Ian Love-Jones is an educator, voiceover talent and the current Chaplain at Peninsula #128 in Portland Oregon. He is also author of Three Links Hijinks: An Odd Fellow’s Joke Book.
I’ve always thought it was fun that better known Orders of fellowship highlight “famous” members. The greater the prestige associated with a member’s accomplishments, the greater the supposed prestige of the Order. I picture a grandparent singing the praises of their grandchild who just graduated, landed that great job, or enjoyed some other positive milestone.
A subtle mental link is created when we highlight famous members: if a leader, a trailblazer, or a renowned creative can be enshrined in membership records, how cool might it be to pick up the same rituals, and walk the same lodge halls as they did? Perhaps something is in the fraternal waters that might catapult us to similar heights as the Order’s most famous folks.
I did not seek initiation because of famous Odd Fellows, though there are many. The marketing doesn’t hurt though! It can be exciting to know in the back of your mind, that your name appears in the same registers with titans in history. It makes sense that we would find high achievers within Orders of fellowship since being in community removes many barriers that exist in isolation.
In our enthusiasm for shared kinship with strong willed leaders, and high achievers, we should also be discerning about whom we celebrate. I caution discernment not because I ever expect humans to be perfect and uncomplicated – I expect quite the opposite, in fact. I am only observing that notoriety is not always the mark of a life spent promoting or demonstrating good character, or even a life that demonstrated redemptive change.
Waiting for me to name a few names? No, thanks. You’re welcome to explore on your own but frankly, the point is bigger than any specific people.
Odd Fellows endeavor more to improve and elevate the character of humankind, than to improve and elevate their fame. We can absolutely let the history of our Order be accurately remembered for better or for bitter in all of its long lived nuance. And also, we can let the individuals we elevate as noteworthy examples of Odd Fellowship exemplify an Odd Fellow’s principles. Let well deserved notoriety come to any who consistently live in friendship, love, and truth.
If the sum total of any person’s life journey is devotion to friendship and love, hope and charity, let that be the truest measure of whom we celebrate amongst the renowned.
How might history remember you, friend? How will you ensure that any heights of fame that you rise to are rooted in good character, and care for your human kin?
