Valdez Lodge No. 4, F. & A.M. of Alaska
Alaska's premier adventuring Masonic Lodge
Celebrating America’s 250th
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
What a wonderful Saturday!
The Masonic Family of Valdez, Alaska, turned to early Saturday morning, May 16, to help in Valdez’s Annual Community Clean-Up. Led and encouraged by our Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Josh Cabello, our Lodge enjoyed a great turnout for this community event – we missed a few of our brothers whom were on-shift and unable to attend.
After Community Clean-Up we enjoyed an afternoon siesta, then we went back to work. Our Chapter of Royal Arch Masons conferred the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees on two of our brethren. It was an excellent, fully attended event, and among some of the best work in the Alaskan York Rite. This was also the inaugural degrees for the Prince William Sound York Rite Masons.
We are just kicking off our much anticipated Alaskan Summer! This coming Tuesday, May 19, we will be enjoying one of our revered traditions – a family cook-out at the Kelsey Dock. We will begin setting up at 1700 and should begin serving by 1800. Burgers, hot dogs, sides, and drinks. And, if the weather isn’t to our liking, we can still enjoy our feast, fellowship, and the majestic Valdez scenery undercover with infrared heat.
Lastly, on Tuesday, May 26, we will meet at the Dead Canary Tavern for some fellowship and Masonic Education. M.W.Bro. May will deliver his presentation on Charity, Sacrifice, and Fasting: The Spiritual Architecture of the Soul.
Weekly Meeting Breakdown
First Tuesdays – Committee Meetings. Lodge Officer and Lodge Management Training.
Second Tuesday – Stated Communications. Stated Communications of York Rite bodies to follow.
Third Tuesdays – Masonic Education.
Fourth Tuesdays – Ritual Practice.
Fifth Tuesdays – Family Night.
Most of these evenings may include dinner, fellowship, Masonic education, additional ritual study and practice, and additional coaching and mentoring. Please reference the Lodge Calendar and Planning Calendar for more information.
2023 Lodge Meetings & Events
Weekly Meeting Breakdown
First Tuesdays – Committee Meetings. Lodge Officer and Lodge Management Training.
Second Tuesday – Stated Communications.
Third Tuesdays – Masonic Education.
Fourth Tuesdays – Ritual Practice.
Fifth Tuesdays – Family Night.
Most of these evenings may include dinner and fellowship, additional ritual study and practice, and additional coaching and mentoring.
Meetings & Events
March 21 – Masonic Education & Dinner. Topic: Faith, Hope, and Charity.
March 28 – Ritual Practice & Dinner. Topic: Floor Work.
April 4 – Executive & Finance Committee will discuss meeting space rental options, if the Lodge votes to sell the building and lot. Gaming Committee will provide an update. Lodge Officer Training topic: Servant Leadership. Lodge Management Training topic: Grand View Member Management system. Dinner to follow.
April 4 – Grand Master’s Official Visit to District 5 hosted by Matanuska Lodge No. 7 in Palmer.
April 11 – Stated Communication. Business Agenda. Two motions, per notice sent to the brethren via both email and snail mail on March 14/15. Motion one: Assess the membership to fund building operations and maintenance. Motion two: List the building and lot for sale, begin renting meeting space.
April 18 – Masonic Education & Dinner. Topic: Laudable Pursuit. Please read the following material in preparation for the meeting: http://www.knightsofthenorth.com/documents/LaudablePursuitFinal.pdf
April 25 – Ritual Practice & Dinner. Topic: Opening & Closing on the 1st Degree.
October 21 – Grand Master’s Official Visit to Valdez Lodge No. 4
Summons ~ April 11th
Brethren,
Please check your email and mailbox. A summons has been sent for our Lodge’s Stated Communication on Tuesday, April 11th.
Our Lodge has important business concerning the future of our Lodge for your consideration.
Sincerely & Fraternally,
M.W.Bro. John May, PGM, GT
Secretary
Valdez Lodge No. 4
F. & A.M. of Alaska
Installation of Officers for 2023 ~ January 14th
Valdez Lodge No. 4 kindly invites you and your family to our Installation of Officers for 2023 on Saturday, January 14th.
M.W.Bro. Joe Darnell, PGM, will preside as the Installing Officer.
The Officers-Elect for 2023 are:
Worshipful Master – Bro. Jeremy Hadden
Senior Warden – Bro. Brent Cason
Junior Warden – W.Bro. Kent Brown, PM
Treasurer – W.Bro. Karl Amundsen, PM
Secretary – M.W.Bro. John May, PGM
Please RSVP below…
December 16th – 18th
The weekend of December 16th through the 18th is a busy weekend for Masons in Alaska.
Valdez Lodge No. 4 is hitting the road. On the 17th, we will be attending Matanuska Lodge No. 7 in Palmer. The brethren at Mat 7 will help Valdez 4 raise two worthy brethren to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The degrees start at 10 o’clock ante meridiem.
The evening before, on the 16th, we have been invited to attend Glacier Lodge No. 10’s Christmas Party.
And on Sunday morning, December 18th, the Anchorage & Mat-Su Valley York Rite Bodies have invited us to attend the Knights Templar Christmas Toast at the Al Aska Shrine Temple.
Please contact M.W.Bro. John May if you plan to attend this weekend for more details and to RSVP.
Family Night Tapas & Beer at Growler Bay Brewing Company
Tuesday, November 29th beginning at 5 o’clock post meridiem
Grand Master’s Official Visit & 2nd Degree ~ October 8th
The Grand Master and the Officers of the Grand Lodge of Alaska will be attending Valdez Lodge No. 4 on October 8th for their Official Visit. In conjunction with their visit, the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry will be conferred on two worthy brethren.
Lodge will open at 1600 to receive the Grand Master and his suite of officers. Dinner will be served at 1700. The conferral of the 2nd Degree to follow dinner. A reception will be held thereafter.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
3rd Degree on April 23, 2022
Valdez Lodge No. 4 will be raising a worthy brother the the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on Saturday, April 23rd. Lodge will open at two o’clock post meridian. Dinner to follow.
Valdez Lodge No. 4, F. & A.M. of Alaska 