The TrestleboardThe TrestleboardSunset Lodge #369 F&AMSunset Lodge #369 F&AM

Serving Venice & Santa Monica Since 1905Serving Venice & Santa Monica Since 1905

1720 Ocean Park Blvd1720 Ocean Park BlvdSanta Monica CA 90405Santa Monica CA 90405

sunsetmasoniclodge.orgsunsetmasoniclodge.org

February/March 2020

From The East

Greetings Brethren!

I would like to start by thanking everyone who was able to come out to participate in, and celebrate the 115th Installation of Officers. It was a humbling experience sharing the East with Most Worshipful R. Stephen Doan, taking in all the newly installed officers, brethren, guests, and reflecting on all the Past Masters who have come before me. I appreciate each of you for your individuality and the essence you bring to Sunset Lodge.

I spoke briefly (I hope) on the phrase “Whence came you”, and what it means to me. There are certainly deeper metaphorical and philosophical aspects that this question can be pondered on every day as we continue our journey to “that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns”. I ask that you take a moment now, or tonight before going to sleep to also take a moment to meditate on this phrase, and what it means to you. I would love to hear those willing to share their insights at the stated meeting or, from you one on one if you feel so inclined.

It wasn’t just an attitude of Gratitude, but a true sense of support and a collective coming together of the lodge that I felt at the first meeting I had the honor to call as Master of the lodge, to share the calendar of events for the ensuing year and appointment of committee members. With that map of our voyage presented, I believe this ensuing year has all the ingredients necessary for an excellent year of growth and multiple opportunities for the bonds of friendship to flourish.

Our lines of communication are being strengthened and refined, and I look forward to utilizing the website more, and urge everyone to do the same. I was blown away by the difference using my laptop instead of my IOS device made…the medium used truly does matter! I thank Worshipful Wamback for his dedication, and everyone who has and continues those labors.

I am excited to embark on the journey that lies ahead of us this year, and feel confident that this worthy vessel known as Sunset Lodge #369 will have smooth sailing, and with the capable hearts and minds of the officers and brothers of this lodge, the ability to weather any potentially rough seas or stormy skies.

May the Blessing of Heaven rest upon us in all our endeavors, and guide us harmoniously on all our travels forward.

So Mote It Be!

Fraternally, Worshipful Jon Eric Preston

From the Secretary's Desk

2020 Dues

You should all have received your dues notices in the mail, and you duesfor 2020 are now payable. Should you not have received your notice, our annual dues this year are $153.00 ($100.00 to Sunset Lodge plus $53.00 in per capita to Grand Lodge.)

If you prefer the convenience of paying your dues electronically, please contact us and we will email you a link that will allow you to do so using your credit or debit card. Please note that there is a small service charge for paying electronically.

It is the policy of Sunset Lodge not to suspend anyone for inability to pay their dues owing to financial hardship. Should you find yourself in a position where you are unable to afford to pay dues, please contact us and request that your 2020 dues be remitted. This will allow us to forgive your 2020 dues and permit you to remain in good standing with our Lodge and Fraternity. Your request for remit will be kept in confidence.

Communication with Members

One of my main priorities this year is going to be the improvement of communication with our members. We are looking at technological solutions, such as switching our landline phone over to Google Voice, automated reminders and bulk email reminders of events. You can also find contact and event information on our website: http://sunsetmasoniclodge.org

In order not to miss important emails from your Lodge, please make sure that you have sunsetmasoniclodge369@gmail.com white listed in your email client.

Should any of you need to contact me, in addition to the lodge email, I can be reached at my personal number 310.714.0423 (voice and text.) Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can be of service to you in any way.

Sunset Hall Association

Our Hall Association is tasked with the important work of maintaining our building, managing our rentals and developing projects to improve and upgrade our facilities. In addition to the Master and Senior Warden, the Hall Association consists of members of our Lodge elected to serve a three year term.

Even if you are not a voting member of the Hall Association, consider attending our meetings. It's a chance for you to have valuable input that will directly impact the future of the Lodge. So if you have any comments, observations or suggestions, we want to hear them.

“I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the kind of freedoms that they're interested in.”

Bill Gates

Sunset Lodge #369 F&AM

Is Honored to Present

Hiram AwardBrother Tony De La Torre

Our three Pillar Officers were present and agreed to present the prestigious Hiram Award to Brother Tony De La Torre, in recognition of his outstanding and dedicated effort to support our Lodge and Fraternity.

Brother Tony has long been a fixture at our Lodge. He has served the Lodge and Hall Association for several years as our Hall Manager. He also stepped up and assisted our Lodge last year when we were in need of a Secretary.

In addition to his labors with the lodge, Tony has always exhibited the compassion and care for his fellow Brethren that we cherish in members of our Fraternity.

The festivities will include the award ceremony in our Lodge Room, followed by a meal and entertainment in the Dining Room.

Tuesday March 31st 2020

Award @ 7:00 PM with Reception to Follow

Sunset Lodge #3691720 Ocean Park BlvdSanta Monica 90405

Please invite your family and friends to join with us on this special evening as we bestow the Hiram Award upon this truly deserving Brother.

(We will be emailing RSVP invitations for this event in late February, so please check your inbox and respond to assist us in our planning for this event.)

The Hiram Award

The Hiram Award is the single highest honor a California Mason may receive. It cannot be sought or applied for, but is awarded at the request of the individual’s Lodge, and bestowed by the Grand Lodge of California. The District Inspector makes the award presentation on behalf of the Grand Master.

The Hiram Award is an award presented to a Master Mason who has served the Lodge and the Masonic Fraternity with devotion over and above the ordinary. It is the highest honor (other than being Master of the Lodge) that can be bestowed on a member of a Masonic Lodge. The Hiram Award is not given for service as Master or any elected or appointed office or committee. The recipient is recognized by his brethren in Masonry for his service to the fraternity, because of his efforts to support one or more Masons, a Lodge or Lodges, a District, the Grand Lodge or the fraternity as a whole. It is a singular distinction, and indicates the esteem, respect and admiration of the members. A California Masonic Lodge may bestow a maximum of one Hiram Award each year.

The real warmth and pleasure of being chosen for this special honor is most satisfying, because it comes directly from the Brethren and friends he has accumulated within his own community. The Hiram Award is simply the official recognition of a Brother by his own Lodge for his devoted service to the Lodge and to our Masonic principles in general. His is a labor of love for the fraternity. The true and steady hand of assistance which is that living cement that binds our Fraternity into a true Brotherhood.

Active Hiram Recipients

Most Worshipful Larry L. AdamsonWorshipful Kim B. Andres

John W. BarryMost Worshipful David R. Doan

Most Worshipful R. Stephen DoanThomas Gountoumas

Worshipful Konstantine KabilafkasWorshipful Brandon A. Lopez

Worshipful Shay MaghameWorshipful Jack W. Newton

Worshipful Walter R. RingwaldWorshipful Augdon D. RobertsWorshipful Ronald D. RobinsonWorshipful Michael J. Wamback

“Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Traveler's SessionOpen Mic

Hosted by Ray Davis, our Junior Warden, the Traveler's Session is our quarterly open mic event.

Sunset Lodge is proud to be home to some world class entertainers who create an amazing evening of music, poetry, comedy and other performances.

But we don't stop there.

The audience is welcome to step up to the mic to share their own talents and gifts.

Our Traveler's Sessions are quickly becoming the signature event of Sunset Lodge, as we gather with our family and friends in this incredibly creative atmosphere. So if you play an instrument, bring it along. If you sing or have poetry you wish to share, step up to the mic. And make sure you invite all of your talented friends and neighbors to attend as well.

Date: Sunday February 23rd 2020Time: Doors open at 7:00 PMLight refreshments will be servedThis event is open to the public

Sunset Lodge Societies

Sunset Lodge hosts a major event every month, thanks to our three main societies. In addition to our Traveler's Sessions, we also are home to the Sunset Cinema Society and Solvitur Ambulando.

The Sunset Cinema Society screens films and hosts Q&A sessions with those in the film industry. We are blessed to have a lot of film industry professionals who call Sunset their home lodge. The Cinema Society allows them to share their vast knowledge of the world of film with us.

Solvitur Ambulando is the Masonic and general interest study society of Sunset Lodge. Established in 2004, this society presents a serious of public lectures each year featuring keynote speakers on a variety of subjects. While many of our lectures center on Freemasonry, we also include a variety of esoteric, spiritual and philosophical subjects.

Please keep an eye on future issues of this Trestleboard as we announce upcoming events for our Cinema Society and Solvitur Ambulando to be held in 2020.

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”

Plato

Famous Freemasons

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton was an Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. He was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

Shackleton's first experience of the polar regions was as third officer on Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Discovery expedition of 1901–1904, from which he was sent home early on health grounds, after he and his companions Scott and Edward Adrian Wilson set a new southern record by marching to latitude 82°S. During the Nimrod expedition of 1907–1909, he and three companions established a new record Farthest South latitude at 88°S, only 97 geographical miles (112 statute miles or 180 kilometres) from the South Pole, the largest advance to the pole in exploration history. Also, members of his team climbed Mount Erebus, the most active Antarctic volcano. For these achievements, Shackleton was knighted by King Edward VII on his return home.

After the race to the South Pole ended in December 1911, with Roald Amundsen's conquest, Shackleton turned his attention to the crossing of Antarctica from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end, he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–1917. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately South Georgia Island, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles (1,330 km; 830 mi) and Shackleton's most famous exploit. In 1921, he returned to the Antarctic with the Shackleton–Rowett Expedition, but died of a heart attack while his ship was moored in South Georgia. At his wife's request, he was buried there.

Away from his expeditions, Shackleton's life was generally restless and unfulfilled. In his search for rapid pathways to wealth and security, he launched business ventures which failed to prosper, and he died heavily in debt. Upon his death, he was lauded in the press but was thereafter largely forgotten, while the heroic reputation of his rival Scott was sustained for many decades. Later in the 20th century, Shackleton was "rediscovered". He rapidly became a role model for leadership as one who, in extreme circumstances, kept his team together in a survival story described by cultural historian Stephanie Barczewski as "incredible".

In his 1956 address to the British Science Association, Sir Raymond Priestley, one of his contemporaries, said "Scott for scientific method, Amundsen for speed and efficiency but when disaster strikes and all hope is gone, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton", paraphrasing what Apsley Cherry-Garrard had written in a preface to The Worst Journey in the World. In 2002, Shackleton was voted eleventh in a BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

Shackleton was initiated into Navy Lodge No. 2612 (United Grand Lodge of England) on 9 July 1901. His advancement was notably slow. Despite appearing on many Navy Lodge summonses throughout the period, Shackleton attended the first regular meeting of Guild of Freemen Lodge No. 3525 (United Grand Lodge of England) in 1911 and was passed to the second degree by that lodge on 2 November 1911. He was raised to the degree of Master Mason at Guild of Freemen Lodge on 30 May 1913.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Feb 04 – Stated Meeting (Dinner @ 6:30 PM – Meeting @ 7:30 PM)Feb 11 – 2nd Section of 3rd Degree Practice @ 6:30 PM (Master Masons Only)Feb 18 – School of Instruction hosted by Sunset 369 @ 6:30 PMFeb 23 – Traveler's Session @ 7:00 PM (Public Event)Feb 25 – 3rd Degree Practice @ 6:30 PM (Master Masons Only)Mar 03 – Stated Meeting (Dinner @ 6:30 PM – Meeting @ 7:30 PM)Mar 10 – Degree or Practice (TBA)Mar 17– 1st Degree Practice @ 6:30PM (All Masons Welcome)Mar 24 – Funeral Certification hosted by Sunset 369Mar 31 – Hiram Award for Tony De La Torre @ 7:00 PMApr 07 - Stated Meeting (Dinner @ 6:30 PM – Meeting @ 7:30 PM)

Dress for Stated Meetings is business attireDress for Degrees – Formal attire for Officers, business for guestDress for practices and social events casual unless otherwise indicated

Major events require RSVP via email. If you wish to be included on the lodge email list for event reminders, please let us know. sunsetmasoniclodge369@gmail.com

Schedule subject to last minute changes. Please consult the Lodge website for the most up to date information. http://sunsetmasoniclodge.org

Did you know that...

Bernard Pierre Mangam, Marshall of France and Senator was appointed Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France and served from 1862 to 1865. This is unusual because he was not a Mason. He was appointed by Emperor Napoleon III.

In July 1863, Confederate raiders rode into Versailles, IN, capturing the local militia and stealing the county treasury. The next day, General John Morgan (CSA), learned that his men had also made off with the jewels of the local lodge. They were returned the following day. Morgan was from Daviess Lodge #22, Lexington, KY.

July 2, 1751, Ferdinand VI of Spain issued an edict against Freemasonry. Father Jose Torrubia secured a special dispensation from the Pope, joined a lodge, secured the names of its members, and proceeded to have them arrested. Hundreds were arrested, persecuted, and imprisoned.

In the spring of 1966, brother Dallas Coleman of Denison Lodge #373 of Kansas was digging a pond when he came across an overturned gravestone marked with the Square and Compasses. Research lead to a determination that it belonged to Brother Henry Craig (1832-1862) of Valley Falls Lodge #21. The brethren of the lodge reset and cleaned the monument and erected a fence around it to keep livestock away and continue to maintain it.

Masonic Education

All-Seeing Eye. An important symbol of the Supreme Being, borrowed by the Freemasons from the nations of antiquity. Both the Hebrews and the Egyptians appear to have derived its use from that natural inclination of figurative minds to select an organ as the symbol of the function which it is intended peculiarly to discharge. Thus, the foot was often adopted as the symbol of swiftness, the arm of strength, and the hand of fidelity. On the same principle, the open eye was selected as the symbol of watchfulness, and the eye of God as the symbol of Divine watchfulness and care of the universe. The use of the symbol in this sense is repeatedly to be found in the Hebrew writers. Thus, the Psalmist said (Ps. xxxiv.15): “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open unto their cry,” which explains a subsequent passage (Pa. cxxi 4), in which it is said: “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

In the Apocryphal Book of the Conversation of God with Moses on Mount Sinai, translated by the Rev. W. Cureton from an Arabic MS. of the fifteenth century, and published by the Philobiblon Society of London, the idea of the eternal watchfulness of God is thus beautifully allegorized:

“Then Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, dost thou sleep or not? The Lord said unto Moses, I never sleep: but take a cup and fill it with water. Then Moses took a cup and filled it with water, as the Lord commanded him. Then the Lord cast into the heart of Moses the breath of slumber; so he slept, and the cup fell from his hand, and the water which was therein was spilled. Then Moses awoke from his sleep. Then said God to Moses, I declare by my power, and by my glory, that if I were to withdraw my providence from the heavens and the earth, for no longer a space of time than thou hast slept, they would at once fall to ruin and confusion, like as the cup fell from thy hand.

On the same principle, the Egyptians represented Osiris, their chief deity, by the symbol of an open eye, and placed this hieroglyphic of him in all their temples. His symbolic name, on the monuments, was represented by the eye accompanying a throne, to which was sometimes added an abbreviated figure of the god, and sometimes what has been called a hatchet, but which may as correctly be supposed to be a representation of a square.

The All-Seeing Eye may then be considered as a symbol of God manifested in his omnipresence—his guardian and preserving character—to which Solomon alludes in the Book of Proverbs (xv.3) when he says: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding (or, as in the Revised Version, keeping watch upon) the evil and the good.” It is a symbol of Omnipresent Deity.

Encyclopedia of FreemasonryAlbert G. Mackey & Charles T. McClenachan

“Because men believe not in Providence, therefore they do so greedily scrape and hoard. They do not believe in any reward for charity, therefore they will part with nothing.”

Isaac Barrow

Masonry During the Civil War

One of the first acts of Masonic Charity to occur in the American Civil War occurred at the First Battle of Manassas or Bull Run on July 21st, 1861. This act was reported in the Boston Masonic Monthly which started publishing in November, 1863, and was edited by Edward L. Mitchell.Colonel W.H. Raynor of the 1st Ohio left his command and in the company of two sergeants went to fetch water at a nearby creek. Suddenly, as they neared the stream, they heard the yell that eventually became known as the Rebel Yell and the thundering hoofs of hundreds of horses. Colonel Raynor instinctively raised his pistol just as a buckshot from a pistol hit the instep of his foot and numbed it. Finding a large tree nearby he dropped upon his knees behind it and watched the battle rage around him. A horseman fired his pistol at Raynor and missed and then as he passed by struck Raynor with his sabre. Lights flashed through Raynor's brain and he fell to the ground senseless looking almost dead.

After a period of time Raynor, slightly becoming conscious, realized that someone was tugging at his clothes. Bewildered he leaned upon one elbow and realized that a Rebel soldier was stripping the dead. He had already taken Raynor's pistol, sword, canteen, and cap and was trying to take his coat. The robber, being startled at the resurrection of the man he was trying to rob, jumped on his horse and rode off.

Later coming completely to his senses, Raynor realized he was surrounded by the Confederate cavalry. Two cavalrymen seeing him standing there grabbed him between their horses and dragged him off a considerable distance. Finally one lifted him and placed him in front of him on his horse. They rode till they came to a group of Rebel wounded. There he was placed upon the ground and a group gathered around him cursing him and calling him names. Being weak from the loss of blood and in considerable pain, he just laid back and ignored them. His being quiet caused even more of a commotion to the point that one angry wounded Confederate fired his pistol at Raynor but missed. Then the Southerners argued over this cowardly act. By this time, Raynor had almost wished that the ball had pierced his brain.

Raynor was soon lifted behind a Rebel cavalryman and carried to the junction about four miles away. Here fresh Confederate troops were unloading and heading to the battle. Raynor was again met by verbal abuse.

It was now early evening and the Southern wounded from the front were being treated at the junction in a stable. Raynor was taken first to a surgeon who refused to treat him because he was a Yankee and who said that he had enough others to take care of from his own army. Finally another more compassionate surgeon was found and his wounds were taken care of. He was made as comfortable as possible. His guard, J.H. Lemon of Radford's Cavalry truly acted the part of the good Samaritan. Lemon somewhere found some ice and put it on the pounding head of Raynor and inquired if Raynor needed any money.

In response to Raynor's expressions of gratitude, pointing to the Masonic pin on Raynor's shirt, Lemon replied, "I can only hope to get the same treatment from your men if I ever fall into their hands. If you will relieve the distresses of a suffering Brother Mason when in your power, I shall be well paid." Lemon then mounted his horse and rode away.

The next morning Raynor was removed to a barn that contained 20 other Union officers, and he learned the full extent of the Confederate victory.

The Secretsby Charles Fotheringham

The secrets of Freemasonry Are the secrets of all life,In truth,

successful living,Abhorring pride and strife.

To scorn,

despise all falsehood,And ever love the true,

Do to others in fullest sense,The good that you can do.

To live in peace and concord,

And friendly be to all,To pray for those that hate you,

Assist all those that fall.

No matter what their creed may be,Or politics profess,

To aid each one along the road That leads to happiness.

Whatever their social status,Or all their worldly wealth,

To pray for their true welfare,Peace,

contentment,health.

To seek out those who hunger,

So be a friend in deed,Attend the sick and weary,

And go where there is need.

To lay aside all enmity,All greed and selfishness,

To garner in all truth and love And practice selflessness.

The great Masonic secret,By all the world possessed,

Through faith and hope and charity,Mankind is truly blessed.

2020 Officers of Sunset Lodge #369 F&AM

Jon Eric PrestonWorshipful Master

Justin ColellaSenior Warden

Ray DavisJunior Warden

Scott CrothersTreasurer

Michael Wamback PMSecretary

Julio CornejoChaplain

Les JonesSenior Deacon

Tony SardarianJunior Deacon

Keith TouzinMarshal

Matthew AbshireSenior Steward

Theodore NoutsosJunior Steward

Sergio Torres-LetelierOrganist

Konstantine Kabilafkas PMTiler

Michael Wamback PMOfficer's Coach