Web publishing since September 2, 2006
Sacramento Scottish Rite
Sacramento Scottish Rite
Can you think back to the time you started attending lodge on a regular basis? I’d
be curious to know: are you still active in Masonry today? Many of us are raised to
the Sublime Degree of Master Mason and, if we’ve been properly coached and
instructed, we would immediately apply for membership in the Scottish Rite and/or
York Rite and/or the Shrine. But even with all those opportunities
to get involved, many of us will go back to our normal routines; work, church, the
kids, school, sports and any other number of extra activities that causes us to be “to
busy” and that’s our excuse. I’m not questioning the validity of any ones excuses,
we all have them, thank goodness.
A few men will get immediately involved in Masonry and that’s great for
them and us. But the others, that go back to life as usually, for them, it may take
more time. In some cases it might take a decade or so before they decide to check
it out again. I can tell you in my case it was 3-4 years before I sat in lodge again.
Ill. Al Swanson said, having moved around a little bit, he had been away many
years before he got back into it. And in another case, a close friend of mine from
lodge, Stan Rock, it took him almost fifty year before he came back to lodge. Just
add your story to those and imagine how unique these stories are. It’s important
to be curious, otherwise how will we identify with these guys when they show
interest in being active again? When you’re willing to listen to his story, you
show empathy. If you don’t care, you will show apathy. Honey verses vinegar,
brethren; what’s your story, these are your brothers?
If you talk to a hundred men you’ll no doubt get a hundred stories. In one
respect it’s kind of interesting to think how age and time have no bounds on us.
We need to be aware of that fact. Every man, at any age, at any time, should be
encouraged by you and me, to join us at any of the many Masonic function we
have. Many men become active whenever they are good and ready, but when
they are ready, are we as prepared as we should be to make sure they have a place
among us? We have endless opportunities for people around here. They are not
going to know what’s available to them; do you? The point? Most people will
only make time if they feel like they can or have something to contribute. Did you
listen to their story? It might hold a clue as to what they might like to do!
I was very lucky. I knew a few people/true Masons like Mike, Lucien, Dale,
Dave, Kim and Eric to name just a few, who made sure I was well received. My
lodge at the time was in extreme turmoil. My first thought was, “Do I really want
to be here?” Their warmth and concern was enough to make me think I was
welcome and needed, so I stuck around. Ill. Al will tell you that as a sojourner,
it was strange that no one made an effort to openly inviting him to be active
again. The lack of concern or interest was fortunately overcome by a few good
men who encouraged Al to join them. Fortunately by his own fortitude and a few
good friends, he took the high road and has made huge contributions to Masonry.
And even brother Stan— he hadn’t been in lodge for almost fifty years.
It took a couple of phone calls to convince him to stop by and receive his Golden
Veterans Award. Immediately following that very special event, he joined the
Scottish Rite and now he’s the Marshal of our lodge. What a huge loss to Masonry
had these two men never found the MAGIC that got them engaged.
How many other good men have we lost?
The next time you head out to a Masonic function (any function), be
prepared to throw out that hand to every person (especially the guys you don’t
know) and ask him to share something about himself and share with them who
you are. Oh so easy, if only we could put it into practice.
For those of you who haven’t been out to a Masonic function lately, please,
please, stop by and see if you don’t have a good feeling about what’s happening
in Masonry today. Please say HI to me if you’ve read this article...
JOHN A. LINDELL, 32° KCCH, Membership & Expansion Chairman
be curious to know: are you still active in Masonry today? Many of us are raised to
the Sublime Degree of Master Mason and, if we’ve been properly coached and
instructed, we would immediately apply for membership in the Scottish Rite and/or
York Rite and/or the Shrine. But even with all those opportunities
to get involved, many of us will go back to our normal routines; work, church, the
kids, school, sports and any other number of extra activities that causes us to be “to
busy” and that’s our excuse. I’m not questioning the validity of any ones excuses,
we all have them, thank goodness.
A few men will get immediately involved in Masonry and that’s great for
them and us. But the others, that go back to life as usually, for them, it may take
more time. In some cases it might take a decade or so before they decide to check
it out again. I can tell you in my case it was 3-4 years before I sat in lodge again.
Ill. Al Swanson said, having moved around a little bit, he had been away many
years before he got back into it. And in another case, a close friend of mine from
lodge, Stan Rock, it took him almost fifty year before he came back to lodge. Just
add your story to those and imagine how unique these stories are. It’s important
to be curious, otherwise how will we identify with these guys when they show
interest in being active again? When you’re willing to listen to his story, you
show empathy. If you don’t care, you will show apathy. Honey verses vinegar,
brethren; what’s your story, these are your brothers?
If you talk to a hundred men you’ll no doubt get a hundred stories. In one
respect it’s kind of interesting to think how age and time have no bounds on us.
We need to be aware of that fact. Every man, at any age, at any time, should be
encouraged by you and me, to join us at any of the many Masonic function we
have. Many men become active whenever they are good and ready, but when
they are ready, are we as prepared as we should be to make sure they have a place
among us? We have endless opportunities for people around here. They are not
going to know what’s available to them; do you? The point? Most people will
only make time if they feel like they can or have something to contribute. Did you
listen to their story? It might hold a clue as to what they might like to do!
I was very lucky. I knew a few people/true Masons like Mike, Lucien, Dale,
Dave, Kim and Eric to name just a few, who made sure I was well received. My
lodge at the time was in extreme turmoil. My first thought was, “Do I really want
to be here?” Their warmth and concern was enough to make me think I was
welcome and needed, so I stuck around. Ill. Al will tell you that as a sojourner,
it was strange that no one made an effort to openly inviting him to be active
again. The lack of concern or interest was fortunately overcome by a few good
men who encouraged Al to join them. Fortunately by his own fortitude and a few
good friends, he took the high road and has made huge contributions to Masonry.
And even brother Stan— he hadn’t been in lodge for almost fifty years.
It took a couple of phone calls to convince him to stop by and receive his Golden
Veterans Award. Immediately following that very special event, he joined the
Scottish Rite and now he’s the Marshal of our lodge. What a huge loss to Masonry
had these two men never found the MAGIC that got them engaged.
How many other good men have we lost?
The next time you head out to a Masonic function (any function), be
prepared to throw out that hand to every person (especially the guys you don’t
know) and ask him to share something about himself and share with them who
you are. Oh so easy, if only we could put it into practice.
For those of you who haven’t been out to a Masonic function lately, please,
please, stop by and see if you don’t have a good feeling about what’s happening
in Masonry today. Please say HI to me if you’ve read this article...
JOHN A. LINDELL, 32° KCCH, Membership & Expansion Chairman
| A MESSAGE FROM JOHN A. LINDELL, 32° KCCH , Chairman of Membership & Expansion April |
