It seems Friendship Masonic Lodge is gaining a reputation for top-flight ritual work. On Thursday, July 19 the Brethren of Friendship, at the request of WB Rick Okita, traveled en masse to Eastgate Lodge No. 155 to pitch in and help our Brothers execute a double Fellowcraft Degree for Bros. Kenn Clulow and Ryan Hawkins. Our Worshipful Master stepped in to help in several vital roles, while several other Friendship Lodge Brothers offered to serve as Chaplain (WB Leo Schuman) and Junior Warden (our beloved BJW Kent Smith). But perhaps the most notable contribution came from our Senior Warden, Christopher Chase who held the venerated position of giving the lecture of the degree – a distinct specialty of his, and one of the most beautiful and illustrative parts of the Masonic ritual experience. It is a great honor to be invited to do this work, and the warmth of brotherhood came ablaze with dear friends and fellows from Sandy Lodge also coming out to help.
As the meeting came to its end, WB Okita asked if there was any further business to come before his Lodge. Bro. Christopher Chase didn’t waste a second to point out that Friendship had 6 Master Masons present, entitling them to the retrieval of a gavel previously taken by Eastgate Lodge at our May Stated Meeting. But just as WB Okita was reaching to grasp our gavel, Bro. Adam Triplett of Sandy Lodge stood and made note that Sandy had seven Master Masons present. In good humor he argued that the larger body should (of course) have priority. WB Okita turned to his Secretary (a venerated Past Master) who said simply, “this game isn’t in the code, but your duty to maintain harmony is” and shrugged his shoulders. Laughter abounded in the room.
Ultimately, quickly WB Okita chose to return the gavel to Friendship. WB Lee, having volunteered to watch the door as Tyler for the closing ritual had only a scant idea of what had been going on. He was certain he heard laughter and a lot more talking around the room that would ordinarily happen during the closing of a lodge. But upon coming in and learning of what had happened WB Lee was so moved by Sandy Lodge’s sporting attitude that he reached into his pocket and gave his very own Friendship Lodge challenge coin to the Master of Sandy Lodge, telling him that he had served as a great example of spreading the Light of Masonry.
After all the business was done, the assembled Brethren made their way to the Parkrose Lodge Lounge to enjoy a bit of refreshment in good company and trade stories, jokes and gifts; and once again cement the bonds of brotherly love. WB Okita raised a glass to the many Brothers who helped make the night happen; but the true stars of the night were Brothers Kenn Clulow and Ryan Hawkins, who after proving themselves worthy to passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Mason, honored all of us with the opportunity to confer this degree upon them and gave us all a wonderful memory to last a lifetime.
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