Trestleboard - Beaverton Masonic Lodge no. 100

April 19, 2025April 19, 2025

April 2025 Trestleboard

From the East

I write this month’s Trestleboard on Holy Saturday, the third day of the Paschal Triduum in the Christian tradition. It is a day marked by silence and introspection—an often unnoticed, liminal space that exists between the darkness of Good Friday and the light of Easter Sunday.

As Masons, we work constantly with the imagery of darkness and light. It is what we most desire. But the movement from darkness to light is rarely swift. More often, it is slow and uncertain, accompanied by waiting, confusion, and quiet struggle. Gradually, the darkness begins to lift, and we are able to behold new things.

Holy Saturday challenges us to honor that in-between space—to sit with the mystery of darkness in anticipation of the coming light. To trust, even when we cannot see. As Masons, we are invited to embrace the sacred pause of the in-between and not rush too quickly past it. In this stillness, we find the space to reflect, to trust, and to be remade. The poet T.S. Eliot captured this spirit of waiting in his poem “East Corker”:

I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope
For hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love,
For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith,
But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting.

May we, too, find meaning in the waiting.

April Stated Communication Highlights

At April’s Stated Communication, we received District Deputy Right Worshipful Brother Billy Burns on his official visit. He reminded us that it is our actions more than our emblems that show the world we are Masons. He admonished us to take stock of our 24-inch gauge and ensure that we are dividing our time appropriately.

Double Fellowcraft Degree

On March 20th, we passed Brothers Raymond and Dameon to the degree of Fellowcraft. Six Beaverton 100 Masons stepped into FC parts that were new to them, furthering our commitment to excellent ritual work.

Craft-Driven Conversation

Monthly Craft-Driven Conversations continue to generate good ideas and direction for the Lodge. April’s conversation centered around ideas for engaging the Brethren. There was a lot of spirited discussion about what the Lodge should start doing together, continue doing together, or stop doing altogether. This conversation summarized, presented, and extended during May’s Stated Communication.

Building Improvement Work

After months of preparatory work, renovations to the Lodge Social Hall have finally begun. Replacement windows are in and drywall is up. New flooring will be installed soon, followed by finish carpentry, painting, attic insulation and the installation of a new HVAC system. All the work is anticipated to be completed by the middle of May.

Game Night

A number of the Brethren and a few prospects gathered at the Lodge on a recent Thursday to play tabletop games and socialize. Because the weather was nice and the Social Hall is under renovation, they met outside. It was a great time of fellowship and fun.

Pay Online

You can now make donations to the Lodge online, using the Lodge’s Square account:

Each item includes a processing fee, calculated into the total amount, so that your entire gift is received by the Lodge.

Calendar

Access the full calendar online here!

- Every Monday – Monday Morning Coffee, 8-10am – Social Hall
- April 24 – Officer’s Meeting, 7pm – Lodge Library
- May 1 – Stated Communication, 6:00pm Dinner, 7:00pm Stated
- May 8 – Craft-Driven Conversation, 7pm – Lodge Library

March 15, 2025March 20, 2025

March 2025 Trestleboard

From the East

This year, as in most years, the Christian season of Lent spans the whole of March. It is a season of self-examination, discipline, and spiritual refinement, most often marked by fasting. The 40 days of Lent are meant to bring to mind the 40 days that Jesus is said to have fasted in the desert before his public ministry began.

Both Lent and Freemasonry invite us to reflect, identify areas for improvement, and take measured actions to make those improvements. In the Entered Apprentice degree, we are introduced to the common gavel and taught about its usefulness in making the rough ashlar smooth. Similarly, the Lenten practice of fasting is a way of intentionally divesting our minds and consciences of any vice or superfluities of life that may distract us from becoming better men.

Such distractions can come in many forms. Perhaps it is as simple as too much chocolate–the most common food item given up during Lent–but as Masons, we can certainly think of more important things from which to abstain. What makes the ashlar of your life rough? Where might you use the speculative common gavel to knock away parts of that rough ashlar this Lenten season?

Whether you identify as Christian, observe Lent, or not, the principles of this season align nicely with that earliest of lessons we are taught as Masons. There are things in my life that hinder my progress toward being the best man and Mason that I can be. The responsibility is mine to chip away at those with the tools with which I have been presented, as a speculative Mason. The ashlar of your life will never be perfect but, as Worshipful Brother John Saultz reminded us at Refreshment after March Stated, Vince Lombardi once said “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” Let us catch excellence in our pursuit of a more perfect ashlar.

March Stated Communication Highlights

March’s Stated Communication started on a somber note, as we draped the altar to commemorate the passing of two brothers of Beaverton Masonic Lodge: Zane Harper and Byron Ward. Both decades-long Masons, members of the Greatest Generation, and loved and remembered by many.

Brother Bob Madson, Junior Steward, was escorted west of the altar where the Worshipful Master presented him with his Basic Proficiency card. Brother Entered Apprentices Raymond Doerr and Dameon Martin both gave their Entered Apprentice proficiencies, one after the other, and were both declared proficient. A double Fellowcraft degree was then scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7pm.

Lodge education was given by Worshipful Brother Dan Gray, who read an excerpt from a book that Most Worshipful Brother Arthur Borland compiled out of past orations by Grand Orators of Oregon. The particular selection he read was an interesting take on Masonry as a “dinosaur” and how that might not be the worst metaphor for it. Worshipful Brother Dan informed the Lodge that he was donating the book to the Lodge Library, so if you’re curious to learn more about the positive aspects of being a dinosaur, head up to the Lodge and check it out.

Work Party

We have some long-deferred maintenance to complete at the Lodge, so it is time for another work party! You don’t need to have any special skills or special tools to participate. Join us on Saturday, March 29th from 9am until mid-afternoon as we partner with OES Beaver Chapter to spruce up the building inside and out. Projects include some cleaning, organization, kitchen light replacement, among other things, and if weather allows we will install a parking barricade in the side yard and perform some landscaping tasks to improve the exterior look of the property.

Pay Online

You can now make donations to the Lodge online, using the Lodge’s Square account:

Each item includes a processing fee, calculated into the total amount, so that your entire gift is received by the Lodge.

Calendar

- Every Monday – Monday Morning Coffee, 8-10am – Social Hall
- March 20 – Double Fellowcraft Degree, 7pm – Lodge Room
- March 22 – Statewide Training, 9am-1pm – Lodge Library
- March 27 – Officer’s Meeting, 7pm – Lodge Library
- March 29 – Work Party with OES, 9am – Lodge
- April 3 – Stated Communication, DD Official Visit, 6:00pm Dinner, 7:00pm Stated

February 15, 2025March 20, 2025

February 2025 Trestleboard

From the East

At the first Craft Driven Conversation meeting last month, 11 brothers gathered to articulate a shared vision for the best version of Beaverton Masonic Lodge 100. Through interactive exercises, we explored our aspirations for the Lodge, identified key obstacles, and prioritized the most important areas to address.

Key themes that emerged for the best version of BML 100:

1. Community Visibility – Strengthening our presence through events and creative initiatives.
2. Fellowship and Unity – Encouraging teamwork, participation, and social events.
3. Ritual Excellence – Enhancing ritual fluency and Masonic education.
4. Charity and Service – Expanding outreach and community impact.

Top challenges identified:

1. Money/Finances – Addressing financial sustainability and resource management.
2. Facility – Maintaining the security and upkeep of our building.
3. Apathy – Increasing engagement and participation from more brothers.
4. Time – Balancing Lodge responsibilities with personal and professional commitments.

These themes will become the fodder for our next several Craft Driven Conversations. We will generate ideas and action plans for moving forward with the things that we want to define our Lodge experience, while also addressing the challenges that stand in our way.

These conversations work best when YOU are present. Your opinions, observations, and suggestions are vital to shaping our shared vision and overcoming our shared challenges. Whether you are an Entered Apprentice Mason or a Past Master, a sideliner or a Grand Officer, your voice is important.

Due to the snowy weather, our February Craft Driven Conversation was postponed, meaning you still have a chance to make it! Our next Craft Driven Conversation will be held on Thursday, February 20 at 7pm in the Lodge Room.

Whether you can attend or not, think about the following question:

“As you think about the challenges we face in becoming the best version of our Lodge, what is going to be the ‘wind in your sails’ that will motivate you to keep working towards our shared goal when the going gets tough?”

I’d love to hear your answer, either in person or via email.

February Stated Communication Highlights

February’s Stated Communication comes with some mandatory annual reports. We heard from the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Trustees on the health of the Lodge. As was evident from the discussion on the budget in January, there are some concerns about our short- and mid-range financial health. We need to shore up and diversify our income streams to put ourselves on solid footing. This means increasing our number of rentals, developing a culture of financial giving to the Lodge, and engaging in strategic fundraising activities.

The Worshipful Master announced the formation of a fundraising committee to oversee fundraising activities for the year. WB Steve Barkley is chair, joined by WB Tom Binkerd, WB Greg Jackson, Bro. Kyle Lynn, and Bro. Bob Madson. The remit of that committee is to vet and plan fundraising activities for the Lodge. Execution of those activities will require the involvement of every Brother.

For the second Stated Meeting in a row, Worshipful Brother Dale Jacobs (Secretary and immediate Past Master) was escorted West of the altar for a presentation. The Worshipful Master gave WB Jacobs his Past Master Certificate and Pin from the Grand Lodge of Oregon.

The Lodge voted unanimously to request a Dispensation from the Grand Master to move March’s Stated Communication date from March 6th to March 13th. This will allow brothers from Beaverton 100 to attend the Grand Master’s official visit to Portland 55 on March 6th.

Lodge education was given by Bros. Brian Smalley and Jerry Knapp. They gave a multimedia presentation on the social site Discord, showing the Brethren the private Discord server they have created for our Lodge to use as a communication hub. For information on how to set up an account on Discord and get connected to our Lodge’s private server, email Bro. Brian or Bro. Jerry.

Advanced School of Instruction

On February 8, 2025, Beaverton Masonic Lodge hosted the first-ever Advanced School of Instruction in the Grand Jurisdiction of Oregon. Presented by Worshipful Brother Dale Palileo, Grand Lecturer, the Advanced School covered the second section of the Master Mason degree ritual.

The School was attended by 26 Master Masons from 9 different Lodges, including almost every Beaverton 100 officer. It was a fine showing and a fantastic opportunity for Beaverton 100 to continue its commitment to excellent ritual, both in our Lodge and for our Jurisdiction.

Building Improvement Grant

Seven months after being approved for up to $75,000 of funds from the City of Beaverton’s Downtown Building Improvement Grant, we submitted our final grant application. Consisting of bids for work to renovate the social hall, install a new HVAC system, and replace the first floor windows, the grant is now in review with the city. The approvals process is expected to take 2-3 weeks, after which work can commence.

The grant is a $3-to-$1 matching grant. For every one dollar spent by the Lodge, the grant matches with three dollars. This means that we can get up to $100,000 of work done for an outlay of $25,000.

We are fortunate to have funds set aside for work like this in the Solomon Trust. The monies in that Trust are specifically earmarked for building maintenance and improvement. Disbursements from the Solomon Trust must be approved by the Trustees. The scope of work will deplete most of those funds, though. As you look for ways to contribute to the Lodge, I’d ask that you consider making a donation in any amount to the Solomon Trust, so we can continue to care for our physical space well into the future.

Learn more about our building here.

March Stated Communication Date Change

By dispensation of the Grand Master, Beaverton 100’s March Stated Communication will be held on March 13th, 2025. The Lodge voted to request this dispensation in order to attend the Grand Master’s official visit to Portland 55 on March 6th. Please make a note of the change! Join your brothers at Portland 55 on March 6 and then at Beaverton for our monthly Stated Communication on March 13th.

Pay Online

You can now make donations to the Lodge online, using the Lodge’s Square account:

Each item includes a processing fee, calculated into the total amount, so that your entire gift is received by the Lodge.

Calendar

- Every Monday – Monday Morning Coffee, 8-10am – Social Hall
- February 20 – Craft Driven Conversation, 7pm – Lodge Room
- February 27 – Officer’s Meeting, 7pm – Library
- March 6 – Visit Portland 55, Grand Master’s official visit, 6:00pm Dinner, 7:00pm Stated
- March 13 – Stated Communication, 6:00pm Dinner, 7:00pm Stated

January 15, 2025March 20, 2025

January 2025 Trestleboard

From the East

It is the tradition of many Lodges for the January Stated Communication to feature an address by the new Worshipful Master in which he lays out his program for the year. Often reflecting the Worshipful Master’s own Masonic journey, hopes, or dreams, his program is his chance to leave his mark on the Lodge.

As one who has come up “through the chairs” over the past several years, I’ve had ample time to think about my year in the East. Instead of trying to conceive a program, I started with a posture. As Worshipful Master, my year will be marked by justice, kindness, and humility, three traits that I strive to embody in all aspects of my life and which I am convinced mark the best leaders.

Once I’d articulated the posture of my year, a programmatic theme came into focus: reflection and renewal. We are in a time of transition in our Lodge. We have new members joining every year and we have some of our mentors and giants who are needing to pull back. Transition is often accompanied by uncertainty and uncertainty can breed fear. It can also stoke creativity and present opportunity.

This year, I want us to lean into our collective creativity and grasp the opportunity to reflect upon our individual and collective Masonic journeys. I challenge us to renew our commitment to Freemasonry and to Beaverton Masonic Lodge. To aid us in this work, I am inviting us all to participate in a monthly Craft Driven Conversations. Held at the Lodge on the second Thursday of the month, I will lead us through a series of topics and workshops designed to help us articulate a shared vision for Beaverton Masonic Lodge, identify the challenges and obstacles we must overcome, and chart a course of action.

I am honored to have been elected to serve this Lodge for its 134th year. By the time my year in the East concludes, it is my hope that we will have a well-defined path for how we begin our next 134 years. You can read the full text of my remarks here.

January Stated Communication Highlights

There was a lot of business undertaken at the first Stated Communication of the year, as there often is. We installed Bob Madson as Junior Steward, debated and approved a budget, committed to running a fireworks booth in June to raise funds for the Lodge, appointed the Finance, Grievance, and Audit committees.

Worshipful Master Anderson Campbell presented Brother Levi Campbell with his Basic Proficiency Card. Brother Senior Warden Tom Binkerd presented Brother Secretary Dale Jacobs with a Past Master’s Jewel with a handmade chainmail collar as well as a Lodge challenge coin, numbered 113 to commemorate Worshipful Brother Dale as the 113th consecutive non-repeating Master of Beaverton Lodge.

The Worshipful Master closed the meeting by delivering remarks about The Craft Driven Lodge and his desire to implement a similar program in Beaverton Lodge. He invited all to join him in a season of reflection and renewal by participating in monthly Craft Driven Conversations, to be held on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm at the Lodge.

Craft Driven Conversations

On January 9, 2025, 11 brothers gathered for a workshop to define a shared vision for the best version of Beaverton Masonic Lodge 100. We used interactive exercises to explore our aspirations for Beaverton 100, identify obstacles that will make it challenging to achieve our goals, and prioritize areas to address that will help our Lodge become the best version of itself.

The evening began with a moment of reflection as brothers answered the question: “Why did you join Freemasonry? Why did you join BML 100 in particular?” This think-pair-share exercise allowed everyone to connect with their personal motivations for joining the Craft and this particular Lodge, reminding us of our shared purpose for the work ahead.

We then watched a video, The Craft Driven Lodge, which provided the framework for these ongoing discussions.

Finally, we engaged in some interactive brainstorming and theme sorting to help us articulate a shared vision of what the best version of Beaverton 100 could look like and identify the top challenges that might keep us from getting there.

A more detailed report of the conversation and the themes that emerged will be given by the Worshipful Master and the participants at the next Stated Communication, February 6.

Calendar

- Every Monday – Monday Morning Coffee, 8-10am – Social Hall
- January 16 – Ritual Practice, 7pm – Lodge Room
- January 23 – Officer’s Meeting, 7pm – Library
- February 5 – Visit Friendship Lodge 160, 6:30pm Dinner, 7:30pm Stated
- February 6 – Stated Communication, 6:00pm Dinner, 7:00pm Stated
- February 8 – Advanced School of Instruction, 9:00am – Lodge Room
- February 13 – Craft Driven Conversation, 7pm – Lodge Room