How to Join
For any man (21 years of
age or older) who wishes to join, please simply ask us for an
application.
While we are a fraternity (not a religion), please note that a
personal belief in the God of the Bible is a prerequisite for
membership. Men of all denominations are welcome to apply, (and we
do not discuss denomination differences). The Bible is present and
prominently displayed during all of our Lodge meetings. If you
join, please note that there is memory work involved. Financial
commitments consist of a one time fee, and annual dues which most
people find affordable. The members of the Lodge represent a wide
range of ages and occupations, and include men who are retired.
Meetings are held once or twice a month except July and August, on
the 1st Tuesday of the month at
7:30 PM, and sometimes the 3rd Tuesday of the month. (The
meetings themselves are not open to the public.) Once a year we
may attend a District Devine Service (Church Service at a
specified church with their prior approval). Some may ask if an
Atheist (one who does not believe in God) can join, and the answer
is no, he cannot. Others ask if women can join, and the answer is
no, membership is only open to men, but there is an organization
called Order of the Eastern Star, which they might be able to
join. A few ask if a non-Christian (but non-atheist) can join, and
one should seek the best answer to that question on the Grand
Lodge website. Anyone may apply for membership, but everyone who
applies should know and understand that the Lodge is very
democratic, and all applications are voted upon by the membership
in open Lodge.
Freemasonry is over 300
hundred year old, perhaps even much older that that. Men of all
ages have found it to be of value in their lives.
Membership in Freemasonry
does not “help” one with one’s career or business. Those would be
the wrong reasons for joining. Rather it seeks to “make good men
better”. The benefits are internal, and it is often said that “you
only get out of it what you put into it”. The focus is on self
improvement. There is ritual involved, much like putting on a
play. This ritual involves memorizing parts, just like learning
parts in a play. The reason for this is that our history and
knowledge was traditionally an oral one, and as was passed on this
way.
In order to join a man must
be at least 21 years of age, be of good reputation, and have a
belief in a Supreme Being (God). In addition he must ask to join,
by asking for an application to join. [hyerlink to a new on line
application page, which goes to secretary info master.] Membership
is only open to men, however wives and other female relatives of
Masons may apply to join Bayview Chapter of the Order of the
Eastern Star. [hyperlink e-mail to Eastern Star].
Belief in God
is straight forward, and it should be noted that our membership
encompasses men from a wide range of denominations. It is actually
difficult to list which religious denominations those are, owing
to the fact that we do not discuss differences nor do we keep
records of denominational membership.
There are three
“degrees” practiced in Lodge. They are Entered Apprentice, Fellow
Craft, and Master Mason. They contain our traditional or symbolic
history, as well as a great deal of basic good moral teaching,
lots of symbolism, plus perhaps just a dash of “theatre”. Some may
describe them as being similar to plays. As a man progresses in
masonry he will be required to memorise parts in these degrees,
similar to memorising parts in a play.
There is an
urban myth that one has to wait to be asked to join a Masonic
Lodge. As this is not the case in this jurisdiction, a good man
could be waiting a very long time! A person who is interested in
applying for membership in Kempenfeldt Lodge, please request
an
application. [hyperlink to new application form online,
which need to be built].
A later stage
of this application process usually includes an informal
pre-arranged visit to the person’s home by three members of the
Lodge, to give both the applicant and his wife (if he is married)
and opportunity to ask any questions either of them they may have
prior to his becoming a member.
Your “income”
or “net worth” is not our concern. Masonry contains men from all
income levels. In terms of the financial costs of membership,
there is a one time initiation fee (payable on the night of
initiation) which also covers the cost of your Lodge apron and
Bible, and a pro-rated membership fee for the balance of the first
year, plus annual dues for subsequent years.
Dress at Lodge
meetings is usually a suit and tie for members, and “black tie”
(Tux) for Lodge Officers.
Kempenfeldt Lodge meetings are traditionally followed by a “light
repast” or stand up “meet and greet” complete with sandwiches and
various refreshments.
