flameburns623
Registered User
So: I live in the Greater St. Louis area, on the Illinois side. The Metropolitan area sits astraddle the Mississippi River.
Illinois is in the Northern Masonic Jusdiction, Missouri is in the Southern. The closest Scottish Rite Valley on 'my side of the River' is in Belleville, probably 30+ miles south.
The closest Missouri side Valley is just down the street from the VA hospital, perhaps eighteen miles away.
Apparently, I am free to become a member of the Scottish Rite through either Jurisdiction. (Or, both).
I have probably the strongest predisposition for the Southern Jurisdiction. Belonging to both, given constraints of time and costs of dues etcetera, doesn't seem prudent.
Advantages of joining the Southern Jurisdiction, for me, include:
1. Proximity. Obviously, the St. Louis Valley is much closer, assuring that I could be more active.
2. Heritage: I am a native of Missouri, despite having lived in Illinois since 1994. My grandfather and an uncle were Scottish Rite Freemasons, down in SW Missouri (presumably the Valley of Joplin, unless there have been changes since the 1970's). Part of my reason for belonging is to honor their memories. Being part of their Jurisdiction would complement that.
3. The Southern Jurisdiction gives out a handy 'decoder ring' (just joking, but the ring is nice). And, a book.
Reasons for joining the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction:
1. Most of my Masonic brethren are likely to go to Bellevile. So far as I can tell, most Illinoians prefer NOT to cross the Great Wet Wall of the Midwest, any more than needful, even today. Natives of each side of that watery line of demarcation tend to talk tripe about 'The Other Side': those other folks drive worse, their road signage sucks, their communities are more dangerous, they're so everlastingly far away. I live here (in Illinois) and want to form bonds within my own community. That is another reason I became a Mason
2. The NMJ offers a correspondence course on the degree work, a good feature. When I took my York degrees, they went through everything so quickly it was tough to absorb everything.
3. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction includes among it's benevolent endeavors, charitable outreach for those afflicted with schizophrenia. I have close family and friends beset with this, I already am part of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and want to support those I care for however I am able.
4. My initial information may be in error and, as an Illinois resident, I may be OBLIGED to join a Valley within my state of residence.
Any thoughts on this from others?
Illinois is in the Northern Masonic Jusdiction, Missouri is in the Southern. The closest Scottish Rite Valley on 'my side of the River' is in Belleville, probably 30+ miles south.
The closest Missouri side Valley is just down the street from the VA hospital, perhaps eighteen miles away.
Apparently, I am free to become a member of the Scottish Rite through either Jurisdiction. (Or, both).
I have probably the strongest predisposition for the Southern Jurisdiction. Belonging to both, given constraints of time and costs of dues etcetera, doesn't seem prudent.
Advantages of joining the Southern Jurisdiction, for me, include:
1. Proximity. Obviously, the St. Louis Valley is much closer, assuring that I could be more active.
2. Heritage: I am a native of Missouri, despite having lived in Illinois since 1994. My grandfather and an uncle were Scottish Rite Freemasons, down in SW Missouri (presumably the Valley of Joplin, unless there have been changes since the 1970's). Part of my reason for belonging is to honor their memories. Being part of their Jurisdiction would complement that.
3. The Southern Jurisdiction gives out a handy 'decoder ring' (just joking, but the ring is nice). And, a book.
Reasons for joining the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction:
1. Most of my Masonic brethren are likely to go to Bellevile. So far as I can tell, most Illinoians prefer NOT to cross the Great Wet Wall of the Midwest, any more than needful, even today. Natives of each side of that watery line of demarcation tend to talk tripe about 'The Other Side': those other folks drive worse, their road signage sucks, their communities are more dangerous, they're so everlastingly far away. I live here (in Illinois) and want to form bonds within my own community. That is another reason I became a Mason
2. The NMJ offers a correspondence course on the degree work, a good feature. When I took my York degrees, they went through everything so quickly it was tough to absorb everything.
3. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction includes among it's benevolent endeavors, charitable outreach for those afflicted with schizophrenia. I have close family and friends beset with this, I already am part of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and want to support those I care for however I am able.
4. My initial information may be in error and, as an Illinois resident, I may be OBLIGED to join a Valley within my state of residence.
Any thoughts on this from others?
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