The 501st Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the temporary meeting place at #25 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan, on the 5th day of October 2002.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1407 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Masaki, PM, Marshal, Acting SW, in the West, and RWB Katagiri, SGW, Acting JW, in the South.
MWB Heath welcomed the Brethren and at the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of prayer in remembrance of MWB Hayao Onishi. PGM, who passed to the celestial lodge on 7 September 2002. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brethren.
MWB Heath then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tyler's register of this date. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of October 2002, 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 gave his report for the month of September after which he moved and it was seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the billsfor the period and moved they be paid. After being seconded, the MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
SICK AND VISITATION: MWB Heath gave a status report of MWB Ditto and announced that it is anticipated that he will return to Japan next Monday, 7 October 2002.
MWB Watanabe and RWB Katagiri reported on the wake and funeral of MWB Onishi.
WB Hodges reported on the status of the new temple.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: WB Hodges read a request for Demit from Bro George Okuhara-Caswell. As Bro Okuhara-Caswell is current with his dues and not under Masonic Charges and hearing no objections, MWB Heath ordered the Demit granted.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletins of 20 September 2002. He mentioned that two letters from G/L had been received forwarding letters from TMA concerning the nomination of Counselors, Trustees, and Supervisors of TMA and advised that these letters would be maintained on file and that if any one desires to read them, they may do so. He also mentioned a letter from G/L concerning the death of MWB Onishi and ordering the charter draped for 30 days. As Bro Onishi was a member of this lodge, appropriate action was taken as soon as the lodge opened.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath opened discussion on the proposed joint Table Lodge with Lodge Star in the East No. 640. After reviewing upcoming events scheduled to take place between now and the end of the year, he sought and obtained the Brethren's concurrence to postpone the event until some time early next year.
NEW BUSINESS: MWB Heath read Article II, Sections 1 & 2 of the lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Japan.
MWB Heath announced that due to a conflict of the dates of several events taking place the first week of December, both Bro Buda and WB Hodges would be unable to attend the meeting scheduled for 7 December. He indicated that he was considering requesting a demit to postpone our December meeting to the 14th to permit as many people to attend as possible since the officers for the ensuing year will be elected in December. A final decision will be announced at our November meeting.
After further clarifying the need for a new computer capable of serving both lodges and pointing out that the total cost would be shared equally between Far East Lodge No. 1 and Lodge Star in the East No. 640, MS Hodges moved that the lodge approve the expenditure of an amount not to exceed US$300.00 for a new CPU and ¥30,000 for a new monitor. The motion was seconded and APPROVED by the Brethren in attendance.
RWB Katagiri then spoke briefly on 2 email responses that had been received after having posted an article on Masonry in Japan on the G/L Home page.
Regrets were received from Bro Mendoza, WB Herrera, WB Sugai and Bro Leyeza.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this lodge of MMs, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 1525 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, Marshal, Acting SW in the West, and RWB Katagiri, SGW, Acting JW in the South. There were 7 members present
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary