On March 13th, 6 new members of Barnes 77 traded in their black collars and became the patriarchs to learn the sublime and enduring mysteries of the Golden Rule Degree. Using a modified script provided by Chief Patriarch Debra LaVergne, the Golden Rule Degree reminds us of the virtue of tolerance in our day to day lives, welcoming all who we encounter with the understanding that while peoples and cultures may differ from our own, we are and remain unified as one Universal family.
The regalia of the degree is a black collar trimmed with gold. Our six new encampment members entitled to wear it are: Deborah Wolf, Carol Wahrer, Katrina Hazen, Jon Hart, Alison Holeman, and Andrew Crockett.
In addition to Chief Patriarch Debra, the degree was conferred by Mason Wolf as Senior Warden, Annie Cronin as Junior Warden, Ron Myres as High Priest, and Ben Shuler, Debbie Shuler, and Rodney Metoyer in various roles.
Barnes Encampment plans to offer the degree once more in June for one or two members who couldn’t attend in April, followed by a live conferral up at Three Links Camp of the Royal Purple Degree. Having so many new Royal Purple members eligible to become officers, and potentially become members of the Patriarchs Militant, demonstrates how this important appendant body is being revitalized in District 107.
To understand why someone might become a member of an encampment, it’s helpful to understand what the encampment actually is. This is an organization that exists to support men and women who want to cross-pollinate between lodges, and have conversations about Odd Fellowship that aren’t limited or centered around the day-to-day running of a single lodge. Encampment members are typically leaders within their home lodges, and so taking these higher degrees is something that makes sense for them to do, and often precedes becoming active at the Grand Lodge level.
While still small, Barnes Encampment is now acting as a sort of district lodge. They serve as banker for District 107 funds, and can support individual lodges on an as-needed basis. The more members who join, the more useful a resource Barnes 77 will become, and the more rewarding membership in the encampment will be for everyone who takes part. As Barnes grows in both membership and purpose, it’s my belief that Odd Fellowship in our entire area will benefit.
— By Mason Wolf
