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The Berkshire Mentoring Programme

A Guide for New Freemasons

Part 1

Published by

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Berkshire

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Foreword

I congratulate you on becoming a member of one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies and I wish you many years in which to enjoy the friendship and fulfilment which I trust you will derive from your Masonic membership.

The various procedures and customs may appear somewhat daunting at first and you will probably have many questions cropping up during the early days of your Masonic career. In order to help you in this respect, an experienced Brother has been assigned to act as your Mentor. He will be your main contact to answer questions, explain procedures and generally help to make your integration into the Lodge a pleasurable experience

As a further aid, this booklet has been produced to help you develop your involvement and to ensure you feel at ease in our meetings as soon as possible.

You have taken an important step. Make the most of it. RW Bro. Martin Peters. Provincial Grand Master

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Contents Foreword 2 Introduction 4 Attending Lodge Meetings 6 In the Lodge 10 The Festive Board 13 Social Events 16 Masonic Charities 18 Talking about Freemasonry 21 The Next Steps 23

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Introduction

Congratulations on being initiated into a Berkshire Lodge and taking your first step in Freemasonry. That step was the first on a journey of discovery that should be enjoyable as well as enlightening. It is a journey which will be rewarding for the experiences it will have to offer and for the friendships you will make which otherwise might have been denied you. Above all it is a journey which will enable you to better understand yourself and, through this understanding, reinforce your thoughtfulness for others. You will soon learn that Freemasonry is a complex subject. There is a lot to understand and appreciate. To help you in this task a programme has been developed which will ensure that your reception into the Lodge goes smoothly and that you are introduced to some of Freemasonry’s history and practices. The programme is known as the Berkshire Mentoring Programme and consists of personal guidance and reading material. This booklet is one of three you will be given; one after each of the ceremonies on your journey to becoming a Master Mason. Each will try to answer some of the many questions you may have as you start out on your Masonic journey. You will have been given this booklet by a Brother in the Lodge who will be acting as a Mentor to you, to guide your development and understanding of the organisation you have just joined. This Brother, who may be your Proposer, Seconder, or a senior Brother in the Lodge, is there to help you understand what is going on. These booklets will

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answer some of your questions and your Mentor should be able to assist you in answering others to enable you to broaden your knowledge and enjoyment of Freemasonry. Lodges have considerable freedom in the way they operate, except on constitutional issues. The slight variation found between Lodges in the way they do things is one of the joys of Freemasonry. Your Mentor will be able to tell you if your Lodge does things differently from any particular answer set out in these booklets. We hope you enjoy your Masonic activities and that these booklets will help you ‘to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge’ Berkshire Masonic Education Committee

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Attending Lodge Meetings

What should I do before the meeting?

Put the dates of future Lodge meetings in your diary. In due course you will be sent a Summons for the meeting by the Lodge Secretary.

What is a Summons?

A Summons is the official notification sent by the Secretary of the Lodge to all members to advise them of a meeting of the Lodge. It gives the date, time and agenda for the meeting and may contain additional details such as:

The Officers and Past Masters of the Lodge

Members’ contact details

Sundry other information

What do I do on receipt of the Summons?

When you receive the Summons for the meeting, read it carefully, noting especially the start time of the meeting and the agenda items. You should fill in and return the attendance slip that comes with the summons as promptly as possible and return it to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary to let him know you will be attending and whether you will be dining. If you don't fill this form in and return it promptly, you may not get a meal! What do I do if I can’t attend a meeting?

If you are unable to attend a meeting for business or other personal reasons, then you should advise the Secretary as soon as possible. If you are an officer of the Lodge, you should also advise the Director of Ceremonies, so that someone can be asked to stand in for any work you may

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have been due to undertake. Whoever is going to stand in for you will appreciate as much notice as possible.

What should I take to a meeting?

Take the summons, any specific clothing required, such as white gloves, and cash for such things as drinks, raffles and the alms collection. An apron will be provided for you until you have completed your Third Degree.

What should I do on arrival for a meeting?

Greet the other Brethren of the Lodge, find a space in the robing area to clothe yourself and then sign (or preferably print) your name in the Signature Book or Attendance Record. Printing facilitates the reading of the names. Before you have your own Master Mason’s apron, you will need to see the Tyler on arrival to obtain an Entered Apprentice apron. Where do I sign or print my name?

The Signature Book is usually placed just outside the door of the Lodge or in the robing room for all members and visitors to sign in. Until you are an officer of the Lodge you should sign or print your name in the space marked ‘Members’. There are designated places for you to sign if you are an officer of the Lodge, a Past Master or a Visitor.

What do I do if I arrive late for a meeting?

First of all, don’t panic! Given the vagaries of traffic and public transport, it is not unknown for members or guests to arrive late for a meeting. When you arrive and have dressed appropriately, the Tyler will let you know how far into the proceedings the meeting has got. He will then give a report on the door of the Lodge to let them know that you

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are outside and will announce your name when someone comes to the door to enquire who seeks admission. When you are admitted to the Lodge, the Director of Ceremonies (DC), or Assistant Director of Ceremonies (ADC), will normally meet you. You should give the relevant sign for the degree and, while holding the sign, briefly apologise for your late arrival. The DC or ADC will then take you to a seat, give you a court bow, and you then sit. What should I do with my mobile phone?

Pagers and mobile phones should be turned off while in the Lodge room and at the Festive Board. If you have an urgent requirement to be contacted, for example medical or family reasons, it may be appropriate to arrange for the Tyler to take a message and pass it on to you later without disrupting the business of the Lodge.

What is the normal dress code for a meeting?

The normal dress code for Masonic meetings is dark lounge suit or Morning Dress, white shirt, tie, black socks, black shoes and white gloves. Some Lodges may request Dinner Jackets be worn for the Installation Meeting if convenient. Lodge summonses usually contain guidance on the dress code expected.

What tie can I wear?

It is now customary in Berkshire for the Berkshire Provincial tie to be worn at our Lodge meetings, but a plain black tie or the Craft tie can be worn. Outside Berkshire you may see even greater variation, such as regimental ties in military linked Lodges and the Metropolitan Grand Lodge tie in London Lodges.

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Nowadays most Provinces in the UK, like Berkshire, have their own Provincial ties, so if you are visiting another Lodge outside the Province of Berkshire it would be advisable to wear the Craft tie or a plain black tie, which is universally accepted. Recently a Royal Arch (Chapter) tie has been introduced which can also be worn in a Craft Lodge, indicating that the wearer is a member of the Royal Arch. Note: Details of the Royal Arch and how to join will be explained to you later in your Masonic career.

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In the Lodge

Where should I sit?

The seats on the Worshipful Master’s right are usually occupied by any Grand Officers present, while those on the Worshipful Master’s left are occupied by the Immediate Past Master, the Chaplain and the other Past Masters of the Lodge. Until you are an Officer of the Lodge you may sit anywhere in the body of the Lodge not designated for an Officer. You may like to sit next to your Mentor, Proposer or Seconder if this is possible.

What is the Warrant of the Lodge?

The Warrant of the Lodge is a document issued by Grand Lodge on behalf of the Grand Master, authorising the existence of the Lodge. It was shown to you during your Initiation ceremony and must be in the Lodge room whenever it is opened for Masonic business. If it cannot be found, then the Lodge cannot be opened.

What is the Book of Constitutions?

You were given the Book of Constitutions during your Initiation ceremony because it contains the rules and regulations of Freemasonry. As such it has an enormous amount of useful and interesting material in it. Some subjects may be of interest to you even though you have only completed your First Degree, such as who wears the different aprons, what Officers are appointed and what is the minimum time interval which must elapse between your Degree ceremonies. You could glance through the book and familiarise yourself with its contents by trying to answer these questions.

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What is the Volume of the Sacred Law?

Freemasonry embraces all faiths and a belief in a Supreme Being is an essential requirement for membership. The Volume of the Sacred Law is the name used to refer to whatever book a Mason holds sacred, which to a Christian, for example, is the Bible. The Volume of the Sacred Law (and occasionally more than one) is always open when the Lodge is open.

What are the words to the Opening / Closing Hymns?

Many Lodges use a standard Opening and Closing hymn, usually referred to as the Opening and Closing Odes. The following are most commonly used, although there are occasional variations in the musical arrangement. Opening Ode

“Hail Eternal! By whose aid, All created things were made; Heav’n and Earth, Thy vast design; Hear us, Architect Divine! May our work, Begun in Thee Ever blest with order be, And may we, when labours cease, Part in Harmony and Peace. By Thy glorious Majesty - By the trust we place in Thee - By the badge and mystic sign - Hear us, Architect Divine!

SO MOTE IT BE”.

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Closing Ode

“Now the evening shadows closing, Worn from toil to peaceful rest, Mystic arts and rights reposing, Sacred in each faithful breast. God of Light! Whose love unceasing, Doth to all Thy works extend, Crown our Order with Thy blessing, Build; sustain us to the end.

Humbly now we bow before Thee Grateful for Thine aid Divine; Everlasting power and glory, Mighty Architect! Be Thine.

SO MOTE IT BE”.

The word Mote is Old English for 'Let'. Some Lodges use alternative Odes. You will normally find the words for these either on the Lodge summons or on the seats in the Lodge.

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The Festive Board

What is the Festive Board?

The Festive Board is the meal held after most Lodge meetings. The type of meal offered varies from buffets through to banquets, but the Installation meeting Festive Board is usually the most lavish. There is often a formal seating arrangement and there are 'wine takings', toasts and speeches.

Where do I sit?

Many Lodges produce a table plan and the usual layout is a top table with two or more sprigs. The WM sits at the centre of the top table, the Senior Warden at the end of the sprig to the far right of the WM, the Junior Warden at the end of the sprig to the far left. The Immediate Past Master sits on the left of the WM. Most Lodge members sit on the sprigs. The festive board following your Initiation is most likely the only time you will sit at the top table until the night of your Installation as Master of the Lodge.

Why is the Gavel used at the Festive Board?

The WM uses the gavel to claim the attention of the Brethren at the Festive Board, just as he does in Lodge. When he uses it, the Brethren should heed it and cease any conversation immediately.

What are Wine Takings?

At some convenient moment during the meal, the WM will recognise the presence of certain other Brethren by 'taking wine with them', for example with his Wardens. Those named stand, raise their glass and take a sip of whatever is in the glass. It doesn't have to be wine or even alcoholic.

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Who are the Toasts to?

The formal toasts are proposed to the following:

The Queen and the Craft

The Grand Master

The Pro Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Assistant Grand Master and Grand Officers

The Provincial Grand Master

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, The Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, The rest of the Provincial and District Grand Officers and Holders of London Grand Rank

The Worshipful Master

The Initiate (if applicable)

The Visitors

All poor and distressed Freemasons (known as the Tyler's Toast)

In Berkshire, the WM will usually propose the first three of these toasts, the Senior Warden the fourth, the Junior Warden the fifth and the Immediate Past Master the sixth. Toasts are generally followed by Masonic Fire.

What is Masonic Fire?

Masonic Fire is a gesture made with the hands after each toast. It may take its origins from the tradition of firing guns in salute following celebrations. Some think it represents the First Degree sign. Others think it represents the way glasses were raised in a toast to your companions in bygone days. Like so much in Freemasonry, you will find that there are various explanations, none of which can be offered with any certainty.

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Will I have to make a speech?

Probably not for some time, so don't worry about it now. When you are eventually asked, remember the following points:

Keep it short and relevant

Avoid offensive content

Start with a standard preamble. The recommended one is "Worshipful Master, Brother Wardens and Brethren all".

If someone is replying to your speech, you should call on him to do so after Masonic Fire has been given.

There is no specific Masonic grace, but grace should always be said before and after the meal, usually by the Lodge Chaplain. In some Lodges the grace following the meal is sung to the words of the Laudi Spirituali (AD 1545):-

“For these and all Thy mercies given, We bless and praise Thy Name, O Lord, May we receive them with thanksgiving, Ever trusting in Thy word: To Thee alone be Honour, Glory, Now and henceforth for evermore.

Amen”. May I smoke at the Festive Board?

No, smoking is not allowed in public places now by law.

May I leave the table?

Yes, but try to avoid doing so if you can. In some Lodges, the WM and the two Warden's chairs are not left unoccupied. Should one of them need to leave their seat, they would ask another Brother to occupy it until they return.

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Social Events

What events can I bring non-Masons to?

Many Lodges hold Ladies' Festivals, Barbeques, skittles evenings, theatre outings and other social events. Friends and family are welcomed to all of these, as well as to activities sometimes tied in with Lodge meetings, such as White Table dinners, special non-Masons evenings or rarer events such as a banner dedication.

What is a Ladies' Festival?

A Ladies' Festival (or Ladies' Night) is a dinner dance, usually hosted by the WM and his Lady, to enable the Lodge members to entertain and thank wives and partners for their support during the year. Other non-Masonic guests are also welcome to attend.

What is a White Table?

A White Table is a Festive Board held after a Lodge meeting to which Ladies or non-Masons are invited. Fewer Toasts or speeches are made at these events and no Masonic fire is given. The White Table may follow a Lodge meeting during which an alternative programme has been organised for the Ladies and non-Masons or during which ladies and non-Masons were admitted for part of the proceedings. Who can I invite to a social event?

You may be wise to only invite family members or a partner initially. Once you have taken your three degrees you can also think of asking friends to come along to Lodge social events.

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Attending Lodge social events is an excellent way of introducing family members and friends to Freemasonry. It is also an excellent way of introducing potential candidates to other Lodge members and to the idea that they may be interested in becoming a member of the Lodge.

Who pays?

The Lodge doesn't pay! Normally you would pay, but if you are putting together a party to attend, say, the Lodge's Ladies' Night, you would probably find your guests willing to make a contribution towards the cost of their tickets. You will know what you can afford! Lodge funds cannot be used to defray the costs of social events, which must be self-funding. Accounts must be kept separate from the normal Lodge accounts. If a raffle is held at a social event, the proceeds must not be used to fund the event, but be given to charity or used for some other worthy cause.

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Masonic Charities

What are the main Masonic Charities?

There are many Masonic charities but the four main national ones for England and Wales are:-

The Grand Charity

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys

The New Masonic Samaritan Fund

What do they do?

The Grand Charity is the main Masonic charity and supports masonically connected applicants in distressed circumstances. It also supports other Masonic charities and makes considerable grants to non-Masonic charities, disaster relief appeals and other humanitarian causes. The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution offers care, support and assistance to older Freemasons and their dependants through a range of care services within residential homes, such as Lord Harris Court at Sindlesham, as well as other support, such as funded holidays and home improvement loans. The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys is for the relief of poverty and the provision of an education to the children of families who, through sickness, ill fortune or death, cannot properly look after themselves. Many Berkshire children have been afforded an education which might otherwise have been denied them.

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The Masonic Samaritan Fund provides assistance to needy and infirm Freemasons and their dependants, who can demonstrate that they have a medical need where NHS treatment is unavailable without undue delay or hardship and who are unable to afford the full private medical fees themselves. Here in Berkshire we also have our own charity called The Berkshire Masonic Charity where we support local good causes in the community. Our PGM has nominated this charity for our support, hoping to raise £1/2 million in the next five years (2011-2016).

How do they raise funds?

Funding for these charities comes from individual Brethren, through appeals, covenants, gift aid, social functions, raffles etc. Unlike many other organisations Masonry does not seek contributions from the general public. This is despite the fact that a large proportion of all funds collected goes to help the community at large. The Festival System plays a major role in raising money for these charities.

What is the Festival System?

Every year, different Provinces host a Festival, the proceeds of which support one of the above charities. Lodges within a Province, work over a number of years to raise money for the Festival, which culminates in a Festival dinner where the total collected is announced and given to the chosen Charity. In 2006 the RW Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire launched the "Festival 2011" for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. Set a target of £1.5 million. The final figure of nearly £2.28 million was announced in 2011 at a

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Festival dinner held at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, far exceeding its target.

How can I contribute?

Charity is at the heart of Freemasonry and any contribution you can make will be gratefully received. You should anticipate the Lodge Charity Steward approaching you sometime to solicit your financial support towards meeting your Lodge's charitable objectives. You can do this through Gift Aid donations, which allow any tax you have paid to be reclaimed by the charity. You can also support the charities by ‘one-off' donations (which again, may be made using Gift Aid) or by other fund raising activities such as raffles. There will also be a collection for charity, either in the Lodge meeting or at the Festive Board.

How much do I contribute?

Whatever you feel disposed to give. And remember, whatever you give should be “without detriment to yourself or your connections". In other words, only what you can afford to give without harming your domestic financial situation. Whatever you donate is confidential, between the Charity Steward and yourself.

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Talking about Freemasonry

What can I tell my family?

Freemasonry is not a secret society and there is very little of your experience as a Freemason which cannot be discussed with your family. It is a very good idea to share your experiences, so that family members understand what happens at a Lodge meeting and how you participate. It is also important that those close to you, especially your wife or partner, if you have one, has a good understanding of what Freemasonry is and why you are prepared to devote some of your time and money to it.

Can I talk about my First Degree ceremony?

Of course you can, but since your understanding of the more complex messages which lie behind the ceremony may not be very advanced at this stage, you will probably just want to talk more about the form of the ceremony rather than trying to explain the meaning of it.

Can I tell my friends I am a Freemason?

You can and, indeed, you are encouraged to do so. There is no reason for not letting your friends know that you have joined Freemasonry, but at this stage it is possibly wise to keep such discussion out of the workplace. In certain areas, particularly in the Public Sector, there remains an unjustified discrimination against Freemasons.

Is there anything I cannot talk about?

The only thing you cannot disclose are the modes of recognition, because you have promised not to do so. Adherence to that promise is part of our moral training.

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There will be other things about which you cannot talk for lack of knowledge, not because it is a secret. When talking to family or friends, don't be afraid to admit that you are on a steep learning curve and that your understanding of Freemasonry is not yet complete. You will not be able to answer all of the questions which get thrown at you at this stage, but you can be sure that someone, somewhere is waiting to help you provide an answer (e.g. your Mentor) which will not only satisfy your friends and family but will also enhance your understanding of the organisation you have joined. Remember, also, that any friend to whom you are talking could one day be interested in becoming a Freemason. It may be better not to say too much to such a person about the ceremonies in case it spoils the impact for him when he takes his three degrees. What if I encounter bias?

Some of our detractors are biased through plain ignorance about Freemasonry. If you come across this, at least ask the individual to have an open mind and not be swayed by the misinformation and antagonism that is around. You may want to invite them to a Ladies Festival or to an open day at your centre or at Sindlesham to find out more about Freemasonry. But if this proves impossible, avoid having an argument with them, especially while your own knowledge is so limited.

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The Next Steps

Before becoming a Master Mason you have two more ceremonies to complete - that of Passing, the Second Degree, and that of Raising, the Third Degree. At each of these ceremonies you will have to give some prepared answers to certain questions. You will be given a copy of the questions and the answers you have to learn before your next ceremony. Learn these answers thoroughly, using your Proposer, Seconder or Mentor to rehearse them. It can take up to twelve months, or more, to complete all three of your degree ceremonies depending on the future work schedule for your Lodge. The Mentoring Programme should ensure that you use this time to develop your understanding and enjoyment of your Masonic activities. Here are some ideas for you to follow up while you are waiting to take your Second Degree. After your Initiation you should also have been given two booklets, this one called:- “A Guide for New Freemasons Part 1”; This gives lots of general information about being a Freemason. and “The journey of a New Mason - Stage 2”; This booklet helps to explain the ceremony you have just experienced. Ideally work with your mentor so that he can explain and guide you through the topics quoted. Also read “After the First Degree”, the first in the series of Peterborough Booklets if you were given a copy at your Initiation, or ask your Mentor for a copy. You will be given similar booklets following the Second and Third degrees.

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Plan a visit, perhaps with another member of your Lodge or your family, to the Berkshire Masonic Centre at Sindlesham to see the Museum and Library. Some other Masonic centres also have libraries which are well worth a visit. While in the library, see if you can find suitable reading to advance your basic knowledge of Freemasonry. Find out when your Lodge's Class of Instruction (or Lodge of Instruction) is practising a First Degree and see if you can attend. There is a great deal to learn about Freemasonry. Indeed, you will probably never stop learning, but don't let that stop you making as much progress as you can over the next few months to improve you current level of knowledge. If you have any questions, jot them down on the next page and ask your Mentor where you can find the answers. Remember that, above all, Freemasonry is there to be enjoyed and that the more you are prepared to put into it, the more pleasure you will get out of it. Finally, follow up any questions raised by the content of this booklet with your Mentor. Your Proposer and Seconder will also be willing to help in any way they can, in fact you will find all masons will readily assist you in any way they can as you will in due time.

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Notes

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Copies of this publication are available from the:

The Provincial Grand Secretary's office at Sindlesham Masonic Centre,

Mole Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5DB.

Tel: 0118 9787625