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Just Curious

bgrant4

Registered User
How long after being raised to MM dis you join an appendant body and why?
Did you think your timing was a good idea or not?
 

widows son

Premium Member
I took some time and looked into both. I decided to take the York rite first, though when I get all the degrees in the Cryptic rite, ill probably start the Scottish rite. I would say look into both and see which best suits you. You might want to do one or the other or both. Also consider the financial aspect. But of luck to you brother on your path.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
I joined the Scottish Rite about six months after I was raised. I knew coming in that I wanted to pursue what I saw as an academic branch of Freemasonry, and I think that the SR has enhanced my Blue Lodge understanding.

When I'm done with my year in the East, I'm going through the York Rite to further explore.
 

California Master

Registered User
I joined the Scottish Rite about 3 months after being raised. Probably a little too soon, but, I had several lodge brothers who belonged and they wanted me to join. Never regretted it at all. I waited about 2 years before joing the Shrine. Quite frankly, I thought that the Shrine was too rich for me and I couldn't go on all of the excursions. At that time, I called them the partying Masons. Now, I have been a Shriner for over 30 years and understand what we are all about. I have sponsored several kids to our hospitals.

I joined the Royal Arch just a couple of years ago. This reason was because I found out that my Great-great grand uncle was a charter member of a Royal Arch Lodge in Orilla, Canada. He had come from Ireland to Canada which eventually led to coming to America.

I will say that every time that I have progressed in my Masonic travels, I have grown.
 

bgrant4

Registered User
Thank you all for the answers. My thoughts are, since I am currently a Senior Steward in my Blue Lodge my responsibilities are not nearly what they will be in just a couple of short years. I'm afraid that if I don't go now that I will be too busy once I get into the Wardens chairs and then on to the East.
 

widows son

Premium Member
Don't rush, or be pressured into anything. Masonry is your journey, and you should traverse it how you see fit.
 

usmc05

Registered User
I joined York Rite bout a year after being raised, Eastern Star year after that so my wife could be with me then Scottish Rite fours years after being raised. I enjoy everything, but Symbolic Lodge and KT is were my heart lead me.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
I joined Scottish Rite as soon as my Valley started a new class the fall after I was raised.
 

rmcgehee

Registered User
Don't rush, or be pressured into anything. Masonry is your journey, and you should traverse it how you see fit.
I could not agree more.We have a Member that as soon as a member is raised he is on them to join SR.That,IMHO,is not the way to go.
 

widows son

Premium Member
Same thing happened to me. As soon as we closed the lodge I was hounded by 3 different brethren to join the AASR and a couple more from the YR. I will come to you when I'm ready. And of course you'll get the " no pressure" but
How can there be no pressure when you got one group saying to join them, and another to join them? I felt at first I was going to be letting some guys down, but after thinking about it, I said TS for them. My journey. My path. My masonry.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
As I've stated before, I'm extremely active in Scottish Rite. I've never approached any new brothers individually about it. Occasionally, after Lodge when we're just shooting the breeze, I'll make a general announcement that I have Scottish Rite petitions with me if anybody wants one, or ask if anybody has any questions about SR.
 

rmcgehee

Registered User
As I've stated before, I'm extremely active in Scottish Rite. I've never approached any new brothers individually about it. Occasionally, after Lodge when we're just shooting the breeze, I'll make a general announcement that I have Scottish Rite petitions with me if anybody wants one, or ask if anybody has any questions about SR.
This is the way to do this!
 

scialytic

Premium Member
It was very interesting for me. I was pretty sure that I would eventually go York Rite first and then Scottish Rite after I've completed the original (or associated with) completion of the degrees (according to England and Scotland...though they ultimately settled for different organization). Though I was eager, I was kind of taking it slow.

I'd been working on a Masonic research paper and joined the Texas Lodge of Research. One of my main things with the York Rite is that I wanted to be initiated individually. Every place I talked to, they said it couldn't be done. I asked Brother Billings if he'd sign my TLR petition and we got to talking. He eventually informed me as PHP and TIM that we may be able to talk with the Brethren at Love Firld in Dallas and see it there is an opening.

So now, after not really meaning to...but really wanting to...I'm a York Rite Mason (in the making). As with most things: Entirely unexpected.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
My question about the appendant bodies is: How do you find the time?! Of course, I think a Blue Lodge meeting twice a month is too much sometimes. ;)

But seriously, SR meets once a month, if you can attend; our YR bodies meet a few times a month; and you have to fit in degree nights and other Blue Lodge meetings. I find it can be difficult to be active in them all, which is why I waited to petition the YR. Now that I'm almost done in the East in my Lodge, I intend to drop down to one meeting a month (while being an active committee member). This gives me time to visit other Lodges, participate in the YR, and maybe even spend time with my family. :D
 

Cressey

Registered User
None, but I have been a MM for less then a year. I am focusing on the blue lodge. I am Junior Deacon for 2013. With my officer duties, learning lectures, school of instructions, and visiting other lodges I have had plenty to keep me busy and content on my Masonic journey. Maybe in the future I will consider joining an appendant body, but only when I feel the time is right. Don't rush it, enjoy the journey.
 

Timothy Fleischer

Registered User
15+ Years. I am going through York Rite. I was raised as a MM in 1996 and shortly thereafter appointed Junior Deacon. Moved to the south, west and east. Sat a second term in the east 10 years after the first when the SW did not advance due to out-of-state obligations. The appendant bodies are in larger towns 15-30 miles away from my small town. My lodge has practice every week, which I try to attend and I try to set aside one night to work with a candidate.
The base of my activity has been and will continue to be at my Mother Lodge. That is where my love is.

As to why I petitioned York Rite. I studied about it first and think it will be a nice addition to my base. Not a replacement. I may petition Shrine and Scottish Rite, not sure because I have not researched much about those. I do know that in terms of institutional charity, they do a great job. But I think in Masonry we are taught that charity should also be done personally, which is something I get out of the "Blue Lodge."
 
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