In November of 2018, the Ancient and Venerable Order of Huntsmen voted to found a second pillar of the Order which, unlike its first pillar, the Grand Lodge of Tartannac, was to be distinctly Christian in character.
Conceived as a Christian fraternal community established within its very own sovereign principality, This second pillar was christened "The Noble Chapter of Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Hunt" when it was formally founded by the Order by way of a resolution of the Grand Lodge of Tartannac on January 6, 2019. The same instrument which founded the Chapter simultaneously founded the Prince-Abbacy of Inselwald, the sovereign micro-state in which the Order is situated.
The sitting Grand Veneur of the Grand Lodge of Tartannac became Prince-Abbot James Richard of Inselwald, at once abbot of the Chapter and monarch of the principality.
The Noble Chapter of Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Hunt is a collegiate foundation of Christian lay canons and canonesses led by a lay abbot. The purpose of the Chapter is to provide an interactive venue for the expression of the Christian faith within the context and framework of a Christian monarchy.
In addition to exploring the Christian faith, canons and canonesses of the Chapter are given the opportunity to participate in the process of lawmaking for the Prince-Abbacy of Inselwald. According to the Charter of Inselwald of 2019, all laws are proposed and discussed in chapter prior to being promulgated by the prince-abbot.
The canons and canonesses of the Chapter are furthermore given places in the upper strata of the two-tiered Inselwaldese aristocracy, being ennobled by the prince-abbot upon initiation at the rank of count or countess. Canons and canonesses who are also Inselwaldese citizens are invested of the additional dignity of baron or baroness.
Inselwaldese citizenship is not, however, demanded of members of the Chapter.
What is required is a profession of faith in the divinity and messianic character of Jesus Christ, a fraternal spirit of cooperation and conviviality, and a willingness to share an ecumenical experience of the Christian belief with persons of various Christian denominations and traditions.
Persons indisposed to tolerate the expression of points of view which are not in concert with their own are gently asked not to apply. The Chapter is, at the end of the day, a fraternal community, and a pronounced anti-social demeanor is an impediment to membership. The abbot is empowered to excommunicate members of the Chapter who are determined to disrupt the community's fraternal environment.
That does not mean, however, that members may not have solid beliefs or an abiding faith in the tenets of their particular denominations. It simply means that members must have the maturity to harmoniously and fraternally interact with Christians of different perspectives. To quote the famous maxim so often attributed to Augustine, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
Persons interested in applying to become members of the Chapter may do so by requesting membership of the social media venue utilized for the Chapter's activities and by informing the community of their interest in being initiated.
An applicant is considered a postulant of the Chapter. Upon being admitted, a postulant becomes a novice. Upon the completion of a brief novitiate, a novice becomes a fully-initiated canon or canoness, and a count or countess of Inselwald.
Applicants are asked to make sure they understand the nature of the Chapter prior to applying for membership. The Chapter is not a religious congregation, a church, a monastery, or an abbey. Despite being Christian in character, the Chapter is simply a fraternal organization which meets by way of social media. Despite his title, the abbot is not a clergyman, but a layman, acting in the same capacity as the master of a fraternal lodge.
Interested in joining the Noble Chapter of Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Hunt? Follow the link below to the Chapter's Facebook group, request admission, and inform the Chapter of your desire to become a part of it:
THE NOBLE CHAPTER OF THE GRAND HUNT ON FACEBOOK
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