Ritual, Ceremony or Rote?

By Master Krist Novoselic

There have been letters in the Washington State Grange News regarding the way many local Grange’s 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 Some say the pomp and ceremony we use is outdated and turns new people away, while others defend it as part of the Grange identity.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 don’t 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.

I’ll admit that there are people who have come to meetings and disliked the way we open and close them. It’s cost us potential new members. But that’s OK because, again, to each their own. Some individuals don’t like the Grange meeting opening and closing because it’s too religious, or it’s not religious enough, or with the pagan elements it’s the wrong religion. We open a New Testament  bible at our meetings but it’s Grange policy for any spiritual text to be accepted.

I find our ceremonial opening and closing of meetings endearing. I listen to the words. They’re 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 – what’s the point? Saying, "because we've always done it like this" won't cut it. And that's 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. That’s 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 19^th 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 that’s the focus, we will continue to be relevant. And a little pomp and ceremony will not hurt a thing!

Comments

[Lanny Cotler, Little Lake Grange #670, Willits, CA]

I loved this fair and nuanced sharing about Grange ritual. Thank you. It connects those who reject or are afraid of strange ritual to simple or well-framed reasons how and why ritual serves many Granges today. And, yes, it doesn't serve all.

But you've also given those who accept or appreciate ritual a way to modernize, if not the ritual itself, then their perception or manner in which they take it in.

Some like the opening and closing ritual because it provides a connects everyone present to a common emotional or spiritual space. Most Grangers know that once the meeting begins there is sacred space literally between the Bible's alter and the Three Graces, Flora, Ceres, and Pomona. No one enters that space unless it is part of the passage of the Assistant Stewards guides others around. Silly? Perhaps. But in those moments there is a shared quiet and respect.

It sets up the rest of the meeting, come what may. After all, we are a fraternal organization: for a few moments we come together as brothers and sisters to serve the common good.

Can you think of a better way to tune yourself up to work in concert like this?