Meals

[Torence]

Let us face it. There are just some things that English Constitution
Lodges do better than American Lodges; and I, for one, do not know why
we do not take the time over here to learn from our more experienced
betters. A key element to Masonry is the suitable use of the Festive
Board. If I were to draft a list, the Festive Board would be included
as a Landmark part of each Lodge’s Program and instruction to conduct
one properly a requisite part of every Lodge’s Program for education.
The gathering of Masons before the meeting was never intended to be
degraded to the condition of gobbling up cold cuts and hot dogs, a
time to carry-on, talk politics, have the meal be a handout for the
ignorant whose wives never taught them how to turn on the stove, get
on one another, and have the sort of conversations that are prohibited
behind tyled doors. Done properly, the meal should be done in such a
way as to make Laboring Age men want to come early and partake of all
that the Lodge has to offer.
The meal should both start and end with prayer. After all, He
promised us that when two or more are gathered in His name, that He
would be with them and bless them. There should be a designated
speaker, or perhaps have a different officer chosen each week to take
a turn to tell an amusing anecdote, prayerfully tasteful, or even a
little sing-a-long. A mid level Grand Laborer could take the time when
the Brothers are relaxed to give us information about what is going on
at the Grand Lodge level and that is a benefit to Masonry.
The meal before the meeting should support the assembly itself so
that the formal lodge session can be kept purposeful. Are there lodges
out there that have incorporated or maintained something of these old
traditions? Do you think changing your current program along these
lines worthwhile? What is the consensus opinion of the Craft?

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

[David Simpson]

Post by Torence
Let us face it. There are just some things that English Constitution
Lodges do better than American Lodges; and I, for one, do not know why
we do not take the time over here to learn from our more experienced
betters. A key element to Masonry is the suitable use of the Festive
Board. If I were to draft a list, the Festive Board would be included
as a Landmark part of each Lodge’s Program and instruction to conduct
one properly a requisite part of every Lodge’s Program for education.
The gathering of Masons before the meeting was never intended to be
degraded to the condition of gobbling up cold cuts and hot dogs, a
time to carry-on, talk politics, have the meal be a handout for the
ignorant whose wives never taught them how to turn on the stove, get
on one another, and have the sort of conversations that are prohibited
behind tyled doors. Done properly, the meal should be done in such a
way as to make Laboring Age men want to come early and partake of all
that the Lodge has to offer.

In almost every lodge in Australia the Festive Board is held after the
meeting, not before. Alcohol, a no-no in most of the US, is served with
soft drinks being available for those who want them.

Post by Torence
The meal should both start and end with prayer. After all, He
promised us that when two or more are gathered in His name, that He
would be with them and bless them.

I hope the prayer would be short an non-denominational. Not all meembers
are Christians which is to whom your quote refers.

Post by Torence
There should be a designated
speaker, or perhaps have a different officer chosen each week to take
a turn to tell an amusing anecdote, prayerfully tasteful, or even a
little sing-a-long. A mid level Grand Laborer could take the time when
the Brothers are relaxed to give us information about what is going on
at the Grand Lodge level and that is a benefit to Masonry.
The meal before the meeting should support the assembly itself so
that the formal lodge session can be kept purposeful. Are there lodges
out there that have incorporated or maintained something of these old
traditions? Do you think changing your current program along these
lines worthwhile? What is the consensus opinion of the Craft?

For one, get rid of the puritan idea that alcohol is a sin. I have never
seen any member of a lodge leave in a state of intoxication.

[Stuart H.]

Post by Torence
Let us face it. There are just some things that English Constitution
Lodges do better than American Lodges; and I, for one, do not know why
we do not take the time over here to learn from our more experienced
betters. A key element to Masonry is the suitable use of the Festive
Board. If I were to draft a list, the Festive Board would be included
as a Landmark part of each Lodge’s Program and instruction to conduct
one properly a requisite part of every Lodge’s Program for education.
The gathering of Masons before the meeting was never intended to be
degraded to the condition of gobbling up cold cuts and hot dogs, a
time to carry-on, talk politics, have the meal be a handout for the
ignorant whose wives never taught them how to turn on the stove, get
on one another, and have the sort of conversations that are prohibited
behind tyled doors. Done properly, the meal should be done in such a
way as to make Laboring Age men want to come early and partake of all
that the Lodge has to offer.
The meal should both start and end with prayer. After all, He
promised us that when two or more are gathered in His name, that He
would be with them and bless them. There should be a designated
speaker, or perhaps have a different officer chosen each week to take
a turn to tell an amusing anecdote, prayerfully tasteful, or even a
little sing-a-long. A mid level Grand Laborer could take the time when
the Brothers are relaxed to give us information about what is going on
at the Grand Lodge level and that is a benefit to Masonry.
The meal before the meeting should support the assembly itself so
that the formal lodge session can be kept purposeful. Are there lodges
out there that have incorporated or maintained something of these old
traditions? Do you think changing your current program along these
lines worthwhile? What is the consensus opinion of the Craft?
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

Firstly, Bro. Torence, I have attended Lodge in London, Surrey and
Sussex, and every time the festive board is AFTER the Lodge meeting. Of
course, the fact that they are not "dry" meetings, but serve plenty of
alcoholic beverages, may account for the difference in timing.
Secondly, in my home GL, most Lodges also have the Festive Board
following the meeting, with the exception of some special occasions.
Again, our Lodges are not usually "dry" either, although some other
jurisdictions in Canada tend to be less civilized than Alberta. :-)

Having the Festive Board following the meeting helps to keep the
meetings on track.

We have a format that is followed with regards to an Invocation prior to
the meal, and the traditional toasts prior to and after the meal.
Having experience an English formal Festive Board (Table Lodge) where
the WM is expected to participate to numerous toasts, I must say that I
would probably have ended up UNDER the table had I been the WM!

A number of years ago Oban Commercial Lodge from Oban Scotland paid a
fraternal visit to our Lodge in Spruce Grove, and presented our Lodge
with a Scottish Quaich. This is a vessel from which one may share
Scotch Whisky (or on our Irish night, Irish Whiskey) as it is circulated
a number of times around the Festive Board. Thsi tradition has now been
passed on to our Mother Lodge, Meridian Lodge in Stony Plain, as a
Mothers Day recognition last year with a Quaich dedicated to them from
our Lodge. We have even an appointed Festive Board officer who is the
"Keeper of The Quaich" and wears a collar with a miniature quaich as the
jewel.

Just some ideas to ponder. It makes for good fellowship!

Stuart H. PM
Treasurer - Baseline Lodge #198
Alberta, Canada

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by Stuart H.
Firstly, Bro. Torence, I have attended Lodge in London, Surrey and
Sussex, and every time the festive board is AFTER the Lodge meeting. Of
course, the fact that they are not "dry" meetings, but serve plenty of
alcoholic beverages, may account for the difference in timing.
Secondly, in my home GL, most Lodges also have the Festive Board
following the meeting, with the exception of some special occasions.
Again, our Lodges are not usually "dry" either, although some other
jurisdictions in Canada tend to be less civilized than Alberta. :-)

A fair number of American lodges use a "Stated meeting dinner" format
for their meetings. The officers go upstairs to open lodge and then
call to refreshment. Then everyone meets in the dining room for a
dinner that may be catered, potluck or cooked by members. After dinner
the ladies have a meeting in the dining room and the men call the
lodge to labor and do business and/or degrees. There is no formal
sequence during the dinner at the ones I have attended.

A lot of American lodges no longer do Stated meeting dinners. Neither
of my lodges do and I've talked to brothers here in Illinois who haven't
even heard of a Stated meeting dinner.

Post by Stuart H.
Having the Festive Board following the meeting helps to keep the
meetings on track.
We have a format that is followed with regards to an Invocation prior to
the meal, and the traditional toasts prior to and after the meal.
Having experience an English formal Festive Board (Table Lodge) where
the WM is expected to participate to numerous toasts, I must say that I
would probably have ended up UNDER the table had I been the WM!

Table Lodges are fabulous. If you ever have a chance to attend one go
for it. So far this year I have attended 3.

[SINNER]

Post by Doug Freyburger
A lot of American lodges no longer do Stated meeting dinners. Neither
of my lodges do and I've talked to brothers here in Illinois who haven't
even heard of a Stated meeting dinner.

Thats a pity. @ our called and stated meetings we always have dinner before
hand and go for drinks afterwards. Stewards prepare our meals and on degree
nights its typically steak, other nights it can be anything and we
frequently have bretheren offer to be 'steward for a week' to mix up the
menu. We had a debate about killing the meals or leaving them only for
stated as it was hurting the budget a bit. It was decided that we have more
to gain then to lose by keeping our weekly meal active and so it remains.
Suggested kitty donatioin is $5 which usually gets us close to even with
regards to the budget.

[Torence]

Post by SINNER
Stewards prepare our meals and on degree
nights its typically steak, other nights it can be anything and we
frequently have bretheren offer to be 'steward for a week' to mix up the
menu.

Unfortunately for us, the only steak that we ever get is the tube
kind.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by Torence
Unfortunately for us, the only steak that we ever get is the tube
kind.

You don't require reservations? Expect Anthony Bourdain "No
Reservations" crew to try to have one of your meals. They love to crack
jokes about tube steak. ;^)

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by SINNER

Post by Doug Freyburger
A lot of American lodges no longer do Stated meeting dinners. Neither
of my lodges do and I've talked to brothers here in Illinois who haven't
even heard of a Stated meeting dinner.

hand and go for drinks afterwards. Stewards prepare our meals and on degree
nights its typically steak, other nights it can be anything and we
frequently have bretheren offer to be 'steward for a week' to mix up the
menu. We had a debate about killing the meals or leaving them only for
stated as it was hurting the budget a bit. It was decided that we have more
to gain then to lose by keeping our weekly meal active and so it remains.
Suggested kitty donatioin is $5 which usually gets us close to even with
regards to the budget.

My California lodge Pasadena 272 has a long tradition of a meal as you
describe after the meeting and going for coffee after that. Plus a
monthly family dinner function where we don't open lodge just do the
social event. There's at least one lodge in the district that does a
real Stated Meeting dinner monthly.

My Illinois lodge Arlington Heights 1162 has a long tradition of a snack
before/after the meeting and going for a beer after that. There are
lodges in our district that have a meal of stew or similar before
their meetings. Not the same thing as a Stated Meeting dinner as that
does not include the wives, opening before the meal, calling to
refreshment, a ladies activity during the meeting, calling to labor
after the meal.

[Zaroc Stone]

Post by Torence
Let us face it. There are just some things that English Constitution
Lodges do better than American Lodges; and I, for one, do not know why
we do not take the time over here to learn from our more experienced
betters. A key element to Masonry is the suitable use of the Festive
Board. If I were to draft a list, the Festive Board would be included
as a Landmark part of each Lodge’s Program and instruction to conduct
one properly a requisite part of every Lodge’s Program for education.
The gathering of Masons before the meeting was never intended to be
degraded to the condition of gobbling up cold cuts and hot dogs, a
time to carry-on, talk politics, have the meal be a handout for the
ignorant whose wives never taught them how to turn on the stove, get
on one another, and have the sort of conversations that are prohibited
behind tyled doors. Done properly, the meal should be done in such a
way as to make Laboring Age men want to come early and partake of all
that the Lodge has to offer.
The meal should both start and end with prayer. After all, He
promised us that when two or more are gathered in His name, that He
would be with them and bless them. There should be a designated
speaker, or perhaps have a different officer chosen each week to take
a turn to tell an amusing anecdote, prayerfully tasteful, or even a
little sing-a-long. A mid level Grand Laborer could take the time when
the Brothers are relaxed to give us information about what is going on
at the Grand Lodge level and that is a benefit to Masonry.
The meal before the meeting should support the assembly itself so
that the formal lodge session can be kept purposeful. Are there lodges
out there that have incorporated or maintained something of these old
traditions? Do you think changing your current program along these
lines worthwhile? What is the consensus opinion of the Craft?
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

Our lodge opened at 8 pm. We were located about an hour from most of
the brothers. During my year in the east, I began dinners by bringing
one pot dinners....stews chili and now and again, oyster stew, most of
which was cooked the night before and warmed up the following lodge
night, except for biscuits, rolls and things I baked that same night.
I would arrive at 6 pm to warm things up. We began at 7, had time to
eat together, clean up and open lodge at 8 pm. We did this a time or
two then began to pass a hat. No specific amount, give what you can
if you can. The lodge then began to give a cash grant to our local
high school in the amount of $1000. We brought that up to $2000 with
help from our building association, the OES, RA chapters as well as
with the Council and Commandery that met in our building. I donated
all supplies that year. I don't think it cost me more than $30 at any
one time. As in all Masonic functions, we invoked the blessings of
Diety, a prayer before and after the dinner. Our lodge is composed of
Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists and a couple of Catholics. We meet
twice a month. I was master in 1980 and the tradition has continued.

ZS