From the East
Anderson Campbell, Worshipful Master
Tending the Circle 
One of the first things we learn in Freemasonry is that we are not undertaking this work alone.
We come into the Lodge as individuals, each with our own hopes, questions, and reasons for seeking more light. But from the beginning, Masonry places us as a single point within a circle of relationships. We are bound to one
another as Brethren. We are reminded of
our duties to our families. We are encouraged to be faithful friends, good neighbors, and upright members of the communities in which we live.
The work of Masonry is personal, but it is never merely private.
This month, I find myself thinking about the many circles that surround each of us. At the center is the work of self-improvement, the ongoing labor of becoming better men. But that work immediately extends outward. The man we are becoming is known first by those
closest to us: our spouses and partners and our children. If Masonry makes us more patient in Lodge but not at home, more charitable in speech with Brethren but not with family, more generous in theory but not in practice, then our work remains unfinished.
The circle widens again to include our Brethren. This is the part of the circle we tend most visibly when we gather around the altar, share a meal, sit together in Lodge, practice ritual, visit a Brother who is ill, or simply call someone we have not seen in a while. Brotherhood is not
sustained solely by sentiment; it is sustained by attention, presence, and care.
The circle widens still further to include the families and loved ones who support our Masonic lives. They give of their time, patience, encouragement, and often their labor, whether or not they ever sit in Lodge with us. Our recent Widows, Wives, and Women’s Tea was a beautiful reminder that the life of this Lodge extends beyond the tiled room. The women connected to our Lodge are not incidental to our work. They are part of the larger circle of relationship and care that makes our Lodge what it is.
And finally, the circle extends into the community. Beaverton Masonic Lodge does not exist for itself alone. We sit in the heart of a city, surrounded by neighbors, businesses, schools, families, civic groups, and people who may never know the details of what we do inside the Lodge, but who can still encounter
the character of Masonry through the way we live, serve, and show up.
To tend the circle is to pay attention to all of these relationships.
It means showing up for degrees because a candidate should feel the weight and warmth of the Brotherhood receiving him.
It means supporting events that welcome our families and friends into the life of the Lodge, like our annual Halloween event and the recent tea mentioned above.
It means giving our time to fundraisers and community facing efforts, both because the Lodge needs money, and because the Lodge needs contact with the world around it.
It means remembering that every Brother is part of a wider web of relationships, and that caring for him often means caring about the people who matter to him.
As we move into June, with Grand Lodge before us, degree work on the calendar, and our fireworks fundraiser quickly approaching, I encourage each of us to ask: what
part of the circle am I tending?
Is there a Brother I need to call? A family member I need to thank? A candidate I need to support? An event I need to show up for? A few hours I can give for the good of the Lodge?
The circle will not tend itself. But when we tend it together, faithfully and joyfully, we strengthen a Brotherhood, a family of families, and a Lodge rooted in its community.
I am grateful to be part of that circle with you
May Stated Communication Highlights
At May’s Stated Communication, Beaverton Lodge received several visitors, including Right Worshipful Brother Daniel de la Rosa, District Deputy for District 10 and sitting Master of Pacific Lodge No. 50; and Brother Goker Ozturk of Yontem Lodge No. 206 under the Grand Lodge of Turkey.
The Lodge read and accepted a petition for the degrees of Masonry. Brother Entered Apprentice Eric Bittick demonstrated a fine proficiency in the Entered Apprentice lecture with his coach, Worshipful Brother John Saultz, and was declared proficient by the Worshipful Master. His Fellowcraft Degree was scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at 7:00pm.
The Brethren heard updates on rentals, finances, prospects, the building, upcoming events, and the fireworks fundraiser. Rentals continue at a steady pace, and the Grand Lodge social media awareness campaign has generated a significant number of inquiries, with several prospects still active in the West Gate process. Worshipful Brother Greg Jackson provided Lodge Education on the many forms of service in Masonry, reminding the Brethren that service may take the form of volunteering in the Lodge, supporting a Brother, serving the community, or simply letting a Brother know you are there when needed.
The Lodge was also reminded that June’s Stated Communication will be moved to Thursday, June 11, due to the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
Widows, Wives, and Women’s Tea Recap
Our Widows, Wives, and Women’s Tea was a great success. Thank you to everyone who attended, helped set up, served, cleaned up, and contributed to making the afternoon warm and welcoming.
Special thanks go to Worshipful Brother John Saultz and his wife Sherrie for their leadership in bringing this event together. Their care, hospitality, and attention to detail helped create an event that reflected the best of what our Lodge can be: thoughtful, generous, and attentive to the people who surround and support our Masonic lives.
Events like this remind us that the life of the Lodge extends beyond the Brethren alone. Our spouses, partners, families, widows, and friends are part of the broader circle of relationship and care that surrounds Beaverton Lodge.
Reminder: Brothers, please take a moment to log in to Grandview and add your spouse or partner to your member profile. This helps the Lodge better know and care for the families connected to our membership
Grand Lodge Annual Communication
TThe 176th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Oregon will be held June 4–5, 2026, at the Salem Convention Center in Salem.
Details, registration information, schedule, and proposed legislation are available here:
https://oregonfreemasonry.com/annual-communication/
Because of Annual Communication, our June Stated Communication has been moved one week later.
June Stated Communication Date Change
June’s Stated Communication will be held on:
Thursday, June 11
Dinner at 6:00pm
Stated Communication at 7:00pm
This change accommodates the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on June 4–5. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Lodge Custodian Needed
Beaverton Lodge is in need of one or more Brothers to act as custodian of the Lodge, performing regular light cleaning on a weekly basis and before or after rentals.
This is a paid position, by the hour. If you are interested, please contact the Lodge Secretary, even if you only have limited availability. The work can be split between more than one Brother.
Fireworks Fundraiser Update
Again, this year, Beaverton Masonic Lodge will staff a TNT Fireworks Tent as a fundraiser for the Lodge. Last year, we made a couple thousand dollars and learned a lot. This year, we plan to bring in even more for the Lodge.
The tent will run from June 23 through July 5.
We have a better location this year, near the Buffalo Wild Wings at Lombard and Farmington in Beaverton, and the 250th Fourth of July Celebration is sure to drive more interest.
You can help in two ways. Which will you choose?
Sign Up for Shifts at the Tent
We had a great time last year! Spend a few hours on a few days hanging out with your Brethren and talking with people in the community. No prior experience is needed. We can show you the ropes.
Sign up for shifts here: https://grasshoppersignup.com/s/rvfu0r
Help Us Decorate the Tent
Last year’s tent was large, white canvas. This year, we will give it some pizzazz. Purchase an item or two from the Amazon Wish List. Items will ship to the Worshipful Master’s residence, but your purchase is a donation to the Lodge. We can use these decorations in future years, should we continue this fundraiser.
Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1NQOEZCK0CKCN?ref_=wl_share
Paper Bags Needed
We also need Brothers to collect paper bags that we can use to bag merchandise purchased at the fireworks tent. If you have paper grocery bags or other usable paper bags at home, please bring them to the Lodge.