We will also tour a couple of other interesting sites connected to El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

Following the tour, the Society will be retiring to the Smokehouse BBQ for dinner.

If you plan on attending this event and will be joining us for dinner, please contact Michael Wamback (michael@mysticraven.net) by August 15th so that we can let the restaurant know how many people to expect.

Located just off the coast of Nova Scotia, the island is the site of the world’s longest and most expensive treasure hunt, which has spanned several hundred years.  Theories about what lies at the bottom of the famous “money pit” include everything from pirate treasure to Shakespear manuscripts.

In this fascinating look at Oak Island, Brother Michael will examine many of the popular theories and then focus on the possible Masonic connection to the mystery of the Oak Island treasure.

Date: Friday, May 8th 2009
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Sunset Lodge, 1720 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica CA

Please note: This event is open to the general public.

Following a very brief business meeting, a roundtable discussion was held concerning possible events that would benefit the growth of our Lodge and Chapter.

It was suggested that the Lodge and Chapter should hold regular seasonal events, and a number of ideas were discussed including our popular model railroad exhibit, an art show and possibly staging a play.

It was determined that the Lodge and Chapter should hold an educational session for our newer members in July.

Also discussed was the idea of programs to benefit the Veterans Administration Hospital and Public Schools.

The Chapter is going to examine the possibility of hosting exemplifications of the original degrees at some future period, as well as the possibility of attending such events if they are held within the District.

It was also decided that the Lodge and Chapter would examine the possibility of creating a “buddy system”, where new members would be paired with an older member who would act as a mentor.

The society will also examine the possibility of holding an Open House in July.

Michael Wamback reviewed our calendar for speakers and asked for volunteers for the months of July through to the end of the year.  April’s meeting will be a breakout session for members only.  May’s meeting will feature Michael presenting a talk on Oak Island and it’s possible connection with Freemasonry.  June will be a talk by Clifton Aduddell on alternate theories concerning the history of King Solomon.

There being no new business, the meeting was turned over to our host, Sister Victoria Waks, who presented an interesting talk on the history of the Knights Templar.  Following Victoria’s talk, there was a discussion of the topic from the floor, followed by fellowship.

Officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church around 1129, the Order became a favored charity throughout Christendom, and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking, and building many fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land.

The Templars’ existence was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the Templars’ secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, took advantage of the situation. In 1307, many of the Order’s members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake. Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V disbanded the Order in 1312. The abrupt disappearance of a major part of the European infrastructure gave rise to speculation and legends, which have kept the “Templar” name alive into the modern day.

Our March meeting will feature a talk on the history of the Knights Templar.  This talk will be facilitated by Sister Victoria Waks.

Location: Sunset Lodge, 1720 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica CA
Date: Friday, March 13th 2009
Time: 7:30 PM
This lecture is open to the public

There was no old business to discuss.

New business – A motion was made that the society create a donation box to help off-set the cost of refreshments at our meeting.  Up until now, the person hosting the talk has traditionally provided refreshments.  The motion was passed.  This means that the person hosting the talk will continue to provide light refreshments, but a fund will help to reimburse them for out of pocket costs.  In the event that the fund builds a surplus, the group will vote on how best to spend the money.

Bro. Michael Wamback offered to search out a suitable container to use as a donation box.

Bro. Craig Kamp offered to provide a guest lecturer from the Rosicrucian Fellowship at our first open meeting.  Discussion took place as to the desire to have a guest lecturer.  A motion was made and passed that we book the speaker from the Rosicrucian Fellowship.  Michael will coordinate with Craig to arrange a date.

Bro. Michael then reviewed the calendar for upcoming speakers.  Our dates for the remainder of the year are filling up.

Bro. Michael also asked members to consider a destination for our annual field-trip in August.  Last year, the society visited the Griffith Observatory and had a very enjoyable time.

There being no other business, the meeting was turned over to Sister Krista Schwimmer and Brother Guy Churchouse III for their talk on the Virute of Truth.

Sister Krista gave a wonderful talk on the Eastern Buddhistic beliefs concerning truth.  Her talk was followed by a question and answer session that was very entertaining.  Brother Guy then took the floor and presented the views on truth from the Western Philosophical schools of thought.  Another round of discussion took place following Guy’s entertaining and insightful presentation.

There being now other business, the meeting adjourned and fellowship followed.

Truth is a central concept in the philosophy of Freemasonry and Eastern Star.  The Masonic lecture of the Entered Apprentice degree tells us that truth is divine by nature and is the foundation of all virtues.

Guy and Krista will be examining the concept of truth, both absolute truth and relative truth, from a number of spiritual points of view, with an emphasis on its significance to Masonry and Eastern Star.

This promises to be in interesting and highly stimulating discussion.

This lecture will be open to the public.

Date: Friday, February 13th @ 7:30 pm

Location: Sunset Lodge, 1720 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica CA

There being no other new business to discuss, the floor was turned over to Victoria Waks, who presented a very well researched and fascinating look at the historical character of Ruth.  Victoria then went on to delve deeply into the symbolic aspect of Ruth.

Following Victoria’s talk, a very interesting and lively discussion was held, which was very much enjoyed by all in attendance.

Victoria will be tracing the Old Testament Ruth back through here various incarnations, as well as examining her mythology and meaning.  We are looking forward to the new insights that Victoria is sure to provide into one of the most beloved figures in scripture.

Date: Friday, January 9th 2009
Location: Sunset Lodge, 1720 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica CA
Time: 7:30 PM
This event is open to the public