Masonry is changing, without changing. Even if the post-war membership boom may never be repeated, younger men are coming to the light in greater numbers than in many years, changing the fabric of Masonic culture. Americans are beginning to awake from the digital trance that began with television, and to remember the power of human contact, direct relationships, initiation, ritual, and lifelong learning. All of which our Brotherhood provides. Read More
The Masonic Lodge experience is so intellectually stimulating. So rich with art and profound meaning in its ritual, and delightful in the opportunity for life-long friendship; that it’s easy to forget that what Masons do out of Lodge is more to the point of what defines us. Correspondingly, there are a few details from January that might have been easy to overlook. Read More
Shake off the cold and wet with Friendship in February! We’ll enjoy a hearty supper of polenta with roasted garlic, Italian peppers & onions; served with your choice of bolognaise or vegetarian red sauce. Enjoy also caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, basil & tomato, and served with fresh-baked herbed focaccia. Supper will promptly give way to our stated meeting, during which we will be treated to the first-ever presentation of WB Daniel Gray’s lecture, “The Innovators”. Read More
On Wednesday the 24th Friendship Masonic Lodge conferred its first degree of the year and the last of Patrick Reilly’s initiatic experience, as he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Read More
For the past few months, Friendship has hosted a number of game nights, allowing brethren from lodges in the area to come together and enjoy each other’s company, and our most recent event on the 10th of January was a special one. We were joined by a few curious individuals looking to get to know the brethren, and also most notably by Worshipful Brother Michael Benson during his visit from Arkansas. Read More
Does liberty have limits?
On one hand, we’re taught that liberty is a principle worthy of the devotion of every Mason. On the other hand, if you look closely at liberty’s possible ramifications, you might develop some mixed feelings. These thoughts bubble up from an illuminating educational event, recently hosted by our lodge and presented by Bro. Kent Smith. It was titled “Liberty and the Libertine”.
Challenge coins are all the rage these days it seems. Really they are the Millennial Freemason’s version of the lapel pin. They let a Brother proudly declare their place in the fraternity and share their own story with others. The Masons of Friendship wanted to do things a little differently though – a challenge coin which cannot be bought and isn’t simply gifted. Ours is earned by accepting a challenge. Any Brother who presents their own unique education at our meetings earns one.
It was a thrill to give out the first challenge coin of 2018 to Brother Kent Smith at our January meeting. Brother Smith delivered a riveting lecture on the shifting meanings of the word “Libertine”, how it informed the formation of the Masonic fraternity, and why we should keep an eye to the older meaning it once bore.
Enough people have asked me and my brothers about each part of our uniform, that I thought I’d go ahead and put it down here in case we get asked again. Of the many traditions Friendship Lodge maintains, one of my favorites is the Worshipful Master providing the uniform for his officers. I enjoy the sense of unity and camaraderie it inspires, while helping to set the tone for that year for all the brothers of the Lodge. Not to mention you’ll probably never find a Mason saying, “no thank you, I’ve already got enough lapel pins”. The fraternity’s fascination with them is one of the eternal mysteries of Freemasonry. Read More
Friends and Brethren all! Ring in the new year with Friendship next Wednesday! We will be enjoying more of Bro. Eric Pease’s expert cookery with a menu of Swedish meatballs, fingerling potatoes and wilted greens. Our lecture for the evening will be delivered by none other than Bro. Kent Smith, who will be presenting his original research on the shifting meaning of “libertine”, and just what its implications should mean for the contemplative Mason.
This lecture will be part of our closed meeting, but both the supper and hours of refreshment and fellowship following the meeting are open. Feel free to stop on by and meet a Mason (or twelve).
When Friendship last met to celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist I was struck by the notion that in a few short hours I would officially take on the mantle of Worshipful Master. Several times since the morning of the 28th I’ve had occasion to call a Brother or two and have always noticed their joyful use of my new title, Worshipful Brother. It’s a trip to make such an abrupt transition, but it is a challenge and an opportunity to serve which I treasure and look forward to, and I thank you all for your support. Every Master before me has given his successor a better set of cards than he himself was dealt, and WB Schuman continued that trend. Read More
