Thursday, October 27, 2011

Cunning linguists in Sweden crack 300-year-old occult code
http://www.thelocal.se/36992/20111027/#

Friday, October 21, 2011

Visit to Constancy Lodge 6359

Yesterday evening I was delighted to attend our daughter Lodge, Constancy Lodge No. 6359 with the newest member from the Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521. ().

The brethren worked for fourth section of the first degree lecture, and I was privileged to respond on behalf of the visitors.

Monday, October 17, 2011

University Lodge Scheme

On Saturday 15th October 2011 I attended the University Scheme Lodge Conference, presided over by David Williamson, Assistant Grand Master. It was held at Grand Lodge, Great Queen Street. The Conference was most illuminating and highlighted the work of the Scheme within Freemasonry.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fearnley MMM No. 58

Yesterday evening I attended my Mark Master Masons Lodge No. 58, which meets in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.
The ceremony was an advancement, and there were 26 brethren present, which was nice.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wall Street Journal article

I have mixed feelings about this article in the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203476804576612841564312696.html

It seems to hit quite an important issue, and yet gets reflected off at a tangent.

The article starts of with that Masonic cliche about blood curdling oaths. Come on guys, this is the Wall Street Journal, we expect better from such a prestigious publication.

However, I do find its overtly ageist tone slightly distressing. I was 26 when I joined, my proposer was in his 70s. I discovered a fraternity where mutual respect and friendship had little to do with a generation gap that was more obvious to other people than it was to me. I would spend hours talking about Freemasonry, socializing with a group of people with a shared passion. I would hope that anyone joining Freemasonry can see past people's age, or any demographic for that matter. Likewise, I would hope that brethren who join a Lodge do not find they are patronized or treated in a condescending manner.

I applaud the move towards openness, and always have. Economists call it 'asymmetric information' and whilst it adds to the mystique candidates need to be aware of the decision they are about to take before they join. Anything else is bordering on the unethical. However, information about the ceremoney cannot be a plot spoiler either.

Information for candidates needs to use the 'Goldilocks principle', not too little, not too much, but 'just the right amount', IMHO :-).

Installation Meeting at Welcome Lodge 3779 at Tapton Hall, Sheffield

It was a great pleasure yesterday evening to attend the installation meeting of Welcome Lodge 3779 at Tapton Hall, Sheffield. I was accompanied by five other members of the Lodge of Connaught and Truth, in fact the Provincial Grand Master's representative was a member of our Lodge. We wish the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren a happy year and look forward to their company again at some point in the year.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Are you fighting the future, or are you fighting for the future?

It never ceases to amaze me how conservative Freemasonry is. This is such a shame because Freemasonry's past success is based on a society that was remarkably liberal in its outlook. My question is whether our organization will escape the cycle of decline over the past 50 years. Outmoded practices such as stewarding may be relevant to a society where the apprentice worked their up, but now it hardly offers somebody new an incentive to remain a member. Our organization need to take cognisance of emergent trends, and remove any barriers to growth. Therefore I would ask are you fighting the future, or are you fighting for the future?

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521

Last night I attended the Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521 www.truth521.org.uk where I acted as Senior Deacon for a Passing Ceremony.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Honour the past, invent the future

I went on a course recently where this quote was on the last slide. It struck me how appropriate this was for Freemasonry. The Craft seems to have developed an aversion for the future, the phrase 'modern Freemasonry', for example, is never heard in our Masonic Halls. Likewise there is an obsession for an imagined, nostalgic past that never really existed.