greetings, I tried to post this friday but due to all sorts of computer shenanigans, it didn't post. so here it goes:
Being stuck in D.C. for 3 weeks for mandatory government training, I am going to visit some of the lodges in the area. My first visit was this last thursday to Alexandria-Washington Lodge #22 which meets in the G.W. masonic memorial. I emailed the secretary to announce my visit and to verify the dress code was coat and tie. He responded by telling me what time they meet and to confirm that a coat and tie was required. Well, after I got out of training Thursday, I got back to the hotel and donned my nicest suit, grabbed a quick bite and hopped on the metro. When I got off at the king street exit, I walked outside and was awed at the amazing edifice, then I was filled with dismay. My friend had told me that the memorial was right across the street from the metro; it was directly in front of the metro station, but there was no direct access, it was about a half mile walk (I'm probably just being a prima donna, it cooooould have been more like 1/4 mile walk, but what can I say, I am a lazy ass lol) I walked to the side door of the memorial and walked in and immediately felt out of place. There were women drinking cocktails in very expensive looking clothes, men in tuxedos and in the distance, on the main floor, there were models wallking on a catwalk... turns out there was a fashion show going on. One of the security guards walked over to me and asked if he could help me. I told him I was looking for the lodge that was meeting tonight. He just smiled and said "are you a mason?" I said I was, still smiling he said to follow him. He led me up stairs to the lodge and told the SW I was a mason here for the meeting. I introduce myself and after a few minutes was led into an anteroom and examined (see the tiler's oath thread for how I was examined). Another visitor then showed up and was examined also. We then made our way into the lodge room and had a seat. this was going to be a typical stated meeting we were told. after opening, they were going to call it to refreshment and bring in any EA, FC, or non mason. They had one of the tourguides, who happens to be a mason, give a speech about the memorial and masonry, then the WM made a speech about the history of the lodge. He then politely asked everybody who wasn't a master mason leave, then called it back. He then did something I have never heard of, he asked if it was anyone's birthday. Two brothers stood up, and were led to the altar by the SD. The master asked them their "masonic" b-days. THey were then led to the east and given an opportunity to speak their lives since becoming a mason. After the brothers were led back to there places, the master then closed the lodge. We then had a light snack and talked. Let me say this about their rituals: while there are some simularities, there is more different between our rituals and theirs. A MM will be able to follow along and not look like a fool, but it was definitley different. If you ever see me in person, ask me about it and I will take pleasure in talking about my experiences. Tomorrow I am going back to the memorial for the tour when it is opened to the public and some stupid fashion show isn't taking up all of the main room. Next week I am observing a FC degree at the Naval Lodge in downtown D.C. and will write about my experiences.
Being stuck in D.C. for 3 weeks for mandatory government training, I am going to visit some of the lodges in the area. My first visit was this last thursday to Alexandria-Washington Lodge #22 which meets in the G.W. masonic memorial. I emailed the secretary to announce my visit and to verify the dress code was coat and tie. He responded by telling me what time they meet and to confirm that a coat and tie was required. Well, after I got out of training Thursday, I got back to the hotel and donned my nicest suit, grabbed a quick bite and hopped on the metro. When I got off at the king street exit, I walked outside and was awed at the amazing edifice, then I was filled with dismay. My friend had told me that the memorial was right across the street from the metro; it was directly in front of the metro station, but there was no direct access, it was about a half mile walk (I'm probably just being a prima donna, it cooooould have been more like 1/4 mile walk, but what can I say, I am a lazy ass lol) I walked to the side door of the memorial and walked in and immediately felt out of place. There were women drinking cocktails in very expensive looking clothes, men in tuxedos and in the distance, on the main floor, there were models wallking on a catwalk... turns out there was a fashion show going on. One of the security guards walked over to me and asked if he could help me. I told him I was looking for the lodge that was meeting tonight. He just smiled and said "are you a mason?" I said I was, still smiling he said to follow him. He led me up stairs to the lodge and told the SW I was a mason here for the meeting. I introduce myself and after a few minutes was led into an anteroom and examined (see the tiler's oath thread for how I was examined). Another visitor then showed up and was examined also. We then made our way into the lodge room and had a seat. this was going to be a typical stated meeting we were told. after opening, they were going to call it to refreshment and bring in any EA, FC, or non mason. They had one of the tourguides, who happens to be a mason, give a speech about the memorial and masonry, then the WM made a speech about the history of the lodge. He then politely asked everybody who wasn't a master mason leave, then called it back. He then did something I have never heard of, he asked if it was anyone's birthday. Two brothers stood up, and were led to the altar by the SD. The master asked them their "masonic" b-days. THey were then led to the east and given an opportunity to speak their lives since becoming a mason. After the brothers were led back to there places, the master then closed the lodge. We then had a light snack and talked. Let me say this about their rituals: while there are some simularities, there is more different between our rituals and theirs. A MM will be able to follow along and not look like a fool, but it was definitley different. If you ever see me in person, ask me about it and I will take pleasure in talking about my experiences. Tomorrow I am going back to the memorial for the tour when it is opened to the public and some stupid fashion show isn't taking up all of the main room. Next week I am observing a FC degree at the Naval Lodge in downtown D.C. and will write about my experiences.