Does your Lodge ever hold formal, tyled, Table Lodges?
If so, or if you have attended one elsewhere, do you find them to be great Masonic experiences?
What about un-tyled Table Lodges, with non-Masonic guests, and without the secret work?
I’ve attended both types, and greatly enjoy them. I find them a wonderful diversion from our normal way of working. In fact, I attended a great one last night. But in talking with the other Masons present, it seemed to me that a great many of the Masons there had never before attended a Table Lodge of any type.
It seems to me that our Lodges are missing an opportunity for a fun and interesting evening, and a great way of building fellowship.
I have been to several table lodges and enjoy them. Some were held by a lodge, but most of them were in my home district. My home district in Maine holds a yearly table lodge with each Lodge being in charge. We normaly have about 100 Masons attending. We honor either a PDD or a special Mason. We also have 3 Masonic awards that are given out for Masons that have gone above and beyond as Masons. It is ALWAYS a good time and a friendly gathering.
Last night our Lodge had it's annual untyled Table Lodge. It was fun and commadery was prevelent and boisterous. We toasted, sang and shared a great meal. After skipping a year, it was good to see brothers enjoying themselves, including myself. Most didn't want it to end. Ours is the only one in the District, but we had brothers outside of it in attendance. My suggestion is we hold a District Table Lodge and this would help unite our Brotherhood.
My suggestion would be to have the annual district meetings held as a tiled table lodge. As we rotate the annual district meetings to each lodge in the district, they are responsible for the planning and execution of the event under the direction of the district deputy. Thus, every district has at least one table lodge a year.
A "Table Lodge" is a tiled dinner held during a call to refreshment for Masons only. A "Festive Board" is a Masonic dinner free from restraint that can have non-Masonic guests. There seems to be some confusion among the workmen as to which is which.
I have been to several table lodges and enjoy them. Some were held by a lodge, but most of them were in my home district. My home district in Maine holds a yearly table lodge with each Lodge being in charge. We normaly have about 100 Masons attending. We honor either a PDD or a special Mason. We also have 3 Masonic awards that are given out for Masons that have gone above and beyond as Masons. It is ALWAYS a good time and a friendly gathering.
Last night our Lodge had it's annual untyled Table Lodge. It was fun and commadery was prevelent and boisterous. We toasted, sang and shared a great meal. After skipping a year, it was good to see brothers enjoying themselves, including myself. Most didn't want it to end. Ours is the only one in the District, but we had brothers outside of it in attendance. My suggestion is we hold a District Table Lodge and this would help unite our Brotherhood.
My suggestion would be to have the annual district meetings held as a tiled table lodge. As we rotate the annual district meetings to each lodge in the district, they are responsible for the planning and execution of the event under the direction of the district deputy. Thus, every district has at least one table lodge a year.
A "Table Lodge" is a tiled dinner held during a call to refreshment for Masons only. A "Festive Board" is a Masonic dinner free from restraint that can have non-Masonic guests. There seems to be some confusion among the workmen as to which is which.