Happy Birthday!
To Emeth! And it's origin story.
Did you know that Emeth is five years old now?
It’s origin story is rooted in the Covid lockdowns. Those were particularly extensive here in Washington State.
We couldn’t meet in person in our Lodges, so our then Grand Masters looked for some way in which we could keep lines of communication open within the Craft.
My fellow officers generally looked to video.
I didn’t feel like video was it for me. My voice is odd, I look goofy, and I get nervous recording myself.
But, I like to write, and I’m super comfortable with pen in hand.
So, instead of making videos, or doing livestream kinds of things, I started writing about our Craft. Frequently. Very frequently.
And Masons seemed to like it.
I started out just using some simple blogging software.
Then one day, a friend of mine, a genuine Medical Doctor who disagreed with the pandemic restrictions then in place sent me an essay about them. That essay was published on some platform I’d never heard of, called Substack.
I looked into the platform, and quickly realized that it was perfect for what I was looking to do. So five years ago, when this platform was still small and trying to get traction, I jumped on board, and Emeth was born!
Of course the pandemic restrictions were eventually lifted, so Emeth as a temporary measure was no longer needed. By that time, we had built a really solid, and I think important online community here. Because of that I decided that Emeth should continue into a bright future and have kept it up ever since.
It has been a really great five years here for me, and I hope for you as well.
Here’s the deal though…
Emeth relies, 100%, on the generosity of those who purchase paid subscriptions to survive.
Without that small group of Brothers who purchase those subscriptions, none of it would be possible.
Most people offering paid subscriptions here on Substack paywall a great deal of their content. They require readers to pay if they hope to read, or in some cases to comment or otherwise interact.
I don’t do that.
My goal, with Emeth, has always been to have a positive impact on our Lodges. To provide ideas and information that can be used, by Brothers, in their own Lodges, to truly improve their Lodge Experience. That’s my mission here. As such, I don’t make any attempt to limit the distribution of what is published here.
So, I rely completely on voluntary subscriptions. Donations if you will.
And on this birthday of Emeth, I have to ask:
If you enjoy Emeth, and find it valuable, and can afford to do so, will you consider purchasing a subscription?
In honor of five years here, I’ve knocked 20% off the normal cost, and that discount will remain for however long the subscription is held.
You can upgrade to a paid subscription by clicking the link below:
20% Off, Emeth’s Fifth Birthday!
A huge Thank You is due to everyone who already holds a paid subscription.
Truly none of this would have been possible without you, and you have my most sincere and profound Thanks!
The bottom line:
I’m going to be direct with you. People are nervous about the economy right now, and that has resulted in lower paid subscription numbers than Emeth has had in years. While my wife was ill those numbers fell below the arbitrary line that Substack uses to deliver me certain services not available to most. That hurts my ability to do this work.
I need to bring these numbers back up.
If you can afford to support this work, and you find value in this work, I ask that you consider doing so.
You can upgrade to a paid subscription by hitting the button below:
As I close I want to say Thank You to everyone who reads here.
A writer without readers is nothing at all. You make it all worthwhile.
Changing topics entirely:
Does your OES Chapter need one of these?
It’s available for the asking to any group that needs it, and can be picked up at Robert Morris Lodge on highway 12 in eastern Lewis County, Washington. If you want it let me know by replying to this email and I’ll get you in contact with the Lodge.
MWPGM Bailey,
Yes, I expect that "Emeth" had to do with an "Electronic method"! But when I first arrived in Everett Washington, I encountered guys standing on street corners YELLING at something. I was told they were "Meth Heads"?
I look forward to renewing this year under the Travelers A-Chord account when my personal subscription ends, as it is the account I am most consistent with.
I agree with VWB Clayton, you have a distinctive verbal presence, one that is often imitated, and rarely replicated.
I wonder if the OES chapter in Centralia may have a need of it. Perhaps Ryan's fiancee might have an answer for that?