Let's Discuss Moving Away
What about our Home Lodge?
I know that probably everyone who has moved a far distance from their Home Lodge will have different thoughts about this question, but it struck me today, and I’ve been thinking about it all day.
What to do with the Home Lodge when one moves away?
It’s stuck in my mind because today, for the first time, I realized that I have been inconsistent.
I’ve always been really comfortable with the fact that I’ve maintained my membership in my Home Lodge, despite moving away many years ago. It’s too far for me to attend, but I felt I was doing at least a touch of good by remaining a member, so I never questioned my decision to do so.
Today I realized (I’m not sure how on earth I never realized this before) that I didn’t retain my membership in my Home Scottish Rite Valley. I joined a new Valley and demited the old. And I haven’t ever questioned that decision either.
So, I thought it might be interesting for us to discuss just this today:
If you move too far from your Home Lodge to continue attending, is it best to maintain the membership anyway? Or is it best to demit?
What would you do? What have you done?
Why?
Whatever you decided, have you ever regretted that decision?
Let’s chat about it in the comments below…
What encouraged me to join Freemasonry is because I want to become a Shrine. In 1995, Shriners Hospital Honolulu helped my son who was born with spina bifida. He was an outpatient of Shriners Hospital, recipient of physical and occupational therapy via local therapist (Clayton Takimoto).
After inquiring with my fellow navy man in Pearl Harbor, who happened to have a Shriners Emblem on his Car (Bro. Noel Ramos) about Shriners. I asked him to help me out to be one. He explained to me that, (at the time) to become a Shrine, it is necessary for a man to first become a Freemason, then a member of either a Scottish Rite or a York Rite. I remember telling him that I want to go through with it. He then introduced me to Hawaiian Lodge, I submitted my petition, initiated, passed and raised. Not long after that, I joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Honolulu and crossed the dessert in the Oasis of Hawaii and became a member of Aloha Temple.
Military moved me back to Washington State in 1997, yup, I joined the Navy here back in ‘88 at Federal way recruiting office across from the Old Sea-Tac Mall (now called The Commons). But all this time, I am always a member of Hawaiian Lodge, Scottish Rite Honolulu Valley and Aloha Temple. Because of the Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth that the Hawaiian Brothers showed me, I developed a loyalty to my Mother Lodge, Valley and Temple and does not want to part ways from them.
After military service and few years of working in second shift as a civilian work force, I joined the local Lodges and the Valley of Bremerton because I need to get close again to our craft, to subdue my passion and to acquaint with the local Brothers. And even so, I kept my relationship with the Hawaiian Brothers. I visited them whenever I had a chance to go back to the Island, constantly communicating with them either via Messenger (Thanks to Facebook) or by phone. Yes, physically I am so far away from my Mother Lodge, but I guess, I can say that Hawaii has a big part in my heart when it comes to our craft and will always be a proud member of Hawaiian Lodge. ALOHA!!!
Okay, I'm a bit of a poster boy for this question. The lodge that Raised me, was never going to be my home lodge. I was active duty during a time when "homesteading" was frowned upon heavily by the funny five sided building. (the wisdom of that attitude is the topic of conversation for another day... In fact I may cover it in my weekly blog) Beside that, I ran into some real bigotry and hatred in that lodge, that I just couldn't stomach (anti Catholicism, anti Semitism, and racism.) I'll name names, Lemon Grove Lodge, California F&AM, this would have been 1985 or so.
My Home lodge is Steadfast #216, in Manette WA. I was a member there from 1985 until we relocated to Tennessee last summer. I chose to become a life member there even though I will probably never walk through those doors or climb that stair again.
Why?
That was HOME, and honestly, they need the money. Money is the only way I can still support that lodges existence, so that is how I do so.
My new home, is here at Overton Lodge #5 in Rogersville TN. I'm in the process of moving my valley from Bremerton Valley SR to the nearest one to me here, which is Knoxville.
Why do I consider Steadfast and Overton Home, but Bremerton Valley and Lemon Grove "just lodges I belonged to?"
Well, to use a slightly out of date phrase, it's the "vibe." Those lodges I called home, welcomed me as a vital and useful member, called for my assistance, made me feel wanted, needed, and appreciated. Those that I moved from, did not. I hadn't even affiliated with Knoxville before I was asked to fill a role in their annual reunion. Overton and Steadfast put me in the chairs, asked for my help in things I am expert at, and things I had to learn as I went. Lemon Grove, and Bremerton valley did not.
There might just be a lesson to be learned there, let he who has ears, hear.