|
Post by offramp on Jun 1, 2019 7:28:58 GMT
Today is Saturday, the 1st June. White Rabbits!!
On Tuesday 4th June 2019 we have something unusual: we are raising a brother from another Lodge. I do not believe we have ever done that before in all our 300+ meetings. The other Lodge has too much work... Lucky geezers.
I will be J∴W∴ and Chaplain. Being J∴W∴ is great because there is very little to do. I have to do the three openings, then KNOCK once to readmit the candidate, then do the Whom have you there routine and that's about it. We will be RESUMING IN THE FIRST after the Raising.
So I close in the first, and then the only other thing is to propose a toast to the Visitors.
The role of W∴M∴ will be taken by the Master of the same Lodge that the Candidate for Raising is from. Unusually, they appear to be sending no other visitors! Just those two. I find that a bit odd.
As Chaplain I have learned the prayer for the Candidate at the start of the Raising. We are in darkness so there is no chance of reading it. That wasn't too hard to do so I have memorized the prayers for opening in the 1st and 2nd (there is no prayer in the 3° Opening), and the final closing prayer. To be honest, I have been Chaplain for 4 or 5 years now and I should have learnt those much earlier.
|
|
|
Post by peter2 on Jun 1, 2019 7:38:14 GMT
Do you not test the candidate after raising - at least for the pass grip?
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Jun 2, 2019 8:02:04 GMT
Do you not test the candidate after raising - at least for the pass grip? No. My Lodge is Emulation; after he has been raised he gives the signs when re-entering but I don't think anyone checks that he knows the pass-grip.
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Jun 6, 2019 7:26:02 GMT
The meeting went very well, but I'll remember the meeting for an unusual encounter.
For the first time in my life I met an online acquaintance in the analog world!
I know this is a frequent and rancorous occurrence in the world of video games such as Battlefield or Fortnight.
In many of those encounters the offline meeting is the very last event of one of the duologue's participant's lives.
I was introduced by a member of my Lodge to a man who said he knew me from the internet. This man turned out to be middlepillar !
It was a great surprise to see him. He was about 7ft 5in tall, weighing about 10st 3lb.
He wore a tan wideawake hat, a lovat dinner suit with white chelsea boots. He was off to his own meeting. A charming man!
In my own meeting I did all the prayers well, which was a relief.
At the Festive Board I was given the unexpected honour of doing the Tyler's Toast. I had never done this before but I am sure we all know it. I winged it from memory and it seemed okay.
|
|
|
Post by middlepillar on Jun 10, 2019 14:19:13 GMT
When the real world comes into contact with the virtual one really no one knows what to expect! It was a great pleasure to meet up with you Offramp, mind I expected to bump into a 3 foot singing minstrel man quoting poetry and playing chess with 4 opponents! However I was not disappointed, I know that your lodge is doing a great job looking after our brother who introduced us and he is in good hands. I am sure we will cross paths again soon! I really must put some weight on!
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Jun 12, 2019 11:31:37 GMT
The next meeting we are doing a rehearsal for a 2nd degree; that is on September 17th.
Then, next April, we have our Installation. My friend André has decided, finally, to go into the Chair (from SW) and I have been asked to go from JW to SW: both normal movements. I mention them because I have been JW for about 3 years, and André has been foregoing King Solomon's Chair owing to family commitments and has been floating around as Deacons and SW.
I'll be staying as Chaplain, which I really like.
I wonder what the idea is after I am SW? Will the Secretary ask me to move up in April 2021? I wouldn't mind doing WM again, but I always think that a newer member of the Lodge should have a go.
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Mar 4, 2020 12:37:48 GMT
We had a very good meeting yesterday. My friend André, who I have known for 46 years, was Installed into the C of KS. He installed his officers very well, which was good because it is hard for him to come to Ls of I.
Towards the end the entire Gang of Four turned up: the provincial executive, inc Ian Chandler the Grand Master and Rob Dobbie. Chandler took over the chair for a short time. He also called off the Lodge in the most succinct manner: "The Lodge is called off!" Fait accompli! Then he and the others were photographed with André, and we called back on (in the same way).
After we closed we took some more photos - the Gang of 4 had gone by then. They were there mainly for a big meeting in the large temple.
They were Ian Chandler, Rob Dobbie, Bro Richard Wileman, PGSwdB [ie my fellow swordbearer] and an Inspector 33° whose name is still shrouded in mystery.
Brother Streeter was our organist in the Lodge, but for the FB we had the excellent skills of Brother Sergio. He made even that old stand-up piano sound like a Steinway. How lucky he is to have such talent Of course it is hard work, not luck. He played our sung Grace, then, with almost no practice, The Master's Song.
I sang that rather nervously and with many bum notes. More practice needed. But I put my heart into it and it seemed to go well.
All the speeches were very good, very quick! Our OV had some unfortunate news: there was a special event coming up, right in the middle of the Coronavirus preamble: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-handshake-tickets-81843994591 No thanks! You couldn't make it up!
I offered two raffle prizes: a wooden S & C beaded collar and a 1 ounce solid gold ratified and stamped Masonic 24K gold ingot worth at least $1,200 and which was the fourth to last raffle prize to be chosen.
Sergio introduced me to another member of the SRIA. I really do want to join that, and it is good to know that a door is open. Possibly not this year...
There was a lot more that happened and I might add to this later on.
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Mar 10, 2020 1:05:49 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2020 7:13:29 GMT
Excellent meeting! Regarding the SRIA, I can confirm that it is a wonderful order...
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Mar 10, 2020 18:11:37 GMT
Excellent meeting! Regarding the SRIA, I can confirm that it is a wonderful order... Yes! I really enjoyed that meeting. I think that JLL 5885 is a very good Lodge.
I hope all your loved ones are safe and happy, wherever they are dispersed over the globe.
With care and luck this epidemic might be over by the summer.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2020 20:53:29 GMT
Excellent meeting! Regarding the SRIA, I can confirm that it is a wonderful order... Yes! I really enjoyed that meeting. I think that JLL 5885 is a very good Lodge.
I hope all your loved ones are safe and happy, wherever they are dispersed over the globe.
With care and luck this epidemic might be over by the summer.It is indeed a very good lodge Yes, all good. Many thanks Bro
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Mar 18, 2020 10:22:49 GMT
Sad news all round. My Lodge has cancelled its next meeting, in June, and hopes to resume in September.
That's not too bad, but Sutton masonic Hall has closed for at least 4 months. That will cause heartache for the excellent caterers GOSTO FINO. I hope that their other activities will balance the loss of trade.
London Underground is eerily quiet. Even in the rush hour almost everyone can get a seat in a carriage.
Everywhere there is only one subject of conversation: the virus.
China and Italy seem to have controlled it, but it took drastic measures. I think the UK govt will have to take equally serious measures very soon.
|
|