8 Comments
Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

I like the idea of performing degrees in unusual places. We have a few here in Southeastern US that are performed in caves and on farms. I would like to see more of this.

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Why shouldn't we be outdoor or in a cave?

Before 1717, where were meetings? In a barn or above a tavern? Someone's house or estate? Having a meeting or degree in these locations would give a great opportunity to remember those that came before us. It is a instructional opportunity.

To me, the Lodge is not a building but the Brothers that belong to the name associated with it.

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Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

It's explained in my jurisdiction in the lecture of the first degree that a lodge is a group of masons duly assembled, and it is not a building. If we can meet on high hills and low vales, then I think its extremely clear that the place is not important, so long as it can be tyled.

The craft is a social & spiritual exercise, not a real estate deal, period.

Given this, if the brethren want to do a degree in a unique place, and they think this adds some spice to the initiatic experience, I think that's a fantastic idea at their discretion and I'd ask what's the day & time so I could come see it.

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Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

In New Jersey, they are doing a 3rd degree on an old navy ship!

I think it is something special and unique. Part of the joy in masonry is traveling. I love to visit other lodges on degree night. Seeing something different and unique makes it more enjoyable.

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Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

The idea of conferring any degree or holding a stated meeting in a different or unique location could be extremely energizing and a lot of fun. Every lodge is located in a place that offers someplace other than a lodge room to meet. I fear the reason many won’t consider doing something outside of their lodge is because “This is the way we’ve always done it” or there’s a little bit of work to be done for GL’s permission to move a Charter. Changing things up from time to time would be good for us. Affording unique experiences for our candidates would be good for us. Consider the educational experience to hold a stated meeting outdoors with a telescope when the education for the night was astronomy.

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Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

Here is an event of doing Masonry Degree work in the outdoors, via the Focus Publication.

As indicated in the previous paragraph, we are going to have our 2021 Annual York Rite Picnic on Saturday, July 17th at the Royal Arch Park (20821 Renton-Maple Valley Rd., Maple Valley, WA) from 9:00AM through 3:00PM. We are ecstatic with joy about this celebration of fellowship as we are going to be able to see all of you in-person on this great occasion. Bring a favorite plate or dessert as potluck. Now, this is important, we are also going to do the Mark Master Degree around 10:30AM. Invite your Blue Lodge brethren to come, enjoy the picnic and begin their journey in York Rite by taking this degree. The cost is free. A flyer on the picnic with more details is in this month’s Focus. Spread the word!!!!!! http://www.yorkritewa.org/

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Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

I think having an established Masonic temple, where ritual can be performed for generations is a power anchor for our Craft and essential to our continuance. But no ship ever sailed with the anchor deployed. I also think there is a place for periodic expeditions out of the Temple. The human mind can easily become accustomed its surroundings and by stepping out of the temple occasionally we can shock our minds into a liminal space and access deeper meanings in our ritual. I also think there is another reason to perform ritual outside the Temple. There have been times and places where our Craft has suffered persecution, and been forced to go underground to survive. By performing our ritual outside the temple, absent all the implements and paraphernalia of Lodge, we demonstrate that the Light of Masonry comes thru whenever Masons meet, as Masons. We can also take that opportunity to honor our brethren who refused to submit to tyranny, and preserved the Craft.

As an aside. In 1943 the Hanford Site was established to create plutonium for the atomic bomb. That effort was successful and in August of 1945 a Plutonium bomb was dropped in Nagasaki Japan, effectively ending WWII. When the site was established the town of Hanford WA was taken over by the army and the citizens were evicted. Consequently; Hanford Masonic Lodge was shut down, its building demolished. I have always wanted to convene Lodge on the site of that Lodge, in memory of the sacrifice those brethren made for our victory in WWII.

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Jul 16, 2021Liked by Cameron M. Bailey

This question takes on a whole new meeting if your Lodge is not meeting in a genuine Masonic/Fraternal location.

A few years ago our Lodge was sold, a conversation for a different day, and now many of the Lodges in our District meet at non-Masonic locations. There is a Masonic Lodge close by where an Appendant body meets. One meeting we hosted a youth group, to show support and share ideas. (Looking forward to laser tag taking off!) While the president of the youth group was talking in the East, they were suddenly overtaken with emotion. They had 'grown up' in our old Lodge building and were so happy to once again be in a true Masonic Lodge. It was a powerful moment, one that was not lost on anyone present. The Lodge experience can be very powerful and provide an excellent setting for impactful and meaningful degrees. For these Lodges, conferring degrees at a different location is an excellent way to give the candidate a unique experience, and engage the Brethren in a novel event. However, it is only one of several good options. Our Lodge has met in a location that makes it difficult to hold a proper degree, so finding unique locations has been paramount.

In my opinion, it's in the 1st degree that interest in Masonry is quenched, leaving a Brother with the strength to progress further, or becoming brittle and losing the desire to seek further light. Our Lodge has taken steps in recent years to enhance our 1st degree, largely by using a unique location different from where we regularly meet. Not only is it impressive and repeatable, but it is also well attended. (Who doesn’t enjoy attending a degree at a unique location?) We have turned the liability of not having a Lodge building into an asset.

One thing we are trying to better appreciate is the burden it places on Brethren. Meeting at a different location means travelers might miss out if they aren’t reaching out to the Lodge prior to visitations. Also, I’m learning that the process of moving a charter places a burden on many people. I hope that we can find novel solutions to these issues.

It is also important to mention that holding degrees in unique locations benefits not only the conferee(s) and members present, but provides an interesting anecdote in countless conversations. The mere fact that these unique degrees take place is a benefit to the Craft. I have often thought about the Torchlight Degree and am looking forward to making the trip at its next conferral.

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