Vibrant Lodge

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Vibrant Lodge build a vibrant lodge A Blueprint for a Successful Future table of contents 4 | A Rewarding Member Experience 10 | Strong Lodges and Halls Nurture strong relationships between brothers. Share the work of lodge leadership. Create unique customs and traditions that clearly Establish short- and long-term goals. demonstrate why membership and active Ensure revenue supports lodge goals. participation are special. Maintain accurate membership and Admit enthusiastic men who have made friends financial records. in the lodge. Ensure timely reporting to maintain Orient Prospect and give new members tax-exempt status. extra support. Create a plan to preserve your hall. Enable meaningful member participation and contribution. Cultivate and coach new lodge leaders. Prioritize member communication. Increase public visibility. 7 | Resources for Lodges 14 | Positive Impact on Society Be proactive about relief. 8 | Memorable and Meaningful Degrees Support California Masonic charities. Make every degree special. Give back to your community. Help candidate coaches propel advancement. Celebrate and encourage individual impact. Develop deep ritual appreciation. Encourage ongoing learning. a rewarding Lodges create a deep sense of fraternity and provide a highly member experience rewarding member experience. Nurture strong relationships between brothers. Strong lodges are built upon friendships between brothers, and meaningful connections are RESOURCES developed one relationship and interaction at a time. Finding common interests with members Member Center you don’t know well will encourage friendships and participation in lodge life, resulting in a On The Level and stronger lodge. Pass It On The Leader IDEAS TO TRY Sept. 2016, Aug. 2014, • Starting with active members, invite a • Ensure members from throughout the Jan. 2014, Aug. 2013 brother you’re not close to for coffee each lodge build friendships with prospects month. Recruit your executive committee before extending membership applications. and other active members to follow suit. • Host regular social events to give brothers an opportunity to connect in a casual setting. Create unique customs and traditions that clearly demonstrate RESOURCES why membership and active participation are special. Member Center Creating meaningful practices that are unique to your lodge gives members an opportunity On The Level and to connect and feel pride. Pass It On Engage and Retain IDEAS TO TRY The Leader • Write down existing customs and • Identify the types of customs most Sept. 2016, Aug. 2014, traditions – ritual regalia, dress code, important to your lodge (ritual excellence, Jan. 2014, Aug. 2013 candidate requirements, special meals, family-friendly meals, community service, events, etc. Review the list with your Masonic education, etc.) and reflect this lodge, and ask brothers which of these are emphasis on your lodge website to attract most meaningful to them. men with similar interests. • Ask members why they joined, and why they stay. Listen for what is important to them, and ask them to suggest new traditions. 4 Admit enthusiastic men who have made friends in the lodge. RESOURCES Each brother shapes your lodge’s future. Engage only with prospects who demonstrate a desire Member Center for deep relationships, curiosity to learn and improve themselves, and dedication to building On The Level and something momentous. Admit these men only after they have built a network of friends at the Pass It On lodge. Making a friend a brother is one of the most important activities of a lodge – educate Take Five and orient prospects before providing an application. First a Friend IDEAS TO TRY Member Skills and Interests Survey • Invite good men in your life to attend a • Educate prospects by reviewing the The Leader social event or mixer to meet the lodge Member Guide, discussing lodge customs Nov. 2016, Dec. 2013 and learn about the fraternity. and traditions, and setting expectations for participation. • Create a structured orientation process, ensuring each prospect builds friendships • Provide applicants and candidates with within the lodge before applying. Masonic education resources, such as a reading list of books and reputable websites. Orient prospects and give new members extra support. RESOURCES Prospects who become members are likely to remain active when they understand the value Member Center of their contributions to the lodge. Position them for success. Member Guide Engage and Retain IDEAS TO TRY The Leader • Survey new members to better understand • Ask new members to participate in Dec. 2012 their talents and interests, and connect committees to make an immediate them with like-minded brothers. contribution and to build relationships. • Host “new member” evenings to give members and their families an opportunity to connect. 5 Enable meaningful member participation and contribution. RESOURCES Engaged members are emotionally committed, actively participate, and have a clearly Member Center defined, meaningful role in the lodge. Help brothers understand that their presence and Engage and Retain participation matters. Member Skills and Interests Survey IDEAS TO TRY Member Survey • Encourage attendance at meetings and • When brothers propose new programs On The Level events by asking brothers to send regrets or events, be receptive – and encourage to the master if they cannot attend. Follow them to take the lead in their development up with absent brothers and read regrets and execution. aloud, if possible. • Survey members’ skills and interests. Suggest involvement opportunities based on responses. Prioritize member communication. RESOURCES In a successful lodge, members are connected and aware of lodge life. Officers share goals, The Leader challenges, and progress with members, and members share their opinions, perspectives, Oct. 2016, July 2016 and ideas with officers. Open communication boosts engagement and encourages healthy relationships. Lodge Services The Lodge App IDEAS TO TRY Lodge Website Template • Create a communication plan to ensure • Schedule regular check-ins to request all members receive important news feedback and ideas – at stated meetings, and updates. Include your website, app, during events, or one-on-one. Trestleboard, social media, phone tree, and mailings. • Partner tech-savvy members with those who are less experienced to teach them how to participate in online dialogue. 6 resources for lodges Most resources noted in this book can be found on the Resources and Publications page of the Member Center at freemason.org, in the following sections: • Communications tools • Masonic education • Membership development tools • Lodge support documents • Member assistance Services from Grand Lodge The Leader Monthly E-Newsletter Visit freemason.org/lodgeservices This monthly email is sent to all for more information about: lodge officers and includes: • Intacct • Best practices from lodges around the state • Tax preparation services • Monthly to-do lists for most lodge officers • PayPal • Reminders of upcoming events • Real estate support • Quick links to important documents • Lodge app • Lodge website template and hosting services View all past issues of The Leader at • The Vault freemason.org/Leader • Iron Mountain Archival Storage Helpful Contact Information Member Services: Communications: Masonic Assistance: (415) 292-9180 (415) 292-9180 (888) 466-3642 [email protected] [email protected] masonichome.org Intacct and Financial Lodge Support Committee Administration Services: freemason.org/ (415) 292-9170 lodgesupportcommittee [email protected] 7 Memorable and The ritual experience is our most cherished custom. Its teachings Meaningful Degrees transform members’ lives. Make every degree special. RESOURCES Receiving the degrees of Masonry should be one of the most important experiences in a man’s life. A Mason receives each degree only once and through each degree he is transformed. Member Center Participating brothers have the honor of carrying the torch of Masonic light to a new member. Engage and Retain Member Skills and IDEAS TO TRY Interests Survey Member Survey • Ensure candidates have sufficient time to • Give each candidate a role within the absorb lessons before each degree so lodge to bind him closer to the fraternity. On The Level they can fully benefit from the experience. • Celebrate degrees through a special • In addition to the proficiency, ask the meal, festive board, or thoughtful candidate to write a paper to reflect presentations and mementos that will upon his personal growth as a result of have lasting significance. each degree. Help candidate coaches propel advancement. RESOURCES Each candidate’s success begins with his coach. Help coaches succeed by creating structured support and accountability measures, and praising coaches for a job well done. An Member Center Candidate Learning Center accountability system helps ensure that both the candidate and coach are focused on the Candidate Guides for candidate’s transformation and individual study. Each Degree Sample Candidate Progress IDEAS TO TRY Report • Ensure each coach has only as many • Set a degree schedule at the beginning The Leader candidates as he can comfortably devote of the year so the coaches and candidates May 2016, June 2014, himself to coaching. have a goal for their proficiencies Oct. 2012 • Ask coaches to report on candidates’ and degrees. advancement at each stated meeting and • Train coaches so they can best support praise their progress. candidates
Recommended publications
  • The Three Great Lights
    The Three Great Lights By WBro. Wayne Spring Beacon Court Lodge 1967 – IPM and Lodge Mentor Pentangle Lodge 1174 - JD East Kent Masters Lodge 3931 - Steward Norman Chapter 3502 – Principal Sojourner Word count: 1,540 THE THREE GREAT LIGHTS The Three Great Lights the fundamental objects in Freemasonry. To the uninitiated this bears no meaning; to a brother a way of life. Their importance is highlighted when the Worshipful Master directs attention to the Three Great Lights in Freemasonry, the VSL, The Square and the Compasses. The most important of these is the Volume of the Sacred Law1,2 an indispensable part of the Lodge. The open Bible signifies that we should regulate our conduct according to it. The teachings are to rule and guide our faith, a symbol of man's acknowledgment of his relationship to Deity. Upon the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England, the first ‘Constitution’ detailed the important relationship in the ‘Aims and Relations of the Craft’3. Without familiarisation to the BoC4, a brother understands the importance of the VSL from the ritual. A newly made brother is not presented a copy of the BoC until the end of the initiation degree. During the ceremony he will be informed that “It teaches us the important duties we owe to God, to our neighbour and to ourselves.5” The candidate is informed that it is the unerring standard of Truth and Justice and that it is to rule and govern our faith. 1 Hereinafter referred to as the VSL. 2 No matter what religion 3 The first condition of admission into, and membership of, the Order is belief in the Supreme Being; the Bible, the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open in Lodges.
    [Show full text]
  • MASONIC MOMENTS a Lafayette Lodge No
    LAFAYETTE LODGE NO. 27 F. & A. M. 1550 Irving Street, Rahway, New Jersey 07065 MASONIC MOMENTS A Lafayette Lodge No. 27 Periodical Volume 2, Issue 5 – May 2020 Lodge Historian: RW Arjit “Artie” Mahal United Grand Lodge of England, a Brief History By Bryan S. Passione, PM The United Grand Lodge of England (“UGLE”), and current Freemasons’ Hall, is located on Great Queen Street in the heart of London. A Masonic hall, in one form or another, has stood in this location since 1775, and the current Freemasons’ Hall was constructed in 1933. Incredibly, the building escaped the bombings of World War II virtually unscathed. Freemasons’ Hall is not only home to more than 20 functional lodge rooms, including the stunning Grand Temple (or Grand Lodge) room, but also a Masonic library and museum of Freemasonry. The museum has recently been redesigned to highlight Freemasonry through the ages, specifically within the 300 years since the establishment of the original Grand Lodge of England. United Grand Lodge of England, 60 Great Queen Street, London, UK The Grand Lodge of England, which recently celebrated its tercentenary, was originally established in 1717; and in 1723, published the first “Constitutions of the Free-Masons.” Around 1751, a divide occurred between the membership and the Grand Lodge split into two separate Grand Lodges; the Grand Lodge of England (also known as the Moderns) and the Ancient Grand Lodge (also known as the Ancients). The divide 1 between the Moderns and the Ancients stemmed from disagreements over the nature of the Masonic ritual1, where the Moderns sought to modernize the ritual and place less focus on ritual overall.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Freemasons from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia Jump To: Navigation , Search
    List of Freemasons From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search Part of a series on Masonic youth organizations Freemasonry DeMolay • A.J.E.F. • Job's Daughters International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Core articles Views of Masonry Freemasonry • Grand Lodge • Masonic • Lodge • Anti-Masonry • Anti-Masonic Party • Masonic Lodge Officers • Grand Master • Prince Hall Anti-Freemason Exhibition • Freemasonry • Regular Masonic jurisdictions • Opposition to Freemasonry within • Christianity • Continental Freemasonry Suppression of Freemasonry • History Masonic conspiracy theories • History of Freemasonry • Liberté chérie • Papal ban of Freemasonry • Taxil hoax • Masonic manuscripts • People and places Masonic bodies Masonic Temple • James Anderson • Masonic Albert Mackey • Albert Pike • Prince Hall • Masonic bodies • York Rite • Order of Mark Master John the Evangelist • John the Baptist • Masons • Holy Royal Arch • Royal Arch Masonry • William Schaw • Elizabeth Aldworth • List of Cryptic Masonry • Knights Templar • Red Cross of Freemasons • Lodge Mother Kilwinning • Constantine • Freemasons' Hall, London • House of the Temple • Scottish Rite • Knight Kadosh • The Shrine • Royal Solomon's Temple • Detroit Masonic Temple • List of Order of Jesters • Tall Cedars of Lebanon • The Grotto • Masonic buildings Societas Rosicruciana • Grand College of Rites • Other related articles Swedish Rite • Order of St. Thomas of Acon • Royal Great Architect of the Universe • Square and Compasses Order of Scotland • Order of Knight Masons • Research • Pigpen cipher • Lodge • Corks Eye of Providence • Hiram Abiff • Masonic groups for women Sprig of Acacia • Masonic Landmarks • Women and Freemasonry • Order of the Amaranth • Pike's Morals and Dogma • Propaganda Due • Dermott's Order of the Eastern Star • Co-Freemasonry • DeMolay • Ahiman Rezon • A.J.E.F.
    [Show full text]
  • Data Protection Notice of the United Grand Lodge of England and Supreme Grand Chapter
    Data Protection Notice of the United Grand Lodge of England and Supreme Grand Chapter UNITED GRAND LODGE SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER OF ENGLAND OF ENGLAND Your data Section I sets out how your data will be used if you apply for initiation, exaltation, joining or re-joining a Lodge or Chapter. Section II sets out how your data will be used if you are a Freemason. Section III sets out how your data may be used by Masonic charities if you are a Freemason. Section IV provides more detail about how data about any criminal convictions will be used if applicable. Section V provides more detail about how your data will be stored for archive purposes in the public interest and for historical research. Section VI provides more detail about how your data may be used to send the magazine Freemasonry Today to you if you are a Freemason. Section VII sets out how your data may be used if you choose to communicate with, volunteer for, serve on the committees of, visit or work for the United Grand Lodge of England or Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England at Freemasons’ Hall. Section VIII contains some definitions for terms used in this notice. If you have any questions about this notice then please contact [email protected]. I. Application for initiation, exaltation, joining or re-joining As a candidate, you consent to the processing, retention and sharing of your personal data submitted on or with your application, including details of criminal convictions if applicable, for the purpose of assessing your membership application and any other Masonic applications you may make.
    [Show full text]
  • Freemasonry Per Se
    World Conspiracy 81 SYMBOLS Chapter 12 1. Why do freemasons use the satanic pentagram? From the Greek, "pente", meaning five and "gramma", a letter; the pentagram is a five pointed figure formed by producing the sides of a pentagon both ways to their point of intersection, so as to form a five-pointed star. It has no specifically satanic origin or meaning and no connection to Freemasonry per se . Freemasonry has traditionally been associated with Pythagoras, and among Pythagoreans, the pentagram was a symbol of health and knowledge; the pentagram is consequently associated with initiation, as it is in masonic iconography. The pentagram (also called pentacle, pentalpha, pentacle, pentagle, or pentangle) is thought by some occultists to trace its esoteric significance to an astronomical observance of the pattern of Venus ' conjunctions with the Sun and has had many meanings in many cultures through the ages. It is only from the fact that it forms the outlines of the five-pointed star to represent the "Five Points of Fellowship", and that it was associated with Pythagoras, that it has any masonic significance. Although the pentagram can be seen as a representation of the golden ratio , whether this was part of Freemasonry’s alleged "secret teachings" or is simply a modern interpolation is a topic of some controversy. The pentagram has no relationship to the Blazing Star, which has no specified number of points. The use of a pentagram or five-pointed star in some Grand Lodge seals and banners as well as on the collar of office worn by the Masters of lodges and Grand Masters of Grand Lodges is of interest to students of masonic history and art.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishing and Freemasonry CONTRIBUTORS Volume 41, Number Two in This Issue Message from the 3 Sovereign Grand Commander 14 32° Masonic Learning Centers Robert A
    Vol. 41 No. 2 MAY 2010 Reflections on Fishing and Freemasonry CONTRIBUTORS Volume 41, Number Two In This Issue Message from the 3 Sovereign Grand Commander 14 32° Masonic Learning Centers Robert A. Domingue is Jeffrey L. Kuntz, 32°, is a Thomas W. Jackson, Allan J. Ferguson, 32°, is Word Math secretary for St. Matthew’s member of the Valley of 33°, was formerly Grand a member of the Valley of 14 Lodge, Andover, MA, and Williamsport. He has Secretary for the Grand Syracuse. Bro. Ferguson is editor of The Philatelic published several articles Lodge of Pennsylvania. He a semi-retired minister Notes from the Freemason. on music, both nationally is Executive Secretary for who lives within a two- Scottish Rite Journal and internationally. the World Conference of hour drive of New York 18 Masonic Grand Lodges. state's best freshwater fishing areas. 19 Brothers on the Net Other Contributors: Jeff Croteau, manager of library and archives at the Van Gorden-Williams Library. Leigh E. Morris, 33°, works in corporate 20 Scottish Rite Charities communications for a major utility company. He is a member of the Valleys of Milwaukee and Springfield. Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., is the director of collections at the National Heritage Museum, located at Supreme Council headquarters in Lexington, 21 The Stamp Act MA. Steven R. Pekock, 32°, is director of development for the Supreme Council, AASR, NMJ, USA. 22 Book Nook FEATURED ARTICLES 24 HealthWise 25 Bro. Rice Honored 26 Views from the Past The Mysterious Cerneau 27 Quotables Who Is He and What Did He Do 4 By Aimee E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Library & Museum of Freemasonry
    Candlesticks, date, from Kenning Masonic ceramics, dated 1858 to 1939, 1930’s candlesticks supplied by Kenning by William Henry Goss of Stoke on Trent When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 there were about 500 Masonic lodges in the British Empire. By the time she died in 1901, there were nearly 2,000. All these new lodges needed equipment and all the new members needed their ceremonial costumes so these years also saw the development of specialist retailers who adopted modern marketing techniques to reach their audience. ‘The Masonic Emporium’ exhibition at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry in Freemasons’ Hall in London’s Covent Garden explores the development of this market, telling the story of its suppliers and customers. It runs from Thursday 1 July to Thursday 23 December 2010 and is free of charge to all visitors. Cont’d… LIBRARY & MUSEUM OF FREEMASONRY Registered charity number 1058497 Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street Covent Garden, London WC2B 5AZ Telephone: +44 (0)20 7395 9257 www.freemasonry.london.museum One such supplier was George Kenning. The son of an East End oyster seller, Kenning realised the potential of the market: he not only manufactured the costumes, but sold a range of products from his shops across Britain. He set up a mail order business which operated across the British Empire and was keen to develop new markets in the USA. He became a media magnate and advertised in his own widely read newspaper: The Freemason. He even extended the brand by becoming closely involved in developing new Masonic orders all of which needed special costumes and props.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hallstone Jewel
    A LIBRARY AND MUSEUM OF FREEMASONRY INFORMATION SHEET THE HALLSTONE JEWEL In 1919, after the First World War Grand Lodge decided, in response to a suggestion from the M.W. The Grand Master, H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, to embark on the building of a new headquarters for the English Craft as a memorial to the many brethren who had given their lives during the War. For this purpose a special committee was set up in 1920 and an appeal made to every member of the Constitution for contributions to the fund which, from the target set, came to be known as the Masonic Million Memorial Fund. Contributions to this Fund were to be entirely voluntary and were to be recognised by special commemorative jewels. These were of three types for the three categories of subscribers, of the same basic design but of different sizes and precious metals (the sizes given below are the diameter of the encircling wreath). Examples of all these jewels are on display in the museum: (i) A medal (35.0mm) called the Masonic Million Memorial Fund Commemorative Jewel on a dark blue ribbon, to be worn as a personal breast jewel by any member of a lodge under the English Constitution subscribing to the Fund: ten guineas or more, a silver medal; one hundred guineas or more, a gold medal. Some 53,224 individual jewels were issued. (ii) A medal (42.0mm) in gold on a light blue collarette to be worn by successive Masters of lodges contributing an average of ten guineas per member, such lodges to be known as Hall Stone Lodges (thus giving the jewel its name).
    [Show full text]
  • Lexington Lodge No. 1
    1 INTRODUCTION In our technology-driven world, we find untold multiple thousands of documents, papers, books, essays, commentaries, and articles about Freemasonry. Distinguishing the worthy from their opposite is difficult, especially for men new to the fraterntiy. This work is not intended to be an exchaustive collection, but one that offers interested and serious-minded members a reference, or at least a starting point, that may assist them in finding materials and information to constructively supplement their journey. This document was first prepared in 2013 for the Rubicon Masonic Society. Since then, the document has expanded and provided to over two-thousand Masons in hardcopy and electronic format. Edition III Compiled and Edited by John W. Bizzack and Dan M. Kemble February 2021 2 The Rubicon Masonic Society Officers Brian T. Evans, Chair John W. Bizzack, Vice Chair Dan M. Kemble, Recorder Lyle Van Outer, Chaplain John Christopher Lewis, Treasurer * DENOTES FOUNDING MEMBERS *John W. Bizzack *Cameron C. Poe *Timothy J. Smith *Darrin V. Gulla Brian T. Evans John Christropher Lewis Dan M. Kemble, Chris Stout Glen Teater Dan Giaquinto Donald Combs III Gerald K. Johnston Jeremy S. Patches Lyle Van Outer Barry K. Eastham Alan D. Martin Thomas L. Nitschke II, S. Bradley Drew HONORARY MEMBERS Thomas W. Jackson, PA Andrew Hammer, DC Michael A. Halleran, KS Daniel Hrinko, OH Richard Graeter, OH Patrick Craddock, KS Eddie Hazelett, KY Jeriel Smith, CA Mikel J. Stoops, KS Michael R. Poll, LA Chad Lacek, IL John Cameron, Nova Scotia 3 ABOUT THE RUBICON MASONIC SOCIETY Founded in 2013, The Rubicon Masonic Society is an invitation-only Masonic interest group of Master Masons in Lexington, Kentucky.
    [Show full text]
  • The Library and Museum of Freemasonry Is a Registered Booked (And a Booking Fee Is Payable)
    53807 Freemason HALL&TAV c2400 6/16/05 11:46 AM Page 1 Power sockets for laptop computers are available and THE SHOP AT FREEMASONS’ HALL a staffed service for photocopying and photography is The shop stocks books, postcards, gifts and souvenirs provided. Both are done at the discretion of the about the history of freemasonry, the collections and THE Librarian and are subject to copyright and conservation Freemasons’ Hall. Enquiries can be made on 020 7395 restrictions. For details of current charges please 9329. Purchases can be made online at LIBRARY AND MUSEUM contact the Library and Museum on 020 7395 9257. www.letchworthshop.co.uk The third and present Library staff are always OPENING TIMES OF FREEMASONRY Freemasons’ Hall on Great pleased to help visitors The Library and Museum is open from 10am to 5pm Queen Street, London with historical enquiries Monday to Friday except public holidays and the EXPLORING MASONIC RECORDS: or to respond to Christmas and New Year period. FREEMASONS’ HALL AND TAVERN telephone or written FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM enquiries and can If you would like to support the Library and Museum by advise about how to joining the Friends Group please write to the Director at use Library and the address below. Archive resources. Address However staff cannot undertake extensive Freemasons’ Hall research on individual 60 Great Queen Street enquiries. London WC2B 5AZ Telephone Freemasons’ Hall is 020 7395 9257 located on the edge of Covent Garden where Fax there are many cafes and restaurants. There are public 020 7404 7418 car parks nearby.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Our Newsletter
    WARRINGTON MUSEUM OF FREEMASONRY Welcome to our Newsletter Volume 2 (2) We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! 150 years for Elias Ashmole Chapter No.148 UPCOMING EVENTS The members of the Elias Ashmole Chapter No 148, the oldest Royal Arch chapter in the Warrington group, held a joint con- vocation in September to celebrate the Chapters 150years in Friends Hotpot Supper existence. The Chapter was consecrated in September 1866 22nd February 2017 and the first principal of the Chapter was Henry B White, with John Bowes and Shaw Thewlis as second and third Principals. 7pm for 7.30 Following on from the success of the exhibition for the 250th Speaker Michelle Hill Archives celebration of Lodge of Lights and Collections Manager War- No148. , the museum was rington Museum “Warrington transformed so as to showcase Glass” Museum Open the Holy Royal Arch degree . A MUSEUM OPENING number of items were loaned to TIMES the museum by The Library and Museum of Freemasonry, many Wednesday 9.30am—12 noon dating from around the time other times by appointment that the Chapter was formed. please contact Vic or Caroline Keith our new mannequin was dressed in the regalia of the First Principal complete with his scep- tre. Behind him are the five ban- ners used in the lodge room. Keith our model dressed in the regalia of Holy Royal Arch 1st Principal Vol 2 (1)2016 Page 1 Contact Us Warrington Museum of Freemasonry Winmarleigh House Winmarleigh Street Warrington WA1 1NB 01925 651468 Holy Royal Arch Apron and Jewels circa 1850 Curator Vic Charlesworth The photograph above shows a Holy Royal Arch apron and Archivist Caroline Crook sash from 1850 , The jewels displayed with it ,are all dated be- tween 1850 –1890, the one with the white ribbon is a compan- Secretary John Pether ions jewel, the red ribbon is a Past First Principals jewel and the one with the pale and dark blue and red ribbon is a Provincial Treasurer Jim Cartledge Grand Officers jewel.
    [Show full text]
  • Ciara Murray
    Working Papers on Design © University of Hertfordshire. To cite this journal article: Murray, Ciara (2010) „Brother Armstrong and the Freemasons: Belleek‟s Masonic Tableware‟, Working Papers on Design, 4, ed. Grace Lees-Maffei, Retrieved <date> from <http://sitem.herts.ac.uk/artdes_research/papers/wpdesign/index.html> Brother Armstrong and the Freemasons: Belleek’s Masonic Tableware Ciara Murray Abstract The Belleek pottery was established in County Fermanagh in 1857. The pottery designed and produced utilitarian stoneware and earthenware but is best known for its Parian porcelain production. The Irish Times describes the pottery: One wonders whether in any other modern works the same quietness and peace could be found…the skilled workers seem to be too deeply engrossed in their delicate hand-work to indulge very much in conversation… Each of the rooms is as well lighted as an artist‟s study, and most of the windows look upon the river, whose friendly voice can be heard all the time in that quiet pottery. (11 July 1930) The writer de-contextualises and romanticises Belleek, thus ignoring much of what makes its design and brand fascinating. Other written sources, such as collector‟s manuals, often trivialise Belleek‟s early design and production further fuelling the reader‟s assumptions and nostalgia for the pottery. Such romantic approaches to Belleek have consistently mystified and obscured the context of the pottery‟s design and its position within the ceramics industry. This paper utilises a range of archival sources to examine a previously unexplored aspect of the pottery‟s production history. Belleek had an established relationship with a single organised body of consumers, the Freemason Brotherhood.
    [Show full text]