Want to join the Guerneville Masons? Just ask

The Mount Jackson Lodge #295, where the order comes together at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, has reposed quietly on Third and Church Streets in Guerneville since local Masons built it 1925. The public is welcome to join the members on meeting days for lunch and a brief program at 11:30 a.m. but, says local master Jeff Schloo, “We are not allowed to ask anyone to join the group. They have to ask us.”

A recent open house seemed like a good way to accomplish that goal, featuring informative talks followed by burgers, hot dogs, beans, salad and beverages accompanied by recorded jazz as a way to introduce the Lodge to the community.

Schloo, 58, pointed to a sticker on the Lodge’s Third Street window: “If you want 2B 1 of us ask.”

“I can’t say, ‘Hey I think you would make a good Mason,’?” he said. “You have to knock on the door of a Masonic Temple and ask. We want you to join of your own will and accord.”

The Russian River Historical Society and sheriff’s station were represented, as well as the curious and the homeless. No one who wanted to meet a few Masons - and perhaps have a bit of lunch - was denied. Current California Grand Master of Masons Russell E. Charvonia also was in attendance.

The Mount Jackson Lodge, #295, was chartered on September 17, 1889, now one of 356 Masonic lodges in the United States. Most have between 35 and 40 members, Schloo said. The Mount Jackson Lodge has 57 who spend much of their meeting time training for more advanced degrees in the Masonic hierarchy.

“Freemasonry is for people who wish to improve themselves spiritually, mentally and physically, as a parent and a friend, as a member of their community and ultimately as a servant of God,” Schloo explained.

Aside from petitioning this ancient order for membership, interested people must:

-Be men of lawful age (18 years old).

-Profess a belief in a Supreme Being and Afterlife.

-Be willing to attend all regular Lodge meetings; emergencies accepted.

Women belong to a separate group called “Eastern Star,” although they join in upholding the three masonic principles - brotherly love, relief and truth.

Yes, Schloo said, they display religious symbols and have a Bible on the altar in the spacious second-floor meeting hall, but if the speaker addressing the group is Jewish, “the fellow might put a Torah up there. Muslims could bring their Koran.”

Equality and service to the fraternity are two of its tenets.

Although Masons keep a lower profile than other local service groups, Schloo, whose election earned him the title of Master for one year, explained that each year the lodge gives $500 each to El Molino High School, Guerneville School and Monte Rio and Montgomery schools. Members also sponsor a Little League team of 13- to-14-year-old players at the Forestville Youth Park.

Masons are also proud of their Masonic Homes of California, which for 100 years “have presented organized relief” to those who require it. Covina and Union City have two of the group’s campuses, offering Independent Living with care that extends through skilled nursing and Hospice. The Covina campus also is home to nearly 50 children.

Contact River Towns ?Correspondent Stephen D. Gross at sdgross@sonic.net.