Patience and ingenuity

Spirit of

Freemasonry

There are advantages within the restrictions – it’s how you look at them.

The history of Freemasonry is that of endurance, patience, and ingenuity. This, in turn, forms the spirit of our ancient fraternity, one which has lasted from time immemorial. I need not lecture on our beautiful history, as we are all familiar with the subject. However, we must recognise that it was under pressure – the turbulence of the Renaissance – that our character and resolution as masons was formed. We are inventors, discoverers, philosophers and individuals bent on helping others. When, like our ancient brethren, we are given a problem, we endeavour to find a solution and do what was previously thought to be impossible.

Recently, our mettle has been tested by COVID-19, because it has impacted on how we meet and act as a society. This virus has led to cancelled meetings, and unprecedented actions, both by our local lodges and by Grand Lodge. But these cancellations were not made on a whim, but rather for the safety of all masons and for our community. As a result, we have had to adapt, changing how we engage and relate to each other, primarily by our increased use of social media and electronic media (such as Zoom). Yet, technology cannot replace our physical lodge meetings – but adapting to change and incorporating these concepts might be beneficial in the future.

There has been a mixed response to the change, some lodges have enthusiastically engaged with the challenge and the medium.

For example, Lodge St James has commented, ‘Zoom meetings are very convenient and brothers who were away have been able to attend when they would have been apologies under normal circumstances. Our agenda is quite strict and we keep the meeting on track and to time. Our lodge continues to be strong but the sooner we can meet again the better. Our planned work for the year is in disarray. We do wonder how lodges’ work will look in the future with the possibility of non-contact continuing possibly for years. Personally, I’m concerned this current shut down will continue for some months particularly if there is a second wave of infections. At this time the lodge must remain closed. The loss of even one brother’s life due to an over-eagerness to reopen the lodge is unacceptable.’

Lodge Cessnock reports, ‘We meet regularly on Zoom, with a good number of members and visitors, as well as producing a newsletter (which reads as if you were at lodge). Our members are in constant communication with each other, and we are trying to keep to business as usual. The brethren remain enthusiastic – especially our FCFs who cannot wait for their next step.’

Others have sought to use older techniques (such as phone calls), or Facebook chats. Lodge Hunter United engages with the use of Facebook Groups to great success – staying connected and thinking about Freemasonry.

One might ask, why don’t all lodges meet via Zoom? This question generated several responses: technological challenges to those wishing to attend; why should we if we can’t do ‘normal’ business; we can’t do ritual so why should we bother; plus other miscellaneous reasons.

To these points I stress: if your lodge can assist those who don’t have the skill to get online – do so if possible. If an individual doesn’t want to join online but others do – meet as a couple of friends anyway and have fun. For those that want to do ritual – think of the lessons that underpin the ritual as they make great discussion points.