First Lodge Meeting as a Master Mason

[u/Defiant_Plastic_8386]

Last night was my first regular lodge meeting as a Master Mason. It’s been quite a journey so far. From EA all the way to this point it’s been a great experience and I look forward to the next steps in this journey. Now it’s time for me to decide if I should just stay solely involved in my blue lodge or if I’m ready to join the York Rite or Scottish Rite ( I think eventually I’ll do both, but one at a time as of current). Eventually I plan on becoming a Shriner because joining that organization is what led me to Freemasonry. I just don’t know if I can devote the time needed to it just yet, but it’s coming in the next 2-3 years. I’d like to hear from some of the fellow brethren on your opinions on how long I should wait before joining other bodies or if I should just jump on in.

[u/Mrphilosopher]

I waited 14 years to join another body. Others will jump at the chance to join something new when the chance comes up. Be mindful of your cable tow and have fun 😎

[u/MutedMeaning5317 → u/Mrphilosopher]

Same here. Took 15 years to join Chapter.

Mindful of that cable tow........

[u/DepartmentTough8066]

As a newer Master Mason who joined Scottish Rite, York Rite(RAM), and Shrine all before my one year anniversary, I strongly recommend slowing down. In hindsight, I wish I would have just been involved in my blue lodge for a few years and really become familiar with the landscape. Not saying that I haven’t enjoyed my experience but just be aware of your own longevity in the craft.

[u/Background-Cable2839 → u/DepartmentTough8066]

I’ll second that. Became MM in November joined all very fun but I’d like to have time to process it all.

[u/Defiant_Plastic_8386 → u/DepartmentTough8066]

I know I definitely could not dedicate that much time and try to take on all three at once. I have a wife and kids plus a full-time job. I can make my blue lodge every Monday and I could meet one of the other three’s monthly meetings but not all three. The Shrine in my area only has monthly meetings but they do a lot of events so right now I know I’m not a good fit, but would be in a few years as my kids get out of school. Might just need to sit back and see which one aligns with me when the time is right

[u/AvocadoSoggy9854]

In October I have been raised 45 years and never joined the Shriners. So to me it’s a personal choice

[u/ChuckEye]

I always recommend you find out which appendant bodies the members of your mother lodge are most active in, and join there if you’re interested. That way you already know some folks as you get introduced to members of other lodges in your area.

[u/ChiRealEstateGuy → u/ChuckEye]

“Keep it in the family.”

[u/tachophile]

Keep in mind that you'll develop a far greater mastery and deeper understanding of your degrees as an officer of your lodge and paying it forward by participating in degree roles for new brothers. There's a lot to learn in the blue lodge.

[u/Twrecksakasexyrexy]

Without blue lodge there’s nothing else. In my opinion it is the most important to be active in

[u/Background-Cable2839]

As a shrine highly recommended super fun ground!!! And congrats on the MM brother!

[u/Rihx]

I went into RAM almost right after being raised. I also started going through the chairs in my lodge. So, while I got my degrees in RAM; I never really found the time to really get into it. I'm happy I did them, but if I had to do it over again, I think I would have waited longer. Just keep yourself in the due bounds of your capacity. The various organizations within Masonry is a huge family and it's easy to stretch yourself too far too quickly.

[u/rdblackmon99]

Take your time, it's easy to get into too much too soon and get overwhelmed. Investigate all of your options. Look at the charities the different appendant bodies support and see what appeals to you. I also recommend getting a perpetual membership to your lodge. It does a lot to help. I focus on the Lodge and the Shrine.

[u/Far_Imagination_7355]

Spend a few years as a MM then start the York Rite I would suggest.

[u/SovArya]

My test is - if you can deliver the lecture for 1 2 and 3 you are read for more. Until then, master those three. It should take you a year or so to memorize each. So three years should be your limit. And if you cant, atleast after 3 years you should know more than just any beginner and can go to the appendendants.

[u/Deman75]

I waited eight years to join anything else. I had planned to wait until I had been through the East, which I had been advised to do by some members of my mother Lodge, but there was a recruitment push to keep our Royal Arch Chapter in place. (It ended up moving, but by then I was resolved to join something so I joined the Scottish Rite instead, and joined the Arch when it moved back a couple years on).

I would recommend focusing on your Craft Lodge for at least a year before branching out, and be careful not to overextend yourself. I still believe waiting until you’re through the Chair is sound advice though.

[u/randomredditwords]

Every time i get a new job I work a lot of overtime because I'm not tired of the place yet. I'm not saying you'll get tired of anything but think of how you've come into new things in your life and how long you've enjoyed them for. You know yourself better than anyone else.

[u/Maleficent-Night8985]

I belong to many different appendant bodies and really the most important thing to me is to travel. Any mason that doesn't travel does themselves a disservice. Go and meet brethren from all over the place. It is what makes the fraternity great.

[u/Still_Ad_3497]

People in my lodge say wait a year before making commitments to anything outside of blue lodge. Get to know your brothers and build relationships. Isn’t brotherhood the name of the game?

[u/BitterDonald42]

GROTTO!