The 562nd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 6th day of December 2008.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:20 hours with MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting WM in the East, Bro Inomata, acting SW in the West, and Bro Sagara, acting JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of WB Walter M. Johnson, HPM who was summoned to the Celestial Lodge above on 28 November 2008. After the tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The acting WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of December 2008, 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 of our Monthly Meeting held on 1st November and our Special Meeting held on 22 November and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of November was reported by the Secretary 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 bills for the period after which he moved and it was seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. Jason Peter Kraker, US Navy.
BALLOTTING: Although a favorable report had been received on the application of Mr. Kevin Adams, further consideration was postponed to our January meeting since there was too much other business to be done before the EA degree conferral upon Mr. Eric Anderson.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 25 November and Minutes of GLECM of 8 November had been posted on Bulletin Board in the conference room. Then Secretary read Edict Twenty-Four from the Grand Master concerning the 3rd degree Proficiency test.
CHARITY: An Amount of ¥7,130 was collected from the Brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
DROPPED FOR NON-PROGRESSION: The Secretary announced that the following Brethren had not shown progress in more than one year and would be dropped on 31 Dec. 2008: Bros NOMA, Takeshi, KOMURA, Hiroshi, and OHKAWA, Masaaki (EAs) and Bro KONNO, Koji. (FC)
SUSPENSION: Bro SHIGETSUGU, Naoki. The Secretary announced that he had not paid his annual dues for more than two years and had not provided a current mailing address so that he would be suspended on 31 Dec. 2008.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Reading By-Laws: Reading of Article II, Section 2 of By-Laws by Secretary.
NEW BUSINESS:
ELECTION: Was conducted by Bros de las Alas and Herrera as Tellers and the result were as follows:
EA DEGREE CONFERRAL:After the Lodge had been lowered to the EA degree at 14:30 hours, the Ceremony started began with the candidate’s 3 distinct knocks at 14:50 hours. EA obligation was given by MWB Katagiri, Working Tools by Bro Sneathern, Apron Lecture by MWB Watanabe and Degree Lecture by Bro Honda. The Charge was delivered by MWB Watanabe and all of these were given in English.
RESUME THIRD DEGREE At 16:40 hours, the Lodge resumed to the MM degree.
COMING SCHEDULE: Bro Secretary announced the following:
CLOSING: At 17:05 hours, the acting WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MM’s we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 17:15 hours in short form with MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting WM in the East, Bro Inomata, acting SW in the West, and Bro Sagara, acting JW in the South.
There were total of 18 brethren present of whom 17 were members of this Lodge including 2 FCs and an EA. Also one visitor joined meeting. We received regrets from WB Buda and Bro Tatara.
APPROVED:
JANUSZ BUDA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary