How to Petition
The door is plain. The path is clear.
No man is ever pressured into Freemasonry, and no man is hidden from how it works. Here is exactly how to seek membership at Shem Lodge No. 8, step by honest step.
Before You Begin
One thing comes first: an introduction
Membership begins not with a form but with a relationship. Every candidate must be recommended by a brother in good standing. If you do not yet know a member of Shem Lodge No. 8, that is no obstacle. Come to know us. Attend where you are welcomed, ask your questions, and let a friendship form. The recommendation will follow naturally once a brother can vouch for your character.
The Petition Process
From recommendation to acceptance
A brother recommends you
A member in good standing submits your full legal name and a valid contact number to the Lodge.
We make contact
You are contacted and informed of the non-refundable petition fee of $75.00, which supports the Worshipful Master's Fund.
You receive and return the petition
Once the fee is received, your petition is delivered by email, post, or in person. You complete it and send it back.
The Investigation Committee reviews
When your completed petition is returned, the committee conducts any needed inquiry and submits its findings and recommendation to the Worshipful Master.
You attend an interview
Once you meet the Lodge's standards on paper, you are invited to the next stated communication. You are blindfolded as a symbol of humility and trust, you name the Volume of the Sacred Law you hold as your witness, and a period of questioning follows lasting about one hour. The interview carries a one-time, non-refundable fee of $25.00. At its close you receive one of two sealed envelopes: one signifying advancement, the other denial.
You complete the Service of Three
On a favorable result, you demonstrate your faith and commitment through verified community service before progressing toward the degrees.
The Service of Three
Service before symbol
Before a candidate receives the light of a degree, he first gives of himself. A new candidate is given three days to complete three hours of verified community service, documented on an official Shem Lodge No. 8 service form completed by the point of contact at the service site. Upon his return, the Lodge confirms the quality and sincerity of the service rendered.
Masons from other jurisdictions complete the same interview and serve according to their degree:
| Degree | Timeframe and required hours |
|---|---|
| Entered Apprentice | 3 days, 3 hours |
What It Costs, and Why
Fees set within reach of worthy men
As a new Lodge in Phoenix, we have set our fees to remain accessible while funding ceremonial preparation, regalia, instruction, the work of the Craft, and our long-term goal of a home of our own. Twenty percent of every degree fee is directed to the Cornerstone Building Fund, so each step of your journey also lays a stone in the Lodge's future house.
| Petition fee (non-refundable) | $75.00 |
| Interview fee (one time, non-refundable) | $25.00 |
Take the Step
Your petition starts with a conversation
Reach out, meet the brethren, and let the work begin. We will be glad to answer every question you have.
Under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Isaac Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Texas
