July 2016 Trestleboard

    July is here and the time to celebrate the history of our country. As we enjoy the freedoms of living in our great country, we need to reflect on the men and women who have sacrificed all. Remember to fly the flag of our country and to visit with your family the memorials so that we never forget.

    Manasseh Lodge will host the Grand Master's Official Visit to the 4th Masonic District at 2:00 p.m. on July 23rd. Even though this is Most Worshipful Litten's Official Visit, it is not a Tiled Meeting. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Right Worshipful Paul Barry has set the theme around a garden party. Each lodge has been assigned to bring side items to reduce the cost of the Official Visit. The lodges within the District will prepare recipes from the cookbook Lay Ann, Most Worshipful Litten's wife, put together for her fund raiser. Tickets are $15 each to cover the main entree which is pulled pork and chicken. $5 of the ticket proceeds will go to MAHOVA. We have outdoor games and fun planned for the family.

    We will confer the Fellow Craft Degree on July 8th. One of our candidates has freed up his schedule so we will get him prepared for the next step in his journey of light. If our brother progresses fast enough, we will raise him to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on August 20th at the Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple. All brothers should come out that night as we confer the degree in full regalia.

    For furthering your Masonic education, the District 4 team will have District Class at Henry Lodge No. 57. The host lodge is Patriot Lodge No. 1957. The class will cover the Entered Apprentice Degree along with the catechism. Along with seeing the degrees exemplified, it is also a great time to meet the other brothers in the district.

    The Reid Simmons Masonic School will be held July 29th through 31st. The School is open to all Master Masons who are looking to improve their Masonic ritual and education. The school offers services in regards to teaching the ritual by Instructors that have many years of experience in Freemasonry. So if you are looking for a place to perfect your ritual, learn our symbolism or education then fill out the registration form and join us in the summer at our Boot Camp for Virginia Masonry. This year it is being held at the Best Western Plus Waynesboro Inn and Suites Conference Center, located at 109 Apple Tree Lane, Waynesboro. For further information about times and courses being offered, check the Grand Lodge of Virginia Website at https://grandlodgeofvirginia.org for the schedule, or contact Worshipful Michael J. King, mjking6@verizon.net.

    During Worshipful Mark Cook's tenure, he had a Veterans Honor Plaque created. This year we are adding another section for brothers to add names for family members who have served in the military. The new section will be dedicated to Brother William Rieck, Sr. Brother Bill served in the Air Force, but aloway remembered the veterans. Brother Bill participates in the Manassas Veterans Day parades and puts ads in the program representing dedication to his lodge. To add a veteran's name, it only takes $40. The proceeds will go to the charity chosen by Brother Bill. Please keep Brother Bill and his family in your prayers.

    Manasseh Lodge No. 182 presented three citizenship awards last month at Grace E. Metz., Mayfield and Philip M. Pennington schools. The recipients were Jacobie Johnson from Metz, Heather Moore from Pennington and Timothy Tyrrell from Mayfield. The three individuals were selected for this award based on their actions of what being a good citizen represents in their schools and community. It was an honor to meet and present Jacobie, Heather, and Timothy with these awards. Our citizenship award is in honor of Worshipful Thomas Richard Wickman who was an important part of our craft. Worshipful Wickman dedicated his life to working with Master Masons and his community. Our lodge is truly grateful for what he has given to us and naming this award the Worshipful Thomas Rechard Wickman Citizenship Award. This award will have his memory touch others and his legacy live on.

    Manassas Rainbow Girl Assembly No. 13 will have their Installation of Officers at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9th. Miss Selena Sellers will be installed as Worthy Advisor. This will be Selena's second term as Worthy Advisor. On July 2nd, the girls will be hosting an ice cream social for the Rain Girls and any girls interested in Rainbow Girls. If you know of any girls between the ages of 12 to 21, invite them to come to the ice cream social. Our Assembly has grown again, they just installed two new girls. Manassas Rainbow Assembly is a part of our family and does a lot for the lodge so I encourage everyone to come to their events and attend a Rainbow meeting to see their excellent ritual work.

    Prince William Chapter, Order of DeMolay initiated two young men last month at Luray Caverns. Another youndg man only had one of the degrees and will be scheduled with the other candidate soon. Worshipful John Stallings conducted the initial adult leadership training last month. Prince William Chapter will open the Chapter on July 27th. It has been a long time since the Chapter has opened. We look forward to keeping the light on for these young men. We will begin setting the new advisory board in place and conduct another open house for recruiting more boys to join. Contact Worshipful John Stallings or myself if interested in being an advisor so that we can provide guidance and support for Prince William Chapter.