Well Brethren, it is now July and Free Masonry in California is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been prohibited from gathering (stated meetings and degrees) since March 18, 2020. The Grand Master, John E. Trauner is following the lead of California’s Governor Gavin Newsom. The Governor’s plan to reopen the state is a four (4) phase plan. As I write the article, we are only in phase three (3) and the infection rate is on the rise. Our medical care abili-ties seem to be in good shape despite the rise, but it is clear as we interact more, even with social distancing, the infection rate is accelerating. The Grand Master Trauner in a video message on Facebook on June 6, 2020 stated Masonic gatherings may not be the last thing implemented in phase 4, it is not until phase 4 we can start to gather again. So, the outlook now appears to be maybe September???

This month marks our nation’s Independence Day. The 4th of July is a very important date for both the United States and Freemasons and is celebrated by members of the Craft all over the world.

Freemasons and this US holiday are interconnected by the events that took place on that date, which would not have been possible (or would have taken place very differently) if it were not for the Freemasons.

The Declaration of Independence was signed and accepted into Congress on the fourth of July 1776, marking the birth of the United States.

This date is important in Freemasonry because Masons have influenced greatly the Declaration, proving once and for all that some of the Founding Fathers of the United States were, in fact, Freemasons. Fifteen US Presidents were Free Masons..

Five of the men on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence were believed to be Freemasons and of those who signed the Declaration, the majority were Freemasons.

This shows that one of the most influential voices shaping the nation of the United States was a Masonic voice.

In fact, the Declaration of Independence marks a Fraternal achievement and one can notice vari-ous ideas of Freemasonry in the Declaration.

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Greetings from the East

1

Greetings from the West

2

Phone Trees / Sun-shine Report

3

Message from the Bro. Sean Patanio

4

Greetings from the Secretary

5

Calendar 6

Continue from Pg 1

7

Amazon Smile totals 8

J u l y 2 0 2 0 V o l u m e 1 2 I s s u e 0 7

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Unity Lodge No. 632, F. & A. M Change for the Future

Greetings from the East...

P a g e 2 T h e T r e s t l e b o a r d

From the West...

Greetings from the West My Brothers,

July is Independence month. The 4th of July is when the Country celebrates an evening of explod-

ing bombs which we call fireworks. That expression came from a British adapted technology (in

1776) of a hollowed-out cannonball filled with gun powder with a short fuse. Its purpose was to ex-

plode over the target, sending flaming metal fragments through the storage of black powder maga-

zines. Imagine being in a trench, foxhole, or inside a fort with brilliant metal fragments exploding

overhead waiting for the next dawns early light. This battle encouraged Francis Scott Key to write a

poem that turned into our national anthem. Our for-fathers of the United States fought for our free-

dom from England's control of the colonies giving us our independence.

Some of our Lodges Military veterans have been through similar experiences where the very fiber of

freedom was under attack. Many of these brothers do not or will not talk about what they went

through. Each of their experiences is interpersonal but shows they're a collective value of willing-

ness to fight for freedom and devotion of serving the United States of America.

This 4th of July, many of our traditions will be changed or be adapted to the present conditions. We

will be celebrating by following social distancing and staying the proper 6 feet apart and or meeting

with family on Zoom. During the evening, we will watch the fireworks from the back yard or via tele-

vision. This year things are changing, but the bottom line is we are still free to follow our desires.

In the United States of America, we have the freedom to follow our induvial passions (as long as we

are responsible). Live how and wherever we would like. Our free will guides us in adventures, crea-

tive solutions, self-growth, and religion. Unity Lodge is a brotherhood where we can share our time,

values, friendship, experiences, Ideas, and Life.

Our Lodge is going to have to adapt to comply with the new Grand Lodge procedures (when we

know what it is) and protocol. Each of us of our own free will, should come together and use our

innovation and skills in developing the best agreed-upon ways of meeting compliance. Our abilities

and synergy as a Lodge are going to be the Key, of how expedient we can adapt and overcome to

the upcoming changes.

Our Degree ritual will be affected and will change before we can proceed with any official ceremo-

nies, Stated Meetings, and Degree Ritual. All of us will have to have direction and training. But we

know, Masonry is about "waiting a time with patience," then getting into the Labor of Life.

We have two 3rd degrees Candidates and other Candidates awaiting their 2nd Degree Ceremonies.

They have been waiting for several months. Currently, they are content and waiting with patience.

We add two members to the Sunshine report, Worshipful Brother Terry Allison will have Hip re-

placement surgery, and Arnold Tojino has been in the hospital with heart problems.

Again reach out to a brother whom you haven't heard from; let them know you care.

Fraternally,

Jeff Switzer, Senior Warden

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 1 2 I s s u e 0 7

2020 LODGE OFFICERS

Office Name Telephone

Master Steve Bumgarner, PM (619) 602-9730

Senior Warden Jeff Switzer (760) 802-1127

Junior Warden Vacant

Treasurer John Gowen, PM (858) 414-6125

Secretary William Romer, PM (619) 501-5515

Chaplain James Glunt II, PM (619)335-0714

Senior Deacon Les Andreiux (619) 948-5287

Junior Deacon Jesse Elmore (334) 695-2980

Marshal Vacant

Senior Steward Bob Seybold (619) 550-8849

Junior Steward Vacant

Tiler Charles Sweet (619) 344 1102

STAFF

Inspector 927th District Chino Torres, PM (619) 995-5891

Officer Coach John Gowen, PM (858)414-6125

Officer Coach William Romer, PM (858) 717-0456

Head Candidates Coach Jeff Switzer (760) 802-1127

Trestleboard Editor William Romer, PM (858) 717-0456

Rental Manager Jeff Switzer (619) 284-0925

MOS Ambassador William Romer, PM (858) 717-0456

2020 Normal Heights Temple Board

President Jahmal Neff (2) (619) 847-0595

Vice-President Charles Sweet (1) (619) 344-1102

Treasurer James Glunt (3) (619) 335-0714

Secretary Jesse Elmore (3) (334) 695-2980

Master Steve Bumgarner (619) 602-9730

Senior Warden Jeff Switzer (760) 802-1127

Junior Warden

Member Steve Shultz (1) (858) 755-6282

Member Zelnick Munn (2) (310) 462-7567

Sunshine Report

Contact the Senior Warden if you know of anyone

else who is ill or in need of our prayers.

Bill Taylor, PM

Walter Wicks

Jim Crawford

Elbert Thomas

Bob & Jerry Creagor

Rey Coronel

Ron Rash

Frank Trembley

Steve Shultz

Terry Allison

Arnold Tojino

P a g e 4 T h e T r e s t l e b o a r d

July Birthdays - Bro. Anthony Ignacio, Bro. Herbert Parker (1st), Bro. Warren Thomas (2nd),

Bro. John Ferrall (4th), Bro. Elmer Jimenez, Bro. Arnold Meloche (6th), Bro .Romidel Conde, WrBro. Hal Scott , WrBro Chuck Walker (9th), Bro. Bob Creager, Jules Mrsic (11th) Bro. Rob-erto Garcia, Bro. Jerry Neel (14th), Bro. John Scott (15th), WrBro. David Terry (16th), Bro. James Robertson (18th), Bro. Bien Decena (20th), Bro. Joel Gutierrez, Bro. Rogelio Josefat, Bro. Daniel Mairs (25th), Reynold Rodriguez (26th), Bro. Richard Jones, (27th), Bro. Kenneth Rob-erts, Bro. Elbert Thomas (28th), Bro. Neil Tucker (29th), Bro. Jerod Bumgarner (31st) and our Honored Ladies— Mrs. Loma De Santis (7th), Mrs. Jerri Southward-Creager (10th), Mrs. Rene Adams (12th), Mrs. Cleo Long (24th), Mrs. Billi Young (30th)

All will receive a Birthday greeting card from the Lodge, as well as our best wishes for a Happy Birthday. If I have missed anyone, It’s probably that I don’t have up to date information in the Lodge records.

Principal Brett Adler receives the 5 Laptop computers donated to San Diego Global Vision

Academy from Unity Lodge #632 by our Secretary Bill Romer

P a g e 5

V o l u m e 1 2 I s s u e 7

Brethren,

According to our Lodge’s By-Laws, the dues of each Mason of this Lodge shall be the sum of $ 85.00 plus the Per Capita sum approved by Grand Lodge at the immediately preceding Annual Communication, with the total thus determined rounded up to the next higher whole multiple of $ 5.00, per annum, payable in ad-vance on the first day of January. Our dues presently are set at $85.00 plus the Per-Capita rounded up to $140.00. If you don’t have a dues card for 2020, you probably have overlooked your payment for 2020. Yes there are still members who have not sent in their dues payment for 2020. We accept Cash, Check, Mon-ey Order, PayPal, and Stripe for payments trying to make it as easy as pie to pay your dues, and if requested we will take monthly payments, but must be paid in full by December 31st of the preceding year. This re-lates to the sum of $12.00 a month

Multiple attempts have been made through the mail, email, and by telephone using the contact information that the Lodge has on file in an attempt to contact these members using the prescribed procedures. The results of these attempts will be presented at the next regular Stated Meeting (Hopefully soon) and this re-port will update the membership with the status of our lodge.

After the Grand Lodge annual communication, if the Grand Lodge membership votes to increase the per-capita, I will start sending dues notifications with the amended dues amount for 2021 along with a request to update your contact information which I hope you will fill out and return promptly with your payment.

William Romer, Secretary

Find it on freemason.org

July starts iMember 2.0

Beginning July 1, all lodges will be able to use the live version of iMember 2.0. iMember 2.0 is the replacement for the Lodge app many of us are using on our smart phones. The Lodge App no longer works and you should transition to iMember 2.0 immediately. Still haven’t taken some time to learn what’s in store for this new platform? Don’t worry, Grand Lodge has you covered with three dif-ferent ways to get acquainted with this exciting new program.

Self-Guided If you’re the kind of person who learns by just jumping in and wading around, go right ahead! Visit t https://member.freemason.org/membership_registration to log in using your existing member number.

Video How-To Need a little more guidance before taking off on your own? Check out these training videos to learn the basics of the new platform at your own speed.

Online Resources from Grand Lodge

Distressed Worthy Brother Relief Fund Get information about accessing services and funds if you’ve experienced hardship as a result of the outbreak, or if you or your lodge would like to donate to the effort.

Online Masonic Speakers Series Join one of these informative and entirely

From the Secretary’s Desk...

P a g e 6

T h e T r e s t l e b o a r d

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7

8 Executive

Board Mtg

via Zoom

9

10

11 12 13

14

15 16 17

18 19 20

21

22 23 24 Temple

Board MTG

via Zoom

25 26 27

28

29 30

July 2020

The dates for our concordant bodies shown above are the dates reserved for them. Check with your

Organizations if they are actually meeting or are dark on these dates

P a g e 7 V o l u m e 1 2 I s s u e 0 7

Continued from Pg 1

Freemasonry is at the very base of the United States, a country that has allowed the union of different races and which has mutual respect and goodwill at its heart. These are all principles found in Free-masonry.

The Constitution of the United States was most seriously influenced by Washington, Franklin, and Rudolph who were all active Freemasons.

Freemasonry, therefore, had a certain power in the making of the nation, and the fact that the first president of the United States was a Freemason (George Washington) is further proof of the role they played in shaping the United States.

The influence of Freemasonry is one of the elements that has enabled the United States to become so strong, as the nation is based on the individual’s social responsibility and his freedom under the country’s law.

The United States’ government also focuses on the sense of common good among all citi-zens, who are all equal.

This makes the United States somewhat of a “Fraternity”, just like Freemasonry, and all this started thanks to the Declaration of Independence which was admitted into Congress on the 4th of July.

The 4th of July is an important date for all Americans as it marks the birth of their country.

However, it is also celebrated by Freemasons, who have influenced greatly the making of the Unit-ed States and have contributed through their beliefs and principles to make it what it is today.

I am pleased to announce the Unity Lodge George Gobel Scholarship winners for 2020. First let me state that ALL the applicants met the qualifications, provided moving, inciteful essays and are ALL deserving of our financial support. There are 6 awards of $2,000 each. The first category of “Graduating High School Students” the two winners are Ella Felberg and Alexia Merritt. There were 8 applicants for the 2 awards.

The second category of “Graduating High School Students with a Masonic Affiliation” goes to Tyler Basile and Caitlyn Dawson. There were only 2 applicants for the 2 awards.

Finally, the third and last category of “Continuing College Students” goes to Gabrielle Abella and Taylor McCombs. It was clear to me that these college students are getting the most out of their education. Less than a point (0.8) separated the top 6 applicants in the scoring. Their essays were all ranked high by the judges and there are some deserving college students but only 2 of the 7 applicants can be awarded a scholarship.

I am especially proud of my niece, Tyler Basile (my father, Ferman Bumgarner is her Grandfather) as she clearly stated her principles and beautifully tied them to her life’s actions with clear and concise examples. All 17 essays are available in the Lodge Vault if you would like to read them yourselves and I think you will find them quite moving.

In the past we have honored our awardees at a stated dinner meeting and awarded them their check then. Sadly, we cannot continue this tradition this year so we will notify them, most likely, by US Mail.

Finally, on Wednesday July 10, 2020 at 7pm we will hold a Unity Lodge Zoom Meeting Social get together. Here is the Meeting ID: 448 741 3916 and link There is NO password, but you will be put into a waiting room before being admitted, so make sure your Zoom Id reflects who you are. Until we meet again, Stay Safe, Stay Healthy! Steven H. Bumgarner, PM

NON_PROFIT

Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

San Diego CA

Permit No. 448

Unity Lodge, No.632, F.& A.M.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

3366 Adams Ave.

San Diego CA 92116

Lodge Phone # (619) 501-5515

Wor. Steve Bumgarner, Master

Bro. William Romer PM, Secretary

The Trestleboard Staff want your feedback:

Please email us at:

master@unitlylodge632.com

leave a message at: 619-501-5515

We truly appreciate your opinion.

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