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patentmagus posted:What else are you going to do with your life? Watch TV? I reread that with the voice of a cranky old past master saying it, that cheered me up a lot. You're 100% right, time to visit the lodge. 
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Feb 6, 2016 18:20
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After moving to another state, I've been pretty turned off to local masonry(though miss my mother lodge greatly). I felt mistreated. Despite being called out for it, I never got an apology and in fact felt outcast...so I guess I'll stick to my lack of masonry when I am not at my mother lodge. It sorta sucks 
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Feb 6, 2016 18:34
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DogsCantBudget posted:After moving to another state, I've been pretty turned off to local masonry(though miss my mother lodge greatly). I felt mistreated. Despite being called out for it, I never got an apology and in fact felt outcast...so I guess I'll stick to my lack of masonry when I am not at my mother lodge. It sorta sucks Care to provide some more context?
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Feb 6, 2016 18:36
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Lovable Luciferian posted:Care to provide some more context? I misplaced my dues card, but had a signed letter from my mother GL stating that I was a brother in good standing. My mail person sucks so it took nearly 3 weeks to get my dues card to me. In that three week period, this other lodge had already decided to ask me to leave a stated meeting because they "couldn't prove" I was a brother. This happened AFTER I had already shown up to other lodge events, and even contributed to the lodge by helping them cook, etc.
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Feb 6, 2016 18:55
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DogsCantBudget posted:I misplaced my dues card, but had a signed letter from my mother GL stating that I was a brother in good standing. My mail person sucks so it took nearly 3 weeks to get my dues card to me. In that three week period, this other lodge had already decided to ask me to leave a stated meeting because they "couldn't prove" I was a brother. This happened AFTER I had already shown up to other lodge events, and even contributed to the lodge by helping them cook, etc. That is awful.
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Feb 6, 2016 18:58
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Holy cow. We had a Brother from Texas show up relatively out of the blue last week and I was able to get the California GL and Texas GL on the phone to verify he was in good standing. No fuss, no muss, aside from a few hurriedly-dialed phones. That's just awful.
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Feb 7, 2016 02:35
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Jesus, around here we just ask the questions, ask a few false ones (I introduced a couple based on the exposures floating about online, which aren't accurate to our Grand Lodge though if an American gives them we'll probably accept it), and make sure they can make the signs accurately. We prefer travelling certificates but without and without a mason to introduce you, we'll still let you in because this is a brotherhood and if you can show us you're a brother, we cannot turn you away.
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Feb 7, 2016 10:26
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FreshFeesh posted:Holy cow. Funny you say that, but this happened in TX. I know that personally if I had someone come up to me claiming to be a brother, I too would ask minimal questions before trusting that he wasn't lying. In fact, my next door neighbor had *invited* me to this lodge as he was going through his degrees and had seen a sticker from my mother GL on my car. I mean, yes I could have moved 2000 miles to long-con a guy I had never met before about his goat related secrets, but is that really worth the effort?
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Feb 7, 2016 15:47
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In better news, I'm told I delivered a perfect EA Catechism tonight. It's a really great feeling, being given such emphatic compliments from men I respect and admire. It really cements for me the fact that I've fallen in to a great group.
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Feb 17, 2016 05:12
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It finally happened--my lodge is seeing an incredible amount of personal drama boil over into procedural things. I don't want to divulge a whole lot of details, but please take my advice and play things close to the chest when it comes to working with other brothers to improve your lodge's ritual. Some (group-level) light criticism has turned into petitions to the GL of my jurisdiction to potentially remove our lodge's dispensation...it has 0 chance of happening, but it's a disheartening process to be going through.
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Feb 18, 2016 00:27
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Had a wonderful day this past Saturday. We conferred two 3rd degrees, and since our WM and SW weren't able to make it, I (as JW) got to open and close the lodge. I got a grand total of 36 hours notice that I'd be doing that, AND was told that ~100 people including a Past Provincial Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England would be there. To say that I was nervous would be a hell of an understatement. One of the guys we raised was initiated in England, but got his 2nd and 3rd degrees at our lodge. His uncle was a PPGM of the UGLE, so he flew in to be with us. Even though I was nervous, it was an amazing day. Did the whole second section in costume, had the Grand Lecturer give the lecture which was beat-perfect... such a great day. Days like that are the reason I still love being a Freemason. 
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Feb 22, 2016 18:12
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Yesterday we initiated two candidates and re-admitted an EA who left lodge due to personal life issues. With the two EA's we already had, it is really busy up North.
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Feb 24, 2016 11:10
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Did LoI last night and really enjoyed it, am loving getting involved and meeting people and excited to take the second degree and then go further. Been learning a lot of history, got to see a play, and have been enjoying working on the cipher. Had a really nice conversation with a guy who does the Scottish Rite stuff about whether or not Football would be an effective backdrop for a morality play.  Also, apparently Catholics can't be masons? (though that restriction isn't from the masonic side) GlyphGryph fucked around with this message at 19:46 on Feb 25, 2016 |
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Feb 25, 2016 19:29
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GlyphGryph posted:
This, from my understanding, is correct. One of the Popes made it an ex communicable offense years ago, and it hasn't since been changed. Though, I'm sure its not something the Catholic Church is still actively enforcing. From what I understand, the Knights of Columbus, an organization my Catholic father is a part of, was formed as a result.
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Feb 25, 2016 20:18
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We actually have a few Brothers (including Past Masters) who are higher ups in the local Knights of Columbus. Apparently the local Bishop's stance is "just don't talk about it."
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Feb 25, 2016 20:59
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I keep meaning to write the current Pope about it. He seems like our best shot at getting that bull overturned.
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Feb 26, 2016 07:15
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Loomer posted:I keep meaning to write the current Pope about it. He seems like our best shot at getting that bull overturned. Maybe write our GM's for stuff like this? Unless of course you are an active RC yourself and feel you can send a letter to your boss. Anyway, nobody I know is a RC and wanted to join FM's but didnt as a result of some past pope being an idiot. But this could also be because I know very few RC's to begin with.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:09
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The American Catholic tradition also seems to be a lot more Rome-independent than much of the rest of the world, and I've not seen much evidence the American branch of the church gives a drat.
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Feb 26, 2016 17:13
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We initiated two new brothers tonight at our lodge! All in all, everything went well. There was a slight hiccup when one candidate, a young man of 20, upon being asked the big question replied with "My Parents". I'm sure they're proud. But it will be nice to have a few guys closer to my age at the dinners.
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Mar 2, 2016 05:41
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Old Dirty Cumburgs posted:We initiated two new brothers tonight at our lodge! All in all, everything went well. Haha that's great. Did anyone laugh? I hope not, since I'd hate to see a candidates' dignity harmed..
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Mar 2, 2016 06:24
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Lovable Luciferian posted:Haha that's great. Did anyone laugh? I hope not, since I'd hate to see a candidates' dignity harmed.. Nah, we managed to restrain ourselves. The WM leaned in and gently guided the candidate to the correct answer, and things proceeded smoothly from there.
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Mar 2, 2016 06:35
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Old Dirty Cumburgs posted:Nah, we managed to restrain ourselves. The WM leaned in and gently guided the candidate to the correct answer, and things proceeded smoothly from there. That sounds like one of those endearing stories that gets passed around from time to time, like the one I heard someone in that position said (in the middle of a very hot and un-airconditioned lodge) 'a beer.'
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Mar 2, 2016 08:26
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After months of him threatening to do so, I've been appointed District Instructor Inspector for the Commandery. Guess this means I need to bone up on my ritual work!
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Mar 3, 2016 00:37
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I have a serious question. I'm in craft, Royal arch, and Mark masonry (Australia). Im still relatively young, and find belonging to all three both financially impeding and with a young family - time prohibitive. I think I know the way I will approach my resignation from the latter two (I'm JW in craft), but has anyone else been in this position, and how did you approach it? I'm certain my brethren won't be disappointed, but I've bought people in, and don't want to let them down. Cheers lads
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Mar 4, 2016 07:47
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jrgnsn_tjf posted:I have a serious question. I'm in craft, Royal arch, and Mark masonry (Australia). Im still relatively young, and find belonging to all three both financially impeding and with a young family - time prohibitive. I think I know the way I will approach my resignation from the latter two (I'm JW in craft), but has anyone else been in this position, and how did you approach it? I'm certain my brethren won't be disappointed, but I've bought people in, and don't want to let them down. Cheers lads I had to do something similar this year, I had to "downsize" my responsibilities where I could by leaving a few groups. Just be upfront and honest about it. They'll appreciate that more than you just not showing up. In other news, a good friend of mine (also a Mason) made ALL NEW FURNITURE for our lodge room. A fleet of chairs, new columns, a new altar, new pedestals for the officer stations, new stands for the burning tapers, everything. Here's the altar:  It has a solid stone top with the inscription "ו'אםר אלהים יהי אור ויהי אור" which means "And God said, let there be light, and there was light". Here are the columns:  Holy poo poo, the picture doesn't do them justice. The chairs are new too, as well as the SW's pedestal. We were all just wandering around the lodge room with our mouths agape last night. Really brought a new energy into our meeting
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Mar 4, 2016 16:04
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Gorgeous work.
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Mar 4, 2016 16:31
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Wow, that's absolutely gorgeous. I'm awestruck.
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Mar 4, 2016 18:10
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Agreed, that's pretty as all hell and I'm envious!jrgnsn_tjf posted:I have a serious question. I'm in craft, Royal arch, and Mark masonry (Australia). Im still relatively young, and find belonging to all three both financially impeding and with a young family - time prohibitive. I think I know the way I will approach my resignation from the latter two (I'm JW in craft), but has anyone else been in this position, and how did you approach it? I'm certain my brethren won't be disappointed, but I've bought people in, and don't want to let them down. Cheers lads Brother, you're approaching an adult topic in an adult way and with good masonic judgement. You're putting your life and responsibilities first and foremost, and I don't think anyone would nor could be let down to see the way you've carried out your self-appraisal.
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Mar 4, 2016 18:31
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That altar. I'm going to steal it. Make your time.
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Mar 4, 2016 18:40
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If anyone is ever in central North Carolina, you're welcome to come visit it
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Mar 4, 2016 19:29
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I figured I would get sound wisdom and support from you guys. I'll have a chat with my proposer (to both) and let him know. It won't be forever, just for a few years. Btw those furnishings really are very beautiful. He's a fine craftsman!!
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Mar 4, 2016 23:39
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COOL CORN posted:If anyone is ever in central North Carolina, you're welcome to come visit it Hmm, yeah, maybe I should show up again
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Mar 6, 2016 09:13
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Innerguard posted:Brother, you're approaching an adult topic in an adult way and with good masonic judgement. You're putting your life and responsibilities first and foremost, and I don't think anyone would nor could be let down to see the way you've carried out your self-appraisal. As a non-Mason who reads this thread mostly for the jokes about the goat, I agree. Any organization that would think ill of you for taking time off for family's sake (this extends to employers and the bowling team) is not a club you'd want to associate with anyway. You're doing the right thing, your brothers will understand if they're half-decent human beings (which I'm pretty sure is a prerequisite to joining, isn't it?). Chillbro Baggins fucked around with this message at 10:47 on Mar 6, 2016 |
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Mar 6, 2016 10:41
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Bad Angus! Bad!
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That alter and those pillars are wonderful. Little jealous!
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Mar 7, 2016 18:47
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what the hell just happened in GL-CA?
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Mar 8, 2016 22:11
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Cimber posted:what the hell just happened in GL-CA? The CA GL just released a statement saying that we are inclusive of every man, including when it comes to sexual orientation (contrary to a few other Grand Lodges); is that what you're talking about?
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Mar 9, 2016 01:31
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FreshFeesh posted:The CA GL just released a statement saying that we are inclusive of every man, including when it comes to sexual orientation (contrary to a few other Grand Lodges); is that what you're talking about? For those of us who aren't in tune with that neck of the world, can you throw up the statement link please, if possible?
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Mar 9, 2016 02:29
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Innerguard posted:For those of us who aren't in tune with that neck of the world, can you throw up the statement link please, if possible? http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2016/03/gl-of-california-breaks-with-georgia.html http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2016/03/gl-of-dc-suspends-relations-with-ga-and.html
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Mar 9, 2016 02:45
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Innerguard posted:For those of us who aren't in tune with that neck of the world, can you throw up the statement link please, if possible? Particularly here's the original missive which we read in Lodge this month here in California: quote:Dear Brethren: And wow, I just received the following message today, to be read at the next Stated Meeting: quote:March 8, 2016
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Mar 9, 2016 03:06
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It pleases me to see the GL of California acting like decent human beings. I hope that either the GLs of GA and TN mend their ways, though if they refuse to do so we could have a lovely schism on our hands again. It does somewhat baffle me that the GL of CA spoke of co-masonry as more-or-less legitimate though.
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Mar 9, 2016 05:42
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