History Of The Table Lodge
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:56
 From time immemorial, Freemasons have enjoyed meeting about a "Festive Board" loaded with the fruits of their labor. Special emphasis was placed on the Summer and Winter Solstice, late in June and and December, which were, and are, St. John the Baptist (June 24th) and St. John the Evangelist (December 27th). The twentieth century has found Masonry ignoring, and often ignorant of, both the "Festive Board" and the Festivals. Is this as it should be? The answer may be partially revealed in the following recount of the history of the Table Lodge.
Man has been continually seeking some noble purpose to pursue even centuries ago, when life was perhaps more perilous and severe, feasting became a major diversion, as much for social desires as to satisfy the needs of the inner-man.
The feasts which are probably the oldest of all Fraternal repasts were those of the "Mysteries" of ancient Egypt, the so-called "Sons of Light." The oldest of Masonic origin, of which we have any reliable record, were the feasts upon being "Entered" and "Passed" to a Fellow of the Craft. These go back far beyond the records of organized Masonry.
The Masonic desirability of a social dinner is as old as
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 21:07
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Notes From The Chair
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:45
Bro. Sandy Karstens, W.M.
On December 14th, six of us enjoyed another one of Ozzy Giral’s restaurant-style meals at his place in Winooski. Each participant brought an assigned wine and we all feasted on a spectacular five-course meal! Lots of fun and conversation was had by all! Look for another opportunity to join us in the future! We have many events at our Lodge as we enter the New Year, including York Rite, Scottish Rite and of course our Table Lodge coming up in mid-November---stay tuned for more information on that. I would like to wish all the brethren and their families a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a great New Year!
Farewell Brother
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:42
Ervin Briggs Holland, age 89, died Nov. 25, 2009, in Starr Farm Nursing Home. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at 11 a.m. at The Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon. Burial with military honors followed in Pine Hill Cemetery. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to The Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew Ave, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Vermont Fallen Heroes Memorial fund, c/o Treasurer Ray DeGiovine, 15 Corduroy Road, Essex Junction, VT 05452. St. Paul's Lodge No. 25 in Brandon, VT performed the Masonic service, led by Worshipful Master George W. Whitney. Bro. Ervin had a Military funeral service. He is survived by his two daughters Pamela Pelkey and Peggy Powlus, and is the father-in-law of Bro. Jeff Powlus. He has been a Mason for 53 years.
“Lord of all, below, above,
Fill our hearts with Truth and Love,
As dissolves our earthly tie,
Take us to Thy Lodge on High.”
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 21:09
Helping The Less Fortunate
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:36
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Greater Burlington operates a six-night per week Friendly Kitchen Feeding program, 5:15pm to 6:30pm. We also have a Comprehensive Emergency Assistance program which includes clothing assistance, food assistance, and other assistance based on need. This includes case-management and a financial mentoring program. We also have thrift store operations that provides items for resale. We are also a church that provides programs to meet the spiritual needs of individuals based on our mission statement.
Contact people:
Theresa Benoit, (802) 864-6991
Marti Tourville, (802) 864-6991
David Dickson, Major, (802) 864-6991 ext 100,
Office fax number: (802) 864-9256
Address:
64 Main St.
Burlington, VT 05401
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:40
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Anti-Masonic Perspectives
Thursday, 12 November 2009 20:27
Bro. Matthew Engels
The perception of Freemasonry by non-Masons has always been one of confusion and misperceptions; the advent of films such as Da Vinci's Code, American Treasure and The Man Who Would Be King have only served to deepen the gulf between what we as Masons know freemasonry to be and what non-Masons perceive it as. Hitler himself condemned Masonry based on the fraudulent "Protocols of the Elders of Zion." Known Freemason in the Third Reich were arrested and interred in concentration camps and forced to wear inverted red triangles identifying them as Freemasons. It is estimated that between 80 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed due to their affiliation.
In 1980, the Iraqi legal and penal code was changed by Saddam Hussein and the ruling Ba'ath Party, thereby making it a felony to "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including freemasonry, or who associate [themselves] with Zionist organizations."
The continuing evolution of mass media, more specifically the internet, has created an environment rich for misinterpretation, and frankly, flat-out deception on the part of individuals and groups who perceive freemasonry as a "secret society", a "conspiracy," and a "religion."
The relationship of masonry and religion has always been an uneasy one. From a fundamentalist standpoint, Masonry creates the type of insular organization that most fundamentalist churches tend to discourage; that is, their message is one of unity and the larger group as a whole. According to the Catholic Canon Law of 1917, the Catholic Church considers Feemasonry to be a "parallel religion."
To quote the Catholic Encyclopedia: "Freemasonry is incompatible with the Catholic faith. Freemasonry teaches a naturalistic religion that espouses indifferentism, the position that a person can be equally pleasing to God while remaining in any religion. Masonry is a parallel religion to Christianity. The New Catholic Encyclopedia states, "Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It includes temples and altars, prayers, a moral code, worship, vestments, feast days, the promise of reward and punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiative and burial rites"
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:28
About Washington #3
Washington Lodge #3 is a subordinate lodge of the Grand Lodge of Vermont F. & A.M. Washington Lodge meets on the first Wednesday of every month, with the exception of July and August, which are Masonically dark. Our meetings start at 7:30pm with a dinner preceding the meeting. Washington Lodge meets at the Green Mountain Masonic Center in Williston, Vermont.
Who Are Masons?
Masons are men who have joined together to improve themselves. This is accomplished through the principles and ceremonies of the Fraternity. Members endeavor to extend Masonic lessons into their daily lives in order to become positive influences in their homes, communities, nation and throughout the world. They base their efforts on morality, justice, charity, truth and the laws of God. Worldwide, membership encompasses millions of men who believe and support the same fundamental principles.
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A Brief History of Oktoberfest
Thursday, 12 November 2009 20:23
Bro. Matthew Engels
The first Oktoberfest was actually a horse race, held in Munich, Germany to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig I and his wife Therese Saxe-Hildburghausen. The race was such a success that the Germans decided to repeat the event, adding a fair as well, and slowly but steadily, beer entered the mix, eventually becoming the major feature of Oktoberfest. The center of modern Oktoberfest is Theresienwiese, “the field of Therese.” Large tents are erected on the field by many famous German breweries, who serve beer which is enjoyed by attendants of the event. The tents also typically have bands playing German music, and people can wander around tasting different beers, listening to music, eating classic German and Bavarian foods, and looking at traditional crafts. Many people also like to dress in traditional Bavarian costume when they attend Oktoberfest, to get into the spirit of things. One of the most distinctive features of Oktoberfest is a dark, rich beer called Maß, which is traditionally served in quarter gallon (one liter) tankards. The mayor of Munich begins Oktober fest by ceremonially tapping a keg of Maß, and it lasts for 16 days. During Oktoberfest, huge crowds descend upon Munich, making it the largest fair in the world. The horse races were discontinued in the mid-twentieth century, but the crafts aspect of the fair remain a large part of the celebration to this day.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:28
What is Masonry?
Masonry is a unique institution that has been a major part of community life in America for over 250 years. Masonry, or more properly Freemasonry, is America's largest and oldest fraternity and one that continues to be an important part of many men's personal lives and growth. Many years ago in England it was described as "a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." It is a course of moral instruction using both allegories and symbols to teach its lessons. The legends and myths of the old stonecutters and Masons, many of them involved in building the great cathedrals of Europe, have been woven into an interesting and effective way to portray moral truths.
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Seeking Further Information
The decision to enter the ranks of Freemasonry is your own without the undue influence of others. That makes your membership in Masonry one of your own choice, which is significant. Men join Masonry for a variety of reasons, each valid and important. As you consider the information presented here, we encourage you to browse the other pages on the website. It can provide further information on our fraternity and the many interesting things that are taking place in our lodge.
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