'Hiram's Rangers' Masonic Western Action Shooters

After twenty years of thinking I had my finger on the pulse and my ear to the ground (a startlingly vulnerable position to find oneself, to be sure), I just discovered a new group that's gotten sizable enough nationwide to be newsworthy. I never cease to be amazed at the boundless diversity of interests within this fraternity that manages to find enough kindred spirits to band together into a new and inventive Masonic group. 

Meet Hiram's Rangers. As described on one Facebook page, Hiram's Rangers is a Masonic club comprised of brothers who have a passion for 'The Old Bang 'N' Clang,' Western Action Shooters. To receive the degree you must be a Western action shooter, be clad in 19th century clothing, and preferably be attending an event associated with western action shooting. Much like numerous other smaller associative or informal Masonic groups, once you become a Ranger, you are empowered to transmit the degree to others who meet the requirements – sort of like the Turtles, or the Grand College of Memes. And, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention The Invisible Lodge for Master Mason magicians, or the National Camping Travelers for Masonic RVers.

Freemasonry attracts more than its share of brethren with an active interest in history, and within that group there are numerous Masons who engage in historical reenacting. There's the Sword of Bunker Hill, tied to the Revolutionary War period. There's the National Order of the Beaver degree (or "Buck Skinners' Degree”) for Masons who participate in historical Rendezvous as fur traders. The medieval Knight Templar group Levant Preceptory in Indiana grew in part from a Mason who heavily participated in the Society for Creative Anachronism. And there are countless others all over the country with various regional levels of awareness.

So if you're an active Western shooter and a Mason, ask around. Something tells me this will grow quickly.

(H/T MW Kenneth Roy, Jr.)

Extraordinary Gentlemen of the Connaught Club

In 2007, London's Metropolitan Grand Lodge (a grouping of UGLE lodges that meet in the geographic area of London) held a special reception of Masons under the age of 35. Sixty or so such brethren attended, and it was such a success that a club was created to serve such men—the Connaught Club.

According to their website,

"The Purpose of the Connaught Club is to give young Freemasons in London a means to meet and socialise with like-minded people of similar ages within masonry, to attempt to bridge the large geographic area that constitutes London and the diversity of its lodges.

"The Connaught Club will also act as a representative body for the views of these Freemasons, passing those views on to Metropolitan Grand Lodge, via the appropriate channels as required.

"The Club aims to encourage & support participation in our Lodges and Freemasonry in general, openness about our membership and the aims, and relations of the Craft, particularly with how it relates to modern society and the younger generations."

Membership of the club is open to any Freemason under the age of 34 whose Lodge or Chapter is under Metropolitan Grand Lodge or who lives or works within London. Membership is £25 (around US$40). Their Christmas meal this year will be at London's posh Carlton Club.


Oh, to be 34. And living in London. With a better exchange rate.

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UPDATE: A less publicized organization was started at the same time in London as the Connaught Club. This one is for Freemasons OVER the age of 34, who reside in the jurisdiction of the city's Metropolitan Grand Lodge, and its annual membership cost is just £10.

It is called The Kent Club, and its website can be seen here.