Gnostic Mass Scheduling

From Sekhet-Maat Lodge

The goal of Sekhet-Maat Lodge is to provide the highest quality masses possible. We expect all who participate as officers of the mass to bring their best efforts to the ritual. These guidelines are given to ease the process and provide services to Clergy to work under our auspices. Exceptions to these guidelines will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Mass Coordinator in conjunction with the Lodge Master.

1. Masses will be scheduled on a quarterly basis as follows:
   • January - March
   • April - June
   • July - Sept
   • Oct - Dec
2. The final schedule will be posted to the online calendar within 4 weeks of the first mass, with requests for dates going out at 5-7 weeks prior to that date. Please be prompt in your requests; teams who do not respond in a timely manner will not be able to have their requests met, although an effort will be made to give them some masses that quarter in calendar space that is available.
3. The online calendar is the official final version of the mass schedule. Please always refer to this when determining who the final team and dates are.
4. Masses at SML are currently offered every Sunday at 3pm and on occasional other weekdays at 7:30pm depending on calendar space. If you have a weekday day that you would like to do mass, please submit it with your request.
5. In the case of an out of town mass team, the Deacon and Children will be responsible for making sure that the team is well versed in local custom, to include:
   • First time communicants are not required to take communion.
   • Steps and signs given are Masonic and not the real degree signs.
   • Any other local customs of which the team may be unaware.
6. SML's EGC Policy regarding Baptisms, Confirmations and Ordinations will be adhered to as follows:
   • Baptisms and Confirmations
     • Baptismal masses will be done at public masses celebrated on any day but Sunday 3pm. These will be scheduled on an as needed basis, quarterly.
     • At these Masses only those Baptized or Confirmed should take Communion.
     • Baptisms may be done by an ordained Priest(ess) or consecrated Bishop. It is not necessary that the baptizing Priest(ess) also officiate at the Mass following the Baptism.
     • The ordaining Priest(ess) should already have had this authority delegated to them by their supervising Bishop (see EGC Manual, p5).
     • Confirmations should be done by a Bishop.
   • Ordinations
     • Ordinations should be done by a Bishop.
     • Ordinations may be done at any mass, public or private.
     • Ideally they should be done singly, with the Deacon or Priest(ess) ordained then officiating at the Mass following.
7. Individuals who would like to participate in the mass as a Child, Deacon, Priest or Priestess shall submit the following to the Mass Coordinator:
   • How many masses they would like to do within the quarter.
   • Of those masses, how many they would like on Sunday at 3pm.
   • What role(s) within the mass they would like.
   • What dates they cannot do mass.
8. All submissions will be accepted and mass dates coordinated with the following in mind:
   • All participants in the mass are expected to follow the guidelines put forth by the lodge for Novitiate and Ordained Clergy as stated in the EGC Guidelines as well as the Volunteer Policy of the Lodge. (Both documents attached).
   • The Mass Coordinator will attempt in every way to give each team their request within reason.
   • In the case of conflicts, the Mass Coordinator will give space based on merit.

To ensure the smooth flow of scheduling and fairness to all, the following guidelines should be considered:

1. Children for each mass will be chosen first from those who request to child and then in turn each Priest(ess) and Deacon on the schedule will be asked to child until the schedule is full. Should you have specific needs in terms of childing (e.g., you can only child on a certain date, or would like to child with someone else), please send that with your quarterly scheduling requests. The Mass Coordinator will do their best to ensure that the division of roles is fair.
2. If you are scheduled to perform the role of Priest(ess), Deacon or Child and have an emergency conflict, or if you need to reschedule your mass, please follow these steps:
   • Replace yourself, taking care that the person who replaces you must conform with USGL and SML EGC policy, i.e., they are baptized and/or ordained depending on the roles they will be doing.
   • Communicate to everyone on the team that the replacement has occurred.
   • Email the mass coordinator so they can update the schedule and online calendar.
3. The above shall be done in a timely manner.
4. We realize that true emergencies do come up and sometimes the above cannot be followed. If you have a true emergency and cannot do the above, contact the Mass Coordinator or any member of the Executive Committee immediately so they can reschedule for you.
5. In the case that a member of the mass team is consistently late, does not show, or other problems arise, please contact the Mass Coordinator. In conjunction with the Lodge Master, actions will be taken to ensure timely, beautiful, and joyful performance of the mass, in accordance with our mission.
6. Each mass team is required to do the following when using the Lodge for mass:
   • Ensure a timely mass, please start on time.
   • After each mass, all mass equipment must be put away and the lodge must be cleaned after mass by following the posted checklist. Responsibility for these things are as follows:
     • Priest/Priestess: are ultimately responsible for making sure the mass happens on time and the lodge is left in default setting with all post mass food items cleaned as well as items on the check list all completed and the lodge is locked and secure.
     • Deacon: Responsible for making sure that the mass log is filled out, the temple is set up beforehand, taken down afterward and will answer any questions from the congregation. The Deacon is also the Fire Safety officer. They should be clear on how to work the fire extinguishers and be on alert during the mass for any need of one.
     • Children: Responsible for assisting with temple set up. Negative child is responsible for the water font and wine, setting up and afterwards, cleaning the cups and putting them away. Positive Child will be responsible for making sure the fire altar and candles, setting up an afterwards cleaning all and putting them away.