CRAFTS GUILDS AND JOURNEYMEN ASSOCIATIONS: EARLY ROOTS OF ENGLISH FRATERNAL ORDERS

The origin of fraternity, as a principle, is as old as humankind. Humans always have that natural desire to associate with each other for a common purpose – either for social, philosophical, political, religious, charitable, mutual-benefit, or business purposes. Fraternities or so-called brotherhoods existed since the early civilizations – first among sworn kinsmen, Roman collegias, Orders of Knighthood, craft guilds, box clubs and fraternal lodges.

Are You Part of the Problem?

If you think this post is about you, then it probably is.

Do you truly carry the lessons of Odd Fellowship in your heart and through your actions? Or are you an Odd Fellow only during Lodge and once you get in your car and return to your regular life you forget about it all until the next meeting?

There are many ways we can discuss incorporating the teachings of the Degrees into our daily lives, but I want to focus one one area today. Social Media.

More than a Social Club

We are reminded every time we begin a formal meeting that we should regard our lodge as our family and hail each other as brothers and sisters. Perhaps we hear this statement so frequently that we simply take it for granted and don’t stop to think about what it means. In truth, however, it speaks to a notion which is fundamental to Odd Fellowship and which renders us distinct from a mere social club.

Music in the Lodge by Michael Greenzeiger

Michael Greenzeiger http://www.siliconvalleyoddfellows.org/ Music has historically played a major role in human culture. We use it to help set the mood for all sorts of occasions, be they happy, sad, solemn, or joyous. Music has also played a major role in the history of Odd Fellowship to the point where we even have provisions for […]

Carry the Light of Friendship, Love, and Truth- by Ainslie Heilich

Here is a new motivational/inspirational image I made. Please feel free to share it in anyway you like! In FL&T Ainslie Heilich Tuscola #316

The Odd Fellows and Freemasons: Different Paths to the Same Goal

That’s what I wanted to introduce into our meetings at Homer Lodge—some deeper discussion into the self-improvement aspects of Freemasonry, the history, the esoteric teachings, and the symbolism found in our ritual traditions.

It occurred to me while I was scheduling speakers and topics for discussion, that there might be lessons the Odd Fellows and the Freemasons could learn from each other.

Part II Odd Fellows, Stoics, and Marcus Aurelius

Read Part I Stoicism was a popular philosophy of personal ethics in ancient Greece and Rome. It was popular until around the third century AD. It has been defined as “a moral philosophy that emphasizes the discipline and mastery of the emotions in order to reach a wiser, rational, and peaceful mindset.” There is an overlap with […]

Speech to the 2017 Delegates to the Pilgrimage Trip by David Scheer

Speech to the 2017 Delegates to the Pilgrimage Trip by David Scheer Peninsula Lodge #128, Portland, Oregon http://www.keepportlandodd.com First off, let be begin by saying thank you to our delegates. All three of you are amazing, and I am so proud that you represented us on the Pilgrimage trip this year. Now, I’ve been asked […]

Odd Fellows, Stoics, and Marcus Aurelius Part I

Stoicism was a popular philosophy of personal ethics in ancient Greece and Rome. It was popular until around the third century AD. It has been defined as “a moral philosophy that emphasizes the discipline and mastery of the emotions in order to reach a wiser, rational, and peaceful mindset.” Recently, Stoicism has seen a sort of […]

Recutting the Gem that is Odd Fellowship

Odd Fellowship is a unique gem cut from the sacred cave of wisdom. When you take a rough gem you then have to carefully cut the shape and facets using years of experience. We achieved our beautiful form of our philosophy in the 1800s and in it we set this jewel in the shining setting […]

What the Odd Fellows of Tomorrow Could Look Like

So many feel powerless in their daily lives, from dead end jobs and corporate slavery to societal expectations and financial limitations, people are craving empowerment over their chaotic lives. Odd Fellows can do all that and more. We just have to look inward to see the built in value that we have to offer our members that is currently being ignored.

Be the Match

You could the Match that ignites passion for Odd Fellowship in your Lodge!