Needs of the many....

Urban areas have so many activities and things to do. Men join the masons for a sense of giving back to their community, but how do we get them involved in our own internal affairs and activities of fellowship and taking care of our own internal needs as an organization, without taking away from the charities?

Research

I decided to start writing a paper. Masonry is an intellectual exercise and there is a lot of reading involved. I enjoy writing and there are a lot of opportunities to get something published. While I dont think that I will ever excel in writing about the doctrine or esoteric aspects of masonry, I do think I can contribute to writing about the history of Masonry.

My first paper will be a historical topic, that I am not in a hurry to disclose. I have begin writing it and have enjoyed it so far, even learned something new that I missed the first time I read one of the texts I am using.

I recently visited a meeting of the Allied Masonic Degrees in the Chicago area. This is an opportunity to get involved in a research organization. To make it better, Bro. Lanier and I have started our own Masonic research society and hope to gather some interest. We will work on getting papers written and published. It helps keep me motivated to write.

I dont know if I will be accepted in to the Allied Masonic Degrees, it is invite only and membership in the York Rite is required, but I wont be in with them until January. In either case, my paper will be ready to go!

Casual Attire

I read a great article in the Illinois Freemasonry magazine that addressed the issue of men attending Masonic events in casual or uber-casual attire. I know that my particular lodge, which tends to be a bit blue collar, allows casual dress, but it is in good taste. Polo shirts (generally with the lodge logo) button downs, clean jeans and such are regularly seen.

While I agree with the writer, I think that in some cases, it will be hard to convince men in today's America to join the cause. I personally will join the cause and make an attempt to return to business dress for meetings. I may not don a tie, but I will ensure I have a jacket and dress shoes. I think that my little but may not influence anyone else, but it will make me feel better about myself, tht I am doing a bit to continue the traditions we hold dear.

I recently began a plural membership at Evans Lodge #524 and they are all in coat and tie, I like this and will definately participate properly attired! I know that my lodge may not all be on board, but that is what makes us young and unique, and at times, I like that too.

The article can be viewed here:

http://www.ilmason.org/files/magazine/ILFreemasonry_fall2010.pdf

Mobile Blog Post

Now I am going to be dangerous. I can post to my blog from my Blackberry. This is a test message, I hope it works!

New Blog

I have changed things up on my blog. In Feb of 2010, I became associated with a Masonic Lodge and was raised to Master Mason in June 0f 2010. I continued my journey in Freemasonry and entered into the Scottish Rite in November og 2010 and I look forward to degree work in the York Rite in Jan 2011.

I will begin to blog about my adventures in freemasonry, my thoughts, my disappointments, my thrills and my aspirations. Masonry seems to keep me very interested and as a 42 year old man, I am happy to find a young lodge with men who are my age and younger, with a few very cool men who are my senior. I am very much as energetic after 10 months as I was when I first was accepted.

In November of 2011 I was installed as the Junior Deacon of my lodge and am looking forward to learning and getting involved in making my lodge a success.

Stay tuned for my adventures in chicago masonry.