folsom and the surrounding areas. We have only been here for 170 years and there are quite a few people who do not know about us. Please check the committee sign up email from the January 18, "How you can help the Lodge in 2024" email sent at 3:30 PM.
- The lodge does need your participation, as a coach, as a sideliner, as a cook helping to prepare food with the Junior Warden, and to deliver a charge. Let us know if you have another way to support your lodge that is not included on the list.
In that light, we will have a Natoma Lodge Community Open House on March 2nd during and after breakfast until noon. Spread the word! Many people have interest because they have had family members connected to a Masonic group, such as Masons, Shriners, Rainbow, Eastern Star, etc.
February is Masonic Widows month. It is our duty to stay in touch with our Brothers’ widows. We are to keep them in the family and one of the ways we do that is our Sweethearts Luncheon in February. While helping the Junior Warden prepare for the annual calls this year, we discovered, unfortunately, that some of our brothers’ widows are not in iMember. Please be sure to update your iMember profile with your spouses correct contact information. If you know of a brother that has passed and you are not sure their widow is in our records, please let us know. We have been made aware of two so far. There may be others and they may need our assistance of some kind during the year - transportation to the luncheon, taking down Christmas lights, other things with which we can help.
As Past Grand Masters have proclaimed, “It should be our goal to always care for our widows, so each departed brother is able to look down upon our labors here on earth and say, 'Thank you my brethren, for remembering my widow. Well done my good and faithful brother. Well done.'"
Do not forget to register for the San Francisco fishing trip on May 11 and bring a check to the February Stated Meeting to secure your spot before we share it with other local lodges and clubs.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Brother George Wyatt for his wonderful five course meal prepared for the Robbie Burns Dinner Ladies Table Festive Board. The meal was delicious, the toasts appreciated, the entertainment fantastic, the masonic lessons informative, and the fellowship outstanding!
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Parting Upon the Square,
Stuart J. Stackhouse
Worshipful Master
| Congratulations to our Brothers Cameron and Mogharab on being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft! | Congratulations to our new Entered Apprentice, Johnathan Godbout! | |
From the West
Well January ripped right on by and we started off the year with a great double Second Degree. Congratulations Brothers Cameron and Mogharab. Then, we had a packed initiation for our newly obligated brother, Johnathan Godbout. It was a proud night for his father, Brother Larry Godbout, I am sure.
As we look further into 2024, I am hoping to see a few more initiations take place and watch this lodge that we all love so much, grow. With that, I would like to share a little bit from the CMC when it comes to the reports of the Investigation Committee.
Section 804.330 of the CMC states the following: “The report of each member of the Investigating Committee shall set forth in detail the facts ascertained respecting the applicant and that Committee member’s conclusion on the applicant’s qualifications. If any member of the Committee reports unfavorable on the applicant or if a report demonstrates that the applicant is in any way not qualified or unworthy to be made a Mason, no ballot shall be taken on the applicant and the Master shall, upon receipt of such a report, declare the applicant rejected. Such rejection shall be reported at the next Stated Meeting of the Lodge but none of the contents of any reports on the applicant shall be disclosed, other than the conclusions on the applicant’s qualifications.
If at least two members of the Committee have reported favorably on the applicant and no unfavorable report has been received, the Master shall report such conclusions at the next Stated Meeting of the Lodge. The facts ascertained by the Committee shall be read when directed by the Master, or when a request for the facts is made by any member of the Lodge at the meeting at which the report is given by the Master and before the ballot is taken. The fact of the appointment of the Committee and the character of its report should appear in the minutes.”
A couple of things to note here, an investigation committee is typically comprised of three Master Mason’s, selected by the Master of the Lodge. These members are to remain anonymous to each other and to other Brothers. As stated in the CMC if two of the three brothers report back a favorable recombination but the third investigator did not complete his investigation but has no negative feedback to report at all, that is a favorable recommendation. A full and favorable is when all three investigators can complete their investigations and turn in positive recommendations for initiation. So, if you hear the Master report back that we received a favorable recommendation that is nothing to worry about as we prepare to vote. Just remember only Master Mason’s of Natoma Lodge #64 are eligible to vote on new initiates, but feedback can be given to the Master of the Lodge at anytime of concerns a brother may have.
Our investigation committees are very important, and the role of an investigator should not be taken lightly. If you are asked by the Master to perform this duty, I would hope that you will take it as a sign of respect, and also ensure you fully understand the duties and responsibilities of an investigator.
According to section 804.310: “It shall be the duty of each member of the Committee to make strict examination into the moral, mental, physical and other proper qualifications of the applicant, and to report to the Master at the next Stated Meeting, unless he grants further time. Each member of the Investigating Committee shall inform himself as to the character of the applicant. A Committee member is guilty of a serious neglect of duty if he reports favorably on an application without reliable information as to all matters on which the Lodge requires advice.”
Remember Brothers, the fraternity grows stronger when we find men who come well recommended. Take the time in your investigations to reach out to the signers and to the references of each candidate, and before any brother signs for a potential candidate you need to take the time to get to know them as well to ensure they will be a strong member of this institution.
Fraternally and on the Level,
Noel Lukas
Senior Warden
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From the South
Hello brothers,
This month of January has been a good start to this new year with a double second degree ceremony and an initiation ceremony to the Entered Apprentice degree.
We have received many compliments on the Peruvian cuisine dinner on the first Thursday of this month. I am glad you enjoyed it! And we had a good turnout at our traditional breakfast on the first Saturday of the month which is always welcome and considered the best and most affordable breakfast in all Sacramento.
On January 26th we held our special dinner in Celebration of Scotland's most famous Freemason, Brother Robert Burns. It was a feast Brother Burns would have been proud of! We've included some pictures in the photo gallery below.
The stated meeting dinner for the month of February will be a delicious Chinese dinner prepared by the Sunny Garden restaurant. So bring your family and friends to join us and RSVP to the Stated Meeting Dinner and Pre-pay for yourselves and guests.
We are also getting ready for our Sweetheart's Lunch on Saturday, February 10 @ 11:30 at the lodge. Please RSVP for yourself and your guest(s) and select your Main Course when you register. Remember, the luncheon fee for Brothers is $15 at the door and your Sweetheart guests are free!
Lastly, I want to thank everyone who helped and participated in these special food events. Your support is essential to spread the cement of brotherly love and friendship which makes our fraternity special and strong. Of course, special thanks to all the brothers who stay after these events to help and clean the lodge and kitchen, because this is our second home, this our lodge where most of us started and advanced in masonry and we all should be very proud.
By the Plumb,
Pedro Sanchez
Junior Warden
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From the Northeast Corner
Congratulation to our newest candidates. Two new Fellowcrafts and one new Entered Apprentice. As always, their Masonic future is going to depend on who is ready to be a part of their continued education.
With this in mind, it is my hope that we will have a few more brothers step up to the challenge of coaching. It is truly how fellowship is maintained.
Let me or the Master know if you are interested.
Fraternally Yours,
Joe Freidson P.M.
Head Candidates Coach
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Congratulations, Brethren! | |
The Natoma Lodge calendar is also available to view on the home page of the Natoma Lodge website. On the lodge calendar you have the ability to save events to your personal calendar so you won't miss a beat! Another convenient feature is that you can also scroll ahead to view future months to see what's planned throughout the year. Check it out! | |
Join us for breakfast on Saturday, February 3! | |
Celebrate your Sweetheart! | |
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Join us at our annual Sweetheart's Lunch on Saturday, February 10 @ 11:30 at the lodge.
Please RSVP for yourself and your guest(s) and select your Main Course when you register. Remember, the luncheon fee for Brothers is $15 at the door and your Sweetheart guests are free!
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Masonic education opportunity | |
2024 International Conference on Freemasonry:
"Rites in America"
Saturday, March 30
at the University of California, Berkeley
Admission: $30; optional lunch $20
The 12th International Conference on Freemasonry is returning to the campus of the University of California in Berkeley on March 30, 2024, with a focus on “Rites in America.”
This exciting and informative yearly event brings scholars and academics from a wide range of disciplines together to present new research on topics of interest to Masons. This year’s theme, “Rites in America,” examines the almost countless forms and iterations of Masonry that have sprung up on this side of the Pacific, often in the particular context of immigrant communities or other, larger social movements.
Says event organizer Susan Sommers, a professor of history at St. Vincent College, “Freemasonry is one of the oldest and most successful fraternal, initiatory societies in the Western world. Despite its reputation for secrecy, it is well known and well documented.” As different Masonic and quasi-Masonic groups formed in the Americas, they often built on Masonry’s ritual framework while adding their own features. “Why reinvent wheels when you can simply change the hubcaps?” she says. “Over the centuries, especially since around 1750, Freemasons have added, edited, and invented orders, rites, and rituals with something close to wild abandon, all the while claiming that the landmarks are immutable, and have been since Adam.”
Visit the CA Grand Lodge website to learn more about the event, topics, speakers, and register to attend.
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Register by Feb. 1st Stated Meeting | |
Register to attend the San Francisco fishing trip and bring your deposit to the stated meeting on Feb. 1. We must fill all the seats on this chartered excursion! After Feb. 1, we'll contact other local lodges to attend. So all you Natoma fishermen, and wanna-be fishermen, make your reservation ASAP! We're looking forward to a great day of fun, fishing, and fellowship on the water - and lots of fish to take home! Don't let this trip be "the one that got away"! | |
2024 Natoma Lodge No. 64 Officers | |
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