Monday, 19 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
Monday, 5 September 2011
Monday, 15 August 2011
A Curious Turn of Events
Greetings, intrepid readers!Since recently announcing my return, I was going to blog on some of my Masonic exploits in England before turning my attention to the USA. However, there have been a few events recently that I feel I really should be talking about NOW, rather than in a few posts' time.
Since moving to Atlanta, I've visited a few Lodges. To be honest, the first lodge I visited, I absolutely HATED. Admittedly, I turned up on a bad night. Something had gone down at the prior meeting, and their Secretary had resigned. Thus, the Lodge had to elect a new Secretary. This led to a rather awkward atmosphere as myself and another Brother (who happened to be a Grand Officer from New Jersey) sat there watching this rather tense scenario play out.
But that wasn't the only reason I disliked this one visit. At the time, I had been in the USA for only a couple of months. To be honest, I was suffering from culture shock pretty badly (this was back in March). I thought that going to a Lodge meeting would help me feel better. But, I got there and the ritual was incredibly different. I expected the Lodge to open and carry out its business in the third degree, rather than the first, but I didn't expect the opening and closing to be so utterly different.
Nor did I expect the Lodge to be more casual than I was used to. Back home, the dress requirements are a dark suit, white shirt and "appropriate Masonic tie" (i.e. Craft/Royal Arch/black/Provincial etc.). Over here, dress standards are a lot less stringent. While the Lodge's officers are often expected to wear a jacket and tie, there is no such requirement on members who aren't officers, or on visitors. There were brethren in chinos and polo shirts. Heck, there was even one brother in jeans.
At the time, this was just too much for me. I was bitterly missing England. I was missing my friends, my family and the familiarity of London. And the one thing that I thought would be familiar, wasn't. Understandably, this somewhat upset me. And I didn't go back to a Craft/Blue Lodge until July.
But in July, I attended a Lodge that a friend of my wife belongs to. And something clicked. I saw a First Degree ceremony done non-UGLE different ritual for the first time. The brethren were other younger brethren there. The standards of dress were mostly higher (well, there were no jeans, at least!) and I was given such a welcome that I immediately felt at home.
So, prior to their August meeting last week, I filled out and submitted a petition for affiliation. Thankfully, the Grand Lodge of Georgia allows for multiple memberships these days (which it didn't always), so I will be permitted to retain my membership back home. Provided that I haven't upset anyone, or that no-one has taken an irrational dislike to me, I will soon be a Georgia Mason, as well as a UGLE Mason. Hurrah!
Next up, I will be going back in time, to England and a few of my escapades that took place in the two-year break of me writing this blog.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Time to Catch-Up!
After a two year absence, I doubt many people even remember this blog. However, in the event that someone is wondering "what on Earth has Anthony been up to over the past two years?", here is the blog post that fills in some of the gaps.
Two years ago, I was in a very different position in life than I am now. I had just finished my Bachelor's Degree. I had moved back to London. I was still a member of Tetragon Lodge. They say that nothing lasts forever but the certainty of change. And change was certainly coming...
The most logical place to start is the latter half of 2009. Soon after my last post on here, I received news that I had passed my finals, and would be graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree with upper second class honours in History. Likewise, I was admitted as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters in London (more on the City of London's Livery Companies at another time...). In the September, I started a Masters course at University College London, again in History. Finally, at the end of the year, I got engaged to a lovely American girl. However, the good was balanced with the bad. For family reasons, I was forced to resign from Tetragon Lodge, of which I was Junior Warden. This was not a choice that was made easily, and in retrospect of things that happened later in my personal life, I wish I'd just stuck with the lodge.
2010 was a busy year, too. While doing my MA, I cut down on the amount of Freemasonry that I was doing - to maybe only one or two meetings a month. However, I soon found myself joining another order - that of Royal and Select Masters, or as it's often known, "Cryptic", which was great fun (more on that later!), and I found myself given the office of Junior Deacon in my mother Lodge. In addition, having resigned from my mother Mark Lodge, I joined another one - Old Kent Lodge of MMM (Time Immemorial). Yet, times were changing. After much deliberation, my fiancee and I eventually decided that we'd be living in Atlanta, the State Capital of Georgia (the US state of Georgia, that is - not the country. Their capital is Tbilisi). Obviously, with all my commitments back in the UK, this was not an easy decision.
Beyond that, my fiancee and I continued to hop across the Atlantic to see each other, and we put in the application for my Visa, while I finished off my MA. In the October, I was greeted with the news that I had successfully completed the MA course - hurrah! In the November, despite the knowledge of my impending departure for the USA, my second Lodge, Grey Friars, invested me as Junior Warden - an office that I still technically hold right now.
At the end of the year, I was issued with a K-1 fiancee visa for the USA, and finally made the move on January 20th 2011. Obviously, everything has been completely mad since then - I suffered from the inevitable culture shock and home sickness, we got married at the beginning of April, and we're in the process of buying a house. In the last few weeks, I've finally been given authorization to work, and so the job hunt has begun. Clearly, with all of this going on, I haven't had a huge amount of time for Masonic activity since I arrived in the USA. However, I have had the time to dip my toes into the vastly different Masonic world over here, and have attended three Craft meetings, plus one Royal Arch and one Royal & Select Masters meeting.
Of course, some of this I will expand upon over a few future blog posts, and I hope you'll keep an eye on this blog and stay with me while I update you on my Masonic travels. Everything that has happened has all been part of further preparing that stone - the slow process of smoothing the rough ashlar and making me into a better man.
The most logical place to start is the latter half of 2009. Soon after my last post on here, I received news that I had passed my finals, and would be graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree with upper second class honours in History. Likewise, I was admitted as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters in London (more on the City of London's Livery Companies at another time...). In the September, I started a Masters course at University College London, again in History. Finally, at the end of the year, I got engaged to a lovely American girl. However, the good was balanced with the bad. For family reasons, I was forced to resign from Tetragon Lodge, of which I was Junior Warden. This was not a choice that was made easily, and in retrospect of things that happened later in my personal life, I wish I'd just stuck with the lodge.
2010 was a busy year, too. While doing my MA, I cut down on the amount of Freemasonry that I was doing - to maybe only one or two meetings a month. However, I soon found myself joining another order - that of Royal and Select Masters, or as it's often known, "Cryptic", which was great fun (more on that later!), and I found myself given the office of Junior Deacon in my mother Lodge. In addition, having resigned from my mother Mark Lodge, I joined another one - Old Kent Lodge of MMM (Time Immemorial). Yet, times were changing. After much deliberation, my fiancee and I eventually decided that we'd be living in Atlanta, the State Capital of Georgia (the US state of Georgia, that is - not the country. Their capital is Tbilisi). Obviously, with all my commitments back in the UK, this was not an easy decision.
Beyond that, my fiancee and I continued to hop across the Atlantic to see each other, and we put in the application for my Visa, while I finished off my MA. In the October, I was greeted with the news that I had successfully completed the MA course - hurrah! In the November, despite the knowledge of my impending departure for the USA, my second Lodge, Grey Friars, invested me as Junior Warden - an office that I still technically hold right now.
At the end of the year, I was issued with a K-1 fiancee visa for the USA, and finally made the move on January 20th 2011. Obviously, everything has been completely mad since then - I suffered from the inevitable culture shock and home sickness, we got married at the beginning of April, and we're in the process of buying a house. In the last few weeks, I've finally been given authorization to work, and so the job hunt has begun. Clearly, with all of this going on, I haven't had a huge amount of time for Masonic activity since I arrived in the USA. However, I have had the time to dip my toes into the vastly different Masonic world over here, and have attended three Craft meetings, plus one Royal Arch and one Royal & Select Masters meeting.
Of course, some of this I will expand upon over a few future blog posts, and I hope you'll keep an eye on this blog and stay with me while I update you on my Masonic travels. Everything that has happened has all been part of further preparing that stone - the slow process of smoothing the rough ashlar and making me into a better man.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
The Return!
After nearly two years of radio silence, I will be posting with hopefully some regularity to this blog again. Changes are being made, and soon I will post an update with what's been going on (although, if anyone is still looking at this, I'd first like to pose the question of "Why!? Nothing's happened here in two years!" and then say that the eagle-eyed amongst you may have a hint of things to come...)
Sunday, 31 May 2009
The Universities Scheme Conference
Yesterday, the Universities Scheme Conference was held at Freemason's Hall in Manchester. I went. It was rubbish.
Okay, that was a complete lie (and a bit of an in-joke)! I've blogged previously about the Universities Scheme and what it's all about, so I won't re-iterate that here.
The previous Conference and General Meeting was held in Sheffield eighteen months ago, when there were nine lodges operating in the scheme. Fast-forward eighteen months, and there were twenty-nine scheme lodges represented, as well as a number of representatives from a number of other lodges considering joining the scheme. I was officially there representing Grey Friars, but I was also there as a member of Tetragon.
The conference gave a fantastic opportunity for all the brethren who were representing the various lodges - it not only re-affirmed the aims and objectives of the scheme, it also allowed the committee to report on the progress of the scheme. However, where I personally felt I got the most value out of it was the opportunity to meet both the members of the committee guiding the scheme, and also representatives from other lodges. To me, this is one of the most fascinating things about Freemasonry - seeing how lodges do different things.
The main advantage to this was to discuss how all the various lodges in the scheme are doing things, and the taking different approaches being taken. In one of the talks, one committee member made the point that the committee are not there to "spoon feed" the lodges participating, but merely to offer guidance. Indeed, it was pointed out that what may work for one lodge may not necessarily work for another.
I personally felt that the day was well organised and provided a focus for ensuring that the various lodges in the scheme would work together in the sharing of ideas and building up bonds. Certainly, I think that this will result in some inter-visitation amongst lodges where there was little or no connection at all.
In all, the day was extremely worthwhile and very well organised. It was my first time up at Freemasons' Hall in Manchester, which is the administrative HQ of the Province of East Lancashire, and what a fantastic building it is! Built around the same time as Freemasons' Hall in London, whilst not quite as grand, has a lot of the same art deco influences, and it was a marvellous surrounding for the conference to take place in.
Okay, that was a complete lie (and a bit of an in-joke)! I've blogged previously about the Universities Scheme and what it's all about, so I won't re-iterate that here.
The previous Conference and General Meeting was held in Sheffield eighteen months ago, when there were nine lodges operating in the scheme. Fast-forward eighteen months, and there were twenty-nine scheme lodges represented, as well as a number of representatives from a number of other lodges considering joining the scheme. I was officially there representing Grey Friars, but I was also there as a member of Tetragon.
The conference gave a fantastic opportunity for all the brethren who were representing the various lodges - it not only re-affirmed the aims and objectives of the scheme, it also allowed the committee to report on the progress of the scheme. However, where I personally felt I got the most value out of it was the opportunity to meet both the members of the committee guiding the scheme, and also representatives from other lodges. To me, this is one of the most fascinating things about Freemasonry - seeing how lodges do different things.
The main advantage to this was to discuss how all the various lodges in the scheme are doing things, and the taking different approaches being taken. In one of the talks, one committee member made the point that the committee are not there to "spoon feed" the lodges participating, but merely to offer guidance. Indeed, it was pointed out that what may work for one lodge may not necessarily work for another.
I personally felt that the day was well organised and provided a focus for ensuring that the various lodges in the scheme would work together in the sharing of ideas and building up bonds. Certainly, I think that this will result in some inter-visitation amongst lodges where there was little or no connection at all.
In all, the day was extremely worthwhile and very well organised. It was my first time up at Freemasons' Hall in Manchester, which is the administrative HQ of the Province of East Lancashire, and what a fantastic building it is! Built around the same time as Freemasons' Hall in London, whilst not quite as grand, has a lot of the same art deco influences, and it was a marvellous surrounding for the conference to take place in.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
A fast promotion...
Back in December, I blogged about my somewhat fast-tracked promotion within the Royal Arch.
After a few months, the evening has come, and now gone - I was invested as Principal Sojourner of my Royal Arch Chapter this evening.
In English Royal Arch Chapters, there are several positions leading up to the 3rd Principal's chair, and most Companions start off as a Steward, before progressing to 2nd Assistant Sojourner, 1st Assistant Sojourner, and then finally Principal Sojourner.
So, why, after a mere nine months in the Royal Arch, have I gained such a fast promotion? Well, my Chapter has been, unfortunately, suffering. At the moment, we only have twelve members, and all but two of us are either Past Principals, or current Principals of the Chapter. The other Companion who hasn't been in a Principal's chair rarely shows up, as he is so busy within his career. Last December, I was approached and asked if I would take on the office - I was not pressured into the role, and I agreed to do it, of my own volition.
It is my opinion that the work of the Principal Sojourner is one of the nicest pieces of ritual within Freemasonry, and with a potential five candidates in the works for the Chapter, I look forward to the challenges and the rewards of the coming year, as well as to contributing to the recovery of the Chapter.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Bro Rowan on "The 21st Century Mason"
Editor's note: the sixth article in the series on the theme of "the 21st Century Mason" comes from Bro. Rowan. Rowan is a young Entered Apprentice of Ashley Hill Lodge, no. 7861, in the Province of Berkshire, under the United Grand Lodge of England. It's always good to see such an enthusiastic fresh face in Masonry, and Bro. Rowan in no exception to that. He has recently been involved in setting up a website for his lodge, which he is still working on. I hope that you enjoy what he has to say...
The 21st Century Mason
by Bro. Rowan
Nobody can accuse Freemasonry of being old-fashioned. Although based on ancient events, our principles of Brotherly love, relief and truth, have stood the test of time. Holding true over centuries, the Craft continues to evolve with the moment. The very fact you are reading this article on a blog is proof of that.
As a 21st Century Mason, I see it as our responsibility to ensure that this continues to be the case. People who accuse Freemasonry of being a secret-society clearly aren't as "down with the kids" as the Craft, and are yet to discover Google. Not only does UGLE, and many Provinces have their own websites, but an increasing number of Lodges have taken the step on to the world wide web.
I am relatively new to the Craft, but was comfortable joining because I knew enough. A few clicks on Google, and I came across the website for the Berkshire Province, home to the Lodge I hoped to join and am now a member of. The website removed the gauze of misconception, and sharpened the image of what Freemasonry is about. Being immediately welcomed by an address from the Provincial Grand Master, I experienced for the first time something that enveloped me on my entry to Freemasonry. A warm, hearty welcome.
A few more clicks and I could see a list of all Lodges in the Province and where they meet, dates of their forthcoming meetings and social events, and in some cases, links to their very own websites.
Immediately Freemasonry is not so furtive as it is often accused!
Since my initiation into Ashley Hill Lodge No. 7861, I have been privileged with the task of developing and maintaining our Lodge website. For me, this is exciting, but I appreciate that many people will not see the point of a Lodge having a website. My reasons for a step into the blue-yonder are simple.
- Openness and accessibility. Although our meetings, like other organisations, are private, we should be proud of what do and achieve, for ourselves and others. Brethren should feel comfortable sharing the accomplishments of the Lodge, in an easily accessible manner that has the potential to meet a wide audience.
- Convenience - With more and more people entering the Broadband era, communicating has never been easier. For example, placing summonses online to be downloaded by members will save time, money and help the environment.
- Linking and Networking - A website can keep other Lodges, local or distant, up-to-date with our progress, and vice versa. The potential to further network and reach out to Brethren in all quarters of the world is vast. In essence, you're putting your Lodge "on the map".
I have other ideas for the website as it grows. A YouTube address from the Worshipful Master welcoming Brothers and the curious to our website, maybe? The impact of new mediums are plentiful, but should be applied for a purpose, and not to simply look flash. It's important not to fall into the meringue trap, where a site looks delectable but once you bite in to it you are greeted with only a hollow disappointment.
I am the youngest member of my Lodge, but feel united with all members by our beliefs and aspirations. I do not see any harm in embracing new technologies to reach out and inform members, and non-members, about what we do and what we are all about. As long as we hold true to our principles, Freemasonry can step into the 21st Century, and centuries yet to come,
unblemished, well-founded and better understood.
As I am sure you have guessed, I am an internet enthusiast. My most recent advance in cyberspace has been to sign up to Twitter. For those of you who are familiar with a Facebook status, Twitter is more like a mini blog, where you can post your thoughts, musings, activities, follow others, and get followed yourself in-turn if you so wish. For example I am following Stephen Fry, and unlike the numerous fake Facebook profiles, it really is him!
One of my plans for Ashley Hill, with the permission of members, is to place us on Twitter so people can easily follow our progress and our news. And at the same time, if other Lodges follow suit, we can all easily follow each other.
Once again, Freemasonry moves with the times and embraces modern tools.
The 21st Century Mason
by Bro. Rowan
Nobody can accuse Freemasonry of being old-fashioned. Although based on ancient events, our principles of Brotherly love, relief and truth, have stood the test of time. Holding true over centuries, the Craft continues to evolve with the moment. The very fact you are reading this article on a blog is proof of that.
As a 21st Century Mason, I see it as our responsibility to ensure that this continues to be the case. People who accuse Freemasonry of being a secret-society clearly aren't as "down with the kids" as the Craft, and are yet to discover Google. Not only does UGLE, and many Provinces have their own websites, but an increasing number of Lodges have taken the step on to the world wide web.
I am relatively new to the Craft, but was comfortable joining because I knew enough. A few clicks on Google, and I came across the website for the Berkshire Province, home to the Lodge I hoped to join and am now a member of. The website removed the gauze of misconception, and sharpened the image of what Freemasonry is about. Being immediately welcomed by an address from the Provincial Grand Master, I experienced for the first time something that enveloped me on my entry to Freemasonry. A warm, hearty welcome.
A few more clicks and I could see a list of all Lodges in the Province and where they meet, dates of their forthcoming meetings and social events, and in some cases, links to their very own websites.
Immediately Freemasonry is not so furtive as it is often accused!
Since my initiation into Ashley Hill Lodge No. 7861, I have been privileged with the task of developing and maintaining our Lodge website. For me, this is exciting, but I appreciate that many people will not see the point of a Lodge having a website. My reasons for a step into the blue-yonder are simple.
- Openness and accessibility. Although our meetings, like other organisations, are private, we should be proud of what do and achieve, for ourselves and others. Brethren should feel comfortable sharing the accomplishments of the Lodge, in an easily accessible manner that has the potential to meet a wide audience.
- Convenience - With more and more people entering the Broadband era, communicating has never been easier. For example, placing summonses online to be downloaded by members will save time, money and help the environment.
- Linking and Networking - A website can keep other Lodges, local or distant, up-to-date with our progress, and vice versa. The potential to further network and reach out to Brethren in all quarters of the world is vast. In essence, you're putting your Lodge "on the map".
I have other ideas for the website as it grows. A YouTube address from the Worshipful Master welcoming Brothers and the curious to our website, maybe? The impact of new mediums are plentiful, but should be applied for a purpose, and not to simply look flash. It's important not to fall into the meringue trap, where a site looks delectable but once you bite in to it you are greeted with only a hollow disappointment.
I am the youngest member of my Lodge, but feel united with all members by our beliefs and aspirations. I do not see any harm in embracing new technologies to reach out and inform members, and non-members, about what we do and what we are all about. As long as we hold true to our principles, Freemasonry can step into the 21st Century, and centuries yet to come,
unblemished, well-founded and better understood.
As I am sure you have guessed, I am an internet enthusiast. My most recent advance in cyberspace has been to sign up to Twitter. For those of you who are familiar with a Facebook status, Twitter is more like a mini blog, where you can post your thoughts, musings, activities, follow others, and get followed yourself in-turn if you so wish. For example I am following Stephen Fry, and unlike the numerous fake Facebook profiles, it really is him!
One of my plans for Ashley Hill, with the permission of members, is to place us on Twitter so people can easily follow our progress and our news. And at the same time, if other Lodges follow suit, we can all easily follow each other.
Once again, Freemasonry moves with the times and embraces modern tools.
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Bro. Nick Johnson on "The 21st Century Mason"
Editor's note: the fifth article in the series on "the 21st Century Mason" comes from Bro. Nick Johnson, editor of The Millennial Freemason blog. Bro. Johnson has recently been elected as Senior Warden of Corinthian Lodge, in Minnesota. His blog is so named, as he is a millennial, having been born in 1982, and thus became an adult in 2000. So, please enjoy his entry into this series...
The 21st Century Mason
by Bro. Nick Johnson
I would first like to thank Brother Ant Williams for allowing me this opportunity to present my thoughts on what the 21st Century Mason will be.
We sit on the precipice of a new era. This new era has been and will continue to be shaped by the previous century. However, it will also continue to change and evolve as the human experience casts out those things that are deemed unnecessary or offensive. Freemasonry is no different in its need to evolve and change even while maintaining its basic structure. I write to describe what this future Mason will look like in the very near future.
To begin, what kind of men will continue to enter Freemasonry? It is apparent to me that the demographics of our Fraternity will continue to shift as we reach out to new groups. So what will the future Freemason look like? For one, it will not be a given that he is a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). In Minnesota (where I live), non-white ethnic groups, such as Blacks, Asians and Latinos, have accounted for more than 62% of the population growth between 2000 and 2007 while white populations accounted for a little less than 36%. Much of this growth can be attributed to the immigration of different populations to Minnesota from other countries, including Somalia, Laos, Central and South America, Ethiopia, India, etc. This is changing the attitudes of many in this state on the role that race and ethnicity play in the public sphere.
Men born after the 1970's have less experience with racial and ethnic intolerance. While I attended school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day had already been established for at least two years (it was first observed in 1986). The Cosby Show presented an affluent black family that lived their life like everyone else I knew and remained on the air for more than a decade. I went to a suburban high school with kids who were different ethnicities. Although it has been stated that we are entering a “post-racial” era, I see our world as recognizing the differences but accepting each other regardless of those differences.
Freemasonry will be no less affected by this change in attitudes. With the election of President Obama and Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, race is becoming less of a hindrance in politics and I would suspect, in the job market, social clubs, and Freemasonry as well. Freemasonry will become the social distinction that is shared by men, without regard to his skin color or place of origin. Thankfully, Freemasonry has, at its core, the desire to place all brothers on equal footing and does not regard a man’s worth by his title or occupation. Freemasonry is an organization of tolerance.
Additionally, the 21st Century Mason will also be connected to his brothers like never before through the use of technology. Virtually everyone on the planet can connect to each other by way of the Internet. The Internet can be accessed from almost anywhere, through computer, TV or even through one's cell phone. Human society will be ultimately connected through these many digital links. The 21st Century Mason will be adept at using these technologies to inform his Lodge brothers, collaborate on research projects or just communicate informally about anything. Lodge schedules are now published on the Web and some Lodges even use SMS to connect to their brothers. Brothers learn about Lodges and fill out petitions on Lodge websites. But it is not just the use of technology that is important to the 21st Mason but also its absence within the confines of the Lodge.
What technology will not replace is the human connection that brothers experience when they attend Lodge. Brothers will continue to meet as a physical Lodge to break these digital links or to at least shield themselves from the constant contact of life for a few short hours. Lodge can and will act as a sanctuary from distraction and will give brothers a time to look within themselves. As the Tyler guards the door from without, he also acts as symbolic barrier from distractions within our minds for those few short hours. It is this use and disuse of technology that will define the 21st Century Mason.
Finally, although I have discussed how different the 21st Century Mason will be, he will essentially be the same. He will wear the same apron, he will pledge himself to the same oaths, and will participate in the same centuries-old ritual as all his brothers have participated. He will be a Mason first and foremost.
I know that the observations that I have made sound Pollyannaish and are filled with the optimism of youth but our Fraternity needs hope to continue to thrive. Although society will continue to change and evolve, we mustn't worry ourselves that Masonry will change any of its essential structure. We will still have three degrees, we will still have Grand Lodges, and we will still meet as brothers, even if though brothers look, communicate, and act differently. Masonry will remain the same fraternity that has existed for centuries. Welcome to the new century, time to greet your new brothers.
The 21st Century Mason
by Bro. Nick Johnson
I would first like to thank Brother Ant Williams for allowing me this opportunity to present my thoughts on what the 21st Century Mason will be.
We sit on the precipice of a new era. This new era has been and will continue to be shaped by the previous century. However, it will also continue to change and evolve as the human experience casts out those things that are deemed unnecessary or offensive. Freemasonry is no different in its need to evolve and change even while maintaining its basic structure. I write to describe what this future Mason will look like in the very near future.
To begin, what kind of men will continue to enter Freemasonry? It is apparent to me that the demographics of our Fraternity will continue to shift as we reach out to new groups. So what will the future Freemason look like? For one, it will not be a given that he is a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). In Minnesota (where I live), non-white ethnic groups, such as Blacks, Asians and Latinos, have accounted for more than 62% of the population growth between 2000 and 2007 while white populations accounted for a little less than 36%. Much of this growth can be attributed to the immigration of different populations to Minnesota from other countries, including Somalia, Laos, Central and South America, Ethiopia, India, etc. This is changing the attitudes of many in this state on the role that race and ethnicity play in the public sphere.
Men born after the 1970's have less experience with racial and ethnic intolerance. While I attended school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day had already been established for at least two years (it was first observed in 1986). The Cosby Show presented an affluent black family that lived their life like everyone else I knew and remained on the air for more than a decade. I went to a suburban high school with kids who were different ethnicities. Although it has been stated that we are entering a “post-racial” era, I see our world as recognizing the differences but accepting each other regardless of those differences.
Freemasonry will be no less affected by this change in attitudes. With the election of President Obama and Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, race is becoming less of a hindrance in politics and I would suspect, in the job market, social clubs, and Freemasonry as well. Freemasonry will become the social distinction that is shared by men, without regard to his skin color or place of origin. Thankfully, Freemasonry has, at its core, the desire to place all brothers on equal footing and does not regard a man’s worth by his title or occupation. Freemasonry is an organization of tolerance.
Additionally, the 21st Century Mason will also be connected to his brothers like never before through the use of technology. Virtually everyone on the planet can connect to each other by way of the Internet. The Internet can be accessed from almost anywhere, through computer, TV or even through one's cell phone. Human society will be ultimately connected through these many digital links. The 21st Century Mason will be adept at using these technologies to inform his Lodge brothers, collaborate on research projects or just communicate informally about anything. Lodge schedules are now published on the Web and some Lodges even use SMS to connect to their brothers. Brothers learn about Lodges and fill out petitions on Lodge websites. But it is not just the use of technology that is important to the 21st Mason but also its absence within the confines of the Lodge.
What technology will not replace is the human connection that brothers experience when they attend Lodge. Brothers will continue to meet as a physical Lodge to break these digital links or to at least shield themselves from the constant contact of life for a few short hours. Lodge can and will act as a sanctuary from distraction and will give brothers a time to look within themselves. As the Tyler guards the door from without, he also acts as symbolic barrier from distractions within our minds for those few short hours. It is this use and disuse of technology that will define the 21st Century Mason.
Finally, although I have discussed how different the 21st Century Mason will be, he will essentially be the same. He will wear the same apron, he will pledge himself to the same oaths, and will participate in the same centuries-old ritual as all his brothers have participated. He will be a Mason first and foremost.
I know that the observations that I have made sound Pollyannaish and are filled with the optimism of youth but our Fraternity needs hope to continue to thrive. Although society will continue to change and evolve, we mustn't worry ourselves that Masonry will change any of its essential structure. We will still have three degrees, we will still have Grand Lodges, and we will still meet as brothers, even if though brothers look, communicate, and act differently. Masonry will remain the same fraternity that has existed for centuries. Welcome to the new century, time to greet your new brothers.
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