Post by arbitragio on Mar 3, 2010 15:29:06 GMT
I recently settled down in a suburb of Cleveland, OH. I was really looking forward to joining the local Lodge and starting a whole new aspect of my life. I am a Senior DeMolay and what would be a 6th generation member of the Lodge.
I was anxious to get the process started so I threw on my Sunday’s best and headed up to the local Lodge on their stated meeting night. Upon arriving I was a bit put off by the state of disrepair the lodge was in, I began to wonder maybe I had the wrong building. Upon entering through the basement I approached an elderly gentleman making my intentions known and requested a petition if possible. Bad move on my part – I was instantly approached by six others each offering to sign for me… I was now really put off – where was the interview and how could you possibly sign for a person you did not know? I met with the members of the Lodge that evening before their meeting – the Master of the Lodge ignored me and in all it was a disappointing experience.
I left that evening wondering what had become of the Lodge… I realize my expectations were high as I my DeMolay chapter was out of the GW Masonic Memorial in Alexandria – but wow was I disappointed.
I spoke with my dad that night and he urged me to look into other Lodges – that was not a representative Lodge. I decided I would couch surf and do some research into the local Lodges before deciding on one to petition. What I found was sad to say the least via the web… If the Lodge truly wants to bring youth through its doors it truly needs to update its electronic media! I came across a lodge that peeked my interest – it had a solid web page and the pictures a well maintained Temple. (http://halcyontemple.org/)
After navigating this site I have to say I was sold – this was the Lodge I wanted to petition and work through the chairs in… I called my dad with the news and he googled the Lodge and he came across:
“For those that don’t surf the Masonic side of the internet might not be aware, but the self promoting Halcyon Lodge #498 announced on their website and through the burning taper that they were turning in their lodge charter and now becoming Halcyon Lodge #2.”
You got to be kidding me right? So what does this mean:
"Halcyon Lodge operates under the authority of the Grand Orient of the United States of America, Orient of Ohio, Valley of Cleveland, and is a part of the traditional cosmopolitan Freemasonry that began in London, England in 1717."
- First paragraph off their website.
So if I were to join this Lodge then I take it my Masonic development ends with that Lodge? No further movement through either the York or Scottish Rites? If anybody can offer some insight I would appreciate it… If in fact this is the case and anybody can recommend a lodge in this area I would again very appreciative… I apologize for the long post – I just wanted to convey how frustrating this search has been.
I was anxious to get the process started so I threw on my Sunday’s best and headed up to the local Lodge on their stated meeting night. Upon arriving I was a bit put off by the state of disrepair the lodge was in, I began to wonder maybe I had the wrong building. Upon entering through the basement I approached an elderly gentleman making my intentions known and requested a petition if possible. Bad move on my part – I was instantly approached by six others each offering to sign for me… I was now really put off – where was the interview and how could you possibly sign for a person you did not know? I met with the members of the Lodge that evening before their meeting – the Master of the Lodge ignored me and in all it was a disappointing experience.
I left that evening wondering what had become of the Lodge… I realize my expectations were high as I my DeMolay chapter was out of the GW Masonic Memorial in Alexandria – but wow was I disappointed.
I spoke with my dad that night and he urged me to look into other Lodges – that was not a representative Lodge. I decided I would couch surf and do some research into the local Lodges before deciding on one to petition. What I found was sad to say the least via the web… If the Lodge truly wants to bring youth through its doors it truly needs to update its electronic media! I came across a lodge that peeked my interest – it had a solid web page and the pictures a well maintained Temple. (http://halcyontemple.org/)
After navigating this site I have to say I was sold – this was the Lodge I wanted to petition and work through the chairs in… I called my dad with the news and he googled the Lodge and he came across:
“For those that don’t surf the Masonic side of the internet might not be aware, but the self promoting Halcyon Lodge #498 announced on their website and through the burning taper that they were turning in their lodge charter and now becoming Halcyon Lodge #2.”
You got to be kidding me right? So what does this mean:
"Halcyon Lodge operates under the authority of the Grand Orient of the United States of America, Orient of Ohio, Valley of Cleveland, and is a part of the traditional cosmopolitan Freemasonry that began in London, England in 1717."
- First paragraph off their website.
So if I were to join this Lodge then I take it my Masonic development ends with that Lodge? No further movement through either the York or Scottish Rites? If anybody can offer some insight I would appreciate it… If in fact this is the case and anybody can recommend a lodge in this area I would again very appreciative… I apologize for the long post – I just wanted to convey how frustrating this search has been.