Ohio Lodge Lays Ground Work For Future Lodges

TBL Staff · 08-30-2007, 06:25 PM

Haven’t you always wanted to attend a lodge where you could beat one of your “Brothers” at the latest release of Need for Speed, on the plasma TV? I know, how about a game of eight ball, to see who fetches the next round of drinks, from the bar. No wait, put on boxing gloves and beat the crap out of each other in the professional boxing ring, located in the gym. Well you can if you live in Cleveland Ohio, where Halcyon Lodge No. 498 is located. The Brothers of Halcyon lodge have given “a night out at lodge”, a whole new meaning and quite possibly, could be laying a road map for more lodges to follow. Not only, are the brothers at Halcyon ground breaking in their approach to the community activism but their approach to Freemasonry is as exciting, to this author, as anything I have seen in the fraternity, to date.

Although details are still sketchy, on the reasoning behind donating the building to a charity organization, ours is not to question the details but awe over the big picture change we see in front of us. Like their approach to education, which includes such required reading as “Treatise on Understandin”, or “Freedom and Redemption in the Ethics”, both by Benedict Spinoza. Potential candidates are urged to listen to a lecture series on sixteenth century European History and the age of enlightenment titled “Making Man in Reason's Image: The Enlightenment and the Birth of Modern Humanity”, by Jim Schmidt. Also, before taking the EA plunge they are encouraged to read “Origins of Freemasonry” by Margaret C. Jacobs, neither of which are light in their subject matter, trust us.

We know at TBL we’ve been tough on Grand Lodges and their seeming reluctance to change but we want to congratulate the Grand Lodge of Ohio and the Grand Master, if they had anything to do with encouraging these brothers.

Don’t forget to check them out and support their efforts, we’ll check back on them often to see their progress.

To Visit Their Web Site CLICK HERE.

bobandcarole · 09-12-2007, 10:43 PM

Nice post!

D. W. Brown · 09-13-2007, 10:38 AM

We are very excited to see this lodge and how they are handling the transistion into the 21st century.

cowslinger · 09-13-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the supportive comments. Some of the changes mentioned above are still being refined and have not been implemented yet, but we're on our way. While I would not describe the relationship with the Grand Lodge of Ohio as supportive yet, neither have they been obstructive.

All improvements being made at Halcyon are within the bounds of the Ohio Grand Lodge Code. As such, it is my hope that Halcyon can serve as a template for other lodges in Ohio that are seeking to reposition themselves to be successful and relevant in the 21st Century.

cowslinger · 09-21-2007, 10:14 AM

As an update to my earlier post, we had a fruitful dialogue last night (09/20/07) with several representatives from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The Grand Master of Ohio, Most Worshipful Brother Michael Himes, had grown understandably concerned about our lodge after seeing and hearing numerous claims about our activities. Although the dialogue is just getting started, the meeting went a long way towards dispelling some myths and hopefully assuaging some of the concerns on the part of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

I am looking forward to continuing this dialogue with our Grand Master and/or his appointed representatives as we strive to revitalize Masonry as something both relevant and appealing in the 21st Century. As long as we maintain a spirit of cooperation, the future looks very bright at Halcyon #498.

D. W. Brown · 09-21-2007, 12:14 PM

So Brother Miller, there has been a lot of talk on the internet, including myself, touting the rebirth of the " Moderns" in Freemasonry. I as most, would hope that the Modern movement and the Antient could co-exist together. However, given the politicial structure of the Antient system of Grand Lodges, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Halcyon lodge from all accounts seems to be following the Modern version of Freemasonry more than the Antient, how do you envision co-existing within the current Grand Lodge system?

cowslinger · 09-21-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. W. Brown

So Brother Miller, there has been a lot of talk on the internet, including myself, touting the rebirth of the " Moderns" in Freemasonry. I as most, would hope that the Modern movement and the Antient could co-exist together. However, given the politicial structure of the Antient system of Grand Lodges, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Halcyon lodge from all accounts seems to be following the Modern version of Freemasonry more than the Antient, how do you envision co-existing within the current Grand Lodge system?

Brother Brown,

As it stands now, I see no reason why we cannot have a positive and cooperative relationship with our Grand Lodge. I don't view the steps we have taken as an adoption of any version of Freemasonry over another. Instead, these have been pragmatic solutions to problems faced by many lodges today: how to provide a valuable experience for current membership, maintain our relevance in the next century, and how to assure the financial stability of lodges in the face of reduced membership as compared to the previous era (1920's to 1960's).

These strategic goals should be common to all Masons. As such, a cooperative environment should be in reach.

cowslinger · 10-25-2007, 10:20 PM

I may have spoken a bit too soon about having a positive relationship with our Grand Lodge. The Grand Master declared at the Grand Lodge Communication on 10/19/07 that Halcyon was placed on probation.

D. W. Brown · 10-29-2007, 04:15 PM

Did he at least explain why they were placing Halcyon on probation?

David Herman · 10-30-2007, 06:06 PM

I hope you're not on double, secret probation!