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Post by gamner on Oct 30, 2007 23:48:02 GMT
Thanks for all the supportive replies to my first post. I am finding as a look into Freemasonry there are a plethora of websites that offer information. Some sites are a bit cryptic and I am ok with that. My primary reason for considering membership is very simple. I want to fellowship with other good men and make a difference in my city. I am told that it is a great place to meet business contacts and such. While I own a business that aspect does not really draw interest from me (Call me crazy I like the feeling of accomplishment by building my business unaided). Now I have gone over my local lodge's website and see that is look down on. Good. I am also told that meetings are monthly, here we may run into issues. My wife is an RN and works 7pm - 7am on the meeting night. My schedule is flexible at almost any other time. Can you be a productive Mason and NOT be at all the set meetings? Can I help during other hours?
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Oct 31, 2007 2:13:25 GMT
Hmmmmm. I'm a Freemason in an more inner order jurisdiction where the emphasis is not on making business contacts and socializing. Strongly discouraged, really. But not all lodges are like this.
I would recommend you ask your friend who is recommending you to the lodge. If this lodge is an outer order type lodge, then regular lodge attendance may not be the issue it certainly would be in a more inner order, esoteric lodge. They may even be quite relaxed about late comers than would be a Traditional Observance or Strict Observance lodge. In any case, it certainly does not hurt to ask and your friend would be able to give you advice specific to that lodge.
Good luck to you.
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Oct 31, 2007 5:41:11 GMT
I do not know of any Lodge that actually encourages business contacts. If there is any such thing going on, it's usually more incidental: for example, a plumber is needed, and know someone who is such (whether you know the person through Lodge, family, or other contact) - generally people are more likely to 'employ' such a plumber than take pot luck through the Yellow Pages.
In terms of Lodge meetings, the Lodge mentioned has an inconvenient time, but there may be other Lodges meeting in the very same Temple (ie, building) at a more convenient time. When seeking to join, ask about this. In any case, we are generally admonished to not put Freemasonry before either family or work, so if either of these latter require our attention, then Freemasonry will encourage us to do so.
On the other hand, to seek to join a specific Lodge that meets at a time one knows to be impractical seems to me to be the wrong move... by all means contact them, and see if they can recommend a Lodge that would be more suitable.
And of course, as well as another Lodge within the same Constitution, there may be other Lodges meeting in the area under a different Grand Lodge that may be more suitable too, and to which the local Lodge may be unwilling to even suggest.
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Post by mike on Oct 31, 2007 9:03:47 GMT
Thanks for all the supportive replies to my first post. I am finding as a look into Freemasonry there are a plethora of websites that offer information. Some sites are a bit cryptic and I am ok with that. You will tend to find that the vast majority of Freemasons will be more than happy to help you learn more about it. My primary reason for considering membership is very simple. I want to fellowship with other good men and make a difference in my city. I am told that it is a great place to meet business contacts and such. While I own a business that aspect does not really draw interest from me (Call me crazy I like the feeling of accomplishment by building my business unaided). Now I have gone over my local lodge's website and see that is look down on. Good. I have come across a lot of people who wanted to join in order to expand their business contacts, of those who went on to join nearly all were totally disappoined. Although it can happen it is quite rare, if someone wants them I usually suggest taking up Golf and joining a club. Fellowship is a perfectly acceptable reason for joining. I am also told that meetings are monthly, here we may run into issues. My wife is an RN and works 7pm - 7am on the meeting night. My schedule is flexible at almost any other time. Can you be a productive Mason and NOT be at all the set meetings? Can I help during other hours? You can still be a good Mason and not attend all meetings, however, it is not a good idea to start off that way. There may be other Lodges local to you that will fit in better with your personal circumstances. It is also important that your significant other is onside with you joining as Freemasonry gives you a ranking system for priorities, which can be roughly listed as God, Family + community, Country, work then Freemasonry.
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Oct 31, 2007 10:24:53 GMT
Wow Bro. Mike, your kind of Freemasonry must be different to mine (and our respective GLs are in amity): no 'ranking system of priorities' as you mention is here given.
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Post by lauderdale on Oct 31, 2007 10:55:18 GMT
Bro JMD, I am not aware of any "official" Ranking Order but it is stressed to the Initiate that Freemasonry should not be to the detriment of themselves or their connections. Now how this is interpreted would depend on the circumstances of the individual. To a family man or woman they ought not to let The Craft get in the way of their parter, children etc. Someone in a position of responsibility in their work or profession would need to give due weighting to its requirements vis a vis those of their occupation etc. For a single man like myself with no dependants and who is just an ordinary worker then The Craft can come higher up the ladder of my personal priorities and subject to not placing any burden on my co-workers , I can within reason take a day's leave to attend a Lodge Meeting where a Manager or Director might have to forego such attendance to be present at some work related Meeting etc.
In all one has to set one's own levels but should not for example jeopardise one's marriage or employment for the sake of Masonic involvements.
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Post by penfold on Oct 31, 2007 15:15:22 GMT
Hmm, trouble with the 'typed' word, it's not a ranking system formally laid out, but as Bro Steve say's, freemasonry under UGLE does lay out how you should prioritise, with freemasonry coming down the list after job and family
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Post by middlepillar on Oct 31, 2007 18:39:38 GMT
It doesnt sit too well with me to prioritise things, a man who is nearing retirement is hardly going to prioritise work ahead of his future Social calendar! Especially if he hopes to have a 25 + years happy retirement!
As for me work can get in the way of my Freemasonry and sometimes I resent that. I know we all need to work but to try to caterogise things isnt the way, just be sensible and everything will work itself out, it always does.
And as for the significant other half, whilst it is important for your other half to support your application to join, do you not think that after 20-30 years other halfs might have changed thier opinions?
Freemsonry is a mirror or reflection of life, just like life if you start taking things for granted thats when you come unstuck.
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Post by penfold on Oct 31, 2007 18:44:06 GMT
Hmm, wise words MP.....
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Post by mike on Oct 31, 2007 23:38:57 GMT
Hmmm, I must have missed something! I thought I was supplying some generalised inforation for the benefit of a young man interested in joining Freemasonry!
I chose to give a highly condensed excerpt of information given in the Charge to the Initiate and the 1st degree WTs.
It must be my turn to wear the "target" this week and I just forgot to read the memo.
M
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Nov 1, 2007 0:52:49 GMT
(Rereading) Hmmmmm. Actually, it looked to me like you'd made a statement and then there was comment from the sidelines. Not targeting you so much as saying you didn't stick the dismount, so you can only have a 9.9 I've also made the point, a few times, that the Craft comes after Family, vocation and faith but that is my way of condensing it as the ritual doesn't put it quite that way. I am, however, inclined to think the ritual doesn't mind a good paraphrase
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Post by wayseer on Nov 1, 2007 7:14:40 GMT
Gamner writeds -
I want to fellowship with other good men and make a difference in my city.
You motive is excellent - you will fit in.
I am told that it is a great place to meet business contacts and such.
Yes - but not for the reason you might suppose. You will certainly network but that is not an aim of the Craft. What may well happen is that during the normal business action you will grip someone's hand and then recognise that you are meeting a Brother. The fact that he is a Brother will mean that you will be both abiding by the same moral principles as taught by the Fraternity.
Now I have gone over my local lodge's website and see that is look down on.
Not sure what you mean - can you elaborate?
I am also told that meetings are monthly, here we may run into issues. My wife is an RN and works 7pm - 7am on the meeting night. My schedule is flexible at almost any other time. Can you be a productive Mason and NOT be at all the set meetings?
No. One of the things we do a Freemason is obey all signs and summons from the WM - which means attending Lodge. If you find it difficult perhaps another Lodge might meet at a time more convenient. However, if there is no other Lodge in you locality it might be best to seek out a Brother and talk it over with him. No Lodge is going to knock back a genuine Candidate who finds work and family might impose some restriction - family and work ahead of the Lodge.
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