First of all, let me apologize for the delay in posting this entry. It has been a little over a week since we had the second day of the reunion. It was another packed day full of information. The day started again at 7:15 for breakfast followed by the 19th-32nd degrees. The 19th through 22nd degrees were communicated. During that we were told what the degrees taught and explained the meanings behind each degree. The 23rd through the 29th were exemplicated. By that I mean it was between communicated and conferred. There were narrators that read all the roles and explained the degree to us. A candidate was chosen to fill in for the class and was led through their part of the degree. It is a great way to understand the degrees that are not conferred. I wish all of them not conferred were done that way. Brothers from the Valley of Knoxville (TN) came down and conferred the 30th degree. That was a beautiful enactment and I appreciate the time and effort for them to drive that distance for us. The 31st degree was communicated and the 32nd was conferred.
It was a full day for sure. It was not as overwhelming as the first Saturday since we had an idea of what to expect. I was voted to be class president for some strange reason. Basically, it is my responsibility to communicate with those in my class and keep them informed of what is happening.
At the end of the day we were presented with the first section of the Master Craftsman program and The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide by Arturo de Hoyos. That is a huge book. We should have the first essay done before the next regular meeting and we will go over the material for the quiz as a class. This looks like a great program that any Scottish Rite mason should participate in. I will write more about that as I go along I am sure.
Our valley did have an open meeting between the two weekends to celebrate Maundy Thursday that I was sadly unable to attend due to another engagement. I look forward to the next regular meeting next month. I would like to thank all the brethren that helped put on the reunion for us. It is an amazing experience and look forward to becoming an active part.
Tonight I have a practice for a second degree that we will be conferring in my blue lodge. I am going to be a steward for that degree. I am also going to be inducted as the Junior Steward at our next stated communication. Our current Junior Steward is graduating college and getting ready to join the Army. This has been an amazing experience and has already changed my life for the better.
April 26, 2011
April 11, 2011
Scottish Rite Reunion Day One
The day was a very long one with a lot of information given at once. There is to much information to absorb all at one time. I am glad there is a week between the 2 days we are doing this so that I can reflect on what I experienced.
Our day started at 7:15 am with a light breakfast and then we started in with the degrees 4-18. There were 6 candidates for the degrees in the class. In the Scottish Rite the degrees are conferred as a short play you watch. During each play one candidate is chosen to play that part. Certain degrees must be conferred in that manor and some are just explained to the candidates. This day we saw the 4th, 9th-10th, 14th, 15th and 18th. The rest were explained.These plays were very well done and quite interesting to watch.
We are lucky in that the director of education for the orient of NC is a member of our valley. He is trying a very different method in explaining the degrees not acted out and it is working very well. I have no knowledge of how it was done before, but they are taking those degrees not acted out and carrying on a conversation and parts of the degrees between multiple people and explaining each section as they go. From my understanding it is taking longer to do it this way, but we are hearing more and understanding more.
We even had Bill Brunk, SGIG for NC there to talk to us a little. This was a wonderful and full day of education. We finished up about 5:30 that afternoon. I look forward to next weekend to finish the degrees.
As for what I expect and plan from the SR, I expect to stay very active in my blue lodge. That is, and should, be my main concentration for now. There is a lot to learn and experience there first. It is the foundation of masonry and it should not be neglected. I plan on using the SR as a tool for more education and will participate as fully as I can. If there is one that is neglected any (and I do not plan on neglecting any) it will be the SR. This is a life long journey and I have time to experience it.
Our day started at 7:15 am with a light breakfast and then we started in with the degrees 4-18. There were 6 candidates for the degrees in the class. In the Scottish Rite the degrees are conferred as a short play you watch. During each play one candidate is chosen to play that part. Certain degrees must be conferred in that manor and some are just explained to the candidates. This day we saw the 4th, 9th-10th, 14th, 15th and 18th. The rest were explained.These plays were very well done and quite interesting to watch.
We are lucky in that the director of education for the orient of NC is a member of our valley. He is trying a very different method in explaining the degrees not acted out and it is working very well. I have no knowledge of how it was done before, but they are taking those degrees not acted out and carrying on a conversation and parts of the degrees between multiple people and explaining each section as they go. From my understanding it is taking longer to do it this way, but we are hearing more and understanding more.
We even had Bill Brunk, SGIG for NC there to talk to us a little. This was a wonderful and full day of education. We finished up about 5:30 that afternoon. I look forward to next weekend to finish the degrees.
As for what I expect and plan from the SR, I expect to stay very active in my blue lodge. That is, and should, be my main concentration for now. There is a lot to learn and experience there first. It is the foundation of masonry and it should not be neglected. I plan on using the SR as a tool for more education and will participate as fully as I can. If there is one that is neglected any (and I do not plan on neglecting any) it will be the SR. This is a life long journey and I have time to experience it.
April 4, 2011
Master Mason Catachism
I gave back my MM catechism tonight and received m proficiency card. It went really well. Both the DDGM and DDGL were there on their official visit as well as the Junior Grand Deacon who gave a masonic education talk. The DDGL was also at my raising but it was the first time I had met the other two gentlemen. I sat the senior steward chair for the night and took the place of the Junior Deacon for the entrance for the DDGL and DDGM. It was a great night. After the night was over the WM informed me that if I was willing, I would be installed as Junior Steward at the next stated communications.
This is going to be a busy month for me at the lodge. There will be a lot of things happening. I will be receiving the Scottish Rite degrees this weekend and the next. After that is the Grand Masters district visit. After that, there is the distract lodge of instruction. Throw in a second degree and a practice and it is going to be a very busy month. Freemasonry is a great experience and I have noticed changes in my life that is making me a better man. I am very honored to be included in such an organization of great men and brothers.
This is going to be a busy month for me at the lodge. There will be a lot of things happening. I will be receiving the Scottish Rite degrees this weekend and the next. After that is the Grand Masters district visit. After that, there is the distract lodge of instruction. Throw in a second degree and a practice and it is going to be a very busy month. Freemasonry is a great experience and I have noticed changes in my life that is making me a better man. I am very honored to be included in such an organization of great men and brothers.
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