Let's Make Time for a Festive Board!

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Randy Sanders

When was the last time you truly celebrated something? For many of us, we can raise our hands with an answer of last month or this Spring because of COVID shutdowns and isolation. Let's change that answer of "meh, we celebrated" by maintaining the joy we found in returning to labor. We often make a meeting a little special by way of a congratulatory cake or small celebration for a 50-year pin, or a barbecue, or possibly a breakfast/dinner fundraiser. When is the last time your lodge did a Festive Board for no reason except the Festive Board? When is the last time your lodge put on a party for no reason? I think now's the time.

I recently expressed a similar idea for combining the Festive Board with a Valley Library fundraiser, and I'll work with the St. Louis Valley to follow through on that. However, I'm also pushing to get more festive boards going in local lodges. This tradition seems to be overlooked by many, and how many new brothers were waiting on COVID before receiving the degrees? How many of those new Brothers would benefit from a good social time, honoring Masonic traditions, and learning a bit more about Freemasonry during a Festive Board? It can and should be included in the new Brothers' experiences, and who knows? Maybe those new Brothers decide to pick up the torch and organize the next one?

In some areas, Festive Boards and Table Lodges are close to the same thing. However, In my jurisdiction, (Missouri), they are quite different. I bring this up as you may need Grand Lodge dispensation before putting on a Table Lodge or Festive Board, and it's worth the time to investigate with your own Grand Lodge, your lodge bylaws, and the GL's bylaws what permissions are needed. This investigation may also generate interest from the Grand Lodge, and that's a good thing.

Recommendations for making the Festive Board or Table Lodge a success can be found in old minutes from various lodges, but the biggest initial recommendation is to play up the novelty. That is, focus on the positive of doing something different. Find a speaker. If you are fortunate to know local Brothers comfortable in presenting educational topics, have them do a short 20-30 minute presentation on a fun topic. Masonic Education may not be the only way to make the evening memorable, but it's a fair bet that a good education topic will start some discussion afterward. Does it have to be Masonic? Check with your Grand Lodge about how open your festive boards might be. Mine are not tiled, but we're still careful in topics and how we phrase certain words and subjects. Inviting the local Mayor or a City Council member to speak may get you closer to the community. Inviting the local officers of the Toastmasters organization to give a speech they wrote for Toastmasters can be an excellent lesson in Rhetoric. I'm sure you get the idea that a good presentation can come from many different sources with a little investigation.

Keep it short. What? Why? The Festive Board, or Table Lodge, itself shouldn't be very long. Multiple long toasts need to be broken up with announcements or quick topics for conversation. I found a couple of hours, including refreshments, to be the limit of my own enjoyment, and then I can retire to the patio or designated area for less formal conversation over a beverage of choice. Many Brethren enjoy an occasional cigar with that beverage, and that can mean another hour or more just hanging out, spreading the cement of Brotherly Love. Oh yeah, and definitely put the word out you'll all need designated drivers.

~Bro. Randy

Bro. Randy and his wife Elyana live in O'Fallon, MO just outside of St. Louis. Randy earned a Bachelors in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, and he works in telecom IT. He volunteers his time as a professional and personal mentor, is an NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer, and enjoys competitive tactical pistol. He has a 30+ year background teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu, Chi Kung, and healing arts. Randy's Masonic bio includes lodge education officer of two blue lodges, running the Wentzville Lodge Book Club, active in York Rite AMD, Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis co-librarian, Clerk of the Academy Of Reflection through the Valley of Guthrie, a trained facilitator for the Masonic Legacy Society. As a pre-COVID-19 pioneer in Masonic virtual education, Randy is an administrator of Refracted Light and an international presenter on esoteric topics. Randy enjoys facilitating and presenting Masonic esoteric education, and he hosts an open, weekly Masonic virtual Friday Happy Hour. Randy is an accomplished home chef, a certified barbecue judge, raises Great Pyrenees dogs, and enjoys travel and philosophy.

Experiencing a Table Rite

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB. Greg J. Knott

Over the holiday break, I attended my very first Table Rite, held at Bridgeport (IL) Masonic Lodge No. 386.  Bridgeport Lodge joined together with the Bridgeport York Rite bodies: Henry Godeke Chapter No. 38, Harold R. Greer Council No. 55, and Gorin Commandery No. 14, in hosting this festive occasion.  These bodies came together in the name of promoting unity within the craft, a celebration of the season and an occasion to celebrate with family and friends.

The dining room was arranged in spectacular fashion.  In the center was the triangular altar used in the Knight Templar Order of the Temple degree.  The altar was set with candles and wine goblets and the holy bible in the center.  The guests were seated at tables around the perimeter of the room, so that all had a great view of the proceedings.  This particular table lodge was open to family and friends (more than 40 were in attendance), which is an excellent setting for those who are not Freemasons to learn more about our fraternity.  

A customized Table Rite script was put together by Jason Kinsolving, Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Illinois.  Each of the presiding officers of the four bodies had speaking parts, which was used to emphasize the unity of all the brethren.  Bruce Rhinehart, PMEGHP of Illinois, presided over the evening and he provided the guests some context with the ceremonies that were taking place.   Incorporated, was a history lesson on St. John the Evangelist, whose memory is traditionally celebrated on December 27 of each year and a series of readings from the New Testament on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Most impressive was the Christmas Libations, a series of toasts given in the honor of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Illinois Tony Cracco, RAM Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Illinois Sean P. McBride, Grand Council of Cryptic Masons Most Illustrious Grand Master Larry E. Raglan, and the Illinois Grand Commandery Right Eminent Grand Commander Enrique J. Unanue.  

A final toast was given in honor of Duane Lee Vaught, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United State of America.  The toast, written by the Most Eminent Grand Prelate Reverend William D. Hartman, was read and I was given the honor of reading the response prepared by Grand Master Vaught.  We ended the evening with a prayer and closed the gathering.

I know there are several versions of table lodge programs out there.  I would highly encourage any masonic body to incorporate this into your year.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season with brothers and friends.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Bridgeport brethren for inviting and welcoming me as a participant in their evening.   Special thanks to Bridgeport Lodge WM Todd Gray who prepared some fantastic food.  This was an experience I won’t soon forget.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC.  He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana.  He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees.  Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society.  Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters.