Can’t say I’ve seen a table lodge and don’t think it’s done down my way... I’ll ask..
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Can we?
- Thread starter billyjfootball
- Start date
Bloke
Premium Member
It will be ... somewhere... we dont open under a warrant - so don't ask GL about a dispensation... we would if we were doing a degree though...
dfreybur
Premium Member
If your lodge or district does not do Table Lodge events, you definitely want to volunteer to organize the catering to have one,.
If your jurisdiction does not publish an authorized ritual for Table Lodge, it is time to submit legislation to get one authorized. Ten minutes of web search will show at least two popular versions. The one with the talks and the one with the toasts. The talks are how our lectures originally evolved.
Ripcord22A
Site Benefactor
The point is being missed here. .....they weren't opening for a table lodge they were opening at a table because the lodge room wasn't properly maintained.
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Bloke
Premium Member
I understand - but always make an omelette out of broken eggs
Bloke
Premium Member
Bah ! - better to ask for forgiveness than permission ! You can run it as a "masonic dinner" rather than a lodge meeting.... and off site if your GL does not allow booze.. can't see how we need to ask permission to have a dinner
dfreybur
Premium Member
Bah ! - better to ask for forgiveness than permission ! You can run it as a "masonic dinner" rather than a lodge meeting.... and off site if your GL does not allow booze.. can't see how we need to ask permission to have a dinner
That's called a "festive board". Not tiled so fewer rules apply. Festive board is a wonderful experience in and of itself.
Arguably the Shrine exists because some US jurisdictions went dry.
Scoops
Registered User
As I've said in another thread, I consider our festive board to be a vital part of my Masonry. Although, as a UGLE mason, we have a festive board after every meeting so I'm a little spoiled!
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I think people are a bit liberal on the use of “vital”.
The unique attributes of freemasonry are not found at the festive board, don’t get me wrong, I love seeing my brothers and sharing a meal but the vital part of freemasonry happens in the lodge room, not the dining room.
The unique attributes of freemasonry are not found at the festive board, don’t get me wrong, I love seeing my brothers and sharing a meal but the vital part of freemasonry happens in the lodge room, not the dining room.
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
I've been present for only one.
It’s an interesting idea none the less, that said I’d rather a short meal and a great lodge session, masonry and toasts tend to make meals long.
I understand your view, but it is only a view. Making absolute declarations is parlous, particularly for a new Mason
I disagree, during the meal you will talk and listen to diffrent people of diffrent ages, of diffrent occupation and diffrent experiences.
True, but the same can be said of any social club which levels masonry among the likes of Lyons or rotary,which while perfectly noble lack the unique character of Freemasonry.
As per the above. While I love chatting with diverse gents of good character the same can be achieved though other organisations, the vitality is within the lodge.
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And your belief is fine, if stated as a belief. The issue is making absolute declarations is the issue.
I would also note there are many other initiatory fraternities. Lions aren’t one of them.
Bloke
Premium Member
The unique character of Freemasonry is very evident in the lodgeroom, but where it really becomes powerful and important, is outside the lodge room.
I've been to those dinners - nothing is like a masonic dinner and brothers in fellowship.
Bloke
Premium Member
We would use the "festive board" as a term being a dinner following (or perhaps even before) a lodge meeting. More commonly here, we call it "The South"
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Agreed.
dfreybur
Premium Member
As well as deciding what is and isn't vital. The way Masonry becomes all things to the regularly attending members is to supply them what they consider vital, but that isn't vital to other regularly attending members.
The term "festive board" refers to a meal that is not in a tiled meeting. As such it's optional to some but not to all. I've been to meetings that didn't include a meal. I've visited lodges that didn't have meals. They aren't the successful lodges. I've also been to lodges that had never heard the term "festive board" but had meals anyways. There are members who attend the meal then leave.
But remember the other parts of this thread when discussing the dining room. Grand lodge Masonry was founded at Table Lodge. In a dining room. At a tiled meeting. For well over a century degrees were conducted around the dining room tables. You may not have experienced a tiled meal, but that's an impoverishment of your jurisdiction and of your experiences. Thinking that Table Lodge is not vital, when it was our founding event, is like thinking your lodge is the only lodge in the world.