Worshipful Master: Douglas R. DulaneySecretary: Carl H.Dunn Jr, PDDGM

December 2017 Trestleboard


Scheduled Monthly

Friday, December 1, 7:30 p.m. 
    Stated Communication
    Dinner -  6:30 p.m.

Class Nights

Monday, December 4
    7:30 p.m.  – Lodge Class 
Monday, December 11
    7:30 p.m.  – Lodge Class
Monday, December 25
    7:30 p.m.  – NO LODGE CLASS - Merry Christmas!

District Classes

NO CLASS THIS MONTH

Dates to Remember

Saturday, December 2
    2:00 p.m - Manasseh Lodge No. 182 - Installation of Officers
Sunday, December 3
    2:00 p.m. - Manasseh Lodge Annual Christmas Party
Monday, December 18
    Entered Apprentice Degree

A message from the Worshipful Master

    December is here and time for the changing of our officers. I am thankful for the brethren and family to have presided over your Lodge the last two years.  I have greatly enjoyed being your Worshipful Master and will always cherish this time. I am thankful for the time we have spent together as a family and I hope that we have grown closer and stronger. Take this time to reflect what we have been given and spread that joy to those around us so we all can have a brighter tomorrow.
 
    At our stated communication this month, we will have our election of officers. This year we have a strong line of lodge officers which will carry Manasseh Lodge No. 182 into the next year and years to come. Come out to show your support of your lodge and cast your vote for these fine group of officers. The installation of officers will be on December 2 at 2:00 p.m. Come show your support for the new officers to help them start off the Masonic year. Ensure you check the lodge calendar for the installation of officers for date and time of the rest of our District 4 lodges.
 
    On December 3rd, we will have our annual Christmas Party starting at 2:00 p.m. All our family and friends are welcome. Santa will also be making his appearance for all the good children. We ask that the parents or guardians of children attending to bring a gift for them with their name on it for Santa. Brother Doyle Meadows has set up a sign up for food, deserts and other treats. You can also contact Brother Doyle for more details at 703-314-7788. We look forward to seeing everyone as we celebrate the holidays.
 
    Manasseh Lodge No. 182 was awarded the James N. Hillman Award again this year. Our lodge achieved all of the prerequisite requirements in activities; ritual; Masonic education; Lodge administration; and charity, family and community service. In doing what we are supposed to do as a lodge, we again were able to meet all of the requirements without any waivers as we have had to do in previous years. This award is achieved through the hard work and commitment of the line officers, brethren, appendant bodies and families of our lodge. I thank everyone for helping us achieve the Hillman award again.
           
    At the 239th Grand Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Virginia, Most Worshipful Gary Wallace Taylor was elected as your Grand Master for the ensuing Masonic year. Right Worshipful Donald L. McAndrews was installed as our District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourth Masonic District. Most Worshipful Taylor’s theme for the ensuing Masonic year is “Freemasonry – A Tower of Strength.” Our craft will continue to grow stronger with the leadership of Most Worshipful Taylor this year and we look forward to seeing Most Worshipful Taylor in our lodge in May for Strawberry Night and the District 4 official visit of the Grand Master in August. We look forward to serving with Most Worshipful Taylor and Right Worshipful McAndrews during this year.
 
    At Grand Annual Communication the resolution for increasing dues for subordinate lodges was approved. This means that starting in 2019, the annual dues will increase by $10. The increase of dues is to cover expenses for Grand Lodge operational costs and charitable activities of scholarship fund and youth groups. The second resolution to change the methodical digest for withdrawal of membership. Resolution 17-02 was to amend the paragraph changing that a member could not withdraw membership if he was pending Masonic charges or civil or criminal charges. This resolution did not pass. Life Membership in Perpetuity Program (LMIP) has also been changed. Starting on January 1, 2018, LMIP will be twenty-one times our annual dues. On January 1, 2019, the LMIP is twenty-three times annual dues and January 1, 2020, twenty-five times annual dues. These increases were caused by the program not sustainable at the current rate of sixteen times the annual dues. Even though the increase for LMIP may seem a lot, this is still a great program that will benefit the craft and our lodge long after we set aside our working tools. I encourage all the brethren to consider being a LIMP member.
 
    The Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons in Virginia held its 210th Grand Annual Convocation and Most Excellent Joe Gilbert Broce was installed as Grand High Priest for the ensuing Capitular year. Excellent Joe Martinez, our High Priest of Manassas Royal Arch Chapter No. 81 and several of his officers were there to welcome in Most Excellent Broce as he begins his year.

    Wimodausis Chapter No. 106 Order of the Eastern Star held Friendship Night at their stated communication in November. Under the experienced leadership of the Worthy Matron, Tammy Swihart, the chapter has had a program of appreciation at each meeting. These programs included Past Matron/Patron night, Veteran’s appreciation, and Star point night. Along with fraternal visits to other chapters and assisting other chapters, Wimodausis has increased visitation from other chapters. The chapter now has at least six to ten visitors each meeting. This is a lesson we should spread to others. We hope to see our Star members at the next stated meeting as we celebrate the holidays.

    Destiny Court No. 14 initiated two new members in the court. We welcome the new sisters as part of our appendant body. The Court is another important part of our Masonic family and encourage Master Masons and eligible ladies to consider becoming a member and help Freemasonry be a Tower of Strength.

    Our Rainbow Girls Assembly No. 13 also initiated several young ladies.  Our assembly continues to impress us with the abilities to perform their ritual and achievements. These girls are always there to help to support us as much as we support them. They have done a tremendous job this year and we thank them for being part of the family. 

    Prince William Chapter Order of the DeMolay has gone from being dormant to being able to open a chapter meeting and installing officers within the last 18 months. I started off with Worshipful Stallings the thought of what we needed to get the chapter started again to where they are at today. Our young men are an integral part of our Lodge. They are now working on their obligatory Day of Comfort. We are proud to have them as part of our family. Dad Wyatt Hamrick is planning many more activities this year to make Prince William Chapter strong and fun. Prince William Chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month and would love to have our Master Masons to attend. Encouragement for them can make them grow more involved in Masonry and someday petition to become a Master Mason.

    Ensure you take time for donating blood. We must also work on our charity by giving the gift of life through our blood donation program.  If interested, contact Brother George Harrington to find out how you can contribute by either giving blood or assisting in blood drives.

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

    We must remain faithful to our obligations, our country and God. Every Mason has the ability to be more than a good and honorable man.  We need to emulate the lessons learned from Masonry and become “A Tower of Strength.” Celebrate our Country and what we stand for in order to preserve our Country and our Craft. Learn from our forefathers and teach others these principles. I look forward to 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. It has been a pleasure to serve as your Worshipful Master. 

The end of November status is as follows:
Beginning Year: 216   New Members: 1        Affiliated: 0
Deaths: 4         Demits: 3         Suspensions: 3
Candidates in process: 2
Awaiting elections: 0   Awaiting affiliation: 0
Current: 207

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Christopher A. Swihart
“Obligations to the Craft, Allegiance to our Country, and Duty to Our God”
Worshipful Master
Manasseh Lodge No. 182

December 2017 Calendar

  Blood ID: #1148
Blood Coordinator: Bro. George Harrington, Jr.
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
1

STATED COMM. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 7:30PM DINNER 6:30PM

2

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 2:00PM

3

MANASSEH LODGE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2:00PM

4

HERNDON LODGE INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 7:30PM

5

 

6

 

7

MANASSAS RAINBOW ASSEMBLY BRD MEETING 7:00PM

8

 

9

ACACIA LODGE INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 10:00AM

10

 

11

LODGE PRACTICE - EA DEGREE - 7:30PM

12

MAN. PLEDGE ASSEMBLY 7:00PM MANASSAS RAINBOW ASSEMBLY 7:30PM

13

PR. WM. CHAP. DeMOLAY ADV. BD. MTG. 6:30PM PR. WM. CHAP. DeMOLAY 7:30PM

14

MANASSAS ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER 81 7:00PM DINNER 6:30PM

15

MT. CARMEL LODGE INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 7:00PM

16

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS PATRIOT LODGE 10:00AM HENRY LODGE 2:00PM HAYMARKET LODGE 5:00PM

17

 

18

CALLED COMM. EA DEGREE 7:30PM

19

 

20

 

21

DESTINY CT. NO 14 STATED MTG 7:30PM DINNER 6:30PM

22

 

23

 

24

 

25

 

26

 

27

 

28

 

29

MANASSAS 81 CALLED COMM. MARK MASTER DEG 7:30PM DINNER 6:30PM

30

 

31

 

Appendant Bodies

Manassas Royal Arch Chapter No. 81
    Joseph H. Martinez, Sr., High Priest, 703-340-5914

C.A. Sinclair, Jr. Council #412 A.M.D.
    Peter S. Jensen, Sovereign Master, 703-989-3368

WIMODAUSIS Chapter No. 106, O.E.S.
    Tammy Swihart, Worthy Matron, 614-638-2241
 
 
Destiny Court No. 14, Order of Amaranth
    Lisa Elliot, Royal Matron,  703-732-7990

Manassas Assembly No. 13, I.O.R.G.
    Priscilla Costis, Mother Adviser, 703-909-4533

Prince William Chapter Order of DeMolay
    Wyatt Hamrick, Chapter Dad, 703-335-2774

Trustees

Carl Dunn Jr., PDDGM
Donald L. McAndrews, PDDGM
Cliff Blasius, PM
John D. Stallings, III, PM
Wayne Bentz, PM

Catechism Instructors

Thomas C. Costis, PM
William W. Costis, PDDGM
Douglas Dulaney
John D. Stallings, III, PM
Joseph Martinez, PM

Living Past Masters

1968 - L.W. Bolton, Jr.^
1975 - E.W. Herrington, Jr. #
1977 - L.L. Holbrook, Jr. **#
1982 - J.W. Roberson **
1983 - P.A. Dixon
1984 - R.H. Dean **
1990 - M.E. Coleman
1991 - R.H. Dean **
1992 - G.A. Miller, Jr.
1994 - W.W. Costis **
1995 - C.H. Dunn, Jr. **#
1996 - W.B. Glisson
1997 - W.E. Keyton
1998 - J.S. Holbrook
1999 - W.F. Sessler#
2001 - D.L. McAndrews**#
2002 - P.J. Martin
2003 - D.C. McAndrews
2004 - R.H. Dean **
2005 - J.S. Holbrook
2006 - W.K. Edwards
2007 - J.A. Meador
2008 - J.D. Stallings, III
2009 - A.W. Bentz
2010 - A.M. Elliott
2011 - M.A. Cook
2012 - J.W. Mitchell, Jr.
2013 - J.H. Phillips
2014 - C.H. Nidell
2015 - B.R. Hart
2016 - C.A. Swihart
2017 - C.A. Swihart
2018 - C.H. Nidell
2019 - P.J. Sommers
2020 - T.W. Costis
2021 - T.W. Costis
2022 - J.H. Martinez
2023 - J.H. Martinez

Honorary Members

L.W. Bolton *^
W.W. Costis **
C.H. Dunn, Jr. **
R.B. Williams **
L.L. Holbrook, Jr. **
P.H. Fishell *
E.B. Harlow #
A.T. Wood

50/60 Year Members Not Listed Elsewhere

T.G. Evans #
J.P. Jones #
W.E. Kirby ^
W.C. McCalla, II #
R.E. Riggle #
H.A. Whisenant #
* - PM    ** - PDDGM    *** - PGM    # - 50 Year    ^ - 60 Year    ^^ - 70 Year    - Demitted