Nansemond Lodge No. 77

   If you know a master mason, you may talk to him about joining. If you do not know any master masons, do not
worry, you soon will. You are welcome to join us for our fellowship dinner at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month (see our calendar). There, we will be happy to give you a tour of our lodge and answer any questions you may have.

   Once you have filled out your application, received two master mason signatures, you may apply to receive the degrees of masonry. Your application will be read at the next monthly meeting, and will have to lay over for four weeks. During this time, you will be contacted by an investigative committee consisting of at least three master masons who will schedule a time for an interview with you and your family. During this interview, the committee will try to get to know you and your family and give all of you a chance to ask any questions. We like to involve your family because we believe that your family, your faith, and your job all come before masonry, and we would like to ensure that everybody feels like they have all of the necessary information and feels comfortable. During this time a criminal background check will be conducted.

   At the next meeting, the investigative committee will return a report on their interview with you, the two master masons who signed your petition will be asked to speak about your character, and the lodge will vote on whether to accept you into our fraternity.

   Once accepted, you will be contacted to schedule your first degree ceremony. You will go through three degree ceremonies, each of which will teach you the basic lessons of our fraternity. After each degree you will be instructed in a catechism (an oral exam in which you must learn the proper responses verbatim). Upon receiving the third degree, you will have earned the title of Master Mason along with all of the rights and benefits which accompany it.