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Going back to continue my journey but...

VinnyCruz

Registered User
Brothers, I would like to continue my journey but I have a few questions regarding this issue.

Backstory: I was initiated in 2012. I started the memorization but I suddenly stopped due to personal reasons which led me to suddenly halt on everything. I mean, everything! Plus I’m in the Army and deployments, moving and long training days have put a damper on it as well. Though the years, I’ve regretted that such issues put this on hold. Anyway, fast forward to the present. I’ve had and still have it in my heart to continue and start what I didn’t finish.

Questions:
1. My home lodge, Mt Hiram Lodge 595 was in Texas, I am currently in Texas again but what do I need to do to continue in my current city’s (El Paso) lodge? Same state, different city.

2. I was only initiated, where do I continue from? Remember, I never completed the memorization.

3. Do I have to get voted on, investigated etc... again? What if get get blackballed from the new lodge??

4. I hadn’t paid yearly dues since, does that mean I’m not in good standing?? (Important)

5. If not, how can I get back into good standing?

6. Do I demit from my home lodge?

I’ll have more follow on questions when I can think of any however, all of your answers are greatly appreciated!!!!

Thank you!!

- Vinny C.
E.A
My Hiram Lodge #595
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
First, you'll need to contact the Secretary of the Lodge you wish to join in El Paso. He'll contact the Secretary of your old Lodge & get you transferred to your new jurisdiction. Once that happens, the Secretary of your new Lodge will guide you. As an EA, you cannot demit from your old Lodge.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Worst case, if required to do the EA again, it would likely be a good refresher and a nice start back into Freemasonry. If I had to guess you won't have to do it again as long your former lodge can verify but with several years going by its a bit of a gray area.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
There's a one year limit to complete your proficiency. Extensions need to be voted on. This is probably step two.

You find a local lodge willing to do your degrees "by courtesy" for your mother lodge. This is probably step one as it's not worth getting your extension without knowing where you'll do your work. Lodges nearly always say yes to helping out other lodges. Hill City Lodge 456 in Austin is currently moving a candidate through his degrees for an Oklahoma lodge so it doesn't even have to be in the same jurisdiction, though there is more paperwork.

In US jurisdictions you generally can't demit until you are an MM. Part of this is US jurisdictions tend to not charge dues to EAs and FCs but there are also motivations having to do with showing loyalty and building trust. Among other issues this means you don't have back dues to pay but you probably have a small extension fee.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
First, you'll need to contact the Secretary of the Lodge you wish to join in El Paso. He'll contact the Secretary of your old Lodge & get you transferred to your new jurisdiction. Once that happens, the Secretary of your new Lodge will guide you. As an EA, you cannot demit from your old Lodge.
Hi Bro Vinny

Bro Bill is a great resource here, because I understand he is a Sec in a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Rules differ. Here (Melbourne Australia) there is no time limit, so we could take an EA back who has been initiated in 1950.

Your question on dues is pretty universal. You need to pay them when a member of the lodge, and unless you resign with them paid and have a Clearance Certificate (Americans often call them a Demit) then you will not be in good standing and you will need to sort that out with your old lodge. If it not longer exists, then speak to Grand Lodge - but you might just do that anyway, but be guided by what Bill says.

Freemasonry is not some sort of cult which holds its members. Men come and go all the time for different reasons; work and family being very legitimate ones.

I encourage you strongly to follow up and get back into the Craft. It is a wonderful organisation.
 

VinnyCruz

Registered User
First, you'll need to contact the Secretary of the Lodge you wish to join in El Paso. He'll contact the Secretary of your old Lodge & get you transferred to your new jurisdiction. Once that happens, the Secretary of your new Lodge will guide you. As an EA, you cannot demit from your old Lodge.

Makes sense. I have already made some kind of contact to El Paso Lodge already. Thank you!!
 
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