The Lodge 693 Trestleboard June 2015

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from the eastBrethren and Friends of Lodge 693,

Here we are in June and I'm simply amazed how time has flown by!!

The first weekend in May I attended the Masters and Wardens Retreat in Irvine. A great three days of information regarding our Lodges and Brethren as well as plenty of Masonic fellowship. At the retreat there was a focus on "Tactical and Strategic" conversations. Tactical having to do with real time engagement and strategic conversations that have a longer term outlook. An example: On a tactical level, elected Officers should be qualified prior to their election. As we all agree, that certainly is our plan for 2016. As strategic an example would be strengthening our candidate coaching program. Again, I'm confident everyone would agree! You will find an application for both opportunities at our Lodge in the near future!

At The May Stated Meeting, I had the privilege and distinct honor of formally installing Brothers David Mariner, Senior Steward and Robert Jacob, Junior Deacon with Bill Roose, Senior Deacon. I appreciate the assistance from Worshipful Imanuel Eisendle, PM as Installing Officer and Brother Mark Steiger, Installing Chaplain. It was quite an evening and a terrific event to be a part of. (continued next page)

The Installation of new Officers at the May Stated Meeting. L to R: Kurt Handshuh, WM,Robert Jacob, JD; William Roose, SD; David Mariner, SS; Mark Steiger, Installing Chaplain; and Imanuel Eisendle, PM, Installing Officer.

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During the month of May, all the line of Officers practiced their ritual diligently, at times practicing twice a week. The result of all the hard work and dedication was displayed at Covina's Destiny Lodge on Saturday May 23, where we initiated Mr. Cecil Brissette and conferred upon him, the First Degree of Masonry. I stated above my personal understanding of all the hard, time consuming work. I am extremely proud of all my Officers. Their excellent work was evident to all in attendance. The compliments and remarks were too numerous to mention, however Worshipful John Abernethy, PM of Palm Springs Lodge 693 was just beaming, and let me say "Welcome, Brother Cecil!"

I would also like to thank all the participants at the OSI (Officer's School of Instruction) in Yucca Valley a week ago, Thursday.

Let me take a moment and to thank all the members of The Hall Association and its President, Brother Mark Steiger for their hard work and dedication to our Lodge and its Brethren. We have recently upgraded both our Lodge security and rest rooms, an upgrade which was sorely needed.

As a reminder, if you are aware of any individual or group that may have an interest in renting our Lodge, please make brother Steiger or I aware so we may follow up!Remember Tuesday Night is "Lodge Night!” Thank you!

Fraternally,

Kurt HandshuhWorshipful Master

from the east continued

The Initiation of Brother Cecil Brissette, May 23 2015 at Destiny Lodge in Covina

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from the south

I would like to write about harmony, the definition that we use very often in our fraternity. The term harmony derives from the Greek ἁρµονία (harmonía), meaning "joint, agreement, concord", from the verb ἁρµόζω (harmozo), "to fit together, to join". The term was often used for the whole field of music, while "music" referred to the arts in general. In Ancient Greece, the term defined the combination of contrasted elements: a higher and lower note. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether the simultaneous sounding of notes was part of ancient Greek musical practice; "harmonía" may have merely provided a system of classification of the relationships between different pitches. (reference. Wikipedia)It is interesting to compare harmony in music and philosophy to harmony in our fraternity. Brethren like different notes, have their contrasted elements; higher and lower. Accords and compositions are major (happy) and minor (sad) cressento (aggressive) and adajio (passive). Despite of their difference, notes and accords do acknowledge and fill each other, and their purpose is UNIVERS-ALL to create/build a beautiful and priceless music.We as Masons are all different, but let's not forget that our purpose is same; to make that Whole Canopy under H-n stronger, under which we promised to serve, to be able to build that Sacred Music to enhance the UNIVERSE.

Fraternally,

Arman Ordian, Junior Warden

Join your Brother Masons at Dodger Stadium August 31st

Lodge 693 is in partnership with 19 other Lodges. Our virtual “team” is named The Arroyo Seco Hilltoppers.

So far, in Southern California over 1,000 mitts have been purchased for underprivileged children.

https://www.masons4mitts.org/teams/arroyo-seco-hilltoppers/

Ticket purchase form on the next page!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greekhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greekhttps://www.masons4mitts.org/teams/arroyo-seco-hilltoppers/https://www.masons4mitts.org/teams/arroyo-seco-hilltoppers/https://www.masons4mitts.org/teams/arroyo-seco-hilltoppers/https://www.masons4mitts.org/teams/arroyo-seco-hilltoppers/

Masons Night at Dodger Stadium

Bringing baseball to California kids one mitt at a timeJoin Grand Master Russ Charvonia and the LA Dodgers Foundation as we celebrate the 2015 Masons4Mitts campaign at Masons Night!

MONDAY, AUGUST 31 we will present a check to the LA Dodgers Foundation at home plate in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Gather your lodge members, family, and friends as we mark the end of the 2015

Masons4Mitts campaign and celebrate being”the guys who give mitts to kids”!

Return your completed form and check to: California Masonic FoundationATTN: Masons4Mitts1111 California StreetSan Francisco, CA 94108

For more information about Masons4Mitts, visit masons4mitts.org or contact Joshua Castro, philanthropy coordinator, at (415) 292-9139 or jcastro@freemason.org.

Orders received after May 15 cannot be guaranteed. If you are concerned that your order will not be received by the deadline, you may scan and email your order form to jcastro@freemason.org and mail the check separately.

Checks should be made payable to Masons4Mitts with “Masons Night tickets” in the memo line.

Lodge Name: Lodge No:

Contact Person: Mailing Address:

City, State, Zip: Phone Number: Email:

Number of Tickets: Total Cost ($25 x number of tickets):

june at our lodge

450 s. avenida caballeros, palm springs

Tue June 2nd 7:30PM: June Stated Meeting Dinner served from 6:00PM.

Mon June 15th 6:00PM: 2nd Degree PRACTICE Fellowship from 5:00PM, practice at 6

Thurs June 18th 7:00 PM: Officers’ School of Instruction at Coachella Lodge #476

Sun June 21st: Fathers’ Day

Wed June 24th 7:30PM: Valley of Palm Springs Scottish Rite Dinner served from 6:30PM

Above is the Lodge 693 Calendar as of publication date. Any additional Degrees or other activity will be announced by e-mail, at www.PalmSpringsMasons.org , on Twitter @Lodge693 and on Facebook (Palm Springs Masonic Lodge #693)

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Celestial LodgeBrother Richard Rowlands passed away recently. A

memorial service will be held at the the home of his widow, Ellen on Wednesday June 10th at 6:30 PM. Address is

73404 Rask Road in Sky Valley

http://www.PalmSpringsMasons.orghttp://www.PalmSpringsMasons.org

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by Brother Michael J. Sekera

Is Freemasonry a religion?

Words to ponder. From John J. Robinson: Born in Blood “Freemasonry is protecting each other, fitting for freedom of religion. Men of different stations in life, different religious beliefs to sit together in Brotherhood & work together for the betterment of everyone. Freemasonry is not a religion, not a substitute for religion. Religious denominations tend to believe they are to be ultimately right and everyone else is unquestionably wrong. Freemasons take the position that there is some truth in all men’s perception of God.

Our purpose as Freemasons is not that of a religion. Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion. Freemasonry is not a religion nor is it a substitute for religion.

Freemasonry advocates no sectarian faith or practice. We raise no money for religious purposes. We have no dogma or theology. Religious discussion is forbidden in a Masonic lodge thereby eliminating the chance for any Masonic dogma to form. It offers no sacraments and does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with the modes of recognition only and not with the means of salvation. By any definition of religion accepted by our critics, we cannot qualify as a religion. Freemasonry supports religion. Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith.

The Oath of Freemasonry. The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep confidential a Freemason’s means of recognition. The much discussed “penalties,” judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion. Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion: (a) It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy. (b) It offers no sacraments. (c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.

the brothers’ corner

continued on page 6

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2015%Lodge%693%Officers

Worshipful+Master+0+Kurt+Handshuh+kurtlends@gmail.comSenior+Warden+0+David+Pucksoontorn+glck40boi@gmail.com

Junior+Warden+0+Arman+Ordian+aordian@verizon.netTreasurer+0+Dan+Oates+0+doates818@aol.com+

Secretary+0+Oscar+Rodriguez+0+osrocasusa@gmail.com+Chaplain+0+Mark+Steiger+marksteiger777@gmail.comSenior+Deacon+0+William+Roose+0+waroose@verizon.net+Junior+Deacon+0+Robert+Jacob+0+revbobpaul@aol.com

Marshal0+Ben+Manniere+benj@dc.rr.comSenior+Steward+0+David+Mariner+0+david.mariner77@gmail.com

Junior+Steward+0+Randal+Viscovich+rviscovich@msn.comTiler+0+Dave+Berg+0+kingdave39@hotmail.com+

Officers’+Coach+0+Imanuel+Eisendle,+PM+i.eisendle@gmail.com+

the brothers’ corner continued

Michael Sekera is a Brother of Lodge 693, San Jacinto/Hemet Lodge 338 and Temecula/Catalina Lodge 524. “The Brothers’ Corner” is open to written contributions from all Masons on any subject of Masonic interest. If you’d like to submit an article or just some thoughts, email to 693Trestleboard@gmail.com .

Freemasonry Supports Religion. Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his Duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Christopher Hodapp: Freemasons for Dummies “There is no Masonic God – nor a Masonic devil. There is no Masonic bible that is revered above any other. Freemasonry is an invention of man. Freemasonry is religious. No regular lodge of Masons may be opened without a book of Sacred Law opened on its alter. Masons forbid atheists and require their members to place their hand on the Volume of Sacred Law while taking their obligations. I ask of our Heavenly Father, walk through my lodge, and take away all worries and illnesses, and please watch over and heal my brethren. Bring quiet where there is chaos, bring light where there is darkness and put love in our hearts. In thy name, Amen.

Sincerely & Fraternally

Bro. Michael J. Sekera

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mailto:glck40boi@gmail.commailto:glck40boi@gmail.commailto:doates818@aol.commailto:doates818@aol.commailto:osrocasusa@gmail.commailto:osrocasusa@gmail.commailto:waroose@verizon.netmailto:waroose@verizon.netmailto:david.mariner77@gmail.commailto:david.mariner77@gmail.commailto:kingdave39@hotmail.commailto:kingdave39@hotmail.commailto:693Trestleboard@gmail.commailto:693Trestleboard@gmail.com

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shrine

Brother Alan Franks calls your attention to upcoming activities of Al Malaikah:

Wed June 10th: Santa Barbara Scottish Rite/Santa Barbara Shrine Club: Potentate’s Official Visit. Contact is Jay Lockwood: 805-403-8039.

Sat June 13th: Blue Lodge Officers Ceremonial at LA Shriners’ Hospital. One-time price of $50.00, (fex not included) for elected Blue Lodge Officers: Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Secretary, Treasurer.

Sun Jun 28th: Silver Mounted Patrol Potentate’s Official Visit. Contact is Stan Taub: 818-998-7224

The Secrets of MasonryThe secrets of Masonry can be realized in a man’s own heart and perfect realization is governed by its own conduct and habits of mind. The Mason who keeps the sacred fires of education burning on the altar of his heart, will inevitable be drawn nearer to his God and also to the meaning of life. Receiving the Degrees does not make a man a Mason. The various Degrees merely point the way and provide a means for securing the most valuable secrets of our Order. In other words, they are the key to the Order, and the individual Mason must determine for himself whether or not he will seek more knowledge, using the little knowledge he already has to open the vast stores of wisdom reserved for those who are diligent.

- from The Kansas Mason

Thanks to Brother Jens Petersen, PM for submitting this to the Trestleboard.