I've been asked to join the Freemasons
Discussion
pmanson said:
I've got my 2nd on Saturday. Looking forward to it!
Good luck and enjoy it. The 2nd is all too often seen as a stepping stone and isn't given the attention it deserves. It might only be short but there is a lot in there to get your head around. The WTs are especially meaningful, even more so if they do the long version. Which lodge and province?My London Lodge had a meeting early Dec. It's a regimental lodge with most members being ex-squaddies. The Festive Board is somewhat lively.
We had a member in a hospice, everyone was aware of his position. He was not in a good place.
During the FB, someone set up a link (on Facebook I believe}. He could see and hear us. He was in his bed, but appeared cheerful, despite his plight. There was much yelling and encouragement from the assembled brethren. This went on for several minutes. Many brethren were wiping their eyes. It is unusual to see such naked good will and compassion towards another. It was very moving.
The distinguished guests had never seen anything like it, they were very impressed.
Unfortunately, nature took its course and we all attended his funeral in early January.
We had a member in a hospice, everyone was aware of his position. He was not in a good place.
During the FB, someone set up a link (on Facebook I believe}. He could see and hear us. He was in his bed, but appeared cheerful, despite his plight. There was much yelling and encouragement from the assembled brethren. This went on for several minutes. Many brethren were wiping their eyes. It is unusual to see such naked good will and compassion towards another. It was very moving.
The distinguished guests had never seen anything like it, they were very impressed.
Unfortunately, nature took its course and we all attended his funeral in early January.
Nice to see a thread-bump.
I only partially agree about the WM being in total control. If our WM tried to change the way we do things, it wouldn't go down well. We are very old, though, and have our own form of 'Old Workings'. Plus, the DC has to put more effort in than most to make sure things run correctly. Biased, perhaps, as I stepped out of the Chair and went straight to DC. The DC during my two years in the Chair was mostly absent (high-flier in other Orders).
On a general note, we had a couple of barren years, candidate-wise, and a lot of deaths (12 in 2 years!), so numbers were rapidly decreasing. Things started to click last year. Four new candidates from a variety of sources. Eight on the list for this year, six I'm very confident in progressing through to joining.
Personally, I'm still getting out and about a lot. I do quite a bit for the Province (Steward), and things just keep getting busier! Never a dull moment.
I only partially agree about the WM being in total control. If our WM tried to change the way we do things, it wouldn't go down well. We are very old, though, and have our own form of 'Old Workings'. Plus, the DC has to put more effort in than most to make sure things run correctly. Biased, perhaps, as I stepped out of the Chair and went straight to DC. The DC during my two years in the Chair was mostly absent (high-flier in other Orders).
On a general note, we had a couple of barren years, candidate-wise, and a lot of deaths (12 in 2 years!), so numbers were rapidly decreasing. Things started to click last year. Four new candidates from a variety of sources. Eight on the list for this year, six I'm very confident in progressing through to joining.
Personally, I'm still getting out and about a lot. I do quite a bit for the Province (Steward), and things just keep getting busier! Never a dull moment.
rednotdead said:
pmanson said:
I've got my 2nd on Saturday. Looking forward to it!
Good luck and enjoy it. The 2nd is all too often seen as a stepping stone and isn't given the attention it deserves. It might only be short but there is a lot in there to get your head around. The WTs are especially meaningful, even more so if they do the long version. Which lodge and province?WRumbled said:
On a general note, we had a couple of barren years, candidate-wise, and a lot of deaths (12 in 2 years!), so numbers were rapidly decreasing. Things started to click last year. Four new candidates from a variety of sources. Eight on the list for this year, six I'm very confident in progressing through to joining.
This seems to be a theme which is being repeated. My Surrey lodge has six candidates - all initiates - in the past year, after a very thin spell.Let's hope they are all joining for the right reasons and stay the course.
The Mad Monk said:
This seems to be a theme which is being repeated. My Surrey lodge has six candidates - all initiates - in the past year, after a very thin spell.
Let's hope they are all joining for the right reasons and stay the course.
I do worry about that a little, but we get them out and about as much as possible before we even fill the forms in. Beers here and there, any open socials that we can, and our regular curry after lodge of instruction. So far, so good.Let's hope they are all joining for the right reasons and stay the course.
DJFish said:
2nd in a couple of weeks for me as well.
Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
I remember going out on my first visit as an EA. I was sat next to our then DC, who told me to pay very close attention, and ignore everything! Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
Good luck with your Second.
WRumbled said:
DJFish said:
2nd in a couple of weeks for me as well.
Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
I remember going out on my first visit as an EA. I was sat next to our then DC, who told me to pay very close attention, and ignore everything! Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
Good luck with your Second.
pmanson said:
WRumbled said:
DJFish said:
2nd in a couple of weeks for me as well.
Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
I remember going out on my first visit as an EA. I was sat next to our then DC, who told me to pay very close attention, and ignore everything! Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
Good luck with your Second.
WRumbled said:
pmanson said:
WRumbled said:
DJFish said:
2nd in a couple of weeks for me as well.
Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
I remember going out on my first visit as an EA. I was sat next to our then DC, who told me to pay very close attention, and ignore everything! Have attended plenty of white tables but this weekend was my first visit, entertaining & bewildering in equal measure to see how things are done elsewhere.
Just when you think you’re getting the hang of it all.....
Good luck with your Second.
cobra kid said:
Without reading the previous 5000 pages, do you have to be invited into the fold, or can you apply??
Do you need to be a business owner???
Sheffield? Here's a link:-Do you need to be a business owner???
http://www.freemasonryinsheffield.com/
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