The Young Freemason Network

In my own perceived duty as a young Mason dedicated to getting our Craft to recognize and realize the potential of young masons, I have stumbled upon a wonderful group of Masons in Australia. In the state of South Australia, there exists a group of Freemasons founded in 2009 specifically dedicated to young freemasons called the Young Freemason Network. The group restricts membership to brothers and petitioners under the age of 40.

Here is an excerpt from YFN Chairman James Ehmann’s welcome message from their website:

The Young Freemasons Network (approx 40 and under) exists to unite our members, despite their being spread over the Metro and Country areas of SA, and provide them with a peer and social network. We believe that having contact with other members of your own or similar age will help heighten the experience and enjoyment of being a Freemason.

We have a number of social events (at least one a month) and actively encourage participation in Lodge by visiting our members lodges and supporting them, particularly as they progress through degrees or take office.

Importantly we are a fully inclusive organisation and welcome wives, children, partners and friends to attend our events as well. We promote openness about Freemasonry to all, and welcome anyone who is generally interested in Freemasonry and not a member.

What a brilliant idea. Although I love hanging out with brothers of every age, sometimes, it’s nice to hang out with brothers my age. The Jaycees are built on a similar model. The Jaycees restrict membership to members under the age of 41. The idea of Jaycee is to help young professionals find opportunities for networking and to develop their skills.

Now, I can understand why brothers may be leery about a group of Masons restricted by age. The concept of Masonry is that we meet on the level. I would argue, however, that there is a need being met by the creation of the Young Freemason Network. When a brother or petitioner joins a lodge, he either has a connection or he does not. Finding the right lodge is always a crapshoot even if you visit the brothers over a long period of time. A young mason’s network can act as a cabletow, binding a mason even closer to his lodge and to the wider Masonic community.

A group like this can encourage more brotherhood throughout the Masonic jurisdiction. Brothers are encouraged to attend their lodge functions as well as visiting other brothers’ lodge functions. The Young Freemason Network’s website states that its goals are threefold:

· Charity - raise money and provide support for worthy causes

· Social - organise events that bring together and are relevant to our members, including thier families and friends

· Lodge support - attend our members lodges for their significant ceremonial events (degrees etc) and to encourage attendance at lodge meetings.

The events that YFN hosts include lodge visits, a wine club, charity fundraisers, and get togethers for members of YFN and their significant others. I spoke with James, the YFN Chairman, and he said that without the support and encouragement of the Grand Lodge, YFN would have not lasted.

I think their goals are truly laudable and I really wish this very new group all the best. Perhaps one day, this concept will be transplanted across the Peaceful Sea and find roots on our shores. Masonry is truly finding its stride and groups like this are part of that energy.

What is the Endgame?

You know, I'm not one to look at Anti-Masonic websites. I mean, I've made my choice and I'm not changing. But there I was, treading in the zones of the Internet best left unobserved. When I started to look at the plethora of Anti-Masonic sites, I had to ask myself the question, "what do they get out of being against Freemasonry?" I mean, I know what I get out of being a Freemason; a sense of brotherhood, to meet men from all walks of life, and meet at a place dedicated to learning.

Is it financial? I see some sites charge quite a bit of money for the "secrets". Money is a great driving force for everyone. Everybody can use a little extra cash, especially now. However, Masonry has always been a small section of the population. Talk to any group of people and at least half won't know who the Masons are. (That topic is best saved for a different discussion, suffice it to say, we need to toot our own horn.)

Although the financial incentive is possible, I believe the real reason is that to be against something can be very ego boosting. Imagine, you go to your place of worship and proudly talk to the religious leader there about the dangers of Freemasonry. He may listen, he may not. It doesn't matter because you know you're right. If he's listening, you become the crusader for truth and justice. If he doesn't, then he hasn't seen the light yet. Either way, you're fighting the "good fight". He rails against the injustices that exist and the blindness of these poor men, men that need guidance before they're lost forever to Diablo.

That kind of self-aggrandizing behavior can really be harmful. The man who sees as his mission the destruction of an organization is really doing it out of a need for self-esteem with the hope of getting to self-actualization. You can never get to either of those on the pyramid if you hate. It's as simple as that.

I love Freemasonry. It's a beautiful institution dedicated to improving men. It allows me to go to a place, and separate myself from those topics that are divisive for just a couple of hours. A place of respite in an otherwise congested world of 24 hour news and fanatics of all stripes proclaiming their way is not the only way but will be used to conquer all.

I'm sure the second after I publish this post, an anti-Mason will send me an email or post a comment and that's fine. I've made my choice. I want to meet on the level with men of different backgrounds, I want to act rightly before the world, and I want to know that at the end of my life, I have brothers to care for my family. That is what being a brother means.

If you're looking for the most complete source of what Anti-Masons are saying, visit http://www.masonicinfo.com/. WBro. Ed does a great job of informing brothers on what's out there.

All Shook Up...

Me


My dad, Rick

My dad and I were fortunate enough to have time to see the Grand Lodge Officers' Installation this year. Most Worshipful Brother Tom had a wonderfully moving speech (by moving, I literally mean he walked for most of his speech.) At the end of his presentation, he invited all the guests at the end to shake his hand and receive the Grand Master's pin for this year.

Most Worshipful Brother Tom is a great believer in the Craft. He describes Masonry as a Way of Life. I completely agree. I wish the Grand Master and the other Grand Lodge officers a great year.

Intrigue Theater at the Triune Masonic Temple

I’m passing along this great show which will benefit the Triune Masonic Temple in Saint Paul. If you have never traveled to Triune, you are missing out, the building is beautiful and the lodges that meet there, Saint Paul No. 3, Braden No. 168, and Unizar No. 347, are very welcoming. This is one of the most unique fundraisers of ever heard of. Bravo brothers of Saint Paul #3.

Ghosts Sighting in St. Paul Masonic Lodge!

Masonic Lodge St. Paul No. 3 is proud to welcome INTRIGUE THEATER
to the Triune Temple in St. Paul, MN on Friday the 13th of May.

Travel back in time to the Victorian era and witness an amazing performance of Illusion and Mentalism Starring Sean-Paul and Juliane and featuring special guests from the other side.
INTRIGUE THEATER offers a unique experience reminiscent of 19th Century entertainment. Witness magical demonstrations, feats of astonishing mental capabilities, and elements of spiritualism in a seance, as observed and celebrated in the 19th century. Spirits may make their presence known with whispered answers and unexplained phenomenon.

There will two performances Friday May 13th and Saturday May 14th.
Showtime is 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10.00
There are only 200 seats available for each show.
We are projecting that both shows will sell out.
Purchasing tickets on-line by clicking here is recommened.

Wanted: 1 MILLION DOLLARS

Triune Temple is one of the few historic Masonic temples still remaining in the Twin Cities area. It is one of the earliest and best preserved buildings erected exclusively for the use of a single Masonic Lodge.

This performance is a fundraiser that will benefit St. Paul No. 3 with their efforts to maintain their building which in March celebrated its Centennial.

Corinthian Lodge in the Farmington Independent

Corinthian Lodge was featured in the Farmington Independent, the local paper of Farmington. The article was an interview with Rick Vance, our Junior Warden.

Here is an excerpt:

Masons basically have been working towards having an open forum for ideas. We have a requirement and a belief in a supreme being, so whether you want to call him God or Allah or anything else, you have to believe in a supreme being. We’re very tolerant in terms of different political ideas and political thoughts and those kinds of things. The idea is we provide a place for people to meet on what we call the level. Which means whether you’re the top doctor or top lawyer or top politician in town or a shoe repairman or anyone else, within Masonry it kind of takes away that class guideline.