From the East
Brothers and friends, welcome to February 2025!
It doesn't feel like we're already a month into this year yet here we are. We are looking at a quiet next couple of weeks, of course having our Stated Meeting on 10 FEB (dinner @ 6pm, meeting @ 7:30pm) however the Lodge is looking for a quiet month, giving each of us plenty of time to plan for Valentine's Day (14FEB) and Presidents' Day (17FEB)!
For those that didn't know, Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, was originally a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, or Valentinus. There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Saint Valentines, including an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century. Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love, including Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor.
As mentioned, we also have Presidents' Day, officially known as Washington's Birthday at the federal level, which is now used to celebrate and honor all those who have served as President of the United States. Presidents' Day was originally implemented by an Act of Congress in 1879 for government offices in Washington DC and expanded in 1885 to include all federal offices. As the first federal holiday to honor an American president, the holiday was celebrated on Washington's birthday under the Gregorian calendar, February 22. On January 1, 1971, the federal holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This places it between February 15 and 21, which makes "Washington's Birthday" something of a misnomer, since it never occurs on Washington's actual birthday, February 22.
In addition to these two holidays, there is also a number of social events taking place by our concordant body, Al Bahr Shrine. For those that would like to participate (you do NOT need to be a Shriner), see below:
- 2/7: Clubs and Units - Learn about the various clubs and units run under Al Bahr shrine, and perhaps join one if you are a Shriner.
- 2/8: Masquerade Ball - RSVP Required
- 2/9: Super Bowl Party - Begins at 12:00 (noon) until some time after the game is over. Will be taking place in the Red Fez which will be bartended by none other than... me! (Note: I'm not a trained bartender... but am licensed)
Be safe, be healthy, and be joyful my Brothers and friends. Let our principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth guide you through your days.
Fraternally, Chase Murray, PM
From the West
Welcome to February Brothers and Sisters,
With all the changes going on around us in this world, God put it on my heart to share with you the sermon we had in church this past week.
We all need to be reminded that we all have a purpose in our lives whether or not you feel that way, think about this. God created us on Purpose and God created us for a purpose. It is not necessarily our job to know what that purpose is, but to stand in faith that God is directing us to that purpose.
You belong to someone. Because God formed us, we belong to him. We belong to God because he frees us. In Psalms 139:13-14 it reads “For you my inmost being; You knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”
You belong to something. That something is God’s family. In John 1:12 it says “To all who receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.”
I want you all to know, that you all have a purpose in life and that you are on this earth on purpose and when you ever doubt that, look to God and he will guide you.
Please let me know of any brothers, family members or friends who need prayers.
God Bless you all, and God Bless this Lodge and Fraternity.
Pete Johnson, Sr. Warden.
From the South
Dear brothers, families, and friends:
I have come to realize that one of the greatest reasons I do not pray more often than I do Is because of this: I was not desperate. When I am doing well and all around me are healthy and content, I am not really conscious of my need for God. I have come to realise my need for God and prayer, in the last three months. My Son in law, Chris Collins (not a Mason) has been hospitalized with Pancreatitis, Gallstones, collapsed lung, pain, shortness of breath and other complications. My brother in law, Van Reeder, as you know, fell and broke his left shoulder and was hospitalised for a month.
I have learned to pray earnestly, continuously for them both. The good news is; they are both home now recuperating. My lesson is to do like St. Paul tells us in His letter to the Thessalonians 1stThess; 2:13 "To pray without ceasing", not just when I need help, or want something, but for the good and bad...always. Please pray with me.
Thank you, Brothers and sisters in God
Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
Welcome to February. The Masonic Year is in full swing. Worshipful Chase has many activities planned for the year and it should be a very good one! Please go to member.freemason.org and check your information. If you have not created this account, PLEASE get with me and I will walk you through creating the account and entering your information.
There has been issues with the Lodge printer and I have been unable to print and send dues cards. This has been rectified, and I will be sending out due’s cards in the near future. If you have paid your dues, you can always print your own copy from iMember at any time. The Grand Lodge is trying to move away from hard copy dues cards and no longer requires the card to be signed or imprinted with the Lodge seal. I will still continue to mail hard copies until such time as the Grand Lodge eliminates them completely.
Dues Invoices are out and I have started to receive payments. Thank you! Remember, you have an obligation to pay your dues in a timely manner, by December 31, 2024. If you have not already made your payment you are overdue. The dues for 2025 are $129.00. Per our By-Laws, the calculation is $60.00 + per capita rounded up to the nearest dollar. Per capita is $68.50 this year, which gives us our total of $129.00. This is also your time to catch up on last year dues if you have not paid. 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!
Entering February we currently have 26 Brothers that owe dues. Of these 7 Brothers are 2 years overdue and 4 Brothers now 3 years overdue. If you are one of these 26, PLEASE catch up on your dues. Remember, your Brothers in the Lodge carry you when you do not pay your dues. The Grand Lodge still requires your Per Capita cost whether you pay or not.
If you are in arrears for your dues, you need to pay all that is owed to be brought back in to good standing. As an example, if you pay for 2025 only, and owe for 2024, I cannot send you your 2025 dues card. You are still in arrears and will need to bring your dues up to date first.
Please go to member.freemason.org and check your information. If you have not yet created your account, PLEASE get with me and I will walk you through creating the account and entering your information.
If you are interested in becoming a Life Member, please use the following information from the
CMC 2022
§809.320.B LIFE MEMBERSHIP
A sum of money equal to the Lodge’s annual dues at the time of purchase of the Life Membership multiplied by the factor indicated opposite the member’s age in the following schedule:
Age 49 and under, a factor equal to or greater than 24 times annual dues;
50 to 54 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 20 times annual dues;
55 to 59 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 18 times annual dues;
60 to 64 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 16 times annual dues;
65 to 71 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 14 times annual dues; and
Age 72 and over, a factor equal to or greater than 12 times annual dues.
Our current dues are $129.00. Use the chart above to calculate the amount needed. As an example, I am in the 55-59 bracket. For me to purchase a Life Membership, the cost would be 18 x $129.00 for a total of $2,322.00. Please contact me if you wish to pursue this.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
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.
Calendar of Events
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Chase Murray
Senior Warden - Pete Johnson
Junior Warden - Don Ruch, PM (Vicki)
Treasurer - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Mark Lantz (Kim)
Marshal - Bruce Smith, PM (Beverly)
Senior Deacon - Ken Bychak II, PM (Laura)
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Senior Steward - Elijah Descoteaux
Junior Steward - Wade Hendry (Marianne)
Tiler - Dave Murray, PM (Catheren)
(619) 607-2935
(858) 943-1079
(619) 787-3858
(760) 807-2883
(951) 970-4294
(858) 231-4646
(760) 788-9475
(707) 328-9617
(760) 788-4957
(619) 987-1004
(760) 535-3176
(619) 302-1223
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Don Ruch, PM
Vice President - Chase Murray
Treasurer/Secretary - Elijah Descoteaux
Member - Ken Bychak II, PM
Member - Bob Weldon, PM
Member - Wade Hendry
Member - Bruce Smith, PM
Member - Pete Johnson
(619) 787-3858
(619) 607-2935
(619) 987-1004
(707) 328-9617
(760) 807-2883
(760) 535-3176
(760) 788-9475
(858) 943-1079