Our recent episode on inclusion of the Lord's Prayer in the lodge opening generated some of the greatest volume of feedback from listeners we've ever received. We went through dozens and dozens of listener emails, Facebook posts, Instagram messages, and other communications and read them all and then came up with our responses. This is a long episode but we think it's worth hearing all the way to the end because of the careful, detailed discussion. The Shoutout goes to a new Rebekah Lodge in Illinois: Gem City Doves #27. For the Odd Podge, Ainslie recounts recent lodge social activities, Mike tells us about the records from various lodges in West Virginia going to the Center on Fraternal Research in Indiana, and Toby shares his recent musical trip to Idaho which, of course, included Odd Fellowship.

The Grand Jurisdiction of Texas is on an upswing. Its membership is growing and getting younger and they are chartering new lodges. Grand Master Charlie Stephenson and Brother William Plotts join us to talk about the chartering of Brazos Valley Lodge #76. They share how the Grand Lodge supported their efforts, how what they learned from the failure of the new lodge in El Paso helped their efforts and how the experience of re-chartering Plano Lodge #114 provided a helpful template. The Shoutout goes to the aforementioned Plano Lodge #114 for their upcoming car show in June. In the Odd Podge, Toby updates everyone on the success of the recent Fraternal Fair held in his jurisdiction, Mike tries to contact the Odd Fellows Riders Association in Ohio, Ainslie previews the updated District Deputies' Guide from Heart In Hand Institute, William shares his lodge's first fundraiser event, and Grand Master Charlie reveals how Odd Fellowship helped him build his confidence as a leader and public speaker. NOTE: we are still collecting feedback about our Lord's Prayer episode and want you to contribute your opinions. Be sure and email us at 3linksoddcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Insta or Facebook to share your opinion. We're putting your opinions together for our next show when we'll discuss them and respond.

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.