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10 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOUR LODGE IS DARK
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
"Just because the Lodge is dark doesn't mean Freemasonry is dead."
- Bryce's Law
The summer recess is finally here and I always find it interesting to see how Brothers
appear lost during this period. True, going Dark allows the Lodge to rest and
recharge its batteries before going into the hectic Autumn months, but it would be
foolish to assume Freemasonry comes to a standstill during this period. As always,
there is plenty to do around the Lodge by both the officers and the Brethren overall.
Here are ten suggestions for activities during the summer months:
- Catch up on your memorization work, particularly obligations, charges, lectures,
and awards presentations.
- Lodge Officer Training - for many jurisdictions, summer represents the halfway
mark in the Masonic year. As Worshipful Master, now is the time to start
training your Lodge officers (if you haven't done so already). Some Grand
Jurisdictions have formal training courses for the Lodge Officers which can be
administered locally. Others have seminars for wardens. In the absence of either
of these, hold your own in-house workshop to review the duties and responsibilities
of each Lodge officer.
- Ritual Practice - at the beginning of the Masonic year, some minor mistakes in degree
work was expected, but now you are way past this point and little mistakes are
considered an embarrassment. Take some time to practice your degree work in order
to perfect it. If possible, allow your officers to move up a chair so they can
start to learn the responsibilities and ritual work associated with it.
- Maintenance Projects - while everyone is away, now is a good time to do some
basic maintenance to the Lodge, such as stripping the floors, making repairs,
cleaning/reorganizing the office and kitchen (particularly the refrigerator), etc.
How about a little project to reorganize and update the Lodge's library Or perhaps
adding Internet access?
- Masonic Travel - your Lodge may be closed, but others may not. How about
visiting them to show your support and observe how they do things (and possibly
learn a thing or two)?
- District Workshops - attend or host a district-wide workshop to discuss
pertinent Masonic subjects, such as a Secretary's Workshop (to compare notes),
a Warden's Workshop (to prep them for the coming year), review/write Masonic
legislation, conduct Masonic examinations, or simply to participate in a Masters
and Wardens meeting.
- Research Project - now that it is quiet and you have some time on your hands,
how about performing a Masonic research project? Perhaps something applicable
to the fraternity overall or locally, such as updating the Lodge's history.
After you have performed your research, Write a paper and have it published and/or
use it for Masonic Education at an upcoming meeting. Believe me, there are
plenty of eZines out there that would love to include your article.
- Hold practices for Brothers who have not yet returned their Master Mason catechism.
Quite often Lodges become overly concerned with teaching the EA and FC catechisms,
and sometimes overlooks teaching the MM catechism. The summer months represent a
convenient time to practice this important degree.
- Read a Masonic Book - even better, start a Masonic book club to review and
discuss the latest book, article, or paper. If possible, write a book review and
either have it published or presented to the Lodge for Masonic Education.
- Hold a Social - there is nothing in our Masonic governing docs outlawing
fun in a Masonic Lodge. You may not be holding your regularly scheduled meetings,
but how about something different, such as a breakfast, luncheon, or dinner off-site
and perhaps with your spouses? How about attending a sporting event such as a
baseball game or a horse race? Or how about something really different, such as
a scavenger hunt where you look for Masonic artifacts around your community?
Use your imagination. It doesn't have to be complicated, just look for a simple
venue for the Brethren to get together and relax.
The idea of hibernating during the summer months can actually be dangerous to
some Lodges, particularly those with dwindling membership and diminishing finances.
Can your Lodge really afford to lose momentum? Maybe the best way to encourage participation during this period is to think of it as a summer camp with less emphasis on ritual
and more placed on preparing the Lodge for the remainder of the Masonic year.
Never let it be said there isn't something to do Masonically around the Lodge
during the summer months.
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction
or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein,
please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic
web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
To receive notices of Tim's writings, subscribe to his Discussion Group.
You can also "tune in" to Bro. Tim's audio podcasts at the "Lodgeroom International" (UK):
http://podcast.lodgeroominternational.com/
Copyright © 2007 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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