Fall City Masonic Lodge



	The Table Lodge Tradition is Alive and Well Living Near Seattle
	MWB George Bordewick 1918-1991

The Alnwick Club

Our next meeting is on
May 2005

7 pm no-host bar. 7:30 pm Dinner

OUR HISTORY

The Alnwick Club (pronounced al'•nik) was formed in 1984 to provide regular opportunities for Masonic fellowship and conviviality. We meet to learn, to improve ourselves in masonry, and to get wisdom and understanding to advance Masonic ideals in our respective lodges. Our schedule provides for a meeting on the last Monday of each odd-numbered month. In 1990 a group of Alnwick members formed Renaissance Lodge #312. While the groups have many members in common, they are independent; membership in one is not required for membership in the other.

Alnwick was one of the earliest recorded operative lodges in England and was probably a "Regional Assembly" at Alnwick in Northumberland. It was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel whose feast was held on September 29th. The Alnwick MS (1701) is from the front of the Lodge minute book and is reprinted in Appendix G of the 2003 Washington Masonic Code. These rules of 1701 are those of an operative lodge, all members of which had their marks registered. Reconstituted in 1748, that lodge survived until 1757. Its successor, Alnwick Lodge, No. 1167, was consecrated in 1867 and now meets on Prudhoe Street in Alnwick, Northumberland, England.

THE ALNWICK EXPERIENCE

Alnwick meetings are not just a dinner. And, they are not merely a banquet, which is a dinner with entertainment. Each meeting is a feast - a special occasion with special ceremonies, rituals, and formalities. There is an abundance of food, drink, talk and laughter; all for the enjoyment of it. But its not just about food, drink and conviviality. Each meeting includes an "allocution" and discussion by a notable speaker (often traveling a significant distance to be here) speaking on a relevant topic. Grand masters, authors, politicians, theologians and just plain masons have all graced our head table. The information and ideas presented are often worth the price of admission by themselves. In addition to the three pictured on this page, previous speakers have included author and talk show host Michael Medved speaking on Masonic "conspiracies," MWB James Reid discussing state population trends and their effect on Masonic membership, Charlie Walker III of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge gave a talk on the characteristics of Masonic leadership, and Lewis Keizer representing Pansophic Freemasonry gave a talk titled "Rosslyn Chapel and the Antiquity of Masonic Initiation." The intention is to make the evening a warm, comfortable one full of ideas, memories and affection; a meeting to which no one goes grudgingly or needs to be coaxed but one to which one goes as though drawn by a magnet. A meeting all members look forward to. Alnwick is not affiliated with any grand lodge or concordant organization. It has no state or national governing body. It is a group of friends and brothers from all around Washington state and beyond who meet to regularly enjoy each other's company and seek "more light." It is said that we all carry a membership application for The Alnwick Club in our pocket. Any mason can apply by writing out a check for the initiation fee and the first year's dues. There is no other application form and no induction ceremony; just a group of friends meeting on the level.

WHAT TO EXPECT

As a visitor to an Alnwick Club meeting, the first thing you will notice is the camaraderie. The evening begins with a social hour. During this time introductions are made, greetings are exchanged and place cards arranged as members and guests form into informal dining groups. After the call to order and the grace, dinner is served. During dinner, which is usually a highly gregarious affair, a group of formal and informal toasts are exchanged. The seven formal toasts are the same each meeting and are delivered in an offer and response format. Informal toasts are offered spontaneously to acknowledge members and friends. After dinner a short formal opening sets the stage for the guest speaker's allocution. This is often the highlight of the evening. Guest speakers come from many and varied Masonic backgrounds and always speak on relevant and interesting topics. After the allocution and question period, a brief closing ceremony leads to another social hour that invariably follows.

COME JOIN US

Does this sound like an, organization for you? Would you like to experience an Alnwick meeting for yourself? You might already know one of us. Our current membership is around fifty and we would enjoy telling, you, about our meetings and our objectives. If you don't know one of us, please call Bro. Doug Haughton at 425.417.3684 at least five days before a meeting to make a reservation.

OUR FOUNDER

Often referred to as a "mason's mason," George was born and raised in Canada and immigrated to the Seattle Area in 1960. His quick wit and common sense leadership style were recognized immediately. George served as Grand Master in 1982 - 83 and is generally credited with starting the movement that lead to cross recognition between black and white masonry in Washington state. Among George's many legacies is The Alnwick Club which he conceived of as a celebration of Masonic customs and a way for friends to enjoy each other's company. This is exemplified by the last three sentences of the ritual George wrote for Alnwick,

"Happy to meet. Sorry to part.
Happy to meet again."