|
QPZIL posted:I've been speaking with the secretaries of both the York Rite and Scottish Rite about joining up. The next YR festival is in March and the next SR reunion is in April, so I've got plenty of time to consider and think about it. Chapter has some nice lectures, but the best (in my opinion) is in the Cryptic Council. Those who have taken the Cryptic degrees will know which what I mean, as will you when/if you take it. I can wholeheartedly recommend both Chapter and Council to you.
|
#
?
Jan 9, 2013 18:10
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 6, 2024 08:15 |
|
Colonial Air Force posted:I don't think York Rite requires you to be a Christian, but they do ask you to swear to defend Christianity. More specifically, Commandery does.
|
|
|
#
?
Jan 9, 2013 18:13
|
|
|
That all makes sense. I can support "defending" even though I may not believe that particular story. No harm in it either way I suppose.
|
|
#
?
Jan 9, 2013 20:31
|
|
|
QPZIL posted:I know the Commandery is focused on the Jesus story, and have a requirement of being a Christian to join, but is it worth going through just the Chapter and Council? If you have the means, both SR and YR have some very beautiful ritual work. Commandery really has some of the most powerful work in Masonry and most people say that the Order of the Temple is more beautiful/impressive than anything else they have experienced (33rd included). You also do not have to be a Christian to join Commandery, but in the final order you will be asked to swear to defend the Christian religion -- however, this can be seen as allegorical rather than literal. I know several Jewish Sir Knights and members of several other religions so take that as you will. I was Commander for two terms and I most certainly am not a Christian and I feel like I really did get a lot out of it. PM me if you have any specific questions.
|
|
#
?
Jan 9, 2013 21:18
|
|
|
QPZIL posted:I've been speaking with the secretaries of both the York Rite and Scottish Rite about joining up. The next YR festival is in March and the next SR reunion is in April, so I've got plenty of time to consider and think about it. Are you thinking of joining in GBO ? If so, you couldn't have picked a better time, there is a renewed zeal among the bodies that is contagious and inspiring.Last night was our Jan. Lodge of Perfection and the call was put out to ramp up membership this year. If you have any questions about S.R., or specifically Greensboro S.R., come at me bro.
|
|
#
?
Jan 10, 2013 12:24
|
|
|
Cholmondeley posted:Are you thinking of joining in GBO ? If so, you couldn't have picked a better time, there is a renewed zeal among the bodies that is contagious and inspiring.Last night was our Jan. Lodge of Perfection and the call was put out to ramp up membership this year. If you have any questions about S.R., or specifically Greensboro S.R., come at me bro. Yep! My home lodge is in Greensboro (Gate City 694), so having a SR room in the same building would be convenient  Was there any word at the meeting when the reunion would be? I talked with the secretary but he said that a date hadn't been set yet. I'm guessing April sometime, that's so far awayyyy 
|
|
#
?
Jan 10, 2013 14:14
|
|
|
Spring reunion is April 26-27, and would be the one I would recommend. They are thinking about spreading out the Fall reunion over 3 months or so.
|
|
#
?
Jan 11, 2013 00:32
|
|
|
Cholmondeley posted:Spring reunion is April 26-27, and would be the one I would recommend. They are thinking about spreading out the Fall reunion over 3 months or so. I'm there.
|
|
#
?
Jan 11, 2013 01:08
|
|
|
Hell yeah ! If you need a signature or anything, let me know, I'd be proud to recommend you.
|
|
#
?
Jan 11, 2013 11:51
|
|
|
I can't guarantee I'll be around in April, but we'll see! My fiancee (as of two weeks ago  ) and I are trying to move out of state, so we'll see what happens.What lodge are you a member of? I don't think I remember seeing you mention being from the area before!
|
|
#
?
Jan 11, 2013 15:31
|
|
|
https://www.facebook.com/notes/cambridge-royal-arch-chapter/stolen-please-help-6-masonic-swords-gone/346936452080778fb posted:Between Wednesday night after 8:30pm and Thursday 4pm, six (6) Royal Arch Chapter Swords were STOLEN from the main lodge room at the Cambridge Masonic Temple. These are the ONLY swords Cambridge has and are used in every RA degree since 1870. A police investigation has started as well as other Non-Cambridge police are searching pawn shops throughout New England. I am searching ebay, auctioneers sites, craigslist and other sites to find them. The are EXTREMELY special to Cambridge. I have enclosed photos of a similar sword, since these swords were not in the collection they were not photographed. The are 36-40 inches long. Brass Knight Templar helmet as the pommel. The handle is fluted, and made out of either bone or ivory. The handle wings are brass with a steel blade. The blade has Masonic and Chapter emblems hand etched onto the blade and on one side is the name Cambridge Royal Arch Chapter. The scabbards/sheaths were re-leathered some 30 years ago, 3 in red, one in white, one in blue, one in purple. For the age of the swords and scabbards they are in excellent condition.
|
|
#
?
Jan 11, 2013 16:40
|
|
|
QPZIL posted:I can't guarantee I'll be around in April, but we'll see! My fiancee (as of two weeks ago Well, I hope you do make it in April, it looks to be a great reunion. I'm a member of Columbus 102 in Pittsboro, and Mosaic 762 in Chapel Hill.
|
|
#
?
Jan 13, 2013 12:32
|
|
|
I just did my EA degree. It was a very interesting experience and I'm glad I finally did it. I am unfortunately going to have to either fly back up for FC and MM or do them back in TX. This job ended a couple months earlier than expected.
|
|
#
?
Jan 16, 2013 06:52
|
|
|
stik posted:I just did my EA degree. It was a very interesting experience and I'm glad I finally did it. I am unfortunately going to have to either fly back up for FC and MM or do them back in TX. This job ended a couple months earlier than expected. Congrats Brother.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 00:51
|
|
|
Two Masonic funerals in two weeks.  Travel well, my brothers.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 02:28
|
|
|
While I understand that all members and applicants must be of good moral character, how would this apply to someone who was formerly affiliated with a gang or organized crime group that has seen the error of that life and strives now to do what is right? Is it a rule that applies to having lived an entirely righteous life or is forgiveness allowed for past transgressions?
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 02:57
|
|
|
EtchaSketch posted:While I understand that all members and applicants must be of good moral character, how would this apply to someone who was formerly affiliated with a gang or organized crime group that has seen the error of that life and strives now to do what is right? Is it a rule that applies to having lived an entirely righteous life or is forgiveness allowed for past transgressions? My personal opinion is it's the man you are now that matters, and the man you want to become through the Craft.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 14:47
|
|
EtchaSketch posted:Is it a rule that applies to having lived an entirely righteous life or is forgiveness allowed for past transgressions? There's some grey area here based on whether or not you've been caught and formally charged and how much you tell people if not. The simple fact is if you were charged with something that may be enough in some jurisdictions to keep you out (for a few more years at least, if we're talking something that happened 20 years ago I think you could make a compelling case to the older members). If this is something behind you and you were never caught, I'm not sure if you should feel obligated to tell anyone (others may disagree). The point of Masonry is to make good men better, not to keep perfect men perfect. Personally speaking, if this was something far behind you (even if you were charged with something) I wouldn't care. If this is something that ended six months ago then I'd probably care even if it was behind you now, simply because it'd be a bit too close to have fully escaped all the impacts of, if that makes sense.
|
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 14:48
|
|
|
WAFFLEHOUND posted:There's some grey area here based on whether or not you've been caught and formally charged and how much you tell people if not. The simple fact is if you were charged with something that may be enough in some jurisdictions to keep you out (for a few more years at least, if we're talking something that happened 20 years ago I think you could make a compelling case to the older members). If this is something behind you and you were never caught, I'm not sure if you should feel obligated to tell anyone (others may disagree). The point of Masonry is to make good men better, not to keep perfect men perfect. I agree with Wafflehound, for the most part the GL of IL agrees as well. Unless you are convicted of a felony, conviction is the distinction on paper for them. Unrelated note, do other jurisdictions have the Type X schools or is that an IL thing? I attended a Type 4 class last Saturday and going to a Type 2 in a few weeks. It was really cool to spend 2 hours with the Grand Lodges board of examiners going over floor work and getting in to the minutia of it all.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 15:39
|
|
|
Just found out I'm taking the Mark Master degree on Monday night. I'm super excited to be getting another degree again! I have absolutely NO clue what to expect either. Is it done the same basic way as the first 3 degrees (ie the "preparation")? Any info any York Rite brothers here could offer without ruining the surprise of the whole experience would be fantastic. Congrats to Stik for taking the EA degree and welcome, brother!
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 16:38
|
|
|
Well, from what I've been reading, some people/jurisdictions consider the Mark Master degree to be the true final degree of the Blue Lodge, so take that for what you will. On that note, I'm joining York Rite in March so I'll find out then too!
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 16:43
|
|
|
QPZIL posted:Well, from what I've been reading, some people/jurisdictions consider the Mark Master degree to be the true final degree of the Blue Lodge, so take that for what you will. This is the case as I understand it in Scotland and other bodies receiving their charter from the GL of Scotland. Mark Master isn't really a higher degree, but it "completes" the third degree, such that Master Mason without the Mark Master is kind of a half-Master degree - still a Master Mason, with all the privileges, rights, and responsibilities so accompanying it, but not quite a complete Master. I'd like clarification from some of our Scottish brethren if possible on that point, I'm only saying what I'd gathered from my travels there. I want to do that degree, but don't know if I want to rock York Rite. I'm strongly considering Scottish Rite soon though, got an invite to a "one day class," but I'm kinda meh about those. So we'll see.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 18:32
|
|
|
QPZIL posted:Well, from what I've been reading, some people/jurisdictions consider the Mark Master degree to be the true final degree of the Blue Lodge All of the degrees in Chapter are similar to what you are used to, however there are usually quite a few props used and even entire sets. They are all really cool and I enjoyed them more than Council but less than Commandery. In many jurisdictions incoming WM must receive the Past Master's degree which you too will experience (however the PM's degree is usually put on by people that aren't even in YR and I generally hear it is terrible compared to what a YR Chapter will confer.)
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 18:42
|
|
|
Paramemetic posted:This is the case as I understand it in Scotland and other bodies receiving their charter from the GL of Scotland. Mark Master isn't really a higher degree, but it "completes" the third degree, such that Master Mason without the Mark Master is kind of a half-Master degree - still a Master Mason, with all the privileges, rights, and responsibilities so accompanying it, but not quite a complete Master. The Mark is conferred in Scotland based on an agreement between Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The Mark Master Mason degree is a prequisite of taking the Royal Arch here, however there is no compulsion to go further into the 'York rite' beyond the Mark if you do not wish. It is a nice degree, and well worth taking if you can.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 20:52
|
|
|
Been invited to the local lodge's meeting tonight.  I'm excited.
|
|
#
?
Jan 17, 2013 22:07
|
|
|
I've just posted many of our 2013 installation photos to our Lodge's Facebook page. More than a month of stress and planning for everything to come together for two hours. Still though, a great time was had by all.
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 02:43
|
|
|
FreshFeesh posted:I've just posted many of our 2013 installation photos to our Lodge's Facebook page. More than a month of stress and planning for everything to come together for two hours. Still though, a great time was had by all. That's a pretty good photo, It's got the right balance of warm friendly smiles vs formal surroundings. Except for the brothers at the front, they look like serial killers...not that there is anything wrong with that.
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 06:34
|
|
|
FreshFeesh posted:I've just posted many of our 2013 installation photos to our Lodge's Facebook page. More than a month of stress and planning for everything to come together for two hours. Still though, a great time was had by all. You are the smug goon in the blue shirt?
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 12:11
|
|
|
Nah, I'm the stony WM in the front-center. I'm not the biggest fan of posed photography, but I'm glad we got at least one good shot of our officers for this year. Something I'm very proud of is that we have no Past Masters in the progressive line at all -- everyone from our Steward up to the Senior Warden wore the white carnation; a trend I hope to see continue for some time into the future.
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 17:13
|
|
|
That dude in the back's beard is pretty awesome.
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 18:59
|
|
|
Got an application last night, and even had a MM sign for me already. That's one of three. When they asked how I heard about/what interested me I referenced a "group of friends" that were masons. I also asked about the goat.
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 19:08
|
|
|
There wasn't a spot on the application asking if you were allergic? Maybe they're using those hypoallergenic goats now ...
|
|
#
?
Jan 18, 2013 22:18
|
|
|
Random news from my province - a brother in a local lodge was recognised for his 75th anniversary of joining the Craft. He's 98 years old and still as spry as ever, and has never taken office during that whole time.
|
|
#
?
Jan 19, 2013 00:30
|
|
|
Innerguard posted:has never taken office during that whole time.
|
|
#
?
Jan 19, 2013 06:46
|
|
|
Are any of you a member of the Turtle Club?
|
|
#
?
Jan 19, 2013 15:00
|
|
|
axolotl farmer posted:Are any of you a member of the Turtle Club? You bet your sweet rear end I am.
|
|
#
?
Jan 19, 2013 15:29
|
|
|
I'm gonna disclaimer this with I don't think I know any Masons so pardon my ignorance. Are the majority of Masons (capitalized?) white? Or I guess a better question would be, are they accepting of minorities and non-Christians? I think every time I've seen a picture of the local Masonic lodges and such they've always been a bunch of old white dudes. How does one get involved with such an organization? I find the idea intriguing but I'm not incredibly sure how to make inroads, since again, a bunch of old white dudes. Is there a lot of money involved for initiation? I know with the frats at my university there was always a mid to sizeable fee involved in the process somewhere I know you probably can't talk about it but what's the general process for a meeting? Is it just kind of "hey we're doing a sexy old white guy charity car wash this week who's buying the mankinis?" or is there a lot of scripture (?) or whatnot involved?
|
|
#
?
Jan 21, 2013 05:02
|
|
|
I've met Brothers of all races at ordinary lodges all around the country and the world, and nobody has had a problem. As for getting in touch with them, I sent my local lodge an e-mail one day out of boredom. They all turned out to be awesome guys and I found out afterwords several people I'd known for huge chunks of my life had been Masons and I never knew it. v  ve. Very little money, I went greek a few years after becoming a Mason and yeah that was fuckoff expensive in comparison.
|
|
|
#
?
Jan 21, 2013 06:08
|
|
|
Grandmaster.flv posted:I'm gonna disclaimer this with I don't think I know any Masons so pardon my ignorance. Okay, I'll try to field these: A lodge will generally (hopefully) reflect the diversity of the community of which it is a part. The current master of my mother lodge in New Mexico is of african-american descent and a large percentage of the membership is Hispanic, with several other races and nationalities represented. I live in Montana now and the lodge here is overwhelmingly Caucasian, but so is the community. Realistically, the smaller the community, the more white I'd expect a lodge to be. Depending on where you live, there could also be cultural or historical factors at work. Anyway they should be quite welcoming of those of different faiths and all, though sometimes I run into folks who just don't have that much experience being around different people. Again, that's the community as well. You become involved by asking; call your local lodge or email them if they have a website and ask when they meet and if you could come by to meet members and find out more about masonry. Every lodge I've been to in America has a light meal before the regular meeting and this is open to the public. Go a couple of times and talk to different people - no one set of brothers reflects the makeup of a lodge. Also, if there is more than one lodge in your area, go to both. As for making in-roads, well, you do know some old white dudes are pretty cool, right? Especially if you take the time to talk to them and all. Fees vary. I haven't seen any north of $200, but I don't live in L.A. or Manhattan either. Regular meetings nights involve a formal prayer at the opening and closing and some formal ritual. Here in the States we generally say the pledge of allegiance as well. The rest of it, when a degree isn't being conferred, does consist of the same sort of business that occupies the time of any organization - meeting minutes, committee reports, discussion, presentation of bills for goat feed, lectures, etc.
|
|
#
?
Jan 21, 2013 08:32
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 6, 2024 08:15 |
|
|
WAFFLEHOUND posted:e. Very little money, I went greek a few years after becoming a Mason and yeah that was fuckoff expensive in comparison. The number I was quoted seemed kind of steep and in fact may be my biggest barrier to joining right away. Eta: Glorified Scrivener posted:Fees vary. I haven't seen any north of $200, but I don't live in L.A. or Manhattan either. I was told "$300 to $400," and I live in a smallish town in Washington. Karma Comedian fucked around with this message at 10:05 on Jan 21, 2013 |
|
#
?
Jan 21, 2013 10:01
|
|