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Post by Mikepm on Feb 10, 2005 11:48:23 GMT
One of the Lodges i belong to starts at 6.0, and that makes a big difference to me, as, i don't have to take 1/2 days holiday or juggle my diary at work so that i can leave at 1.30 to get home wash change & get to the meeting for 4/4.30. The 6.0 start does some go on untill 10.00 but that just depends on what work goes on in the temple, but normally finishes between 9.0/9.30. If people want to have a drink then there is always time after the festive board has finished. The start time is up to each individual lodge. Saying that, i went to an installation in Sussex last year and the lodge had to put back the start time by an hour, and cancel the drinks and snack they have when they call off, this has only happened twice i think in the history of that lodge........ the reason being the Prov GM couldn't get there on time!
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 10, 2005 2:27:19 GMT
The Lt Col is a forward thinking chap and has a good team around him, and is always open to suggestions from Lodges when ever he visits, or via the OV. The province now organise Charity Stewards & Almoner workshops, they also run 'Want to know more seminars' this is for masons & non-masons.
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 8, 2005 13:18:39 GMT
I may be able to find out how many masons responded, by asking the editor, i had my copy delivered yesterday.
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 8, 2005 14:39:43 GMT
I know where you are coming from and, i'm going to join a R C C in the province where i live as the one i'm in has moved, as they say varity is the spice of life
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 8, 2005 13:06:00 GMT
Why are some of you contemplating joining R.A.M OR Mark in another constitution? is it because it will look nice on your masonic CV? There are many chapters & Mark orders that struggle for new members under UGLE, and that some of your lodges must have their own MM OR R.A.C. I know that some of you might still be FC or, MM, take your time, as there are plenty of years ahead, and there is so much to learn just being a member of your lodge, i can't understand why you are all in such a rush? it's taken me a few years to join a couple of different orders, and join a past masters lodge etc
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Post by Mikepm on Jan 23, 2005 23:39:03 GMT
There will always be honours, and some will get honours before others. In investigating my provincial year book it normaly takes 6/7 years after coming out of the chair, and what you have contributed towards Freemasonry. But after closer examination i have noticed that some get past rank after 4/5 years, and the chosen few, active rank after 3/4 years, how this comes about i don't know,others wait 8/9 years or more. I think you should be rewarded by what you have contributed towards Freemasonry, which can come in many ways. In fact i was out the other night and a Grand Lodge Officer told me he achieved that Rank by his Job, which is working at G Q St, how can that be!! I think Taylorsman has a valid point, and so does Trinityman
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Post by Mikepm on Jan 7, 2005 1:35:21 GMT
Out of interest who are the Social clubbers
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Post by Mikepm on Jan 30, 2005 22:27:17 GMT
2005 is a busy year for me, i'm MEZ in my chapter for a second year, i'm also joining a Past Masters lodge, and a 1st Principals Chapter, i'm looking to join a R C OF C where i live as, the one i belonged to have moved so i have had to resign from that one, and also organise a couple of charity Clay shoots for my province, as i'm the shooting secretary for the Province, and help organise a clay shoot for my lodge, and..... a BBQ, ;D a busy year.
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Post by Mikepm on Mar 3, 2005 22:15:57 GMT
Staffs, your DC has been watching you! You should hold the wand, as you want to, as what is comfortable for one is not for another. Remember Deacons came later into Freemasonry.
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Post by Mikepm on Jan 7, 2005 1:44:26 GMT
It's interesting, being the lodge charity steward and reading the comments on here. There are four main masonic charities, and these charities do support non-masonic charities, EG: Rainbow trust, chace, childrens hospices, etc. Part of your annual subs that go to Province and Grand Lodge, do go to these four charities, and my lodge does show this in the lodge returns, and charity donations. Saying that, we do support local needy charities and will continue to do so, EG; The village church roof, Nspcc, the local hospitals, etc, regards Mike. ;D
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 19, 2005 22:52:44 GMT
Thanks Michael, i will have a look in a mo, by the way, is Ben W a member of your Lodge, cheers, Mike
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 19, 2005 12:09:07 GMT
An interesting subject. There is home made regalia from Japanese POW camps in the museum at Great Queen St, and the history behind them. If anyone has purchased the forget-me-not badge, there is a brief summary in with the badge, and it says this was worn by German masons in the war as a token of recognition for each other. Another story, 2 german masons were in a CC for being masons, and recognising a german Colonel who was on the staff, as a freemason, gave the sign of Sympathy (3rd) as a token of recognition, he completly ignored them! After the war this same colonel was admitted back into freemasonry, but i'm not sure if he was allowed to stay a member?
The Masonic temple in Jersey was ransacked by the Germans, so the freemasons made up regalia and had meetings in secret untill after the war.
WW2 was also part of the reason why Freemasonry went 'underground.' Before the War freemasons attended public functions paraded in public and were very much part of the local communitys. But as Freemasons were targeted by the Germans, and invasion a strong possibiltiy, Freemasons slowly withdrew from the public eye, and untill the last 8/9 years have remained out of the public eye, hense the stigma of being secretive.
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Post by Mikepm on Nov 20, 2004 11:01:37 GMT
Trinityman, i belong to a lodge in Surrey thats older than the province, in fact it founded the province, and had the first primus Grand Master, Lord Monson. When we have an OV even the PGM, there is no demanding entrance, they walk into the lodge the same as the rest of us and walk out as well. They do get their salutes though. That they way it has always been in this lodge, regards Mike.
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Post by Mikepm on Nov 16, 2004 21:47:56 GMT
Staffs, the 1st degree TB is not often heard, but it was performed in our lodge in Sept, and was nice to hear and watch once again. As you know i live in Sussex so know the workings very well, so i would be interested in visiting your lodge at a future date to see the candles. I visit Sackville lodge, which i believe is one of the oldest lodges in sussex, and their workings are not really sussex workings, but workings that they have carried out since there formation. ;D
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Post by Mikepm on Nov 14, 2004 19:24:16 GMT
It's ok trying to learn in that order, but, it can be difficult if your lodge meets 8 times a year, and you only have 4 weeks untill the next meeting, and it's a different degree to the last one, or in one of the lodges i belong to, only have 1 Loi before the meeting! And you can only really learn the inner workings with the assistance of others, IMO. and then normally a few weeks before instalation! Also just as important is the floor workings and signs.
Staffs, doesn't your secretary have books of the first & second degree, which will help you learn those degrees and much more?
In the programme your Dc has set out, there is no mention of opening and closing and calling on and off. I have visited lodges where the ceremony has been performed to a high standard but the opening and closings in the various degrees, have had a lot of blips in them. I think everyone should learn how to open and close in the various degrees, before taking on the task of learning pages of ritual. Also not many lodges do this, but ours does, calling on & off, not much to do but nice to see now and again. I learn the ritual when i'm asked to do it, which normally gives me plenty of time, as we only meet 4 times a year, but i do know more than i think i do ;D
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Post by Mikepm on Apr 30, 2005 10:42:01 GMT
Doric, Middlepillar does get out, i saw him at Lee's 3rd In Brighton!!! In one of the lodges that i belong to, Surrey 416 At the festive board they have the secretarys toast, which is silent, except for a whisper. This has been going i think since 1834, i won't spoil it as i'm sure i will invite a few of you along in due course, and you can then see what is done at the festive board, which i haven't seen at any other lodges, and Surrey dine in a Square.
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Post by Mikepm on Nov 8, 2004 0:23:24 GMT
If it's not a lodge then you can do what you want, in my opinion, as a lot of lodge rooms are used for other functions
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Post by Mikepm on Mar 27, 2005 23:19:13 GMT
Lee, a good piece on what direction to take, or not.
Like you have mentioned, stay put, and keep the expense down to a minimum. If you enjoy just the craft then stay ther.
RA & Mark will be the paths that Freemasons will choose by choice in normal circumstances, and the occasional come and join this order! Both the orders especialy RA are the Gateway (Product, sales talk) to other orders. If you are not in RA then forget THE R C OF C, which i'm in and really enjoy. So what to join first can be a bit of a hic up, as some brethern might decide not to proceed untill they are JW, SW or WM, or even out of the chair, by which time they will have a better understanding of masonry in general.
Lee, Playing Devils advocate, you are the Inner Guard of your lodge, and are a fellow craft, (untill the 8th of April) so have you jumped to quick into that postion? as you cannot fully understand that role untill you are a MM, and the importance that it carries, maybe similar to those that move quickly to Mark or RA? Saying all that you have come up with some probing questions, which is refreshing, and everyone will have their view!!! Lets see what else comes from this?
Mines a pint of L P ON THE 8TH regards Mike.
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Post by Mikepm on Jan 6, 2005 1:39:22 GMT
Staffs, let me know when, in April your 3rd is and i will try and attend. If you are thinking of Royal Arch, then my friend is in Temperance Chapter, which meets at Brighton if you wanted to join that one, regards Mike
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Post by Mikepm on Nov 9, 2004 0:36:02 GMT
Isn't mark the completion of the second degree? but i'm sure your right.
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