The Three Links Odd Cast Toby Hanson, Ainslie Heilich, Mike Duminiak

Odd Fellowship is non-political and non-sectarian.  But why, then, do we recite the Lord's Prayer as part of the opening of the lodge?  Ainslie and Toby dig into some of the history around this observance and discuss whether it makes us truly non-sectarian or if that was just a thin veneer applied to the top of Odd Fellowship to make it appeal to more people.  Hint: there are no right answers and a lot of different opinions.  The Shoutout goes to Nampa Lodge #40 of Idaho for their efforts to bring in a new, young member.  In the Odd Podge, Ainslie tells us that spring in Illinois means his lodge is picking up trash along the highway and Toby shares his recent trip to the Northwest Odd Fellow and Rebekah Association Meeting in Idaho.

Like many lodges, True Fellowship No. 52 in San Jose, CA had seen better days.  As members got older, the focus of the lodge became more insular and they were less interested in connecting to the outside community.  That all began to change when a new member with an interest in building community joined.  Since that time, the lodge has become a dynamo in San Jose and has not only become a thriving place itself, it is beginning to share its success with other lodges in the area.  They share their recipe of social events, food events, and volunteerism that has made them successful.  The Shoutout goes to Atlantic Lodge No. 107 of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada for their new charter.  In the Odd Podge, Andrew promotes the Foundation for Ontological Education, Debbie W shares her experience of working with Braver Angels to bridge the partisan divide in their community, Mason gives breaking news about the Cave in Yreka and the rededication ceremony on July 7th, Ainslie recounts his experience installing his original home lodge as District Deputy, Toby lauds his home lodge in Seattle for their excellent Degree work, and Debbie S encourages all Third Degree members listening to take the Encampment Degrees.

A remarkable convergence of events led to the revival of Friendship Lodge No. 50 in Northfield, Minnesota.  A Mason in Red Wing, Minnesota started an educational program for his Masonic lodge and then reached out to the Odd Fellows to request them give a presentation about Odd Fellowship.  Four of the Masons present decided to check out Odd Fellowship.  One person turned to Reddit and podcasts (like ours and Modern Goat Rider) to do some research before joining a group.  The lodge in Northfield dropped down to the remaining five members.  When all of that came together, the new members were excited to join the lodge which needed them and now the lodge is thriving.  Through the efforts of an active, engaged Grand Lodge and PGM David "Ace" Adams, all of the energy was channeled into reviving a historic lodge.  This episode's Shoutout goes to another revived Encampment, this time Green Mountain Encampment #3 of Burlington, Vermont.  In the Odd Podge, Mike announces that he has been asked to serve as Sovereign Grand Chaplain for Gerry Workman, Ainslie shares the news about his new van which he used to drive a group to a recent Degree Day in Illinois, Nick lets us know that he's included Odd Fellowship on his blog, Ace gives us a preview of his efforts to use online registration for his Degree Weekend, Sunny expresses gratitude for the older, long-time members who have kept Odd Fellowship alive, Gary offers his respect for the traditions and heritage of Odd Fellowship, and Toby talks about the upcoming Northwest Odd Fellow and Rebekah Association Meeting in Idaho in April.

Billy and Tara from Modern Goat Rider joined us for a thorough and in-depth discussion about leadership in the Odd Fellows.  The first half of the episode is available on their feed on your favorite podcatcher or directly from their podcast host.  In this episode we discuss the leadership at the Grand Lodge and Sovereign Grand Lodge levels and specifically ponder the question of whether we need to have an organizational structure with a stronger central executive and what the possible ramifications of that would be.  The Shoutout goes to another new lodge, this time Bluegrass #416 in Kentucky.  In the Odd Podge, Toby talks about his preparations for the upcoming NW IOOF Meeting in Idaho, Billy commends those who have helped organize the historical collection in his lodge hall in Victoria, BC, Tara shares her ideas about improving the web presence of Odd Fellowship, and Ainslie shares his latest Odd Fellows book find.

A recent email from a listener prompted this episode's discussion about what happens when a lodge sells its building.  A lot can happen, but only a very few things should happen.  We dig into the question and examine the process and what knowledge members should have when dealing with major lodge property.  The Shoutout goes to Prestonsburg Lodge #293 in Kentucky for their impressive growth and revival in the past couple of years.  For the Odd Podge, Toby talks about his first time in twenty years not being part of an Installing Team, Ainslie shares his experience getting a milestone tattoo, and Mike doesn't have an Odd Podge—except that he does once we coax it out of him.

This year, for our Christmas episode, we present this adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."  Listen along as an all-star cast of Odd Fellows presents this unique Odd Fellows take on the classic story.

Ebeneezer Scrooge: Gil T. Rodello
Thomas Wildey: Steven Cross
Bob Cratchitt: Joseph Benton
Tim Cratchitt: Ainslie Heilich
Ghost of Odd Fellowship Past: Michael Greenzeiger
Ghost of Odd Fellowship Present: Mason Wolf
Ghost of Odd Fellowship Future: Mike Duminiak

Written, directed, recorded, and edited by Toby Hanson.  Music by Toby Hanson.