Page 16 - 2017 Summer

our core values in a world that desperately needs guidance.
Grand Lodge of Washington
Gr and Lodg e of W ashingt on
Masonic Tribune
Masonic T r ibune It’s a simple message, but a timely and powerful one.
Volume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3
Volume XCVIII No. 4 - Summer 2017 Issue - Page 16
But lately I’ve come to see that there is another equally com-
pelling perspective. We can direct our efforts inward as well
as outward. We can be the difference to each other in thou-
Deputies of the Grand Master sands of ways both large and small. When we watch out
for each other, when a Brother knows you have his back,
REPORTS or when we offer a Brother 100% of your presence when
listening, we make a difference. When we extend a helping
hand or go out of our way to help one of our own, we make
a difference. When we volunteer our time to help our Ma-
reetings from the Brethren of District No. sonic youth groups, we make a difference. We have a great
G2 thing going here, our sacred retreat of friendship and virtue.
The Brethren of District No. 2 are excited Nurture and protect it, and never take it for granted. It will
and looking forward to the second half of make a huge difference.
their Masonic year, welcoming the new lead-
ership into their elected and appointed roles VWBB Daniel C. Boren
at Grand Lodge in June and appreciative Deputy of the Grand Master - District No. 5
for the Leadership and Guidance from this
year’s Grand Lodge Team.
They have exemplified this year’s motto “Be the Difference”. F raternal greetings from District No. 8
Visitations are up both within and without the District and the District No. 8 has a tradition of pro-
Brethren are enjoying Fellowship and learning something new ducing some of finest ritualists. I extend
as they experience different areas. my right hand and wish to congratulate
We’ve all visited Lodges that are firing on all cylinders from Post- Brother Scott Ross, Senior Warden of
Damascus Lodge, No. 199. Brother Scott
ing Lectures on all three Degrees, active and engaged member- came out on top of the Senior Warden’s
ship, community involvement, great youth support and large at- competition held in Wenatchee on April
tendance at Meetings and events. 9th. It is an honor to have yet another D8
To these Lodges congratulation on the hard work it took to “Be Senior Warden makes it to this annual event.
the Difference” and for the extra effort and commitment to keep it As you know it can take hours to learn our ritual but for those
moving forward. You are setting the example for others to follow. participating in this competition, it takes even more. Brother
Each Lodge and Member of the Craft has the opportunity to “Be Scott not only can repeat the words very well, rap the gavel
the Difference”, but the question prevails are you willing to? when appropriate and remove his hat at the proper time; he
The District No. 2 Ed Team is again scheduling our famous Dis- communicates the meaning of the words. Too often we hear
our ritual and ceremonies done by rote rather than from the
trict 2 Wardens retreat to be held September 22nd -24th. Three heart, Brother Scott delivers the message from his heart.
days of jam packed work sessions, handouts, templates, presen-
tations, fraternal bonds with your counter parts that will carry on It also takes the backing from others to achieve this level of
for a life time and some Great Food. competence; Brother Scott had great support from his Broth-
ers at Damascus 199. Two Masters from other Lodges volun-
Anyone outside of District No. 2 interested in learning more teered their time to have practice sessions. Thank you, Wor-
about the retreat or have questions about some of the training ship Masters Larry Foley (a SW finalist a few years ago) and
information we use please contact myself or any member of our Steve Martin for spending many evenings with Brother Scott
Ed team. helping him refine his work. The past few years these dedi-
cated Masters have offered one or two evenings a month to
Fraternally, help members from any Lodge with ritual coaching sessions.

VWBB Jimmy Norton Congratulations are also due to Worshipful Brother Jay Mor-
Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 2 ris, recipient of the Grand Master’s Achievement Award in
District 8. Worshipful Brother Jay is a member of Everett 137,
206 679 6582 Alpha 212 and Skykomish 259; Past Master of Everett 137
jnortjr@gmail.com and currently holds an officer place or station in all three of
his Lodges. If anyone truly emulates what it is to be a Mason,
it is our friend and Brother Jay Morris.
As I reflect back on the Masonic year that is rapidly grow-
ing to a close, I’ve been pondering the Above are just a few names of Masons Making a Difference
Grand Master’s message for the year: in District 8, there are many more.
“Be the Difference.” My first instinct was It has been an honor, privilege, and a humbling experience to
to think of it as an admonition directing us serve District 8 as the Deputy of the Grand Master for the past
outward into the world. At a time when two years. My gratitude and thanks to the Brethren of District
civility seems to have gone the way of the 8 and Grand Masters Don Munks and Jim Mendoza for the
Dodo, when many seem mired in (anti-) opportunity to grow as a Mason.
social media pettiness, and many despair Fraternally,
that basic human decency is no longer a
shared value, his message urges us to be VWBB Jim Hamlin
candles in the darkness and to exemplify Deputy of the Grand Master - District No. 8
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