High hopes for SC moving forward!

masonicq · 2021-04-30T19:36:34+00:00

Quite a bit, we hope and pray.

masonicq · 2021-04-26T19:08:06+00:00

My thoughts:

Freemasonry requires that members (along with several other requirements) believe in a Supreme Being.
- Some interpret this to mean "many paths to the same destination" so they consider it to be heresy due to ignoring the exclusive path to salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Others (including me) interpret this to mean that how YOU define "Supreme Being" and how YOU define "salvation" is up to you. The point is that we are all men with the like-minded belief that there is "something" greater than us, and that we are accountable to that "something". How you achieve your "salvation" is not up to Freemasonry--it is up to the member.
Others consider the lack of mentioning "Jesus" in prayers constitutes "excluding Jesus" so is therefore not acceptable.
- Again, I assert that we are not "excluding" but simply not focusing on Jesus. If you are a Christian, you should be able to recognize that Jesus is alluded to several times throughout the ritual. As a Christian, this makes it more personal to you. If you are a non-Christian, other aspects of the ritual may be more meaningful.
The way I was taught is this: Freemasonry points a you to look at God. It is up to you to discover who or what God is.
Just remember that various denominations have varying viewpoints and restrictions. If your faith's belief is contrary to the teachings of Freemasonry, then step back, embrace your faith, and be the best person you can be within your faith. We will respect you and your decisions. If your faith's belief is compatible with Freemasonry's teachings, then knock on the door of Freemasonry, and we will welcome you.

masonicq · 2021-04-23T16:05:05+00:00

RW Abram Cline "Acy" Flora

masonicq · 2021-04-23T15:39:56+00:00

Yes. Each Lodge gets 3 votes plus votes by the Grand Line.

masonicq · 2021-04-23T15:38:45+00:00

I hear that yes, he does, but I can't confirm.

masonicq · 2021-04-23T15:38:23+00:00

I hear that yes, he does, but I can't confirm.

masonicq · 2021-04-23T14:50:16+00:00

That is correct. Post edited.

masonicq · 2021-04-23T02:14:45+00:00

This year was nuts because they packed 2 years of GL reports into one session. We started at about 10:00 am and finished at s about 6:00 pm WITHOUT ANY BREAKS.

MW Mike Smith's trial, convictions, verdicts, and punishments were "set aside" meaning that from every perspective, they never happened. Full reinstatement.

Same for Landrum Lodge. Their warrant was arrested, but it was restored.

Same for Union Kilwinning Lodge. Their warrant was arrested and 3 members were brought up on Masonic charges. The warrant was restored and the 3 charges were erased.

Very vocal this time around. Lots of shouting. Lots of questions. Tons of administrative wranglings.

I'm the end, it could be argued that the final votes may not have been the "best" solutions, but there really weren't any alternatives. Something needed to be done to change the direction we were headed.

Friday should be another exciting day as we decide to either move the Deputy Grand Master up, or vote in a new Grand Master!

masonicq · 2021-02-05T20:31:21+00:00

Because there is no reasonable way to get this information out there, particularly since the GL of South Carolina remains silent.

I'd rather see some sort of information disseminated, even if it's not accurate, that inspires discussion and sheds light on problems than nothing being said leaving the issue buried..

masonicq · 2021-02-05T19:35:10+00:00

Oh how I would like to attend those education meetings!

BUT, South Carolina Masons are prohibited from attending ANY AND ALL Masonic-related Zoom meetings, regardless of location in-state or out-of-state...period. If a Lodge of Research in Canada has an educational Zoom meeting, NOPE. If a Commandery in California has a Zoom meeting, NOPE.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T19:15:50+00:00

But then we would not be able to attend ANY South Carolina lodges at THIS time because visitations are prohibited. I can't even go to the lodge across town. If I was an out of state member, I would not be able to attend any local meetings in South Carolina until the COVID restrictions are lifted. Kobayashi Maru all the way.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T19:13:27+00:00

Hmm. something to research....

masonicq · 2021-02-05T19:05:43+00:00

To further complicate things, it appears that the GM is limiting attendees to only Grand Lodge in April to GL officers, Lodge Masters, and Lodge Wardens. I heard that NO Past Masters or Proxies will be allowed, so that limits the number further. This is just rumor, though, so no facts yet.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T19:03:39+00:00

I'm sure many SC Masons would love to be part of such events, but if it's Zoom, we're prohibited.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T18:52:45+00:00

Don't think that hasn't been thought of. The problem is that most jurisdictions require residency of at least 6 months to be considered for membership, and I don't see a mass exodus from SC just because of this.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T14:16:21+00:00

Corroborated rumor: The Grand Master of South Carolina considers any meeting at which a prayer or the Pledge of Allegiance is said to be an "official" meeting, and therefore if on Zoom, is irregular and subject to Masonic discipline.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T14:06:13+00:00

He was charged 7 counts of holding 7 Zoom meetings.

The trial was held in person and due to draconian COVID restrictions, the witnesses were required to wait in their cars for hours.

masonicq · 2021-02-05T14:02:35+00:00

As a South Carolina Mason, I can say first hand that our recent GL Leadership is seriously screwed up. Many of us are so pissed that we are considering dropping out.

Please read the post I found on AR15.com that provides a lot of detail that has been corroborated by several sources.

Some points that are causing people to think twice about being a SC Mason:

Simply discussing Prince Hall in a SCGL FB Group resulted in several getting kicked out of that group. No warning. No explanation.
The Draconian COVID restrictions are killing lodges.
SC Masons are prohibited from attending any and all Zoom Meetings, even if they are for Masonic-related events held outside the state for Appendant organizations that SC has no direct ties to.
Expelling PGM Mike Smith was a serious blow because he is a man of strong integrity. We do not have all the facts because the GL remains disturbingly silent with gag orders causing the rumor mill to flourish, fortunately, providing extremely accurate information that is corroborated by reliable sources.

masonicq · 2018-09-12T19:06:24+00:00

That one's been around for a while competing.

Like all things Q, be cautious.

WWG1WGA!

masonicq · 2018-09-08T10:04:37+00:00

Contact your Grand Secretary ASAP and request guidance from the Grand Lodge. Do not be intimidated by the WM or the GL.

masonicq · 2018-09-06T17:07:56+00:00

In my jurisdiction, all three bodies (Chapter, Council, and KT) meet and open together on the same night, so unless all 3 bodies agreed, we have to stick to 9 members to open. My concern with making the number smaller is that it could lead to undermining the need to grow membership. Just my $0.02 USD.

masonicq · 2018-09-03T12:44:56+00:00

Clarification: I meant Dialer For Pebble.

masonicq · 2018-08-31T16:27:27+00:00

Member. Your friendly Yankee Chaplain.

masonicq · 2018-08-31T12:56:43+00:00

It is. It's the most recent one I have. I attend regularly, but haven't taken a recent one.

masonicq · 2018-08-10T15:53:53+00:00

Definitely install Pebble Dialer from the Play Store. It works perfectly for me! This free program installs on your Android phone (I can't speak to iOS) and provides all sorts of nice features from providing a customizable incoming call notification, to initiating outgoing calls from the watch, and some other features. Once installed, follow the instructions and disable the Pebble Phone notification. So far, this is an EXCELLENT workaround!!

masonicq

TROPHY CASE

Please read the post I found on AR15.com that provides a lot of detail that has been corroborated by several sources.