VIRTUAL REALITIES:

A New Member’s Experience With the Virtual Reunion

by Joann Williams-Hoxha, Content Manager

Between grading papers and constant prep work teaching history to high school seniors, Brother Kyle Holz stays busy. But when he gained some extra time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to continue his Masonic education and join the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the fall.

Brother Holz is one of 1,010 new members who joined the Scottish Rite by way of our Virtual Reunions, three online events that took place in October and November 2020. While Kyle said the convenience of the Virtual Reunions was nice, that wasn’t what initially drew him into joining Scottish Rite.

As a history teacher, “I like connections to the past,” Brother Holz explained.

Having already joined Shriners International and York Rite, Holz said he recognized Scottish Rite as the “college for Freemasons,” which matched his love for academia, so it seemed like a logical next step on his Masonic journey.

The stage for Freemasonry was set when Brother Holz turned 21, as he aged out of The Order of the Arrow (OA), the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America.

“The Order of the Arrow had been a huge part of my life,” Brother Holz recalled. So once he was no longer a part of that brotherhood, he said, “I felt lost, and like I was missing something.”

After he read Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol in college, it opened up the discussion of Freemasonry with a family friend who was a Mason. He was excited to learn that “there are echoes of the Masonic ritual in the Order of the Arrow rituals.”

At that point, Brother Holz said he was sold on becoming a Freemason. “I jumped in head first,” he said. Kyle was raised on November 17, 2016, and was surprised to be among many familiar faces of men within his community.

“It was incredible to stand in a room to get initiated and see men who I had respected for my entire life standing in front of me,” he said.

Brother Holz tuned in to the Virtual Reunions on October 24 and November 14 this fall. He said what surprised him the most about the degrees was the high production value behind each one. Kyle even relayed that at one point, his wife walked into his office briefly while he was tuned in to one of the reunions and said, “I thought you said you were going to a meeting, not watching a movie!”

Screenshot of the 4th Degree

I thought you said you were going to a meeting, not watching a movie!

What is his favorite degree so far?

“I’m having a hard time deciding. I liked My Brother’s Keeper, and I also liked the 26th (Friend and Brother Eternal ).” After a brief pause, Brother Holz changed his mind.

“Honestly, Builder was probably my favorite. I watched that one twice. Happily.” Brother Holz said he is most excited to witness the 30th degree (Grand Inspector) when the opportunity presents itself.

“I’m 27, and I figure that I’ve got at least 50 years left that I can explore all the aspects of Masonry, and there will always be more to explore.”

Kyle takes in the Scottish Rite Virtual Reunion