As with every Thursday, we will have a Live Open Thread for all of those with a paid subscription to Emeth today. The email opening the discussion will go out at 8:00 AM Pacific, and I’ll remain on the thread until 6:00 PM. Please join the chat there as well.
My favorite role would have to be giving the EA Lecture. It is in my opinion one of the most beautiful lectures, so to be able to deliver it to newly initiated Brothers is truly an honor.
I remember when I heard it for the first time, I barely remembered any part immediately after it was over. I am a visual learner so it was a bit difficult for me to draw the symbols within my mind. That was my motivator to learn it for myself once I became a MM. Now, when I deliver the lecture I use props, paintings, and the lecture chart, which I think really keeps the new Brothers involved and attentive.
I really like the idea of props. Like you, I don't think I remembered much of anything from my EA Lecture, despite the fact that it was very well done. But my FC Lecture was given much differently, almost like a conversation, with props, and it was much more memorable.
I love being apart of degrees, especially in the 3rd degree. More specifically, I love being one of the 3 craftsmen. It's a grand time. I also love being able to shake a newly raised Master Masons hand after.
It is always awesome when men who truly enjoy the dramatic parts take part. The difference between someone who really enjoys it and someone who just has it memorized is extremely noticeable, and I imagine it is to the candidate as well.
I really like all of the things happening in our lodge, I don't even mind helping in the kitchen, mind you I dont Cook but I always tried to help clean up . Probably my most favorite has been the honor of being Master of our lodge.
I've got to say that when Centralia Lodge used to have retreats at Pots of Gold, I loved cooking on that big commercial flat top. Something about having all that space to work with made it a lot of fun!
Outside of becoming master of my lodge, Senior Deacon is my favorite. In our lodge it is the most difficult chair, as you must be able to do all the circumambulations, confer the EA degree, and all other SD parts in the degrees, with the exception of the middle chamber lecture. It is a lot of ritual work to learn and I really enjoy playing such a major role in the lodge. I spent my entire year as JD studying the parts I needed to learn so that when I was installed I could do any part required of me. I also passed my PILM as a SD. So during that time I studied opening and closing lodge for all three degrees. Was a very busy two masonic years but immensely rewarding.
I think that I'm with you. I really enjoy the SD. I rather enjoy doing the introductions, but I truly love conducting the candidates as they move through the Degrees. Something about doing it just kind of speaks to me.
I also though, found the being conducted bit to be quite memorable when I received my Degrees. (Thanks RW Steve) Perhaps that is why I now enjoy filling that role so much.
I like doing all I can to help the Lodge, serving where I can, setting up, cleaning up, fixing things where I am able, working on the Temple Board, coaching and mentoring, and energizing new Masons. Tomorrow (Friday--24 Sept), I will confer the First Degree on a new Mason. I have already volunteered to be his coach/mentor. But, I'm going to try something new. I am already coaching a young man, who we recently passed to Fellowcraft. Because he so recently returned his proficiency for the First Degree, I will have him coach our new EA, because the knowledge is fresh, and he is closer to the new EA in age. I will, of course, be there to iron out any wrinkles and offer advice. Both men will gain from this experience, and I think it will help train the new generation of leadership to come behind me. Just my thoughts...
I really, really like your idea of having your FC coach your EA. What a great way to truly cement the work, and build some strong bonds between these two new Masons.
I simply enjoy serving. Whether it’s sitting in a chair, playing a role in a degree, serving a meal or cleaning in the kitchen/lodge. The motto I’ve tried to live by, “If service is beneath you, leadership is beyond you”.
I think that you are spot on. If a man isn't willing to help, then he is not able to set an example in an organization like ours that relies upon men pitching in, and consequently isn't very suited to leadership.
My favorite role would have to be giving the EA Lecture. It is in my opinion one of the most beautiful lectures, so to be able to deliver it to newly initiated Brothers is truly an honor.
I remember when I heard it for the first time, I barely remembered any part immediately after it was over. I am a visual learner so it was a bit difficult for me to draw the symbols within my mind. That was my motivator to learn it for myself once I became a MM. Now, when I deliver the lecture I use props, paintings, and the lecture chart, which I think really keeps the new Brothers involved and attentive.
I really like the idea of props. Like you, I don't think I remembered much of anything from my EA Lecture, despite the fact that it was very well done. But my FC Lecture was given much differently, almost like a conversation, with props, and it was much more memorable.
I love being apart of degrees, especially in the 3rd degree. More specifically, I love being one of the 3 craftsmen. It's a grand time. I also love being able to shake a newly raised Master Masons hand after.
It is always awesome when men who truly enjoy the dramatic parts take part. The difference between someone who really enjoys it and someone who just has it memorized is extremely noticeable, and I imagine it is to the candidate as well.
I really like all of the things happening in our lodge, I don't even mind helping in the kitchen, mind you I dont Cook but I always tried to help clean up . Probably my most favorite has been the honor of being Master of our lodge.
I've got to say that when Centralia Lodge used to have retreats at Pots of Gold, I loved cooking on that big commercial flat top. Something about having all that space to work with made it a lot of fun!
Outside of becoming master of my lodge, Senior Deacon is my favorite. In our lodge it is the most difficult chair, as you must be able to do all the circumambulations, confer the EA degree, and all other SD parts in the degrees, with the exception of the middle chamber lecture. It is a lot of ritual work to learn and I really enjoy playing such a major role in the lodge. I spent my entire year as JD studying the parts I needed to learn so that when I was installed I could do any part required of me. I also passed my PILM as a SD. So during that time I studied opening and closing lodge for all three degrees. Was a very busy two masonic years but immensely rewarding.
I think that I'm with you. I really enjoy the SD. I rather enjoy doing the introductions, but I truly love conducting the candidates as they move through the Degrees. Something about doing it just kind of speaks to me.
I also though, found the being conducted bit to be quite memorable when I received my Degrees. (Thanks RW Steve) Perhaps that is why I now enjoy filling that role so much.
I like doing all I can to help the Lodge, serving where I can, setting up, cleaning up, fixing things where I am able, working on the Temple Board, coaching and mentoring, and energizing new Masons. Tomorrow (Friday--24 Sept), I will confer the First Degree on a new Mason. I have already volunteered to be his coach/mentor. But, I'm going to try something new. I am already coaching a young man, who we recently passed to Fellowcraft. Because he so recently returned his proficiency for the First Degree, I will have him coach our new EA, because the knowledge is fresh, and he is closer to the new EA in age. I will, of course, be there to iron out any wrinkles and offer advice. Both men will gain from this experience, and I think it will help train the new generation of leadership to come behind me. Just my thoughts...
I really, really like your idea of having your FC coach your EA. What a great way to truly cement the work, and build some strong bonds between these two new Masons.
I simply enjoy serving. Whether it’s sitting in a chair, playing a role in a degree, serving a meal or cleaning in the kitchen/lodge. The motto I’ve tried to live by, “If service is beneath you, leadership is beyond you”.
I think that you are spot on. If a man isn't willing to help, then he is not able to set an example in an organization like ours that relies upon men pitching in, and consequently isn't very suited to leadership.