Worshipful Master's Annual Report

STATISTICS

Financial Report

Executive Statement Page Attached. Contact Treasurer or Secretary if additional information desired.

Attendance

The Lodge was very well attended during the year with an average of 9.6 Brethren attending each meeting.

General Comments

Much appreciation and thanks is owed to many brethren this past year. WB Thomas Hodges, our Lodge Secretary, was instrumental in the coordination, moving and relocating of the Lodge's massive equipment, files and records from our old Temple to our new Temple. Bro. Janusz Buda also assisted greatly in this endeavor as well as continuing to maintain our web site. Brother Walt Johnson continues to be an inspiration to us all and at the young age of 89. The monthly attendance has been steady and is much appreciated in keeping the Lodge functional and operational.

Committee Highlights

Charity:

1. The Lodge again donated 30,000 yen to the Grand Lodge Annual Children’s Festival held in May of each year.
2. The Lodge continued its annual Christmas Donation of turkeys and other food items to the Yokohama International Women’s Association for their annual orphans' Christmas party.

Refreshment and Entertainment:

1. All monthly meetings were continuing to be preceded by a two-hour light refreshment.
2. A formal 2002 Installation Banquet was not held this year as many of the Brethren had prior commitments. Fellowship did prevail as several Brothers and guests met at the United Seaman’s Club for light refreshment and conversation.

General Purposes

MWB Eiichi Inae, Grand Master of Masons in Japan, and several Grand Lodge Officers paid an official visit to the lodge at our January Stated Meeting and installation.

Bro. Ronald Ng presented the lodge with a plaque from his mother lodge and extended fraternal greeting from The Lodge of St. George No. 1152 E.C. in Singapore.

MWB Goshen Tsao, Grand Master of Masons of China, and several Grand Lodge Officers paid an official visit to the lodge on 14 March. MWB Tsao presented the lodge with a plaque commemorating the occasion and a small banquet was held in his honor at the Seaman’s Club.

RWB Saburo Katagiri, PM, was elected and installed as Senior Grand Warden, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Japan.

Bro. Janusz Buda was presented the Grand Lodge of Japan Certificate of Merit. This was in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the establishment and operation of the Lodge's web page.

At the Annual Communications of the Grand Lodge of Japan, the by-laws of Far East Lodge No. 1 were approved. Accordingly, the stated meeting will now be conducted on the 1st vice 2nd Saturday of the month. Also approved was the allowance of the Lodge to go dark during the months of July and August of each year.

On 01 June 2002, Far East Lodge No. 1 held its 499th and last stated meeting in the Masonic Temple at No. 250, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan.

WB Ramon B. Prospero, Master of Yokosuka Lodge No. 20 and several officers and member of the lodge paid an official visit at our last stated meeting in the old temple building.

Bro. Louis Mendozea brought fraternal greeting from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Mexico that he attended during his recent visit to Mexico.

On 07 September 2002, Far East Lodge No. 1 conducted its first stated meeting at a temporary site in Yokohama Japan.

On 02 November 2002, Far East Lodge No. 1 conducted its first stated meeting; number 502, at our new Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan.

MWB Phillip A. Ambrose, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Japan and MWB Fredric R. Collins, Grand Secretary, Grand lodge of Japan, made an unofficial visit for the first meeting at our new Temple.

WB Yuya Hirose extended his personal as well as official congratulations and fraternal greetings from Kyoto Masonic Lodge No. 5 and Lodge Hiogo & Osaka No. 498 in Kobe.

WB Nicolas Kubota, PM, brought fraternal greetings and congratulations from Lodge Star in the East No. 640, S.C.

In December, Bro. Janusz Buda was elected and installed as RWM Lodge Star in the East No. 640 S.C.

The following named Brethren were elected to the position indicated for Masonic Year 2003:

25/50-Year Pins

The following Brethren were presented with their 25-year pin on the date indicated:

The following Brethren were presented with their 50-year pin on the date Indicated:

2002 Obituaries:

It was another sad year for our Lodge. We were notified that the following Brethren passed to the Celestial Lodge on the date indicated:

In closing Brethren, I want to say that it was an honor to have again served you this past year as Master. To all of the local members who were active and supportive of the lodge and its activities during the year, I will again say that it could not have been done without you. Thank You! Being reelected as Master for the year 2003, it is my sincere hope that you will continue to support my officers and me. Remember, the welfare of your lodge is in your hands.

To our overseas Brethren, I say thank you and it is my deepest hope that each of you have and will continue to prosper.

Sincerely and fraternally,

William M. Heath, PGM

Worshipful Master