Grandmaster's Conference in Waco

How many, if any of you plan on intending the Waco conference this Saturday? (April 6th)

Just wondering because I'll be in attendance.

I went to the event in Midland on March 9th, so I won't be able to make this one, but it should be pretty close to the same program. If so, you should like the contents. I thought it was very insightful and it also made me rethink a few things. Actually, just think about them. Very interensting to say the least. I enjoyed it.


Roy Vance
San Angelo Lodge 570 JD
San Angelo, TX
Phil Head Lodge 1415 JW
Carlsbad, TX

I'll be there for the Scottish Rite Convocation on 4/20. You going to that?

scialytic said:

I'll be there for the Scottish Rite Convocation on 4/20. You going to that?

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No sir, I haven't joined Scottish Rite as of yet.

scialytic said:

I'll be there for the Scottish Rite Convocation on 4/20. You going to that?

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Neither have I joined SR, or any other appendent, for that matter. I am going to wait until I am a PM until I branch out from the Blue Lodge. I feel that I may have a better insight into Masonry by that time and I should appreciate the other degrees more.



Roy Vance
San Angelo Lodge 570 JD
San Angelo, TX
Phil Head Lodge 1415 JW
Carlsbad, TX

You probably will appreciate them more if that is your mindset. To be completely honest though, they really don't get in the way except for time. They really give you a more refined perspective (relative to your experience, of course) when you attend Craft Lodge after the Degrees (though York Rite would be more conducive to what i sounds like your aims are). I asked Chapter after Chapter intil I found a Chapter and Council that would put on the Degrees individually. I would highly recommend you do the same. Take the Mark Master and (Virtual) Past Master before you are in the East. The Past Master Degree will be highly valuable for you...I can assure you of that.

Chapter and Council are very much like Craft Lodge and even if you are a newly Raised Master...it will probably actually help you with the Craft Degrees Ritual. I highly recommend that for all Brothers that love the Craft rituals...regardless of religious beliefs (contrary to popular belief: Chapter and Council are just like Blue Lodge...if that didn't offend you--C&C won't!). (Knights Templar is different, but now that the Shrine takes Masters taking the C&C Degrees and not the KT Orders really doesn't have any consequences.)

So as an update, I just came back from the conference and I'll go ahead and tell everyone that it was very interesting. In fact, I feel it was genuinely educational so if you're one of those Masons (like me) who always felt there wasn't enough education going on then this is a good opportunity to support it and learn something while you're at it.

What's also interesting is that the GM mentioned Chambers of Reflections (and using other props). Apparently a growing number of lodges have been using them without approval and they're considered to be 'changes to the ritual' until/unless a resolution for them gets proposed/approved. At least that's how I understood it.

I felt thoroughly enlightened after the conference at Hella Shrine near Dallas in January. Worshipful FitzPatrick is a great orator. He is local to Dallas so I have the opportunity to hear him speak on occassion and am always so impressed. He is the type of Brother that you can ask any question and an answer will be given; then, or later--but you'll get the answer.

About the props and such, I wonder how long it has been going on at each of those Lodges. There is innovation and then there is evolution (tradition). If they detract from the Rite, then I agree whole-heartedly. If it is minor in order to punctuate certain points and principles, I may understand (travel out of state and you'll see some very interesting "differences" peculiar to Texas...yet very appropriate). But if it is a case of making it "how I know it"...I may think differently. It sounds like a resolution needs to be proposed and voted on. (Consequently, I have no vote [except through my J:.W:., S:.W:., & W:.M:.] but I will watch intently.) I'm very interested to hearing all sides of this concern.

I smell a Grand Master's Edict coming.

Ever get the idea Texas masons are "like herding cats?"

Just sayin' ...

:sneaky2:

I'd be pleasantly surprised if I ever saw a resolution on COR's passed. I understand they're allowed in Colorado now and I've read positive things about them but I have no firsthand knowledge.

I just like things that can give lodges a little variety. The science geek in me wants to point out that, in biology, species need variation to assure their long-term survival. Not innovation...variation.

I attended the Waco and the Fort Worth Conferences and thought the talks that GM Wiggins gave and the talk from Brother McKay were both amazing.
They both clearly outlines how they see the Grand Lodge of Texas for the year and it sets a course for years to come.
My thanks to everyone that attended the conferences and the expert manner in which they were hosted.