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The Master's Message
June 2025

 

Greetings from the East,
 
We have reached the midpoint of our Masonic year! We approach the triumph of Light at the Summer Solstice, and the Feast Day of one of our Masonic patrons, St. John the Baptist. Like that holy voice crying in the wilderness, the dedicated Mason prepares for the coming and discovery of the Word. He does so by circumscribing his passions; by acquiring liberating knowledge, by developing profound wisdom, and growing stronger in manful virtue - especially Charity in the form of brotherly love. By edifying our moral and spiritual natures, we are made Living Stones for the beautiful purposes of the Great Architect of the Universe. Where better to develop ourselves than amongst our brothers!

I am very proud of our officers and brethren who are enthusiastic in their support of our lodge, in their genuine concern for our sweethearts and youth orders, our sick and distressed, and all brother Masons near and far. Reseda continues to uphold our time-honored traditions of fervor in our ritual, and quality and integrity in our administration and operations. We are acknowledged and respected in California Masonry for our uprightness, friendliness and warmth.

Congratulations to Bro. Tomas Corza on being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft! We are all very proud of your work and dedication to our lodge, and look forward to seeing you Raised in due time! I exhort all of our candidates to reach out if you'd like help with your proficiency work.

Our officers will be preparing this month for our upcoming degrees, and we will also have a variety of social events and Masonic education offerings available for our brothers, friends and family. We would love to have you join us!

Cordially and Fraternally,
Daniel Rivera, PM
Master, Reseda No. 666

 

 



From the West


Congratulations to Bro. Tomas Corza on becoming our new Fellow Craft Mason. The Officers did an amazing job for this degree.

Masons4Mitts is coming along good. I urge all Brothers to get involved in this philanthropic endeavor. They’re only $20 each!

The Officers are working the First Degree this month. We have two First Degrees scheduled for July 10th . All sideliners are welcome.

Be sure to see the Summer Events Schedule. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Stated Meeting on June 5th .
 
Upon the Level,
 
Glen Moore
Senior Warden

 



From the South 


Brethren, I would like to congratulate Brother Tomas Corza for turning in a beautiful proficiency and for being Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft. I am looking forward to our upcoming first degrees. We have many great social and educational activities this month, see you there!
 

By the Plumb,

Jose Valdivia
Junior Warden


From the Secretary's Desk


Brethren, as summer approaches, it will be a little quiet for the secretary, but it will give me more time to spend with our retired treasurer Wor. Jim Jarnagin, who as most of you know is battling brain cancer. It has and still is an honor to be able to be with him.

I also want to thank Reseda Lodge for allowing me this opportunity. Thank you brothers.

Fraternally,

Chris Snyder 
Secretary


THIS MONTH AT RESEDA MASONIC LODGE 


Thursday June 5th
June Stated Meeting and Dinner
Open to Masons, Friends and Family

Dinner at 6:45PM
Buffet Style from "Ay Papa Que Rico" Restaurant
Flame Broiled Chicken, rice, beans, salsa, tortillas

Meeting at 7:30PM
Dress code is business formal


Thursday June 12th  7:30 PM
Officers Rehearsal - First Degree Complete
Open to all Masons
Casual Dress

Saturday June 14th 10 AM
Lodge Social - The Nethercutt Museum
15151 Bledsoe Street
Sylmar CA 91342
$5 Entry. Open to Masons, Friends and Family

Tuesday June 17th  7:30 PM
District School of Instruction
Van Nuys No. 450 exemplifies first section of Third Degree
Open to Master Masons. Casual Dress

Thursday June 19th  7:30 PM
Officers Rehearsal - First Degree Complete
Open to all Masons
Casual Dress

Thursday June 26th at 7:30 PM
Masonic Education - WB Jonathan Dru Wood, PM 
Worshipful Master, Claremont Lodge No. 436


"The Grail, The Cube, and the Master's Word"

Open to Masons, friends and family
Casual Dress. Refreshments to follow
 
Have a wonderful month and see you Thursday!
 

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

Eric Sharp, PM          06/05



Happy Birthday to our Worshipful Brother!!

 

 

The Nethercutt Museum

 
Join Reseda Masonic Lodge and enjoy the one-of-a-kind car collections! 
 
Saturday June 14th 10 AM
Meeting in front of Museum entrance
15151 Bledsoe Street
Sylmar CA 91342
$5 Entry. Open to Masons, Friends and Family
 



Saturday July 4th at 1 PM

4th of July BBQ at Bro. Jose Alvarez' Residence
8733 Gothic Ave, North Hills CA 91343
Open to Masons, friends and family!
Casual dress

 
See you there!!



ENTERED APPRENCTICE DEGREE


Messrs. Antonello Stornelli

&

 
Michael Guarnera
 
Thursday July 10th 7 PM

Open to all Masons

Refreshments to follow


Officers in Tuxedo, brethren in business formal

Freemasonry: The Path Of Inner Alchemy

 
Thursday July 31st at 7:30 PM
Bro. Martin Faulks, PM
Assistant Grand Pursuivant, United Grand Lodge of England
Junior Grand Deacon, Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London
Member, Quator Coronati No. 2076

 

 


In 1722, a mysterious book was published in London, England using the pseudonym of a famous alchemist thought to have been deceased for many years. The text itself claimed to hold the secret to extending life or even ceasing the ageing process altogether. The author, himself a Freemason, dedicated the work to the Grand Masters of England and Ireland and claimed to reveal the true secrets of Freemasonry as a method of inner alchemy and path of enlightenment that only genuine brothers would understand. The text has puzzled readers ever since due to its encoded messages and mysterious writing style.

 

Now, over three hundred years later, Bro. Martin Faulks is travelling to Reseda No. 666 in America to share his findings, revealing in plain language the author's original message.  In this talk Bro. Faulks will draw on multiple 18th-century sources to reveal how some Freemasons of the eighteenth century would have viewed and practiced Freemasonry as a form of inner Alchemy and spiritual regeneration.



Open to Masons, friends and family
Casual Dress

If you are a Brother or widow in need of support, please contact our Lodge at 818 576-9025 or resedalodge@gmail.com

RESEDA LODGE WEBSITE


View upcoming events, see the monthly Trestle Board, access Masonic resources, and read articles penned by Masonic scholars and our own Reseda Brethren. 

You can visit the website here:

resedalodge666.org

Many thanks to Worshipful Daniel Rivera for providing abundant and valuable content for it and to Brother Hunter Goodin for his stunning photo of our lodge's Square & Compass and Ashlars!

RESEDA LODGE DISCORD APP


Reseda is now using Discord for its lodge app. If you are a member of Reseda, you are welcome to join to stay in touch with your Brethren digitally! You can participate in discussions, RSVP for events, and find photos and videos of our degrees and socials there.

Download Discord for your phone or computer here:

https://discord.com/download 

 

Contact us at resedalodge@gmail.com if you are a Reseda brother and wish to gain access to the lodge Discord

 


Worshipful Master
Daniel Rivera, PM

Senior Warden
Glen Moore

Junior Warden
Jose Valdivia

Treasurer 
Donald L. Gipson, PM 

Secretary
Chris Snyder

Chaplain 
Tim French

Senior Deacon 
Hunter Goodin

Junior Deacon 
Frank Capurro

Marshal 
Steve Andrade

 
Senior Steward
Edmond Abramyan 

Organist 
Joel E. Castro, PM

Tiler 
Jose Alvarez, Jr.

Officers Coach 
Kevin Anderson, PM

 
District 709 Inspector
Leland Celestre, PM
 
OLD TILER TALKS, by Carl H. Claudy
Published 1924


"OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES"

"We are coming to a pretty pass in our Masonry!" announced the New Brother, disgustedly.

"That has a familiar ring! No times like the old times, no days like the old days, everything going to the demnition bow-wows. They uncovered inscriptions like that in King Tut's tomb!" grinned the Old Tiler. "What's wrong with our Masonry now?"

All these extras in the lodge. First, we have a choir; that's all right, since music adds to the solemnity and beauty of the degrees. Now we are forming a lodge glee club. There is to be a saxophone quartet and there is talk of a lodge band. A brother in lodge long enough to know better is organizing a dramatic society. If he has any dramatic instinct he should put it into the degrees. The Master is interesting some brethren in forming a Masonic club, and a lot of brethren are talking of a camping club, for summer fishing! This scattering of effort is a shame. We ought to put it into the work of the lodge; don't you agree with me?"

"I sure do; I think all our effort Masonic should be Masonic effort!" answered the Old Tiler.

"That's the first time I ever started a discussion with you and found you were on my side!" laughed the New Brother, triumphantly.

"Oh, I wouldn't go as far as to say I was on your side this time.  Our efforts ought to be Masonic, but I don't see un-Masonic effort in a glee club, saxophone quartet, camping association, dramatic club, and so on.  What's wrong with them as Masonic work?''

"Why, Masonic work is putting, on the degrees well, and making an impression on the candidate, and charity, and . . . and . . . "

"Go on, son, you are doing fine!"

"Oh, you know what I mean! Masonic work isn't going camping or playing a saxophone!"

"Isn't it?" asked the Old Tiler, interestedly.  ''Now, that's a plain statement about which I can argue until tomorrow morning!  But explain why playing a saxophone in a lodge for the pleasure of the lodge isn’t Masonic.''

"Oh, the time spent could be better spent in – in listening to the degrees."

"Granted, if there were degrees to listen to.  But you wouldn't put on a degree without reason?  If the lodge neglects its degree work to listen to a quartet, the quartet does harm.  But if the quartet brings down brethren who like music, and to whom we can then give Masonic instruction, why isn't it good Masonic work?"

"How about the dramatic club and the fishing association?"

"They are the same in intent. The dramatic club will gather together brethren interested in plays. It will develop histrionic talent which now doesn't exist. It will train men for sincere and well-managed degree work. But if it never led a single man into our degree teams, it would still be a bond of union between men who would thus get better acquainted; the better members know each other the more united the lodge.

"Fishing is an innocent and delightful sport. When Masons congregate to enjoy it and prefer the company of each other to others, it speaks very highly of the bonds of brotherhood. If I can afford it I will surely join. I'd much rather tell a fish that he has passed the other anglers, but me he cannot pass, in the presence of my brethren, than have to keep my thoughts to myself before strangers!"

"You think these extra growths on the body of the lodge don't sap its strength?"

"I don't think they are growths on the body of the lodge at all!" growled the Old Tiler. "Brethren who do these are not taking strength from the lodge! Banding together to sing, play musical instruments, fish, act in plays together, shows a real feeling of brotherhood. The more such activities, the more united we will be.

"All work and no play makes a Mason a stay-at-home. Our ancient brethren specified the usages of refreshment. They understood that playing was as necessary as working. If part of us can play together for our own pleasure, well and good. If, at the same time, we can give pleasure to others, well and better. And if we can pleasure ourselves, please others, and benefit the lodge by increasing its unity, why, well and best of all!"

"You sure are a salesman!" cried the New Brother. ''I ought not to afford it, but . . ."

"What have I sold you?" asked the Old Tiler, interestedly.

"Memberships in the glee club, the Masonic club, and the fishing club!" grinned the New Brother.

 

LODGE COMMITTEES

CHARITY

Daniel Rivera
Glen Moore
Jose Valdivia

AUDIT

David Shampay
Tim French
Joel Millner
Frank Capurro

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION

Chris Snyder
Jose Valdivia
Tim French
Kevin Anderson

INVESTMENT BOARD

Hunter Goodin
Edmond Abramyan
Jose Valdivia
Jason Miller

BENEVOLENT TRUST

Kevin Anderson
Chris Snyder
Glen Moore

SWEETHEARTS/WIDOWS

Jose Valdivia
Kevin Anderson
Glen Moore

YOUTH ORDERS

Jose Valdivia
Tim French
Chris Snyder

EDUCATION

Daniel Rivera
Edmond Abramyan

SOCIAL EVENTS

Edmond Abramyan
Joel Castro

CANDIDATES COACHING

Hunter Goodin
Tim French
Eric Sharp
Frank Capurro

FUNERAL

Tim French
David Shampay
Daniel Rivera

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

Kelly Gilliam
Hunter Goodin

TRESTLEBOARD

Edmond Abramyan
Daniel Rivera

FRATERNAL SUPPORT SERVICES AMBASSADOR

Joel Millner

***
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