Effective May 1, 2021, Lodges will be allowed to resume regular Stated Communications. It has been a long time since we held Stated Communications. I am so happy that we will be able to resume those meetings and enjoy the fellowship of being on the Level.
I have received some communications that indicate waiting to May is unnecessary. I disagree. It is important that all Lodge members receive due notice of the change. The Washington Masonic Code states that due notice is 20 days. That is not possible for many Lodges to accomplish for their April meetings. Therefore, Lodges will not be allowed to resume in-person meetings until May 1, 2021.
There are, of course, some conditions that must be satisfied before Lodges may re-open.
First, the place where the Lodge holds its Communications must allow meetings. That will require the Lodge Building corporations (or other building owner) to make sure the building is clean and safe.
Second, there are some Lodges that may feel it is premature for them to meet in-person at this time. For those Lodges, I have given the Executive Committee (elected officers) the option to first consult with the Lodge Membership and then make the determination that it is not safe or prudent to meet in-person. In such cases, the Lodge is still required to meet virtually on the date and time of their regular stated meeting.
Third, I have given the Lodges the option to hold part of their in-person Stated Communications virtually.
Fourth, there are still some activities that are not allowed. Specifically, serving meals (because of the additional strict conditions that have been imposed) and conducting degrees are not allowed. I am hopeful that even these restrictions will be removed soon, but until then please be patient.
If you have questions about the requirements for re-opening or what Lodges are allowed and not allowed to do, please see my March 26, 2021 Directive which can be found on Grand View at
You must be registered and signed into Grand View to access this document.
Remember the Past, Visualize the Future
Chris Coffman
Grand Master
From the Desk of R.W. Clinton M. Brown, Jr.
Grand Secretary
Dear Brethren,
It appears Spring is here. And with Spring comes new hope. Last year at this time the Lodges had just been shut down and we were in the early stages of the pandemic. Fast forward one year and the entire state is in Phase Three of the Governor’s Health Washington – Roadmap to Recovery. Many of our members are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the Grand Master is allowing Lodges to meet in-person beginning May 1, 2021. I encourage everyone to read and make sure that you understand the requirements that the Grand Master put out in his March 26, 2021 directive to the craft for resumption of in-person meetings. We want to continue to move forward. Following the guidelines put out by the State are critical to continuing to move forward. If you have questions, the Grand Master will hold an open forum on Zoom on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 7 p.m. The link to this meeting can be found on Zoom under the Seminars section.
Some of our Lodge buildings may have been dormant for over a year. Take this time to make sure that the Lodge building is safe to resume meeting. Below are some things to check before reopening and a few links to sites that can help guide building owners and operators through the process of reopen the Lodge buildings safely.
Service HVAC system including cleaning or replacing air filters and maximizing fresh air intake.
Post required COVID-19 signs and provide hand sanitizers at entrances.
Inspect, test and service emergency lighting, exit signs, fire sprinklers, alarms, fire doors, exits, etc.
The Grand Master has also sent a letter regarding how the Annual Communication will be conducted. Due to social distancing requirements that have been put in place by the Governor, we are limited in the number of people who can register and attend. Please make sure that you read the Grand Master’s letter carefully. Registration will be available on the Grand Lodge website (freemason-wa.org). You must pre-register online this year. Due to social distancing requirements, there will be no onsite registration this year. Everyone must pre-register online. If you do not register online, you will not be allowed to attend the Annual Communication.
Lastly, I want to take a moment to talk about the terrible atrocity that took place in in Vancouver, British Columbia. As many of you know, three Lodge buildings were severely damaged by a fire that appears to have been intentionally set. The good news is the authorities have a suspect in custody. The bad news is that three Lodge buildings suffered serious damage. During this time of unrest, organizations such as ours are vulnerable to attack by those who believe that we are a cult or part of the Illuminati. We have seen increased attacks on historical, governmental and community buildings and structures. Masons and our structures are prime targets for these attacks. Please be vigilant and report anything that you see that is out of the ordinary. Be aware of your surroundings and stay safe. Take the time to make sure that your building is secure. We are praying for our Brethren in British Columbia.
Fraternally,
Clinton M. Brown, Jr.
Grand Secretary
From The Desk of V.W. Clayton LaVigne Assistant Grand Secretary
Greetings again!
My Brothers, it’s getting towards that time again when the weather starts improving and we can start getting things going outside! The same thing will be applying to our Lodges, as we’ll soon be able to meet in person for the first time in just over a year! I’m sure you’re looking forward to it as much as I am!
Please be sure to get familiar with the Grand Master’s edicts, and the accompanying Matrix, to be sure of what is required when your Lodge resumes in-person meetings. There are some that you might not have considered before, such as the condition of your building. In my Lodge in Centralia, the electrical and plumbing are fine, since the bottom two floors have been in continuous use over the last year, but my Lodge in Tenino has not been in continuous use. In fact, the Tenino Lodge was able to save money by having their water shut off. However, when we turn it back on, I can only imagine what the water will look like when we turn on the first faucet! Please be careful, and follow the guidelines set forth in the edicts and Matrix.
And, of course, there is the resuming of ritual. As is the case with most of us, it has been over a year since I’ve last heard opening and closing ritual. If you’re in a secure place, such as your back yard or other place where you practice ritual, try the Worshipful Master’s part, or your own officer’s part of opening a Lodge on any degree, without using a book. See how far you get, or how “rusty” it is. Chances are it’s going to be a little more difficult than you expected. Now’s the time to grab that book and brush up on it! You have roughly a month of practice before you’ll get your chance to perform your part in a Stated Communication.
In case you’re not too concerned about the rustiness of your ritual, or that of your fellow officers, I’d like to remind you of the number of inquirers we have registered in Grandview. I’m checking it right now: 261. There are 261 gentlemen, from Bellingham to Kennewick, from Vancouver to Hunters, and from Goldendale to Omak, who are seeking to join our Great Fraternity. And these are the ones who are registered in Grandview. I know of at least a few more who have attended informal Zoom meetings of our Lodges over the last few months but might still be on the fence of which Lodge they wish to join. That might very well bump the total up over 300! In addition, as an administrator of two of my Lodge’s Facebook pages, there was a notable uptick in interest in our Lodges since the March 2020 shutdown. The opportunity to boost our Fraternity’s active membership is as good as it’s been in a very long time!
My Brothers, I am indeed looking forward to firing up my lawn mower to mow some lawns, cleaning up my roses and getting them ready for summer blooms, and also getting the garden ready. It’s springtime. But make no mistake, I am looking forward to stepping foot back into the Tenino Lodge building.
Things are looking up. It’s going to be a great year.
Fraternally,
Clayton LaVigne
Assistant Grand Secretary
Sickness & Distress – Masonic Outreach Services is Here to Assist
Do you know a Mason, Masonic widow, or member of our Masonic family who needs assistance due to age, illness, disability, or hardship? Maybe you could use a little help yourself? Masonic Outreach Services’ Care Coordinators and Certified Senior Advisors spend time visiting with our clients to tailor solutions that help them lead dignified and meaningful lives by remaining independent or finding the right solution for their daily needs.
Please, if you know someone who can use our assistance, help them connect with us by calling, toll free, (844) 288-3531 or outreach@masonscare.org
Grand Lodge Events
April 8, 2021 - 7:00 PM - Grand Master's Open Forum - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
April 9, 2021 - 6:30 PM - District 11 Meeting - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
April 10, 2021 - 12:00 PM - District 24 Meeting - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
April 10, 2021 - 3:00 PM - District 17 Meeting - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
April 16, 2021 - 6:30 PM - District 26 Meeting - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
April 17, 2021 - 10:00 AM - The Elephant in the Room - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
April 17, 2021 - 1:00 PM - 2021-2022 Team Meeting - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
May 21, 2021 - 6:30 AM - District 2 - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
May 22, 2021 - 11:00 AM - District 15 - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
May 22, 2021 - 3:00 PM - District 14 - Zoom Teleconference Links to the meeting are on the Seminar page on GrandView.
The Grand Lodge office staff will be back in the office beginning Monday, April 12, 2021. However, we will still not be open for visitors. If you need to visit in person, please call ahead to make an appointment.
Lodge Secretary Corner
Grand Lodge Fees - Please remember your Grand Lodge Fees are due on or before April 15, 2021. Thank you to all of the Lodges that have paid their invoice.
Annual Communication
Registration for the Annual Communication is now available on the Grand Lodge website (freemason-wa.org) under News/Events/Annual Communication. Please make sure you have read the Grand Master's directive about who is allowed to register to attend.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions you will not be allowed to register in-person at the event this year. You must register online if you are planning to attend the Annual Communication.
