A recap of my visit to the Iowa Research Lodge #2 meeting

I recently had the pleasure of attending the fall meeting of the Iowa Research Lodge #2, hosted by Blackhawk Lodge #65 of Cedar Falls, Iowa.  As with any Masonic gathering, I was quickly welcomed as a friend and made to feel right at home.



The entrance to Blackhawk Lodge is easily one of the most unique I've yet to encounter.  One walks through a door and into a room roughly ten feet square.  All that is within this room is an elevator and the button to call for it.  Very emblematic of the steps one takes when becoming an Entered Apprentice.  I have to admit I was a bit more than nervous.  What would await me when the doors opened?

The answer: One heckuva nice lodge, that's what.  Of all the lodge buildings I've been in, this was the first I'd seen with a big-screen TV and cable.  And, if one is smart enough to guess the password of the guest account of the coffee shop below, free wifi.  (Hint:  It's "guest.")

Walking into the banquet room, one is greeted with a comfortable setup of the usual vintage 1960's furniture.  At this point I'm convinced that no lodge is allowed to have furniture less than 40 years old.  It's well-kept and still comfortable though, not held together with duct tape and baling twine like some I'd seen.

One thing I didn't notice was the Lodge room itself.  The banquet hall and social areas were massive.  Where was there even room?  The answer was down the hall, through another social area for Eastern Star, and through a very esoteric-looking oak door complete with brass knocker and old-fashioned peephole.  A large lodge room with some of the newest carpeting and wallpaper I'd yet to see, filled with stadium seating to the North and a double-row of seats along the South.

The business meeting was called to order and the upcoming book selection was discussed.  This being my first visit as a member of Iowa Research Lodge #2, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Thankfully they weren't as dry as the meetings I'd attended as a party-level district political representative.

Following the meeting we were treated to a meal in the banquet hall.  The dinner was one of the finest I'd had the pleasure of having at Lodge (sorry Keith) and was well worth the $12.00 I'd paid to attend.  Roast beef with stewed potatoes, carrots, and peas were the main course.  A side dish of jello fruit cocktail was served (I love that stuff) along with chocolate cake and ice cream for desert.  There was more than enough for everyone, us fat guys included.  The cooking staff did a tremendous job.

We were then ushered back into the lodge room for the evening's lecture.  An update on the Iowa Online Mentoring Course being put into place by Grand Lodge, the goal of which is to regain the one-on-one time lost when Iowa stopped requiring rote memorization of ritual work.  After hearing the presentation, I honestly believe this will be a huge step forward in educating new Masons, as well as giving older Masons something to rekindle their involvement.

Membership was presented as a hole-filled bucket.  New members come in the top and leak out the bottom via holes of death, life changes, lack of interest, and non-payment of dues.  The question:  How do we plug the holes?  You can't stop people from dying, and you can't fault people for leaving due to career changes and other circumstances.

New members are joining for spiritual enlightenment and self-betterment.  They want the Freemasonry of Mackey and Pike, and often encounter a hollow shell which is nothing more than a Men's club requiring belief in God.  Dissatisfied and feeling as if the Fraternity isn't what they thought it would be, they quietly slip out the back door and never return.  If we don't provide what the members are seeking, the Freemasonry of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers, they won't stay members for long.

The presenters noted that most new masons these days have read more about Freemasonry prior to joining than many current Masons have read since being raised.  This hit home for me, as it's clearly my situation.  My collection of Masonic books numbered in the double-digits before I'd even thought of petitioning for membership.  I joined looking for esotericism and philosophical discussion, not arguments at business meetings.  Thankfully I've the fortitude to change what I don't like and be that catalyst as needed.

Queue the Online Mentoring Course.  This optional program presents the new initiate with a plethora of esoteric and gnostic teachings which are central to Masonic enlightenment.  It explains not just the symbolism, not just the whys, but the hows and musts of Freemasonry.  It returns to the Craft the one-on-one instruction and teaching which, apparently, has been inadvertently lost since the days of two men in a basement going over the cipher book.

The Brothers in Iowa have accepted this idea more than was hoped.  Four eight-hour classes on the OMC were scheduled across the state and all were quickly filled.  (A shame, since I'd planned on attending one myself next week.)  From the sound of the Brothers explaining the classes, they'd expected light participation at the most.  Now they are anticipating having to hold more classes due to the overwhelming interest.

The meeting concluded at 8pm sharp, as promised, which was an absolute blessing given that I had a three hour drive home.  I headed out on the road with a new book in hand, The Goat, the Devil and the Freemason.  It promises to be quite the interesting read, going in-depth on how the goat stories started, why people think Freemasons worship Satan, as well as other falsehoods about the fraternity. 

Overall, my evening with the Brethren of Iowa Research Lodge #2 was quite enjoyable.  I made several new acquaintances and enjoyed some very stimulating conversation.  If you're interested in joining, if only for the quality reading material you get at bargain prices, please do so.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed.