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| Friday, July 18th, 2008 | 12:16 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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| | Thursday, July 17th, 2008 | 11:00 am
[erik_j_meyer]
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| 10:57 am
[erik_j_meyer]
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in case anyone is deployed in Iraq http://www.sonsoflight197.com/Well, deployed and allowed to visit OK PH Lodges. Still, might be of use to some. Current Mood:  curious | | Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 | 4:51 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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for those in TX DALLAS LODGE LABOR DAY BRISKET Why cook this Labor Day? Let Dallas Lodge do that for you. We will cook a 10-12lb Brisket and have it ready for pick-up on Sunday August 31st for a small contribution to the Lodge. Orders will NEED TO BE IN BY AUGUST 15TH Fax form to 214-744-3622 NAME:_________________________ Phone:____________ ___Brisket(s) X $40.00 =______ Garlic Mashed Potatoes 2lb x $5.00=_______ Total Contribution=_______due at Pick-up Pick-up at 507 S. Harwood on August 31st , between 12-5 P.M. Current Mood:  hungry | 4:41 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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| 4:34 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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random quote
Masonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw wages In gold or silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are earned and paid in their dealings with one another: sympathy that begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a mason.
Br Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790 | 2:13 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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another idea give a friendly or brotherly grip? ( Read more... )Ok, not me, it was sent in response to someone not happy with their Masonic experience thus far. What I would more focus on is the shaking hands at every meeting. I remember the first time I saw a Master do that in Lodge. While the meeting was open, before starting to close he left the East and walked around the Lodge to shake the hand of everyone in attendance. I was told he did this at every meeting. It was different and impressed me. It was after I was in the East in my own Lodge. When I got into the East in the York Rite bodies tho I decided that I do something similar. It is easier in the York bodies as we are usually ecstatic to get twenty guys out. After I was out of the East I slipped and forgot to shake a Brother's hand before the meeting. He was concerned I was upset with him. Now it is just habit to shake every Brother's hand at a meeting. Do others do similar? If not, would you consider doing it if only to spread a little more cement? Current Mood:  cheerful | 12:32 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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The Newest Member The Newest Member ( Read more... )I think this has been added to the original, not sure. Still it makes the same point. Do we fail our Brethren, new and old with not having a strong fraternal bond, nevermind activities deemed 'interesting'? Current Mood:  contemplative | 11:54 am
[erik_j_meyer]
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THE OLD MASTER THE OLD MASTER ( Read more... )Not sure on the origin, but a nice tear jerker item. | | Saturday, July 12th, 2008 | 2:43 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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another article that looks bad http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1106533Inquiry lodged into Masons for alleged misuse of $1.5M By Jessica Van Sack and Jay Fitzgerald Saturday, July 12, 2008 - Added 15h ago ( Read more... )I remember the Grand Lodge communication about Brad Bleidt. It was one of the few mass e-mails from Grand Lodge that I recall seeing. I thin that was three or four years ago now. I am hoping they issue a statement on this on soon-ish. I have no idea who they are talking about now. It is only 5% of the money that was talked about in the last case, but that is still a heck of a lot. I am hoping that this does not affect the Campaign for Masonry. For those outside the Jurisdiction that is an effort by Grand Lodge to raise $10 million USD to be able to run projects and invest for future generations. Current Mood: uncomfortable | | Monday, July 7th, 2008 | 4:00 pm
[al_khidr]
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My First Masonic Funeral
I guess I'm blessed at having not had to go to a funeral yet.
When my maternal grandfather died, I was still in school and my parents deemed it wasn't worth it for whatever a ticket from London (Ontario) to Saskatoon cost.
This funeral was for one of the Brethren I've been visiting at Gorge Hospital, in my capacity of Lodge Chaplain. I didn't know very long, but from what I saw, he was content in the satisfaction of a life well lived. He had in his twilight, what I see in other Brothers, and in certain other men I've met - what I like to call the "Masonic Disposition." It's one of the highest compliments I can bestow upon any male friend of mine.
I first read a script for a Masonic Funeral in some Grand Lodge of Canada literature I encountered while writing my Senior Undergraduate Thesis on Freemasonry and Movements of Religious Tolerance in Early Modern Europe. It was around this time that I also saw the Tim Burton film "Big Fish", and concluded that this film, in an abstracted sense, sums up the ethos of the Masonic funeral. That despite our foibles, we can create a mythos of our existence, engendered with affection and meaning.
When our Worshipful Master called the Brethren up - it was indeed like the end of Big Fish. I can now understand why public Masonic forums periodically get curious posts from the children or grandchildren of Brethren - who attend a funeral to bear witness to a cast of wonderful characters from the life of the deceased, all of whom bear sprigs of evergreen and hold a peculiar yet beautifully modest and simple decorum in the rites observed. And this particular brother, having passed to the Grand Lodge above at the age of 90, and having served in the military, certainly had more than a few brothers in attendance.
It was an honour and priviledge to have known this gentleman, as a brother - and having attended this memoriam has given me insight into the deep bonds and value we derive from the Craft. | | Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 | 4:56 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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Cinosam - July 2008 July 2008 Cinosam (Masonic Spelled Backwards) ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ Living by the Plumb ( Read more... ) I'll see you next time Neil Neddermeyer Cinosam Cinosam | 78th Avenue North | Maple Grove | MN | 55311 | | Sunday, June 29th, 2008 | 6:04 pm
[dibeartach]
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Sydney Comasonry
Does anyone know how I could approach comasonry folks in Sydney, Australia (or thereabouts) for further information? | | Saturday, June 28th, 2008 | 7:40 am
[oohshinyobject]
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| | Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 | 11:21 pm
[infocorn]
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College Fraternities/Freemasonry
Hello all...
While going through my Blue Lodge rituals, I was struck by a pronounced case of deja vu. No, it wasn't that my grandfather was a Mason and was likely smiliing down on our Preparing Room (though I'm sure he was). No, nobody had spilled the beans, not even my visiting guest during my Raising.
Rather, this "been here, heard this" was echoed in the ritual work I had become familiar with as a Phi Sigma Kappa brother (Nu Pentaton; Clarion, PA, #465). Apparently, our Ritual authors were at least familiar with Masonic rites because-- and I'll be vague in these comments to keep all the necessary secrets a secret on all fronts-- there were many...MANY parallels. Too many for blind chance.
So here is my little questionnaire, or meme if you will:
1) Did you rush in college?
2) What house?
3) Did you notice any Masonic goodies hidden in your own secret stuff? (Note: no examples here; just curious).
Lastly, I want to target just Massachusetts and Kansas Masons here. As Phi Sigma Kappa and Phi Sigma Epsilon (PSK and PSE merged in 1985) were founded in Mass/Kansas respectively, I was hoping to do a quick and dirty search through the state Grand Lodge rolls to see if there were many matches against the 13 total founders of PSK/PSE (as long as that's cool).
Thanks!
EDIT: D'oh!
I keep forgetting to ask here if other Grand Masters in various places have their own specialty pins. At our most recent visit from the PA GM, he encouraged us to "Earn it Again," relearning our ritual work and re-remember why it was we became Masons. To emphasise this point, he presented each Brother with a lapel pin, a custom it seems most PA GMs have done as well, as I received some others after my Raising. Just wondering if anyone here would ever want to swap, as I can got others, and the PA message of "Earn It Again" is really one that resonated with me...J | 4:34 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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Cincinnati OH event THE FIRST (OF AN EXPECTED ANNUAL) FOUNTAIN SQUARE MEMBERSHIP EVENT TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FREEMASONRY in CINCINNATI ( Read more... )Anyone close to there that might report back on how well this goes? | 4:02 pm
[erik_j_meyer]
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Chicago Theft URGENT MEMORANDUM TO: All Scottish Rite Valleys & Masonic Organizations FROM: The Valley of Chicago, AASR, NMJ, USA DATE: Monday, June 23, 2008 RE: Stolen Masonic Jewels and Other Historic Paraphernalia ( Read more... )Please pass this along to ALL Masonic organizations and members. | 10:42 am
[erik_j_meyer]
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George Washington Inaugural Bible showing Just a last minute reminder. Here’s the commercial for the George Washington Inaugural Bible coming to Plano TX on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29. You will be able to take pictures with the bible at the Sunday event. George Washington Inaugural Bible - North Texas Exhibition June 28-29, 2008 Public Viewing: $10 DATE: Saturday, June 28th, 2008 TIME: NOON - 6PM LOCATION: North Texas Masonic Historical Museum and Library 1414 J Avenue Plano, TX, 75074 Gala Exhibition & Banquet: $50 online / $65 at door DATE: Sunday, June 29th, 2008 TIME: 1PM - 4PM LOCATION: Plano Convention Center 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway Plano, Texas 75074 For more detailed info or to purchase event tickets online – please visit - http://www.northtexashistory.org/ Current Mood: curious | | Monday, June 23rd, 2008 | 10:44 am
[merikus]
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Suggestions?
I am a Mason in the US (Vermont, to be specific) and will be visiting Austria on an extended stay this summer. I'm interested in finding a lodge to visit while I'm over there, but I'm wondering if there are any formalities that I should observe or any other things I should know about visiting lodges internationally.
Also, does anyone have any suggestions about how one would even find a lodge internationally?
Thanks very much! | | Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 | 2:07 pm
[escodaiichi]
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The Vigorous Process of Rebuilding As some of you may know, our lodge was on the verge of death in 2003. There were only a handful of us left, and one of our former brethren hatched a plan to sink the lodge, turn in the charter, and more or less attempt to kill the craft in our town. He was one of the men feeding the infighting that had been going between our sister lodge over the ownership and use of the building, and when things weren't going his way, he seemed to figure that this would be the best way to get his revenge. At that meeting, I think there were six of us in attendance, and he had already laid the groundwork and had his supporters. We called off and held the discussion on the sidelines, because too many of the men had hearing problems. After he presented his side, one of our oldest brothers spoke out against him. He and I had already discussed our feelings, and I knew the argument against this stupid action would carry more weight if he spoke first. He was frail with age, but had a deep booming voice, and he spoke vigorously for the survival of our lodge. As soon as he was finished, I added my support, saying that our lodge should keep fighting even if only three men kept coming, and that we shouldn't even consider turning in our charter until we dropped to two men and were no longer able to open a lodge of Master Masons. Our arguments won over everyone but the brother who was hatching that dastardly plan, who demitted the same meeting and hasn't visited our lodge since. That was a watershed day for us. After years of slow apathy and death, our lodge started to grow. The dark cloud had moved on, and more light could shine in, so to speak. 2004 was a rough and rugged road, but we added several new members. For a while, we had to rely on men from other lodges to assist in some way or another in performing our degrees, but have reached the point where we can now do the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees with no assistance. On top of that, the men who do the lectures for those degrees in our lodge are now regularly called on to perform those lectures for other lodges in the state. Yesterday, we were able to do the Master Mason degree for two new men with some assistance, but with these new men in parts, we should be able to perform that degree without assistance by the end of the summer. It's a good thing too, because we have about twenty men total that are in some stage of advancement through the degrees, and we need actors to be able to make it go smoothly. I am Worshipful Master this year, and have it as my primary goal to have my lodge fully functional and proficient by the end of my year. From there, I want to see the lodge create a redundancy, meaning having at least two men who can do every part. Gladly, my Senior Warden acted as Master yesterday, and did both sections and delivered the lecture of the degree. Per our ritual requirements, he is now fully qualified to succeed me next year. Aside from the twenty men we are in the process of initiating, passing, and raising, we have about seventeen others who are waiting to become eligible for petitions, which in this jurisdiction means that they have to have known a Mason for at least six months and have resided in the state for the same length of time. For lodges that may be struggling or on the rebound, here is what we did to rise up from the dust: 1. Opened our mouths: We started talking about Masonry to our friends, which snowballed. I talked about it to one friend who's grandfather had been a Mason. I was the "second witness" that helped him realize that he wanted to be in the craft. He told his brother-in-law, who then joined, who told a man he was working with, who then got his younger brother and about three other guys interested. The younger brother is now my Senior Warden. You can do this in a number of ways, but the more personal the better. The community at www.meetup.com seemed to be working really well for lodges in Salt Lake, so one of our brothers started a meetup group here. We have two universities full of interested men in our area, so our meetup group has brought people together in droves. We are in the process of launching a campus organization at one and looking into doing the same at the other. 2. We actively solicited help from brothers in other lodges. Some affiliated, others just made themselves available for advice and degree work. Our lodge building is a little generic, so we like to use the Salt Lake Masonic temple for Fellowcraft degrees (it has the winding staircases, etc.) and that has not only made it easier to get help from the lodges that meet up there, is has made it fun and interesting for our own men, and given them connections in the greater Masonic family. Getting your men interested and connected makes it easier for them to explain the benefits of Masonry to their friends and families. 3. We built a lodge around our culture. We have a lot of young men and families now. When I joined, I would guess that the average age of active lodge members was around sixty. Now it is right around thirty. Most of these men are conservative family guys, so we try to include family in our activities as much as possible. Almost no one has children old enough for youth groups, and almost none of the wives have expressed an interest in OES, which closed shop here about eight years ago, and so we aren't diffusing any of our energies in those areas for the time being. 4. We are building a lodge of excellence. We have been awarded the Master Builder Award since 2004, which is based on the completion of specific lodge and community activities, and as aforementioned, we have been increasing the quality of our in-house ritual work. It keeps men interested, improves their lives, and builds the lodge. 5. Educationals. Our guys are interested in history, politics, ritual, and esoteric analysis. Figure out what your men like and give it to them. So anyway, if anyone else has ideas that have worked, please post them. I'm exceedingly pleased to see our lodge on the track it is now on, and feel very confident that when it comes time for me to let go of the reins in six months, I'll be passing them to brothers who can take the lodge to the next level. Current Mood: cheerful |
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