The 491th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan, on the 13th day of October 2001.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1410 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West, and RWB Katagiri, JGW, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, VWB Norinaga Miyoshi, Senior Grand Lecturer, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Japan, was received with Grand Honors and seated in the East.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of all of those killed during the terrorist attack on New York City, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001, among whom there was no doubt many Masonic Brethren. The bells were tolled 12 times during prayer.
MWB Heath then recognized the other Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of October 2001, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last stated meeting and all subsequent special meetings. The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
The Treasurer’s report was given by MWB Watanabe, PGM, after which he moved and WB Herrera seconded a motion that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary read the bills for the period and moved that they be paid. MWB Watanabe seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of the following, all committee reports were negative: HOUSE: WB Hodges reported that Masonic Hall, Ltd, has reached an agreement with the school to vacate this space not later than 31 July 2002. As this is a matter of contractual arrangement, there will be no deviation from this time frame.
BALLOTING: None
RECEPTION OF PETITION: None
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 September 2001; a thank you letter from WB Kunioki for the 50 year pin and letter. He returned the check for return of the money to the General Fund; an email from Hokkaido Centennial Lodge No. 17, F&AM expressing their condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the World Trade Center and Pentegon in the terrorist attack of 11 September 2001; a letter from Grand Lodge advising that MWB Johnson has resigned as Grand Treasurer and that MWB Iwahama has been appointed in his place; and informed the Brethren that he was in receipt of a pakage of papers from TMA concerning the nomination and election of Supervisors, Trustees and Counselors of TMA and that if anyone is interested in reviewing the paperwork to please contact him after lodge.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath opened discussion on the recent change of our By-Laws and pointed out that due to confict with some upcoming events, we will continue meeting on the Second Satruday of each month through March of next year, pending final approval of the By-Laws by the Grand Lodge, unless further change is determined to be desirable by the lodge.
After requesting MWB Watanabe to place himself west of the altar, MWB Heath present MWB Watanabe with a letter of congratulations, a 25 year lapel pin and a check. After a warm round of applause by the Brethren, MWB Kazzy responded with appropriate remarks.
With regard to the proposal that both Lodge Star in the East No. 640 and Far East Lodge No. 1 consider meeting on the same day of the month, it was decided to table this matter for further discussions next year due to the year end schedules of both lodges as well as the normal year end demands on the time of all involved.
MWB Watanabe reported that the Grand Lodge Executive Committee will review our web page at it’s next meeting to confirm its suitability. Executive Committee approval is expected.
NEW BUSINESS: After requesting him to place himself West of the altar, MWB Heath was pleased to present WB Masaki with his Life Membership Certificate and to congratulate him on becoming Life Member No. 265 effective 1 January 2002. After a warm round of applause from the Brethren, WB Masaki responded with appropriate remarks.
MWB Heath then read Articles 100, 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d of the Constitution and Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the lodge By-Laws, all of which govern or pertain to the annual election of officers of a lodge. He then announced that the Installation of Officers for Masonic year 2002 will be done on 12 January 2002 and that MWB Chester L. Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary will be requested to the the Installing Officer. He then requested MWB Kazzy to be the Installing Marshal, which was graciously accepted by MWB Kazzy. He concluded his remarks by announcing that we will most likely have our Installation Banquet at the Seamens Club owing to the uncertain status of military installations throughout Japan during this period of world tensions.
After determining there was no other business to be brought before the lodge, MWB Heath requested VWB Miyoshi to address the lodge. VWB Miyoshi spoke of a number of items and upon conclusion of his remarks, MWB Heath announced that we would close.
There being no further business to come before this lodge of MM’s, MWB Heath, PGM, WM, closed the lodge in due and ancient form at 15:50 hours with WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West and RWB Katagiri, JGW, JW, in the South. There were 9 members and 1 guest present.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary