Ritual Ceremony or Rote?
May 3, 2009
By Krist Novoselic
There have been letters
in the Washington State Grange News regarding the way many local GrangeÕs open
and close meetings. Some say the pomp and ceremony we use is outdated and turns
new people away, while others defend it as part of the Grange identity.
So what is this ritual?
If you donÕt know, like many fraternal orders, clubs or civic groups, the
Grange begins meetings with what is actually a short ceremony. It dates back to
1867 when the Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange) held closed meetings where only
members could attend. In those days and many years after, there was good reason
for secrecy but no Grange that I know of continues this practice.
Some deem the ceremony a
vestige left over from the secret society days and there are some local Grange
meetings without the traditional opening. All I can say is - to each their own.
IÕll admit that there are
people who have come to meetings and disliked the way we open and close them.
It has cost us potential new members. But thatÕs OK because, again, to each
their own. Some individuals donÕt like the Grange meeting opening and closing
because itÕs too religious; or itÕs not religious enough; or with the Roman
elements itÕs the wrong religion. We open a New Testament bible at our
meetings but itÕs Grange policy for any spiritual text to be accepted.
I find our ceremonial
opening and closing of meetings endearing. I listen to the words. TheyÕre kind
and nurturing. The Grange oath for our officers is a positive message. And this
takes me to another point – if the Grange is opening and closing meetings
only by force of habit – whatÕs the point? Saying, "because we've
always done it like this" won't cut it. And that is where we can find any
failure in our ceremony.
As a rural / farmers
group the organization was founded with the intent of cultivating the earth and
the individual. ThatÕs why the Grange language is important. There's a lot of
crass and cynical media out there. The Grange, with its traditions, is a refuge
from that.
I am interested in
history and politics. The Grange tradition is a way to experience late 19th
Century Americana. At the same time, the Grange can speak to contemporary
needs. Our organization is decentralized in an era where Too Big To Fail is
indeed failing. And small-scale, local agriculture is experiencing a
renaissance.
A Grange will thrive by
initiating projects and serving the local community. If thatÕs the focus, we
will continue to be relevant. And a little pomp and ceremony will not hurt a
thing!
May 3, 2009