From the Worshipful Master

On Appendant Bodies

In our Blue Lodge, we have three degrees of Masonry – Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. After you get these degrees, you are a “full” Master Mason. There is no more light than can be conferred upon you in a Blue Lodge, or a Lodge of Master Masons.

But what if you want more? What if you want to continue the story? If that’s the case, you’ll want to look into our appendant bodies. The two main appendant bodies that require you to be a Master Mason to start are York Rite and Scottish Rite.

These two organizations continue the story and you can learn more about what you’ve learned in the first three degrees.

There’s an affiliated Masonic organization for everyone though. For boys, we have the Order of Demolay and the Squires. This is an organization for young men 9-19 where they can learn leadership skills and good moral virtues by teaching them to live by seven core values.

For girls, there are a couple of organizations. Both Rainbow Girls and Job’s Daughters are great organizations for girls 9-19. While they both teach leadership skills, confidence and speaking skills, there are differences. Many girl are in both organizations.

Female relatives of Masons shouldn’t feel left out though. There are Masonic organizations for them too. Order of Eastern Star and Order of Amaranth are two bodies that female relatives of Master Masons can join. Master Masons are also encouraged to join.

If you should find yourself with extra time and desire to explore these other organizations, I highly recommend it. You will meet more people, learn more, and be a better leader.

Fraternally,
Stephen Liguori
Worshipful Master

From the Junior Warden

On Appendant Bodies

One of the central themes in Freemasonry is inclusion.

Freemasonry opens its fraternity to all good men from every country, race and religion, that elects to take part in their teachings and degrees and is considered to be worthy by the fraternity.

With this inclusion comes responsibility, therefore all men are required to take upon themselves a solemn obligation upon the Book of Sacred Law. Masonry refers to the Holy Bible, the Koran, the Torah or other religion’s holy writings as the “book of sacred law”, because for each man this is a personal choice.

We welcome all men who are not atheist and have a belief in a Supreme Being, but we don’t dictate what religion or what holy writing a man chooses to live by. Much like the founders of America, many of whom were Freemasons, we welcome men of all religions, and therefore we don’t specify or endorse any particular book of sacred law.

Fraternally,
Doug Steel
Junior Warden