F. & A. M. and A. F. & A. M. - Step Inside

[texan]

I was one of those kids that was dragged to every church in the county on Sundays and Wednesdays by my mom. I'm 32 now and still have some problems with organized religion. I grew up knowing several older guys who were Freemasons. A few years ago I asked them what it was about with a disbelief in what i might gain. Well, after I got familiar with the lodge, the history, the members (tons of vets) I studied and did my work. It made me understand the important things in life, "My family." I was soon interested and joined the Shriners. I didn't realize the old guys in the circus and riding the funny cars were so normal. The idea of learning from other Freemasons and listening to their stories has been a great hobby. Oh yeah, we also send a large sum of money to help kids or families in need.

Ject, Sorry if I sound preachy..I guess you get out of it what you put in. You will find that most Freemasons are very proud to be one.

[Grand Pa]

Fraternal Greetings to all.
Looks like its been a long time since anyone posted on this thread,maybe more brothers have joined the C5 community since then.

Phil Testa PGC
Highland Park Lodge # 240
Highland Park, NJ

[dwj950]

Hi,

Just found this posting. I'm a member of and PM of Thomson Lodge #340 in Paoli, PA. Greetings to all Brothers and anyone interested feel free to drop me a line.

[Moriartii]

Interesting video.
What is a PM in the Mason context?
Cheers
K

[Grand Pa]

Originally Posted by Moriartii

Interesting video.
What is a PM in the Mason context?
Cheers
K

PM stands for Past Master. At one time he was Master of his Lodge, hope this explains his office.

Worshipful Master
The senior officer of a Masonic Lodge is the Master, normally addressed and referred to as the "Worshipful Master" (in Scotland, and in Lodges under the Scottish Constitution, the "Right Worshipful Master"). The Worshipful Master sits in the East of the lodge room, directs all of the business of his lodge, and is vested with considerable powers without further reference to the members. He also presides over ritual and ceremonies.

The office of Worshipful Master is the highest honor to which a lodge may appoint any of its members. The office is filled by election, generally by means of a secret ballot. However, in most lodges the progression is such that the post will almost always be filled by the previous year's Senior Warden.

It should be noted that the honorific Worshipful does not imply that the Master is worshiped. Rather, use of the word implies its original meaning, "to give respect", similar to calling a judge "Your Honor" or a mayor "Honorable". In fact, mayors and judges in parts of England are still called "Worshipful" or "Your Worship." French Masons use the word Vénérable as the honorific for their Masters.

At the conclusion of his term of office, a Worshipful Master becomes known as a Past Master. The duties and privileges of Past Masters vary from lodge to lodge and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, in some jurisdictions Past Masters are considered voting members of the Grand Lodge, while in others they are not. In most jurisdictions, a Past Master continues to be addressed with the honorific "Worshipful" (as in "Worshipful Brother Smith"), however there are a few jurisdictions where this honorific is used exclusively for sitting Masters.

The corresponding grand rank is Grand Master. The Grand Master may preside over his Grand Lodge when it is in session, and also has certain rights in every lodge under his jurisdiction. Grand Masters are usually addressed as "Most Worshipful".

[Moriartii]

Very cool.
Why are there no women? I assume it is because back in the day women were not part of the mason's guild? However in this day and age are women allowed to partake?

I find this very interesting.
Cheers
k

[Augie1978]

The lady's lodge is Eastern Star.

[Z28RockStar]

no ty

[Moriartii]

So do the men's and women's lodges not mingle?
Example if I were to pursue becoming a Mason (if that is even possible) would my wife be able to attend functions with me?
Cheers
K

[navyblue2000]

Originally Posted by Ject

I bet there are some great people and bonds with others that are a free masson, but religiously i'm to avoid free masons :(

Jehovah's Witness or Mormon? ...or, Lutheran perhaps?

[Grand Pa]

Originally Posted by Moriartii

Very cool.
Why are there no women? I assume it is because back in the day women were not part of the mason's guild? However in this day and age are women allowed to partake?

I find this very interesting.
Cheers
k

Traditionally, only men can be made Freemasons in Regular Freemasonry. Many Grand Lodges do not admit women because they believe it would break the ancient Masonic Landmarks.Masonic Landmarks are a set of principles that many Freemasons claim to be "both ancient and unchangeable precepts of Masonry".

[Grand Pa]

Originally Posted by Moriartii

So do the men's and women's lodges not mingle?
Example if I were to pursue becoming a Mason (if that is even possible) would my wife be able to attend functions with me?
Cheers
K

Sorry I should have read all the posts firsts. She would not be able to attend a regular meeting, but their are many functions for family members. If she joined the Eastern Star you could attend their meetings together. Eastern Star needs at least one master mason to meet.

[thesnoopster]

Interesting .... I been on this forum for a while and this is my first time coming across this .....

So i give my shout out


Raised 1995
Clarence Kimbrough Lodge #111 F&AM
PHA
Maryland 12th Masonic District
Augsburg, Germany (Military)



Greetings to all

[jamaro2011]

nice to c brothers on the forum!

king solomon lodge#10 AF&AM