THEY LAUGH BECAUSE I AM DIFFERENT. I LAUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. -By Ian Irving Bacungan, Grand Sire, PHL

For a long time, I carried that line like a banner of defiance — as if being different meant standing in opposition, as if it were about resisting the crowd simply to prove that I could. I wore it like armor. I thought it was rebellion. I thought it was drawing a line between myself and the world and daring anyone to cross it. But the deeper I walked into Odd Fellowship, the more that understanding began to unravel.

On Being Kind and On Being Nice -By Ian Irving Bacungan, Grand Sire, PHL

There are seasons in the life of an Order when reflection becomes necessary — not because we are failing, but because we care deeply about who we are becoming.

This is one of those seasons.

Today, I speak not only as a leader, but as a brother who loves this insitution. A brother who
believes in its mission. A brother who has stood at the altar, felt the weight of the obligation, and understands that what we profess is not ceremonial — it is sacred.

Your Earnest Efforts -by Ian Love-Jones

Our Order demands that we care for the sick, and relieve the distressed. We are reminded not to judge another by their exterior, and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We are called on to show hospitality to strangers, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to be charitable. Simply declaring a positive belief or affiliation is hollow, without daily actions that are rooted in love.

Burying the Dead -by Ian Love-Jones

Looking to the brand new year ahead, I meditate on the Odd Fellow’s charge to bury the dead. Burial is not about hastily hiding the bygone away, to put them out of sight and mind. Burial at its best, is about thoughtfully reflecting on what it means to depart, to remain, to have hope, and to be forever changed.

Odd Fellowship and Superheroes Part 2 -By Torbjörn Andersson

People often imagine the Odd Fellow world as a place of deep reflection, solemn symbols, and quiet dignity. All true. Yet if you look closely you may also discover something else: the spirit of a superhero meeting with less punching, fewer capes, and far better coffee.

Odd Fellowship and Superheroes Part 1 -By Torbjörn Andersson

Every fellowship begins with a single act of courage. Within the Odd Fellow world this courage emerges when an individual chooses service over comfort, compassion over indifference, and dignity over pride. While ancient symbols hold deep meaning, a surprising guide can be found in the heroes of the cartoon universe. Their stories reveal a truth […]

Visiting the Sick: Beyond the Bedside -By Ian Love-Jones

For a truer understanding of what it means to visit the sick, it helps to understand what it means to live with a serious illness, injury, or infirmity. Being sick is often much more complex than not feeling well. And visiting the sick has much greater depth than simply making an appearance at the bedside.

There is No Clock on the Wall of the Lodgehall! -by Torbjörn Andersson

When we visit a lodge in a place other than our homelodge, we immediately feel at home in the foreign hall because it has so much in common with our own.

Retreading the Path -By Ian Love-Jones

Members who sprinted into the daily work of Odd Fellowship right after initiation should do their best to backtrack, and to build up their knowledge about the Order. To their credit, most members do thoughtful and admirable research before joining up. Because Odd Fellowship has secrets only known to the initiated though, it’s possible to be made a member without a detailed knowledge of the Order’s inner workings, evolutions, lessons, successes and struggles. As a newer Odd Fellow, you simply don’t know what you don’t know.

Living in FLT -by Ian Love-Jones

Decorative regalia and grand titles are woven through the world of fraternalism. Each one of those outwardly visible features can be a meaningful part of the adventure. With that said, someone who only knows about those outward aspects, might wrongly think that our greatest goal and commitment is to be an exalted high mucketymuck, rather than a thoughtful, and honorable person in daily life. The things that show outwardly should be only milestone markers of our personal and professional growth within the Order. The jewels and nifty names are not the goal.

The Story of the Steward -By Ian Love-Jones

I’ve noticed that the stories which Odd Fellows seem to love most are the stories of stewards. This is true whether those stewards are sovereigns, seekers, shepherds or supporters, guides or guards, companions, caretakers, or complete outsiders.

AN OPEN LETTER CONCERNING THE RECENT COMMUNICATION TO ALL IOOF LODGES FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SGL -by Kurt Roggli, PGCh, CA

The letter’s tone is unmistakable. We are “admonished” that “non-negotiable” obligations are to be followed “without deviation”, “without exception”, responses to be “written in ink”, and so on. Wouldn’t friendship and love dictate that SGL guide its members with benevolent care rather than stern rebukes?