I hope this finds everyone safe and in good health. We had a good meeting last month. There was

                                around 15 brothers present.  We had a  good meal provided by our Junior
                                Warden along with his committee.  At our June Stated Communication we will be having a Spaghetti dinner provided by Brother Al Godsey and his Stewards Committee. 
                                Wor. Pete Gordon gave an interesting talk about the Masonic Home in Richmond. He gave a little history along with a brief overview of the facility and talked on how to qualify
                                and to go into the home. Our next family dinner is on Jun 12^th  6:30pm at the International Buffet on Sams Drive, across from Wal-Mart in Chesapeake. I hope to see as many
                                of you there that can make it. Come on out and enjoy the fellowship, a good time is always had by all.

                                     We are in the process of taking orders for our new Lodge Shirts. They will not be Golf Shirts like the last time we ordered them. They will be regular Collared dress shirts.
                                The color is pacific blue and the cost will be approximately  $40.00.  They can be ordered  as a regular Masonic shirt (Square and Compass) or with the Past Master’s Logo and
                                your name. Wor. Dave Alfsen is taking the orders from each Brother. We are asking for $20.00 up front and the remaining due upon receipt of the shirt. We will be placing the
                                order right after the June Stated Communication and should have them in time for the July Stated Communication.

                                     We still need volunteers to help our with our Masonic School every Wednesday at the Norview Temple commencing at 7:00pm.

                               THE TRESTLEBOARD

JUNE MASONIC BIRTHDAYS

                                     The following Brethren celebrate their Masonic birthdays during the month of June.  I hope each of you will attend the Stated Communication on the 22nd
                                be recognized, meet with your Brethren, and receive the thanks of the Master and the Lodge.

                                One of the things we say to critics of Freemasonry is that  “Freemasonry is not religious and has nothing to do with religion”.   Isn’t the celebration of St. John’s
                          Day religious?  At the same time, isn’t St. Thomas, not St. John, the patron Saint of Architecture and Building?  What does St. John have to do with Freemasonry? 

                          As this day of Masonic significance approaches, lets look at…..

St. John’s Day

                                         In the Middle Ages, the chief source of light was the Sun.  The Sun made the crops grow, the rivers flow, it kept the family warm and allowed them to see approaching danger. 
                          It was responsible for everything and for this reason Sun Worshipers were plentiful in those days.  The Sun did one more thing, it defined the hours of work.  You waited for Sunrise
                          to begin work and had to cease at Sundown.  You got paid for the amount of work you did.  Therefore, the days with the most light, provided the most money.  The culmination of
                          the days receiving the most light was the longest day or the Summer Solstice, which is June 24^th and that is St. John’s Day. 

                                         You can probably see that this would be a perfect day to celebrate.  It was the culmination of the days with the most light.   There were many parties and festivals to celebrate
                          this date.  The Church took notice of the pagan (Sun Worshipers) festivities on this day and made an effort to put a religious spin on the celebrations.  It named June 24^th, St. John the
                          Baptist Day.  Some Masonic jurisdictions do celebrate by attending Church, not because Masonry is religious, but as a means of celebration. (Freemasonry has always maintained
                          that we believe in a Supreme Being) but other jurisdictions have parades and processions in full Masonic Regalia with no reference to church whatsoever.