St. John’s Lodge No 2 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons New Castle, The Trestleboard

January 2013 VOL 1 ISSUE 5 From The East

Brethren,

I hope all Brothers and their families Brethren, have had a safe and happy New Year. The Stated Communication of St.

John’s Lodge No. 2 A.F. & A.M. PM Dave Parker gave a great lecture will be held on Wednesday, in December and will be giving January 9, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in another program for January’s the New Castle Masonic Temple, Meeting. 1406 Wilmington Road, New

Castle, Delaware 19720

Yours Fraternally,

By Order of the Gregory A Schulze, PM Worshipful Master Worshipful Master

Gregory A. Schulze, PM Worshipful Master 2012-2013 Attn: All Grand Lodge Members will Attested by John A. Loeb, PM – Secretary meet at 7:15pm, prior to the start of

our Regular Communication. Take

due notice and govern yourselves

accordingly.

Happy New Year! 2013

Page 2 Walk In Faith trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him during the night.

Cherokee Indian legends are among some of the How proud the Indian youth must have been that he finest legends if you are looking for inspiration. And did not disappoint his father. He obeyed all the the legend concerning the Indian youth's Rite of instructions and never once varied from them. It is a Passage is an inspirational story on faith that goes good lesson for us today. We should keep all the like this: commandments as God gave them to us and not vary from them. We should walk in FAITH, just as the When the time comes for a Cherokee Indian to go young lad did, and know that God is always there through his rite of passage, his father takes him into even though we can't see Him. the forest, blindfolds him and tells him that he is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not Announcements remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.

He cannot cry out for help to anyone.  Please notify us if you know of any member who is ill or in need of assistance. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience,  Grand Lodge Workshop at Union #7 will because each lad must come into manhood on his own. be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 8:00am. All master masons are welcome The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. to attend. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

 Past Master David Parker will present a short program this month. The subject The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, will be on an appropriate song written but he sat stoically, never down by Bro. Robert Burns. removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!  Newly raised brother Justin Vascellaro Finally, after a horrific night, has been stationed in Fort Jackson, SC. the sun appeared and he If you would like to wish him a Happy removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his New Year, his address is: father sitting on the stump PFC Justin Vascellaro next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, E. Co. 1-61 Plt 4 protecting his son from 1/61st BN IN REG harm. 165th IN BDE Like the boy in this story, we 11901 Golden Arrow Road too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God Fort Jackson, SC 29207 is watching over us, sitting on

the stump beside us. When

Page 3 Officers 2012 – 2013

Worshipful Master Gregory A. Schulze, PM 204 Red Railed Hawk Lane Middletown, DE 19709 (302) 650-3771 [email protected]

Senior Warden Junior Warden Frank E. Hartsell Randall S. Woods, Sr. 150 Thomas Landing Road 301 White Ave. Odessa, DE 19730 Linwood, PA 19061 (302) 378-4395 (484) 683-5928 [email protected] [email protected]

Secretary Treasurer John A. Loeb, PGMar . Arthur A. Loveless, JR., PSGD 34 Prangs Lane Gray Street New Castle, DE 19720 New Castle, DE 19720 (302) 593-0678 (302) 322-2491 [email protected] [email protected]

Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Stephane (Steve) Sabourin Past Master In Attendance 2390 Olivine Circle Townsend, DE 19734 (302) 540-5778 [email protected]

Senior Steward Junior Steward Paul White Kyle Schulze 1118 South Overhill Court 17 Craig Road Wilmington, DE 19810 Bear, DE 19701 (484) 238-6951 (302) 367-3666 [email protected] [email protected]

Chaplain Tiler N/A Gordon Parker

Page 4 Announcements Contact the Worshipful Master if you Continued from page 3 can help in any way.

 DeMolay Pancake Breakfast  As always, if you need a ride to the

Fundraiser - The General Torbert lodge, please call any officer. It would Chapter and the Kent Chapter Order be our pleasure to pick you up and take

of DeMolay will be having a pancake you home. breakfast fundraiser at the Applebee's

in Camden, DE. This is an all you care to eat buffet on January 5, 2013,

that begins at 8:00am and goes until 10:00am. The cost is $8.00 per ticket

and you can email Dad Dave Penney at [email protected] to order tickets.

This fundraiser is a joint effort and January 1/2 – EA Degree (7:00pm) will be used to offset some of the cost 1/7 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction 1/9 – Regular Communication for their upcoming competitions and 1/12 – NCMHC Work Party

traveling expenses. 1/13 – Masonic Home Church Service (2pm)

1/14 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction 1/16 – Possible Degree (check website)  January 13, 2013 is the St. John’s 1/17 – NCMHC Meeting

Lodge Church Service at the Masonic 1/19 – GL Workshop at Union #7 (8:00am) 1/21 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction Home. Service will start at 3:00pm. 1/23 – Possible Degree (check website)

Please come out and join us. 1/28 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction 1/30 – Possible Degree (check website)

 We are still looking for a few good February 2/4 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction men to sit in the chairs with a 2/6 – Possible Degree (check website)

commitment to completing the work 2/11 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction 2/13 – Regular Communication and progressing through the officer 2/18 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction

line. We have several Brothers who 2/20 – Possible Degree (check website) 2/21 – NCMHC Meeting have committed to the work, but we 2/25 – Officer Practice / School Of Instruction

can never have enough. We are also 2/27 – Possible Degree (check website)

in need of volunteers to help with the

refreshments and/or just in general. *Printable calendar on last page.

Page 5 . ancient times no Master or Fellow could be absent from it (Lodge). Especially when warned to appear at it, without incurring a severe censure, until it appeared to the Master and Wardens that pure necessity hindered him".

It is clear that Freemasonry places a firm responsibility on a brother to fulfill his duties to attend lodge meetings unless there is an honest and legitimate reason to stay away.

Responsibility To The Lodge One of the most tragic truths is that Masonry means so little to some who call themselves Masons. Can you imagine the resurgence Yes we have a responsibility to the lodge – it is Freemasonry would experience if suddenly every put to us in the ancient charges. Every member Lodge member would become a Mason on ce has a duty and responsibility to the Lodge to again in deed as well as in word; if suddenly which he belongs. every Lodge member would become what he professed to be; if suddenly every Lodge member Sadly, there are Masons who receive the three would do what he is obligated himself to do; if degre es and then forget all about the Lodge. They suddenly he would practice what he preaches; if seem to feel that it's somebody else's suddenly he should meas ure up to his Masonic responsibility to keep the Lodge going. Responsibilities or if he would attend more regularly or visit other lodges occasionally For a Brother to forget the Lodge that gave him his Masonic birth is like a son who would forget A duty is a responsibility we undertake and his mother that gave him physical birth. according to the task that duty can vary. Our Masonic responsibilities are non negotiable and Suppose no one attended Lodge meetings any cannot be wavered. more than you do, nor took anymore of an active part than you do, nor showed any more interest Every man who entered Freemasonry did so of than you do, what would happened to your his own free will and accord. He was not invited Lodge? Would it still be in existence? to join the Fraternity. He had to knock at the door for admittance. I quote from the Charge given to the Entered Apprentice, "Although your frequent appearance It should have been impressed upon him during at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet the interview stages, that as in life, "nothing it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with comes for nothing" and now with his admittance your necessary vocations, for these are on no he would be taking on duties and be responsible account to be neglected." to live a Masonic life.

Pay special atten tion to this wording for it does not give brethren a license to allow anything and everything to interfere with Masonry. On the contrary it gives an honest mason the opportunity ** From “A Reminder of a Freemason Duties to make an honest decision in the event that and Responsibilities” by Worshipful Bro Clive should it be necessary to miss a lodge meeting. Herron, Marine Lodge 627 IC, G rand Lodge of Ireland. In the third paragraph of the Ancient charge published in 1730 and printed in the Laws and Constitutions of Freemasonry. It reads ‘in

Page 6 Laughter: Good For The Soul house, after purchasing the property in 1738. Finney is reputed to have owned half a dozen Dear Lord: town houses and vast properties in the county, and is uncle to Declaration of Independence So far today, I am doing fine. I have not signer, Thomas McKean. After Finney’s death gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, in 1774, the property passed to his children, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over indulgent. and then to his daughter, Anna Dorothea. Family lore informs us that Anna had been so However, I am going to get out of bed in a few distraught at the loss of her fiance, a British minutes, and I will need a lot more help after officer under Colonel Braddock in the French that. and Indian War, that her father quickly married her to her cousin, John Finney of Thank you. Pennsylvania. David Finney, son of the builder, was a prominent town resident and held a number of important positions in the town, including Trustee of New Castle Common.

The histories and stories of its 18th century occupants reflect the rich cultural life of the The Amstel House period. As home of the 7th Governor of Delaware, Nic holas Van Dyke (his son New Castle Delaware Nicholas was WM of St. John’s Lodge in 1815 and was also a Senator), visited the home for a wedding in 1784. After Governor Van Dyke’s residency, his daughter Ann Van Dyke and her husband, lawyer Kensey Johns (WM o f St. John’s Lodge – 1795) lived in the Amstel House until their home at 2 E. Third Street was built in 1790. Their daughter, Fidelia, born in 1785 in the Amstel House, married Governor (WM of St. John’s Lodge – 1812). Today, examples of furniture from this family grace the exhibit rooms.

The Amstel House reflects the style and The Amstel House’s history in the 19th refinement of the town’s early prosperity. It is century mirrors the evolution of the town as a the single remaining, early Georgian transport and administrative center. New residence, built in the 1730s by Dr. John owner in 1795, Joseph Tatlow had owned the Finney. A large portion of the original stagecoach line to in the 1770s, and structure remains from the early 1700s. was part owner of the packet boat lines from New Castle to Philadelphia. Four generations The first owner of this property was Jan of one family deeply involved in the town’s Roeloff deHaes, a trader who was among the commerce and office holding class, Sheriff original settlers when Fort Casimir was John Moody, the Burnhams, and the Birds, established in 1 651. The property passed to his lived here from 1832-1904. Its last owner from grandson near the turn of the 18th century. By this family is John Bird Burnham, noted 1708, records note a “small old brick house” environmentalist, born here in 1869. on the property. John Finney built the current

Page 7 Committees 2012 – 2013

By -Laws Masonic Church Day * Thomas J Ventura Sr., PJGW *G. Thomas Taylor, III, PJGD Eugene R Small PG Mar. Kyle Schulze

Finance Grand Masters Visit *Eugene R Small PG Mar. *Gregory A. Schulze, PM, WM James T Elliott, Jr., PAGM Eugene R Small PGMar. John W. Cochran Randy Woods

IOJD Representative OES Representative *Harley W Spry PAGM *Walter S Wonchoba, PM, PGI

Widows Assistance Preparation Room *John A Loeb, PG Mar. *Stephane G Sabourin Arthur A Loveless, Jr., PSGD Paul White Bentley L Carter Kyle Schulze

DeMolay Representative Past Masters Night *G Thomas Taylor, III, PJGD *Gregory A. Schulze, PM, WM David M. Parker, PM Trustees *Eugene R Small P.G. Mar. Masonic Home Service Gregory A Schulze PM *G Thomas Taylor, III, PJGD Thomas J Ventura Sr., PJGW All Officers and Members

Lodge History *Thomas J Ventura Sr., PJGW Officers Instruction John W Cochran *Thomas J Ventura Sr., PJGW Frank E Hartsell Eugene R Small P.G. Mar. Arthur A Loveless, Jr. PSGD Dues David M Parker, PM *John A Loeb, P. G. Mar John W Cochran Eugene R Small P.G. Mar. Arthur A Loveless, Jr. PSGD Sick & Visitation *Harley W Spry PAGM Widows Baskets Stephane G Sabourin *Bentley L Carter Thomas J Ventura Sr., PJGW All Officers & PM’s School of Instructions Mason of the Year *G Thomas Taylor, III, PJGD *Frank E Hartsell Walter Wonchoba PM Randy Woods, Sr. Paul White Stephane G Sabourin Kyle C, Schulze Jack Crystle Technology/Web Site *David M Parker, PM Pancake Breakfast Thomas J. Ventura Sr., PJGW *John W Cochran Steve Sabourin Stephane G Sabourin Jack Crystle Intender Program *Bentley L Carter Ladies at the Table Instructors from the school *Stephane G. Sabourin

Charity Shirts, Hats Sales All Officers *Herbert J. Atkinson, PGM

*Denotes Chairman

Page 8 Fundraisers

brick can contain 3 lines and up to 18 characters of text per line. The bricks will be delivered once a total of 25 bricks have been sold.

For more information, contact Jack

Crystle at 302-836-9229 . To place an order, print out page 11 of this newsletter, fill it out and mail it, along with your check, to the address on the form.

Brick Pavers The New Castle Masonic Hall Company, in conjunction with the officers of St. John’s Lodge, is reminding everyone of Lodge Shirts their brick paver fundraiser, allowing bricks to be purchased and featured along Another Lodge Fundraiser is th e Masonic the front sidewalk of the lodge building. Lodge Shirts. These shirts are of high

quality and made to last. Please contact Past Master Harley Spry, Jr. for more The lodge sidewalk will be a place where you may now create a lasting tribute to a information and to place an order. special person, family member or Email: [email protected] ancestor viewable to all who might travel down the sidewalk leading to the front door of the building.

Bricks can become a memorial, a recognition or a representation of your love of our Masonic Fraternity to be displayed prominently at the lodge.

Proceeds from bricks placed in front of the building will be used to fund the needs of the building with the most immediate need being the replacement of the AC units, at an estimated cost of around $50,000.00.

The engraved bricks are available and can be purchased with a donation of $125.00, which is 100$ tax deductible. A

Page 9 St. John’s Masonic Paver Donation: $125 each (100% Tax Deductible)

You may provide up to three lines of inscription, limited to individual or business names. The top line may say “In honor of” or “In memory of” if you choose. Otherwise, only names may be inscribed.

PAVERS ARE NOT LIMITED TO MASTER MASONS, ANYONE IS INVITED TO PURCHASE ONE.

No dates or other wording permitted.

Each paver may contain up to three (3) lines with 18 characters per line (lines will be centered). Spaces & punctuation, such as dashes or commas are counted as a character. New Castle Masonic Hall Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to deny any application and return the paver donation. Questions can be directed to Jack Crystle 302-836-9229.

I would like my inscription to read: (18 characters per line only)

__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/

__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/

__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/ (remember: no dates or other wording, just names!)

Name______Address ______City, State, Zip ______Daytime Phone (____)______E-Mail ______

Make checks payable NCMHC, INC and forward to: New Castle Masonic Hall Company 27 Walker Dr New Castle, DE 19720

4” x 8” Brick

IN MEMORY OF JOHN SMITH IN HONOR OF JOHN SMITH JOHN SMITH

“Over 200 years of Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love”

VOL. # ISSUE #

St. John’s Lodge No. 2 A.F. & A.M. Regular Communic ations Every P.O. Box 409 2nd Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. New Castle, DE 19720 Except July & August

WWW.STJOHNS-NO2-DE.COM

Page 11 Page 13 St. John's Calendar

January 2013 February 2013 SMTWTFS SMTWTFS January 2013 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday January 1, 2013 2 3 4 5 New Year's Day 7:00pm - E.A. Degree

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:15pm - GL Member Meet. 8-Noon NCMHC Work Party 7:00pm School of Instr. 7:30pm Reg. Comm.

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 3pm - Highfield Church Serv. 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:00pm - Possible Degree 7:00pm NCMHCO Meeting 8am - Noon GL Workshop 7:00pm School of Instr.

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:00pm - Possible Degree 7:00pm School of Instr.

27 28 29 30 31 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:00pm - Possible Degree 7:00pm School of Instr. St. John's Calendar

February 2013 March 2013 SMTWTFS SMTWTFS February 2013 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday February 1 2 Ground Hog Day

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:00pm - Possible Degree 7:00pm School of Instr.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:30pm Reg. Comm. Valentine's Day 7:00pm School of Instr. Ash Wednesday

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:00pm - Possible Degree 7:00pm NCMHCO Meeting 7:00pm School of Instr. President's Day

24 25 26 27 28 7:00pm Officer Practice 7:00pm - Possible Degree 7:00pm School of Instr.