Exhausted? No. Exalted? Yes!
This was the order of the day at Mount Zion & Jerusalem Chapter when they undertook a ceremony of Exalting into the Royal Arch six new Exaltees. This groundbreaking ceremony, carefully organised and executed by the Officers, possessed not only the precision and accuracy of the ritual and ceremonial duties but also the warmth and friendship that has continued to make this Chapter a keystone of the Royal Arch.
The meeting also paid host to a delegation of 7 recent Exaltees as part of a delegation from the Welcome Project, led by Welcome Project Coordinator Richie Miller, in the presence of the unit’s Metropolitan Grand Inspector, Nick Critchlow other distinguished companions.
Miller said,
“The Welcome Project was delighted to be hosted by Mount Zion and Jerusalem Chapter. The meeting provided a great way of cementing their own recent experience and making contact with other recently Exalted Companions. Indeed, most were seeing the ceremony at the first Convocation following their own Exaltation and commended attendance to other Companions in a similar position.”
How did they do it? Following the recent encouragement of the Pro Grand Master, Jonathan Spence, in his September 2023 address, the Chapter embraced his ethos of “Yes, if…” and sat down and planned how the ceremony could be performed.
Keen to break the taboos that multiple ceremonies can’t be done or can’t provide the right experience, the Chapter tackled every detail, from the entrance into the Chapter, the floor work and, of course, the magical moment of the ‘reveal’. Likewise, the same applied to the format of the dining and seating plan.
Feedback from Candidates was excellent and provided the ultimate validation on the day, creating a lasting impression on all who participated in this special day. Should any other chapter want to know how we did or need help, please get in touch with our Secretary or Director of Ceremonies, who would be delighted to help.
Thanks go to Norman Strong as the First Principal of the Chapter, who delivered a first-class ceremony from the chair, accompanied by Michael Landau & Vasta Blackwood, as Second and Third Principals, respectively, with special note to David Brower’s flowing work as Principal Sojourner, well-planned floor work by Tony Jacobs assisted by Larry Levine and the Secretary Allen Sternstein for his diligent administration. Finally, of course, a warm welcome to the Companions themselves, Companions Arneaz Nordin, Paul Edward Mallett, Tamir Teitelbaum, Bension Nassim, David Kalms and Elliot Black.
