June 2016 Trestleboard

    May was another exciting month for Manasseh Lodge and the 4th Masonic District. Most Worshipful James E. Litten visited Hay Market and Henry Lodges as well as attended our Annual Strawberry Night. If you missed it, the Strawberry Night scene was set around Most Worshipful Litten dining with Worshipful George Washington and Right Worshipful Benjamin Franklin. After dinner, Most Worshipful Litten presented Masonic Eagle Scout Awards, Community Builders Awards and two 50-year Veteran Awards. These awards represented individuals from our three stages of life that exemplify Most Worshipful's motto of "Setting A Good Example".

    Strawberry Night was an event to remember and I thank all those who worked to ensure it was a success. In preparation for the night, the Manassas Rainbow Girls, Prince William DeMolay, Sisters of Wimodausis No. 106, Destiny Court No. 14 and Brothers of the Lodge did an excellent job of landscaping the Lodge. Even though it was hard work, we had fun as a family. The evening was well attended and could not have asked more for the Grand Master. The support from all the appendant bodies could not have been any better. A special thank you goes out to Wimodausis No. 106, Order of the Eastern Star for preparing and serving the dinner and Manassas Rainbow Assembly No. 13 for the flag presentation.

    We added another two new Master Masons to our roster. Brother Eric Sommers, son of Senior Deacon Philip Sommers, was raised on May 13. Brother James Mendelson was raised on May 16. Both of these brothers have worked hard to earn their place, so congratulate them when you see them in lodge.

    On Saturday, June 4th, we will work with the Prince William County Sheriff's Department for our Child Identification Program. Each year at the Manassas Train Days and Fall Jubilee, we assist the Prince William County deputies to produce identification cards for local children. Brother Robert McDaniel has mad the coordination with the Sheriff's Department, but needs our help with manning the booth. We will start at 8:00 a.m. and go until 5:00 p.m. Anyone wanting to help out can contact Brother Rob or myself.

    The 17th Capitular District of Royal Arch Masons will hold its Annual Table Chapter at Kena Shrine at 6:30 p.m. on June 6th. The Table Chapter was established for exposing Royal Arch Masonry to Master Masons and raising money for Alzheimer's research. This year Right Excellent Paul Lockhart, District Deputy Grand High Priest, has opened the event up to family and friends. If it is within the length of your cable tow, come out and dine with Most Excellent James Scearce, Jr., Grand High Priest of Virginia. We will dine and have presentations on the affects of Alzheimer's and ongoing research. The cost is $40 with half the proceeds going to Alzheimer's research.

    Our Rainbow Girl Assembly No. 13 has some exciting events planned for June. They will have an initiation ceremony for new candidates on June 11th at 9:00 a.m. Following the initiation, they will have a BBQ Fund Raiser. The assembly is doing great with its growth to make this one of the strongest assemblies in the State. They have also been conducting fund raisers in order for some of these young ladies to attend both the Grand Assembly in July and the Supreme Assembly in August. Come out and support our youth during their stated meetings as well as during their fund raisers. Our youth is our future and we need to display the tenants of our intuition.

    I signed the petition to reactivate our Prince William Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Some of the young men that petitioned during the open house will be initiated during the Luray Spring Quarterly. In preparation for Prince William Chapter to start meeting, we will need advisors. Worshipful John Stallings will conduct Advisor Training on June 23rd at 7:30 p.m. We will need trained volunteers so these young men can hold their meeting and activities. We have also scheduled another open house in September to recruit more members. Contact Worshipful John Stallings or myself if interested in being an advisor so that we can get Prince William active again.

    Bethel No. 55, International Order of Job's Daughters, will have its installation of officers at 2:00 p.m. on June 26th. Installation of the new leaders of any organization is a time honored tradition. These young ladies are members of our family who have worked hard to progress in their Bethel. Come out and give them the support and attention as we do with our other youth groups.

    If interested in having flags flown in memory of someone, please see the Lodge Secretary or myself. The cost is $200 for three months.

    Our Masonic year is halfway done. Although each month brings challenges in accomplishing everything we want to do, we must remain steadfast in the principles of our order. We must continue to remember Most Worshipful Litten's theme of "Setting A Good Example" and strengthen our bonds with our families and Masonry. It brings me great joy in seeing each and every one of my brothers at our Communications as well as being part of each of our appendant bodies. God Bless and have a beautiful month.