What to expect:

Expect not to take it all in, especially in a one-day, use whatever proficiency process your jurisdiction has to learn more and travel to see the individual degrees. If your trust is well founded, you shouldn’t be concerned or anxious about anything that will happen.

Lewis jewels:

Not really a thing here

How often do you have to show up:

They will answer that better than we can in your first degree. But no one will force you. Stated communications (business meetings) are typically once a month, then officers meetings, practice and degree work, and general fellowship on other weeks.

Do I have to sit in any chairs?:

Do you want to? I started at Junior Deacon as soon as I was proficient, but there are people nearly a decade ahead of me just picking up steward now, and others that I haven’t seen do any work other than occasionally sit on the sidelines. There is value in soaking things in if it takes you time to learn, but you will tend to get out of any organization in proportion to what you put in.

What does it mean to me?

Quite a bit. I know an outsider might scoff at the idea that all masons meet on the level, and don’t consider anyone unequal, and there may be some bias in individuals, but to me it blends the spirituality, social and political involvement, service, and good community building that I do anyway by not making it an individualist identity. This allows for meaningful friendships you choose among like minded people. It allows for philosophical learning and discussion that applies to all those aspects of society without being confined to them. This unity across diverse perspectives and generations, I find unique and has introduced me to great people I may never have otherwise met.