The FULL Report from BearWaller
Minutes from BearWaller Lodge. Dr. Gary Straub. Meadow@StMatthews. Autumn 2023
Saturday night I moseyed down to Bearwaller, KY for a Masonic Ceremony. Siri veered me off the beaten path to the driveway of brick church w/ grass freshly mowed and grounds gussied up for the occasion, as all the Grand Poohbahs from Louisville Temple got grandly imported to insure MAXimum grandeur. No names to mention—only their ineffable and inscrutable titles.
`My mind meandered back to Sinking Fork, KY, where Vanderbilt Dean Herman Norton installed me as pastor 50 years ago. Same standard ‘country church’ layout; built by loving hands & kept with quiet pride. The menu was not incidental to the occasion. Menu: huge country-fried chicken breast, over-cooked country ham, dead green beans, burnt hash brown casserole, hot buttered rolls, sweet tea, banana pudding and peach cobbler. This feast deserved a sterling silver blessing, as the Boss Brother called us to order. Another Brother—Lodge Chaplain Gary— delivered a grand ‘country parson’ prayer which all KY rural revs are famous for. Sweeping quotes from Genesis to Revelation, reciting BearWaller lore, closing w/ a rousing “wejust” intercession. Chaplain Gary almost got carried away like Elijah’s Chariot. He teetered precipitously at the 10 minute mark before plunging us into a full Roll Call of “all locals serving in the military.” He clocked 4 more minutes of memories, before he headed toward Amen at the16 minute mark. However, he scored double-credit for mentioning both ‘the food and the hands that prepared it.’ He thundered to finale as his ‘Jesus Name flourish’ elicited thunderous Amens. “Long one” —someone whispered—“but at least the biscuits were still warm.” With all due, deliberate haste our Grand Invocatory Parson, got escorted to the customary ‘first-in-line’ honor, w/ ladies and children next.
As is my habit on such occasions, I worked my way backwards —nodding and shaking hands— to the end of the line, where all the Last Dawgs hang; chatting my way toward the feast. I got seated beside Brother Gary of Blessing Fame; a pastor from Thompkinsville who served the same Baptist church for 34 years. If I’d had my Masonic cap on, I’d tip it to him! I commended his faithful observance of the Grand Rule of Saint Benedict —stability. Never in my life have I been that stable for that long! We talked ‘church’— about folks who bring family fights to church and torch a feud that firefighters from all 5 surrounding counties can’t quench. The ashes smolder for generations. Only ‘apostolic tact’ can sooth such savagers & restore unity. Healing requires application of the anointing oil of Ps 131–which drips down Aaron’s beard & causes lions to lie down with lambs. It allows asps & adders to withhold their sting, while Cradle Roll Kids play hide & seek in snake dens. We agreed: this kind of Divine Shalom requires some mighty tall praying!
I wondered out loud how a visitor might obtain a BearWaller lodge pin. Gary winked: “see what I can do!” Ignorant of country protocol, I hoped my request was kosher. I could expound further, but the veil of Masonic Secrecy descended w/ the Mystic Cone of Silence. Divine
In closing— every present Poohbah, all previous Poohbah and even practicing Poohbahs were invited to offer ritual remarks which were not terribly remarkable but mercifully brief. At blessed last, Chaplain Gary unfurled his fulsome benediction, sending us blessed ‘down the busy highways & by-ways of life.’ On my way out the door, he sneaked me the treasured BearWaller Lodge pin! I wear it proudly.
I originally agreed to attend this event w/ considerable reluctance. I repent of my residual reluctance. I’m SO glad I went. Looking around lodge, I witnessed full and happy pews. I studied the faces, reading expressions. Most of this very same crowd would be in their pew when the church bell rang in the morning. These are good people—Salt of the Earth who’ve lost NO savor! They send an honest, upright vibe. These are BearWaller’s “do-the-right-thing” folks. Sincere, but not stuffy about it. Earnest, but not effusive. Among the younger couples, I detected a slightly saucy, smart aleck, wise cracking attitude… but… without the snark, smirk and sludge that so often humiliates good humor. I was just so glad to meet & mingle w/ my Kentucky Cousins.
That’s the FULL report from Bear Waller: “a good time was had by ALL!”
