From the East
Brethren and Ladies,
August is normally our dark month where we take a break from Masonry and follow other pursuits. This year feels like an entire dark year! Hopefully the pandemic will end soon and we can go back to our meetings and fellowship.
We had a meeting with our Inspector, Wor. Tom Handel and here are some updates. Grand Lodge will probably be virtual this year as well as the installation of the new Grand Master. Masonic funeral services are allowed, but not in the lodge room. They must be outside and properly social distanced, etc. A template is going to be sent out for us to create a document on how we can safely open our lodge when we are able to do so. The completed template must be submitted to grand lodge before any lodge is allowed to open. We will be working on this as soon as we receive the template.
We are also working on sending out our scholarships to those who have already provided proof of tuition. The bank building is still in escrow and proceeding nicely.
We have lost two Brothers recently. Worshipful Mike Torres and Brother Elvin Reamey. Please keep their families in your prayers and if you would like to offer assistance, let a pillar or the secretary know.
This year has been a crazy year. We have been unable to meet, have dinners, or practice Masonry. With that being said, we must think about what is to come for our officers next year. Qualifications must still be completed and it is very difficult if we cannot meet. I have spoken to the pillars in the line and we are willing, if so elected, to stay in our positions for the next Masonic year. Our qualifications for the current year will stand for the upcoming year. There may be some movement here and there depending on people’s circumstances which will be decided later. I will be speaking to the officers about this individually and if you have any questions, please let me know.
We are working on having monthly Zoom meetings to talk updates and just to see everyone and get together. They are not tiled meetings and no Masonic business will be conducted. I will be sending out a Zoom meeting invite via email soon.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ken Bychak - Worshipful Master
Senior Warden Dave Murray
From The West
There are so many distressing things occupying the headlines, and weighing on everyone’s minds these days, it can be hard to wrap your head around them. The unrest across the nation, the onset of the COVID -19 virus, our nation’s financial uncertainty, and the upcoming elections are just a few.
The people who lived in Bible times were no strangers to turmoil and chaos. But many were also well acquainted with the character of God—a loving, protecting Father quick to console his people. He comforted them then and comforts us now. Take a few moments to soak in these passages of Scripture and let them sustain you in the days ahead.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” —Psalm 27:1
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” —Psalm 23:4
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
“Know, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:37-39
And lastly, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” —John 14:27
Fraternally,
Your Senior Warden.
Dave Murray
Junior Warden (Elect) Chase Murray
From the South
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
As we still continue to deal with the pandemic, please do your best to keep yourself and your families safe. With the opening and re-closing of certain aspects of the country, which has affected some of our local businesses, do not take these events as “everything is back to normal.” Please continue practicing social distancing where able, as well as washing of hands to assist in combating the virus spread.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray, Junior Warden
Worshipful Bill Graham (PM)
Secretaries Corner
My deepest condolences to the widow and family of Worshipful Mike Torres. He was a great friend, a great brother and a great Mason. I will truly miss him.
I hope everyone else is continuing to stay safe! Sadly, the state of California has had a set back and has rolled back some of our restrictions. Meeting in person is still not allowed at this time. We did have a ZOOM meeting on Monday, July 20th that went very well. The Master will be setting more of these up so we can meet virtually, even if we cannot be in the same room. If any Brother needs help, please contact the Master, one of the Pillars or me. We will do our best to help you or refer you to a service that can help. Even as we continue to Social Distance from each other, remember, we are one family and it is our duty to help one another!
Due to the rules in place, the Grand Lodge cannot ease the restrictions on meetings. We do still need to work on our qualifications. If you are in line, or are hoping to get in line, please continue to work on your next level of qualification. I can meet you one on one, maintain social distance and work with you as needed. Our Inspector, Worshipful Tom Handell, has informed us that he is still able to complete qualifications under the same guidelines. We can meet in the Lodge Room, maintain our distance and perform the work necessary.
The Grand Lodge has rolled out iMember 2.0. Please go check it out at member.freemason.org there are many things you can do there such as changing your address, changing your personal information, locate lodges, find resources and documents.
The year continues to move on and there are still approximately 24 Brothers who have not yet paid their dues. As you know, the Lodge pays Per Capita to the Grand Lodge every August. The Lodge must pay this every year, whether you pay your dues or not. By not paying your dues in a timely manner, you infringe on the Lodge finances and affect your Brothers.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
Please remit a check in the envelope provided with your dues notice. 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. You can make payments for 2018, 2019 and 2020 there. If you have paid and have not received your card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or e-mail me at secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
Donations to the California Masonic Foundation when you shop Amazon!
Brothers and Families, we all shop often online and from Amazon. Use your Amazon account to make donations to the California Masonic foundation every time you shop.
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To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.
Fraternally,
Michael Reher, Marshall
Calendar of Events
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Ken Bychak (Laura)
Senior Warden - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Junior Warden - Chase Murray
Treasurer - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Keith Cochenour (Caren)
Senior Deacon - Peter Johnson
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Marshall - Michael Reher
Senior Steward - Michael Norton (Nhan)
Junior Steward - Kenneth Bychak
Tiler - Bruce Smith (PM) (Beverly)
707-328-9617
619-302-1223
619-607-2935
760-789-5254
951-970-4294
619-843-3019
858-943-1079
760-788-4957
760-566-6953
858-924-2558
805-268-6270
760-788-9475
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Peter Krickhuhn, PM
Vice President - Chase Murray
CFO - Pete Johnson
Secretary - Michael Rehar
760-612-1978
619-607-2935
858-843-1079
760-566-6953
