From the East
Greetings Brothers and friends, welcome to the month of April!
This month we celebrate the holiday of Easter. As we attend our BBQs and gatherings among family and friends, let us remember that Easter celebrates the the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not the egg/candy toting bunny.
In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly 30 A.D. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent - a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice - and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday.
Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre-Christian, pagan times and have since been adopted as folk customs, such as the decoration of eggs and the tale of a mystical rabbit who hides them.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray, PM. - Worshipful Master
From the West
Welcome to April Brothers and Sisters,
I would like to apologize for this Tresstleboard being sent out so late. That is on me. I have been out of town quit a bit this month, more than normal and just didn’t have the time to put this together.
I hope you all had a great Easter weekend. HE IS RISEN!!!
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 Brethren and Masonic Family;
Do you find the process of forgiveness difficult?
Most of us consider the difficult process of forgiveness complete when we identify the person or persons who have offended us and we declare them forgiven, then move on with our lives. Yet we still retain hurt feelings and some unresolved hate. I believe that Jesus wants us to do much more. Something much deeper, more healing and courageous. We read in Luke 6:27-28, "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those that abuse you."
Love, bless, do good and pray for them??? In my human way of thinking, this sounds pretty weak. It sounds like turning myself into a doormat. I don't think this is what Jesus is intending for us. Our offenders may or may not love, pray or bless us back... No matter, God will bless those of us who take the higher road. When aiming, do not sin or miss the mark, aim higher. Our target is our place in Heaven, with God.
Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
Welcome to April! The Master has a trip to see the San Diego Gulls play this month, on April 19th . There are still tickets available if you would like to join us. This is open to all, friends and family. The tickets are $48.00ea and the seats are in the same section as the last game we went to. We had great views and were up close to the action! This is the last home game of the season and should be a great night. Please contact me if you would like to attend.
We continue to meet at 0800 on the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s of the month at the Lodge for coffee and then breakfast. Our candidates and new Brothers are often there. Come join us and get to know these fine men that are joining our Fraternity.
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.
Remember, you have an obligation to pay your dues in a timely manner, by December 31. 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 April we currently have 23 Brothers that owe dues. Of these 6 Brothers are 2 years overdue and 4 Brothers now 3 years overdue. If you are one of these 23 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