Preparing for the East & On Introducing Elements of Traditional Observance Freemasonry Under a Grand Lodge That Forbids It
Good afternoon, brethren, and a very happy to 4th of July to my American Brothers.
As I prepare for my first year in East since joining the Craft nearly 5 years ago, I have been reflecting on the reasons of why I have joined, why new brothers have joined after, and why some in my time have joined only to demit soon after. The reasons for both joining and leaving transcend lodges, jurisdictions, and even land borders and have been regularly been brought up in digital channels such as the one that I am typing on here today.
Recently, I have read both Laudable Pursuit and Laudable Pursuit II and am just over halfway through Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence in Masonic Labour and Observance and all three have done a fantastic job at why I joined in the first place and, frankly, been very frustrated at times once I had a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, and have made a significant impact on how I'm viewing the year ahead.
It is through these texts that I have derived ideas that I hope would increase the fulfillment of my small group of actively attending brothers and create that sense of fulfillment once a prospect becomes a member and perhaps most importantly, maintain that fulfillment as he continues his quest for light.
One of the reasons I post here today is to get the thoughts of those more educated brothers on the elements of Traditional Observance Masonry and how I may be able to apply it in my year. I currently reside in Missouri and am a member of a chartered lodge under the Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F. & A.M. whose by-laws - Page 4 state "The Grand Lodge does not recognize so-called “Ritual, Traditional Observance, or European Concept” lodges."
I have never attended a Traditional Observance lodge so I can't speak to their Work other than they take it very seriously, but if I were to encourage (read: not mandate) brothers to wear their finest attire to meetings, a dark suit and tie at minimum, would that be allowed? I am also looking to slow down the process of membership with months in between degrees and over a year between the time of their initiation and their raising. We haven't required a proficiency here for longer than I've been a member and another thought I had is if the member does one after their degrees on their own accord, that we may be able to progress them to the following degree slightly sooner. Would that be allowed and, if so, is it a terrible idea? I am also building out a Chamber of Reflection for initiates and brothers in waiting which would, I believe, be fine as it also does not affect ritual in any way, shape, or form. Festive boards would be a new addition as well with accompanying toasts and I hope to decrease the number of tyled meetings to make room for them.
I, like many other of my millenial brothers, are hoping to increase the fulfillment we get out of a lodge meeting. To look past the routine open/close we see at lodges, a meal of often uninspiring quality, and meetings filled with administrative items over the pursuit of light and understanding. To challenge the idea of "well that's just how we've always done it" and accept that as law. There are some other changes that I hope to make but I just want to understand the guardrails and to keep our charter safe first and foremost. I will be meeting with my officers soon to discuss the planned and scheduled year ahead as I've laid it out but wanted to open up discussion here just to ensure there aren't other things that I may have looked past.
Fraternally, MO MM