History Made in Germany, Two Districts Working Together
Expectations are increasing within Pilgrims Tabernacle No.120, with new candidates on the horizon and a new High Priest to be installed. Initial applications were slow to arrive resulting in a ceremony in March being a demonstration being led my Ill Kt P Chris Bilson PG IIIP. However, Chris’s idea being innovative and interactive was about conducting a ceremony but stopping at certain stages to explain the meaning and symbolism behind the ritual. It is believed this has been the first this style of ceremony has been conducted and was probably one of the best teaching / interactive seminar style sessions run for many years in the Tabernacle. With numbers light, many newly installed Knights Priest had opportunity to take an office as a Pillar, which made the meeting that more memorable and special. In particular more detail and understanding of the symbols and numbers was explained.
For some, the door of enlightenment opened that much more widely. In particular, it was a delight to have our colleagues from Poland in attendance (Kt P Leszeck Chroboczynski, Piotr Kalinouski and Pawel Golbiowski). Following the ceremony, the District Grand Superintendent,
R. Ill Kt P Shiny had the great delight to present Grand College OHW certificates to Malcolm Parnham, Leszeck Chroboczynski and Pawel Golbiowski with a KTP certificate proffered to Kt P Gary Bartels.
It was at this meeting R. Ill Kt P Shiny had the great delight to announce Grand College honours had been bestowed upon Ton Meuwissen and Sam Bashir promoting both to PG IV with Andreas Reihl being recognised for the first time with PG IIP rank for his outstanding example during his time as High Priest.
A new gold standard was achieved in July with three major ceremonies being run during the afternoon. It was acknowledged running three would be ambitious and stretched target, were not disappointed and the Tabernacle Officers were certainly stretched. The first phase was for Kt Oliver Klimet to be admitted, he being a long-standing Masonic friend of the High Priest. It was the strength of that cable tow that convinced the High Priest to push the bounds of what was achievable in an afternoon. Of great delight was the Tabernacle welcoming a very high powered delegation from Sussex (District 40) led by V Ill Kt P Gordon Leaman and eight senior Knights Priest for his District. Of note one being DG HP Paul Hollebone the Deputy High Priest of the Order (Wow !!).
The ceremony was led expertly and elegantly led by HP Andreas to the point when he asked the candidate to recite the Lord’s Prayer, which he did … in German. This just added to the significance and very profound personal connection with the Order tis generated. Following the giving of the Grand Word and token the symbols of the Order were explained for the first using the newly donated pillar. Simply put, Andreas’s exert and eloquent delivery of this part of the ceremony was stunning attracting unprompted applause and acclaim. Shortly after, Kt P Oliver was shown the Tabernacle’s Warrant, presented a set of Grand College Regulation and the bye Laws of the unit.
Phase 2 started almost immediately following Kt P Oliver took his seat with the Recorder reading out the dispensation for the High Priest to be installed. With ground set, all those not being a Past High Priest were asked to retire so the inner workings could be conducted to instal the new High Priest. High Prist Andreas again showed the depth of his knowledge, hard work and sensitivity to capturing the moment by choreographing a sublime ceremony of installation. He was word perfect, timing, sincerity, and delivery impeccable setting a new gold standard of excellence. On taking office, V Em Kt Ian Harper commented, “It is a real delight and privilege as I hold this warrant to see one of the founding members (John Woodhouse) of the Tabernacle sitting here as I am installed”. Officers for the ensuing year were then appointed and pillars taken charge. The new High Priest then finished the agenda and closed the Tabernacle.
The final flourish of the day was for the Sussex delegation to re-set the Tabernacle for a ceremony as listed in one of the 31 Appendant Degrees (Excellent Mason and master and the Veils). Whilst a short but intense interlude took place during which, the Temple was dismantled and the new layout put in place.
The presenting team, now included the new High Priest and Shiny Mackinnon with speaking parts took up the working tools to perform the ceremony, seldom ever seen for the first in Germany.
The UK coordinator for the visit, Jeremy Griffin gave an introduce and set the scene setting to the degree, after which, Zerrubble then proceeded to open the Temple, which then allowed the candidate to be admitted and be taken through each veil to symbolically arrive at Jerusalem to be finally conferred the degree.
All agreed conducting 3 ceremonies in one afternoon was a stretch target but had delivered a great outcome with all feeling tested, content but very tired. Following an informal festive board of roast pork and kartoffel and an outstanding cheese board, everyone retired to the Herford Stat enjoy great company and wonderful German beer.
