From the East
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
It is March already and the year is flying by fast. We still have no news on when we will be able to meet in person. The good news is that the vaccine is out there, and people are getting protected and the cases are coming down. Hopefully this will go away soon and we can get back together and back to our lives. Cross your fingers!
We passed a barebones budget last month and will be working on scholarships for this year soon. If anyone has any questions or would like to be on the scholarship committee, please let me know.
Zoom meetings are still being held monthly on our stated meeting date. I email everyone the link beforehand. If you need me to text it to you or would like the link some other way, please let me know. We hope and want everyone to join us.
We are still in process of going to a virtual trestleboard. The final notices are being sent out to everyone this month. If you still desire to have a hardcopy, please fill out the enclosed form and send it in. We will add you to the list to keep getting a mailed out trestleboard.
Remember to help where you can and pray for everyone during this time. It is very tough for many especially with the dangers of the virus and being isolated from people. If anyone needs anything please reach out to us.
Take care and stay safe,
Ken Bychak - Worshipful Master
Senior Warden Dave Murray
From The West
As part of the ongoing renovations at Santa Maria Lodge, one new addition was the incorporation of the black and white checkerboard floor under the altar.
Why is it there? What is the significance of the black and white tile floor in Masonry? Black and white checkered floors have existed in temples since the times of ancient Egypt. Today it is one of Freemasonry’s most recognizable symbols and is the ritualistic floor found in many Masonic lodges. The black and white tiles represent the symbol of “Duality” and are emblematic of human life; checkered with the never-ending conflict between the forces good and evil and the concept of the proper balance between them. As Masons, we are taught to strive for that proper balance in life so that we may hope to stand upright in our several stations before God and man.
The Masonic tradition is that the floor of the Temple of Solomon was decorated with a mosaic pavement of black and white stones. There is no historical evidence to substantiate this statement.
The Masonic idea was perhaps first suggested by this passage in the Gospel of Saint John xix, 13, "When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha." The word here translated Pavement is in the original Lithostroton, the very word used by Pliny to denote a mosaic pavement.
The Greek word, as well as its Latin equivalent is used to denote a pavement formed of ornamental stones of various colors, precisely what is meant by a Mosaic Pavement. There was, therefore, a part of the Temple which, was decorated with a mosaic pavement.
2021 Senior Warden
Dave Murray
Junior Warden (Elect) Chase Murray
From the South
This past year has surely been an odd one full or many trials and tribulations that have tested each and every one of us in some way or another, but we have made it to 2021. A new year full of new hopes and dreams to be strived for.
As we move forward into this frontier of new challenges, remember to keep your heads high and with one foot in front of the other. Experience everything this year has to offer as if it were new, let not the weights of last years hardships weigh you down, use the lessons you have learned to overcome any new challenges that arise along your path.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray
Junior Warden
Worshipful Bill Graham (PM)
Secretaries Corner
Happy New Year!!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! We may not be able to meet in person, but you can have some corned beef and raise a pint in salute!
We are now three months into the New Year, and I am up to date and have sent out all the Dues Cards I have received payment for. I am continuing to get Dues payments trickling in. However, we still have many Brothers that have not paid. If you have not paid your 2021 dues, you are officially overdue. If you are 2 or more years in arrears, you may be suspended for non-payment of dues as per the California Masonic Code, Section 809.370. Suspension for Non Payment of Dues. Neither the Master, I, nor any other Brother in Lodge wishes this to happen! PLEASE get caught up and pay your dues.
iMember 2.0 is in full swing. Please go check it out at member.freemason.org. There are many things you can do there such as changing your address, your personal information, locate lodges, find resources and documents. Maintaining your contact information ensures that you will receive all notices that the Lodge sends out in a timely manner. Please go check it out!
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
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. If you have paid and have not received your card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
Reminder!! Have you moved? Changed your phone number? Changed your e-mail address? Have you notified the Lodge if you have done any of these things?? In an ongoing effort to ensure that all member get due and timely notice of all Lodge information, it is important that you keep your information updated with us.
I would greatly appreciate it if all of you would log in to member.freemason.org, go to the My Profile section and ensure that all of your address/phone number/e-mail is up to date. This will automatically update the i-member section that I use as the Secretary to for your mailings and other contacts.
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.
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You can choose from over one million organizations to support.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
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 - Don Ruch, PM
Senior Deacon - Peter Johnson
Junior Deacon - Kenneth Bychak
Marshall - Michael Reher
Senior Steward - Rex McCray
Tiler - Bruce Smith (PM) (Beverly)
707-328-9617
619-302-1223
619-607-2935
760-789-5254
951-970-4294
619-787-3858
858-943-1079
805-268-6270
760-566-6953
760-788-4957
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
