May 2026 Stated Communication

My Dear Brothers,

I hope you’re getting out there and enjoying the Spring weather. Some of these summer-like days we’ve had as of late make February’s “snowcrete” an ever-distant memory, that’s for sure!  Anyway, I was so very glad we were able to host, not only visiting Brethren from Maynilad Lodge No.1521 and Éireann Lodge No. 98 at our April Stated, but we likewise had the distinct pleasure of welcoming Brothers from UGLE’s Orrell Lodge No. 8371 and Solon Lodge No. 757 in Ohio. It was truly great fellowship.

I’m also pleased so many were able to attend our program for the evening, where journalist and author Kathleen Aldworth Foster shared insights from her research into the story of her relation Elizabeth St. Leger Aldworth, the only Lady Freemason, which provided the foundation for her historical fiction novel, Doneraile Court. Hope you got your signed copy as well! As some of our Brothers know, by pure coincidence, I came upon Elizabeth St. Leger’s burial site just days earlier in Cork during my family trip to Ireland, so I myself will try to do my small part to keep the memory of our Lady Freemason alive.

April shaped up to be a busy month, with our Grand Lodge’s Universal Brotherhood Celebration at the George Washington Masonic Memorial on the 11th. It was wonderful to partake in this august event and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of our Masonic community here in the District, which is so unique to our Grand Lodge. 

I appreciate those Brothers who were able to come out on April 18th to support Honor Flights and help greet visiting WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War vets at the WWII Memorial. Don’t forget, there’s another Honor Flight Super Saturday on May 16th, so come on out at 1 P.M. and meet me at the WWII Memorial to greet and thank more groups of veterans flying in from across the country! 

Our program in May will feature a discussion by Junior Grand Steward Right Worshipful Bro. James Morgan, III of his book, The Lost Empire: Black Freemasonry in the Old West.  R.W.B. Morgan, who also serves as Worshipful Grand Historian of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of DC, will explore the experiences of our Prince Hall Brothers in the American West during the late 19thcentury.  Don’t miss out! 

Brothers, keep bringing in those canned goods every month to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank!  This noble effort by our Brothers at L'Haïtienne Lodge No. 925 remains ongoing, and every contribution is appreciated. Also, to assist the Brandywine Valley SPCA, the District’s animal care and control service, please think about bringing to our Stated Communications donations of any spare sheets, towels, and blankets—there is tremendous need by this DC non-profit for these supplies.

And, since I just attended the Masonic Foundation’s annual meeting late this month, I’m reminded of all the good our foundation does to help dozens of deserving young people.  Check out dcmasonicfoundation.org for more information. 

Brethren, take care for now and be well, until next we meet.  We’ll see you at our May Stated Communication!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
WB David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master

April 2026 Stated Communication

My Dear Brothers,

Thankfully, Spring is now upon us! It was  wonderful to see so many of you at our March Stated Communication.  As always, for those unable to gather with us  for one reason or another, you are never far from our thoughts, and with us at Lodge  in spirit. We were likewise honored to be joined by Past Grand Master Jesse  Villareal, as well as Brethren from the Grand Lodge and Potomac Lodge No. 5.

Brothers, as you know, Right Worshipful Brother Michael Arce moved to New York some weeks ago, and I did want to take a moment to recognize him for all that he has done for the betterment of St. John’s Lodge No. 11. He brought boundless energy and a fresh and truly insightful perspective on the Craft, reinvigorating our community through enriching activities and reengaging us with our Brethren across the District. I am so very grateful for his mentorship these past few years. It’s not like this is a forever goodbye, though, and I look forward to him joining us whenever he is in the area.  We wish he and his family the very best as they start this new chapter of their lives!

As Bro. Yurgaites and I learned during the recent meeting of the Masters and Wardens Association, the Grand Lodge has many outstanding events planned for the year, including the Universal Brotherhood Celebration to be held on April 11th at the Washington Masonic Memorial.  Many activities focused on celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary are in the works, in coordination with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Events will take place in Philadelphia, DC, and Mt. Vernon during late July and early August. Details to follow from the Grand Lodge as we get closer. The second annual Friendship Lodge with our Brothers from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of DC is scheduled for November 7th and will feature an emulated Prince Hall Master Mason degree.  It’s an exciting year ahead, Brothers!

Brothers, I hope you enjoyed my discussion focused on Irish Masonry, in particular on those Masons who participated in the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland against George III, having been moved by events in America and France. Freemasonry was part of the fabric of Irish society in the 18thcentury, and Masonic ideals certainly inspired many, especially those founders of the United Irishmen, to take up arms for their liberty just like  American patriots in 1776.

Our program in April is a discussion by author Kathleen Aldworth Foster of her book Doneraile Court: The Story of the Lady Freemason, which looks at the fascinating story of Elizabeth Aldworth, the only Lady Freemason. It should be really interesting!

Brothers, as you know, our food drive to support L'Haïtienne Lodge No. 925’s effort to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank will continue through the end of the year.  Please consider bringing canned food items anytime you come to Lodge. Collection bins will soon be provided, but, in the meantime, I have marked bags set up for our collection. And, Brethren, as part of your charitable giving throughout the year, do think about donating to the Masonic Foundation of DC, which helps so many deserving young people in the District (dcmasonicfoundation.org).

As you know, the Grand Lodge has also planned three rewarding full-day Masonic Education workshops to be held throughout the year, including March’s session focused on the Entered Apprentice degree.  Thanks to those Brothers who rallied to support this worthwhile effort.  These “train the trainer” classes will provide us with ever more resources to make the degree experience more meaningful and help us better guide new Masons along their paths in the Craft. Please consider attending the June and September sessions on the other degrees, if it’s within your cable-tow.

With that, Brothers, I’ll see you all at our April Stated Communication. Until then, take care and be well!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
WB David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master

March 2026 Stated Communication

My Dear Brothers,

 What an absolute joy it was at our February Stated to welcome into our noble Craft a new Entered Apprentice, and how fitting this was to occur the very month 180 years ago that Worshipful Brother George C. Thomas gaveled to open St. John’s Lodge No. 11 at Oden Hall for the first time. Mr. Sanchez is now Brother Sanchez, and we will together labor in the quarries to cut those perfect ashlars we strive to be. We will be part of his Masonic journey to be that better man, just as he will be part of ours.

I do want to once again thank all those Brothers who made the EA Degree conferral such a tremendous success. It was all due, Brethren, to your efforts: the practices and study of lines, all the preparation and thought that went into making sure everything was in place as it needed to be, and then your stellar execution. Special thanks to Worshipful Brother Trivedi, for his critical contribution.

We were further honored to be joined by our Grand Treasurer and Grand Lecturer, the Worshipful Master and Senior Warden of Fellowship Lodge No. 26 (MWPHGLDC) and a Brother harking from Orrell Lodge No. 8371 (UGLE). It truly was such a special occasion!

Brethren, glad so many could join us for our candlelit Sweethearts and Admirers dinner at Gadsby’s Tavern as the kick-off to our wider celebration of our 180thAnniversary. We are made better men in part by our better halves, so it was a great opportunity to celebrate together, and recognize them for their support to us and St. John’s. To break bread in the very same spaces where WB Washington and Bro. Monroe did, made it all the more meaningful.

Coming up in March, yours truly will be providing the program, focused on the Irish Masons of the 1798 Rebellion. Inspired by the American and French Revolutions, Masons based in Belfast and Dublin would push for modest political reforms but eventually take up arms for independence from George III, just like their American counterparts.

As you know Brethren,  we’ll continue to support L'Haïtienne Lodge No. 925’s food drive benefitting the Capital Area Food Bank.  Collection bins will soon be set up at Masonic buildings throughout the district including at the Almas Shrine.  Please consider bringing canned goods to our Stated, every month if possible. We’ll work with our L'Haïtienne Brothers as part of a service day later in the year.

Also, as the philanthropic arm of our Grand Lodge, do consider the Masonic Foundation of DC, as part of your charitable giving. For more information about the Foundation, which helps deserving young people in the District through scholarships, visit dcmasonicfoundation.org.

Thanks to those Brothers who stepped up to take advantage of the Grand Lodge’s Masonic Education sessions to be held throughout the year.  This will be great training on the degrees which we can then bring back to the Lodge.

Brothers, looking forward to seeing you all at our March Stated Communication. Spring can’t come soon enough!  Take care for now and be well.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
WB David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master

January 2026 Stated Communication

My Dear Brothers, 

First and foremost, congratulations to all our newly installed Lodge officers! I write to you now as the 156th  Brother to serve as the Master of our most noble Lodge, and I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for the trust you have placed in me.  As I noted at our installation, I am mindful that this is a sacred and inviolable trust, and the authority you have entrusted me with is neither permanent nor truly absolute.  I remain in awe of all the men who have come before me and promise I will strive to do my best to live up to their legacy. I am here to serve you, my Brethren, our Lodge community, and our Fraternity to the best of my ability, however imperfectly.

As we are at the cusp of our republic’s 250th anniversary and our Lodge’s 180th, both our Lodge and the wider Masonic community have a unique opportunity to engage with our wider society and to recommit ourselves to serving the people of the District and the surrounding region. St. John’s Lodge No. 11 has a long history of doing so, bringing the Light of Masonry to the world, in the process of serving our fellow man.

As such, my theme for this year is “Service to Country, Service to Community, Service to Craft.”  We will be pursuing a variety of efforts saluting our veterans, including visits to VA hospitals and welcoming Honor Flights. We will conduct food and clothing drives, support animal welfare efforts, and assist our Masonic Brothers at soup kitchens.  But we will also look to provide our Lodge family with a variety of open, Masonic and patriotic programs, and host family-friendly dinners and events, to include a karaoke fundraiser for the Shriners this Summer. 

We will reconnect with all our Brethren, under a program that I’m calling “My Brother’s Keeper.” Each officer will be assigned Brethren with whom he will maintain regular contact, strengthen our fraternal bonds, and ensure we are all connected as a Lodge, however far and wide we may be dispersed out across this country. I promise as well to maintain personal contact with the widows of those Brothers who have laid down their working tools. My Brothers, I hope you will join me in these efforts, whenever your cable tow allows.  We have a truly great year ahead of us!

Brothers, coming up in January is a very enlightening presentation, open to all, by Worshipful Brother Wes Latchford from the Grand Lodge of Virginia: “Revolutionary Masonry--American Freemasons in Rebellion against Their King."  He'll delve into Section II of Anderson's The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, "Concerning Government and the Civil Magistrate," to understand how Masons could explain their support for the Revolution.  I do hope you’ll be able to join us for this fascinating talk. Additionally, Brethren, just as you came through brilliantly for Toys for Tots in December, I would ask you now consider bringing a new or gently used winter coat, for an adult or child, to our January Stated, to benefit the charity ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others).  This will help our area’s neediest residents during the coming winter months.

Brethren, I do hope you and your loved ones had a joyous and blessed Holiday Season, and I wish all a very Happy New Year!  I pray for your and your loved ones’ continued health and happiness during the coming year. Take care for now and see you at our January Stated!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
WB David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master

August 2025 Stated Communication

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Greetings Brethren,

Since our last meeting, a number of us have been active around the jurisdiction. I have visited a number of lodges to help with their degrees and enjoy their programs. R.W.B. Arce visited L'Haitienne Lodge No. 925 to hear about Voodoo Culture. Brother de Hosson visited Éireann Lodge No. 98 and learned more about the Grand Lodge of Ireland which is celebrating its 300th anniversary. W.B. Trivedi traveled as a line officer of Almas Shriners to Atlanta Georgia for the 2025 Imperial Sessions. Our jurisdiction has so much to offer, it only takes a visit to another lodge to find extra light.

At home, we had our very first Crawfish Boil by the masterful hands of Brother Kerry Patin. It was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Congrats to those that made it through all 3 levels of spice. Some of us participated in various parades in the D.M.V. to celebrate our country and the great experiment. Next year let’s see if we can get the whole Lodge to show up and support one of the parades. We hosted two youth groups of Maryland, DeMolay Frederick Chapter and Job's Daughter's Bethel #36 of Towson. They were able to get a run at our Masonic Escape room and test their wits while enjoying each other's company. It's good to see our youth practicing the shared principles of our orders.

My family and I traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the Supreme Sessions of Job's Daughter's International. We are thankful for the support from the Lodge as Melody participated in the Supreme ritual competition both on a team and individual level. She will be visiting the Lodge at one of our future Stated meetings to report on her travel and experience and to answer any questions you may have about Job's Daughter's.

For our August stated communication, we have R.W.B. Chip Mahaney presenting on the Entered Apprentice Degree as a refresher for us as we are getting closer to initiating some gentlemen into the Craft in the coming months. Strengthening our knowledge of the degrees allows us to practice those lessons in our daily lives. We will be opening and working on the Entered Apprentice Degree.

As a final wind down before the fall/winter labor begins again, we will be hosting a paint and sip night at Almas on Saturday, August 30th. Details should have been sent out, and it will also be in the Grand Lodge weekly email. It will be an extraordinary afternoon and will sell out quickly, so be sure to R.S.V.P. to our Brother Junior Warden.

We have so much going on in the Lodge. The only thing that will make it more exciting is You! Make time for your Lodge and enjoy the education and fraternal relations you signed up for. The events are open to family so bring them out so they can join in on the fun as well. We are looking forward to seeing you and catching up!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. Sam Chin, P.M.
Worshipful Master

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June 2025 Stated Communication

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Greetings Brethren,

We had a great meeting last month. We had three interested men visit the lodge and we held an open discussion about why we became Masons and what piqued their interest in Masonry. A good discussion and hopefully the beginning of their Masonic journey to follow. I was able to visit a couple lodges and see and or participate in their EA degrees. As I continue to say, traveling is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Mason. You can see the similarities in our Craft and appreciate the differences in practice all while enjoying the camaraderie that goes along with it.

Once again our Victories and Vices portion allowed us to celebrate the good things we are experiencing in our lives and provide an outlet for some of the things that are troubling us. We are here for each other to support in times of need and lend an ear or helping hand.

Coming up we have WB Wes Latchford who will present on Protocol and Etiquette. This will be slightly different from previous presentations because he's visiting from Virginia and will bring knowledge from a different perspective than what we are accustomed to.

Stay tuned to your emails for information about our upcoming family events - June's Crawfish Boil at Brother Patin’s home (tentatively June 28th), August's Paint and Sip afternoon (tentatively August 30th), and September's Cultural event.

September's Cultural event in particular, set for Saturday, September 13th, will be exciting because we are teaming up with a number of lodges to bring food from around the world and have live performances from a Bavarian dance group as well as the Washington CYC (Chinese Youth Club) Lion Dancers.

Summer is upon us, let's get out and enjoy the sun and the Light of our Craft.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. Sam Chin, P.M.
Worshipful Master

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May 2025 Stated Communication

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Greetings Brethren,

Last month's presentation from Springfield Lodge No.217 on Cleopatra's Needle was very cool and great fellowship was in full effect. It's amazing to see what the past has left for future generations to find and learn from. Certainly New York’s original needle is on my list to see the next time I visit the Big Apple. I hope those that attended gained new knowledge and appreciation for our symbols and the plain sight and hidden places they can be found. Thanks again to Springfield Lodge for sharing such a treasure with us.

I delivered the 1st quarter food donations to La Haitienne Lodge No.925. They were appreciative of our support in their food drive and look forward to our continued donations. I do have to mention that my daughter's Bethel No.36 of Towson MD out paced us in donations so we need to do better next quarter. They provided nearly 100 lbs of canned and non-perishable goods, that’s about 6-7 grocery bags of food by 6 girls under 15 years old. It's good to see that our Masonic family is working together to help others in a concerted effort for those in need. Hunger is an everyday battle for some, not just a winter holiday.

This month our program will continue the theme of symbols with a challenge to the Brethren by drawing matching symbols from a hat. They will confer on the symbol for a bit then present their understanding and application of it. This will give the opportunity to practice speaking in front of others as well as share their combined light on a symbol. A goal many Brethren had from our "What came ye here to do" meeting in January. Spring has sprung and St. John's has many open family oriented events coming up. While we have received a fair amount of education so far this year, it's time for us to share more with our families as well. As such we have a crawfish boil planned for June, a Paint Night planned for August, and a Cultural Night highlighted by a food fair in September. All open to family and prospects with little to no charge at that.

Lastly I want to reiterate and encourage our Brethren to travel. Other lodges also have great programming this year and for those out of town I encourage you to visit a lodge and let us know how it went. We'll include it in the next meeting and bulletin. Learning about and sharing Masonry is at the core of what we do so get out there and experience it!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. Sam Chin, P.M.
Worshipful Master

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April 2025 Stated Communication

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Greetings Brethren,

During our last Stated, we were excited to have guests from Hiram Takoma Lodge No. 10, the Grand Lodge, a Brother from Sweden, and even a prospect. We were able to run our escape room and share something unique with others. This program is one of our multifaceted efforts to engage our Brothers, challenge them, and give non-Masons a tiny peek at some of what can be learned within our walls. Hopefully, our visitors will bring that joy back with them and encourage others to visit us and give the escape room a try. I must mention that the Pillar Officers’ time is still unbeaten, so try your best.

Congratulations to Brother Wes Yugaites for completing his proficiency degree or his Section 83, as many of us know it. It is one third of the requirements to become Master of a lodge, and he is well on his way to becoming the leader of our Lodge. I know our Senior Warden, Brother David de Hosson is working on his as well, and I am excited for the future of our Lodge. We have great men coming up the line, and St. John’s is all the better because of these men.

I attended the Masters and Wardens Association (MWA) meeting where we discussed a 3-year plan to bring the lodges of our jurisdiction closer together, ways to make the MWA more effective in supporting each of the lodges and help in the direction of the jurisdiction as a whole. Its purpose is to help Brothers coming up the line to be better prepared for their time in the East in some respects, build relationships with other lodges so that we can share our trestleboards more effectively, and marry up our efforts in the lodges with some of the Grand Lodge efforts so that we can be more united in our actions. We also will be building a lodge resource group, of sorts, where lodges who need help, be it degree cast, ritual, program planning, etc., can reach the Pillar Officers of the jurisdiction, who are the pulse, and get the support they need from experienced fellows.

This month we will have Springfield Lodge No.214 coming to present a program called Cleopatra’s Needle. I’ve heard it will be a very interesting presentation, and we have made it open to prospects and families so that others can get a taste of what Masonry has to offer. If you are so able, please support your Lodge and bring a friend and/or your family (and R.S.V.P. so we can plan accommodations accordingly).

We are still collecting canned and other non-perishables to increase the impact of La Hatienne Lodge No. 925’s food drive to help the people of DC who may have food insecurity concerns. I will be gathering the items and visiting La Hatienne at one of their next stated communications. Their goal is 5,000 lbs. of food.

Last but not least, we voted and approved lifetime membership for WB Riley. He has served the Lodge justly for close to 50 years. Well-deserved, and we are honored to have him as a Brother of our Lodge. Our heartfelt thanks go out to him. Brethren, the example has been set, and we should each strive to meet and exceed that bar in and outside of Lodge.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. Sam Chin, P.M.
Worshipful Master

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March 2025 Stated Communication

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Greetings Brethren,

Congrats to Brother de Hosson for successfully running his first meeting while I was absent. It puts me at ease to know that we have the right guys in place to run the Lodge when senior officers need to tend to necessary vocations. And it is a testament to why we will continue to operate for generations to come.

This month’s stated will be brief so that we can enjoy a custom-built Masonic Escape room. The target time is 45 minutes, and the leaderboard will start with our time as the standard that other lodges will attempt to beat over the coming months (or perhaps years). I’m excited for this to finally come to fruition and, hopefully, it will be the start of something bigger for our Lodge as we work to improve attendance (and prospects) for ourselves and from guests while sharing in the Brotherhood that we all enjoy.

Now some bad news, I lost the chili competition held at HTX No.10 to reigning champ W.B. Ed Freeman. About a dozen other chilis entered the ring but there could only be one champion. Congrats to W.B. Freeman and his continued reign. But I will return next year with something better and spicier. If you aren’t aware, many lodges are having wonderful engaging programs like this, and you are highly encouraged to travel if you can. There are degrees, tastings (I know of cigar, scotch and rum events happening this year), Masonic esoteric talks, and some general knowledge presentations as well. The Grand Lodge Weekly email has a lot of what is going on at various lodges. Reach out to others and lets get a group to travel with and enjoy their programs. We will have our own events that other lodges may reciprocate with. This is the best way to get the most out of Masonry, share the journey, expand your network of good/close Brothers and enjoy being amongst Brethren!

Looking forward to being with everyone again and how well our guys do against the Masonic Escape Room: Search for the Lost Sign.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. Sam Chin, P.M.
Worshipful Master

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February 2025 Stated Communication

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Greetings Brethren,

First, I’d like to share a word of Thanks from Melody and my family for supporting her installation as Honored Queen. It has been a long time coming, and I'm excited about her time in the east. I will keep the Lodge posted on her Bethel’s events in case you can travel and see their good work.

Next, I congratulate W.B. Trivedi on his installation as Oriental Guide in Almas Shrine. I look forward to his ascension in that appendant body. If you can support the Shrine or are considering joining, contact W.B. Anand for more details.

Our last meeting was designed to take a look at where you are in your journey, where others are, and how we can help and support each other in reaching and uncovering what Masonry has to offer each of us. As one Brother mentioned, that initial goal may change over time, but, as long as you are active in your pursuit, you can never go wrong, and you learn many things about yourself and others along the way. Truly a worthwhile endeavor!

This month will be an early opportunity for the officers to step up into the seats and try out next year’s potential chairs, as I will be “out of the office,” so to speak. R.W.B. Arce will lead a discussion in the same manner as last year which I found to be very rewarding in connecting with our Brethren on some of the deeper meanings found in our Masonic world.

Hopefully, I’ll see everyone soon so we can share the stories and build our Masonic experience together. This will be a very good year indeed!

Here are some other bits of news… we will be having a Masonic escape room later this year! The date is TBD but be ready to challenge yourselves. We are making progress on our International/Cultural Night. I’ve nearly lined up three performances but will need your help in really making it a success. We will need to travel and share the event details with other Lodges so that we can all enjoy and celebrate the diversity of Masonry in Washington, D.C. More to come, so come to Lodge especially to stay the most current on these developments and add your input to them as well.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. Sam Chin, P.M.
Worshipful Master

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