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I don't see any reason a person should be nervous turning in lectures. Remember: everyone in the lodge has been there, too, and (unless you are in some kind of twisted jurisdiction) they WANT you to do well; they're pulling FOR you, not against you. You don't have to be perfect, at least in...

In 2012 and a number of preceding years, I'm pretty sure our lodge membership declined by attrition. In 2013, our lodge membership was static. We raised the same number of members as we had die. So far in 2014 (Jan. 7), we have brought in two new Master Masons by transfer; will have two EA...

We do degree work whenever a candidate is ready, with the exception of the month of December. There is a 28-day waiting period between degrees (lunar month), which in itself a throwback to when the lodges met on the full moon instead of a set day of the month.

The Upper East Tennessee York Right Association will be hosting its annual Spring Festival on Saturday, April 19 (Chapter/Council degrees) and Saturday, April 26 (Commandery orders). Anyone in the vicinity, including other states where allowed, who is interested, please let me know.

I think you will find that to those of us in the South who are drawn to Freemasonry, for most, "liberal" is a dirty word and "tradition" is at the core of our being. My lodge was chartered in 1801. It predates the Grand Lodge of my state by a dozen years. We have one U.S. President who was a...

As note, it seems to be a jurisdictional thing. All I can say, is that in my jurisdiction, EAs and FCs and told not to display "any jewelry or emblems on their car." It was that way more than 20 years ago when I was initiated, and I, as WM, will tell the same thing to the two EAs we have this...

Some things fall under the modern, young person's sense of entitlement. When I was in high school, in the military, starting my career, joining a fraternal organization ... I didn't automatically assume I was entitled to the same privileges as those who had been around the block a while...

If "wearing bling" (something I have never referred to my ring as) is a person's goal, they are missing the meaning of Freemasonry. If following the traditions and rights of passage of the fraternity are not important to a person, why bother with learning lectures, etc? A person could just read...

If you are an EA or a FC, look at it this way: How are the S&C positioned on most rings/pins/caps/stickers/etc.? Both legs of the compasses are on top. Is that the position in which they are placed to open an EA or FC lodge? I think of it as if when I was in the Navy and a Petty Officer 3rd...

In my jurisdiction, we tell EAs on the night of their initiation, "We ask that you don't wear any Masonic symbols at this time because you might be asked a question that you can't answer yet by someone. That could lead to embarrassment for you and them." You are told to wait until you've been...

Welcome from Northeast Tennessee.

wrath - I don't get too worked up about stuff greed - money doesn't drive me; as long as I can pay my bills, I'm good sloth - I run marathons, so uhhh, no gluttony - see above lust - I wished I could, but getting on toward middle age, it's just too much trouble :w00t: envy - no, never, not my...

Congratulations. I hit my 20-year mark Feb. 4. It will be extra special because the exact night hits on our stated meeting, and I am Master this year.

Merry Christmas, brethren. May the blessings of heaven be with you and your family this holiday season. May brotherly love prevail. May 2014 be a blessed year for you and yours.

Welcome from East Tennessee

That's what I am saying; if you live somewhere with a population large enough to support daytime meetings or there are enough brothers who could sustain the lodge, I say go for it. My comments were from my personal prospective. Saturdays just aren't a good day for lodge activities. My wife...

Greetings from another former squid. Although there was no such thing as the internet (beyond Al Gore's imagination, anyway :lol: ) when I was in the Navy, it still blows my mind that people underway have access to daily communication with people. Do they still send mail across during an unrep?

I wouldn't have a probably with a lodge meeting at whatever time its membership felt best, but I personally wouldn't like revolving meeting times (i.e.: some at night and some at noon). To me, that would just be confusing trying to figure out when the meeting is. Pick one, and go with it. I...

Greetings. I have been in your area (Manchester, Salford, Liverpool) and had some of the best times of my life.

Greetings and welcome