Other Masonic Organizations

Borrowed from (and for links) visit https://www.indianafreemasons.com/appendantbodies

The Appendant and Concordant bodies of Indiana Freemasonry encompass a variety of organizations that extend beyond the Blue Lodge, offering Freemasons avenues for deeper exploration of Masonic teachings and principles. Among these prominent bodies are The York Rite, The Scottish Rite, Shriners International, The Grotto, and Tall Cedars of Lebanon.

The York Rite

Masonic history, both real and legendary, has centered around the search for the true Word. The lessons taught in the Lodge leave the initiate with the sense of having almost, but not quite, discovered the much-to-be-desired object of his quest. The first steps to take along this road should naturally tie in closely and enrich the degrees you have already received. Such are the Chapter and Council degrees and the Orders of the Commandery in the York Rite. These Masonic degrees are not merely degrees, but are exemplifications of homely virtues often neglected and lost sight of in the busy lives we now live.

The Scottish Rite
​
The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite seeks to strengthen the community and believes that each man should act in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.
Scottish Rite Freemasonry is a way for the Mason to build upon the ethical teaching and philosophies offered in the Blue Lodge, which consists of the first three degrees of Masonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The Scottish Rite continues these degrees, from 4° to 32°. While there is no degree ‘higher’ than that of a Master Mason, 32° Scottish Rite Masonry offers additional light to the studious Master Mason. Scottish Rite reveals a wealth of knowledge about Masonry not found in the other degrees. It seeks to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge to help good men become even better. A Scottish Rite Freemason may obtain the 33° for outstanding service to the brotherhood.

​Brethren of the Scottish Rite seek to:

Exault the dignity of every person, the human side of his daily activities, and the maximum service to humanity.

Aid mankind’s search in God’s universe for identity, for development, and for destiny, and thereby produce better men in a better world, happier men in a happier world and wiser men in a wiser world.

The Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry.

​Additional degrees are sometimes referred to as appendant degrees, even where the degree numbering might imply a hierarchy. Appendant degrees represent a lateral movement in Masonic Education rather than an upward movement. These are not degrees of rank but rather degrees of instruction.

Shriners International

Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. There are approximately 375,000 members from 191 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.

Shriners International support Shriners Hospitals for Children, a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs. Since 1922, Shriners Hospitals for Children have significantly improved the lives of more than 865,000 children. The Shrine was originally founded in New York City in 1872.

The Grotto

The man who comes to the Grotto had his Masonic origin in a Symbolic Lodge. Where he was taught to revere the name of God and pray for guidance. He came on through the degrees where his knowledge of the dignity of Masonry was expanded, and the Grotto was provided for him as a place where he might join with his brothers in letting human instincts for fun, pleasure, and amusement prevail.

The Grotto was not and is not a place for Masons to exercise practices that would not be tolerated in the Masonic bodies or which are taboo among gentlemen. The Grotto stands for all of Masonry and wholesomeness in life. It stands for letting in the sunshine on discouragement, grief, and woe, and it stands for substituting hope for despair at all times.

Without the formalities that attend the Degrees in Masonry, it brings members in close fraternal touch, and it breeds confidence among wearers of the Fez. The Grotto has always been made up of men from all walks of life …men you are proud to know …men who travel by preference along the sunny side of the street and who play a fair game all the time.

Membership in the Grotto gives a man the right to wear its emblem and to participate in its good work, as well as enjoy all its pleasures.

Tall Cedars of Lebanon

Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America is an appendant Masonic organization devoted to fostering friendship and fellowship among Freemasons and to all mankind.

With over 10,000 members with an unyielding commitment to provide a “place in the sun” for those many thousands of victims of neuromuscular diseases who, through their own means, may not be able to share and enjoy the experiences of life that we so often can take for granted.

Tenets:

To promote a stronger bond with ALL Freemasons and to further the goals and tenets of Freemasonry.
To find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy and neuromuscular diseases.
To recognize man’s need for fun and relaxation among his family, friends, and neighbors…Thus

Creed:

“Fun Frolic & Fellowship”…we offer every Master Mason an opportunity to enjoy a fuller, more enriching life.

Borrowed from (and for links) visit https://www.indianafreemasons.com/appendantbodies

What Is Freemasonry?

Fellowship

By attending Masonic Lodge meetings and learning from your fellow Masons, you’ll strengthen the bonds of fellowship as you join together with like-minded men who share ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature. There are Masonic lodges on every continent on Earth, and in almost every nation. You’ll enjoy the friendship of other Masons in the community, and you’ll be welcomed as a “Brother” by Masons everywhere in the world. Freemasonry also promises that should you ever be overtaken by misfortune, sickness, or adversity through no fault of your own, the hands of our great fraternity will be stretched forth to aid and assist you.

More information about Indiana Masonry here: https://carmel421.com/what-is-masonry-carmel_421/

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Welcome to Carmel Masonic Lodge #421, where Freemasons gather for fellowship, charity, and personal growth. We're excited to share that our lodge is growing stronger each year, with enthusiastic new members joining our community.

If you're not familiar with Freemasonry, we encourage you to learn more about it. Come and visit us at our lodge on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7pm, and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also view our Trestle Board to see upcoming events.

At 421, we pride ourselves on being an open and welcoming lodge, with a friendly and active atmosphere. Many of our members who haven't been attending regularly find themselves drawn back in by the positive energy of our community. Whether you want to participate in degree work or simply socialize with us, we welcome you with open arms.

We're constantly improving our communication with members through our website, email, and social media outreach, so you can stay informed about everything that's happening at our lodge.

Finally, we're thrilled to see the continued success of our vibrant Job's Daughters group, which provides positive activities for female teens and benefits both our members and the community.

We invite you to become a part of our growing community of Freemasons at Carmel 421 Masonic Lodge. Contact us today to learn more and get involved!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

We have the year planned out and encourage anyone who has time, to view the Trestleboard for upcoming events.

https://carmel421.com/trestle-board/