Feature Events & News:
New: A Downloadable Schedule, Updated Weekly!
With the popularity of having most (or all) of the Masonic meetings and events in District One (and beyond) being updated here weekly, we've changed the format for the schedule into a downloadable .pdf. Please click on the "Upcoming Events" icon (left) for the download!
With the popularity of having most (or all) of the Masonic meetings and events in District One (and beyond) being updated here weekly, we've changed the format for the schedule into a downloadable .pdf. Please click on the "Upcoming Events" icon (left) for the download!
Masons of District One (MODO) Updates:
January 22nd, 2023
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– May 30thMay long weekend…
Change…
An interesting article on Relationships…
And what did the study find?
Last week I made comments about ‘ritual’ as it related to Christmas time and provide these comments as a reminder
"In a world that is constantly changing, stability can be comforting. Besides, ritual actions themselves are highly structured and repetitive – think of hanging the ornaments on the tree or singing the lyrics to a carol. Laboratory and field studies show that these types of repetitive rituals are soothing, because they provide a sense of predictability and control".
We should tie these two ideas together – ritual as providing a sense of predictability and control while a crucial element of happiness is relationships, all of which are available as members of a Masonic Lodge.
Research on Ritual [an Update]
"Jim, I think your question about the role of ritual in forging bonds of community within the lodge and fraternity is spot on, and I certainly hope that Dr. Xygalatas' discusses it at our meeting on the 31st. I know our members will want to hear the answer too!"
I will provide an update of the meeting in a future MODO Sunday email blast.
My further comment on change
A reminder of the presentation via Zoom by WB Matthew Clark
Coffee & Social – no regalia meetings 9:00AM
Concordant Bodies – if you are interested: Scottish Rite – contact scottishritevictoria@gmail.com for application and further information.
Some other events/items which may be of interest…
-Travelling Gavel and other paraphernalia
-The Friend to Friend program is a recurring session hosted by the Oriental 20 Masonic Lodge in Mesa, Arizona. This program is primarily geared toward people who are curious about Freemasonry, but the more Masons that join this session, the better perspective can be given to those curious about Freemasonry. In addition to the agenda, a recurring book club starts approximately 45 minutes into the session. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to be part of this initiative, I suggest you send an email to Luke Evans - '18 Past Master - Oriental 20 Masonic Lodge - Mesa AZ luke.evans.us@gmail.com
-Ashlar College of Freemasonry – now has a web site www.ashlarcollege.ca The website offers both to students already registered with the college, as well as brethren curious in becoming members of the college, - an opportunity to register. The website contains all the coursework as well as soon to have the ability to pay on line [Pay Pal or a Credit Card].
-Victoria Lodge of Education and Research [VLER]– As we have seen changes in our individual Lodges related to declining membership the VLER is facing similar challenges. In addition to interesting and informative presentations; the VLER offers an opportunity for any Master Mason to present a paper exploring something of interest to them personally and then open the discussion afterwards to further explore their interest. Please contact RWB Ron Cawthra at ron.cawthra@telus.net if you are interested in paying them a visit.
-EBee – Grand Lodge Electronic Bulletin/Newsletter - The latest issues of EBee are available online HERE. Looking for Ebee archives from 2013 to 2106? Please click HERE
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe,
RW Jim Ferguson
Secretary Emeritus
United Peninsula Lodge No.24
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– May 30thMay long weekend…
Change…
- The last time I asked for change the cashier said, “I’m a Freemason, I don’t make change”. The new contact email for submitting updates for your Lodge has been changed to: MODOBCY@gmail.com to ensure it is not unique to any particular Lodge. I plan to include information of Lodges on Vancouver Island with particular attention to South Vancouver Island. It does not preclude comments outside of those two areas.
An interesting article on Relationships…
- At a recent United Peninsula Lodge meeting, WB Bruce Simpson [DEO] asked the question [my paraphrasing] “…what have you got out of Freemasonry...”. A number of people commented on introducing/including family members in a conversation or visiting a Lodge, others how it helped them in their work life and one in particular mentioned how he was able to form friendships through his association with Lodge and other Freemasons.
- I was reminded of this presentation when I read an article in the January 1st New York Times. The link to the article is here: The Morning: A happier new year (nytimes.com)
- I have taken the liberty of copying the first paragraph
And what did the study find?
- What emerged is that a crucial element of happiness is relationships. If you’re going to make one single decision that would ensure your own health and happiness, the science tells us that it should be to cultivate warm relationships of all kinds. It’s not just about having a partner. It’s in every realm of your life. So we worked with Dr. Waldinger to craft exercises to help people cultivate more happiness in their relationships.
Last week I made comments about ‘ritual’ as it related to Christmas time and provide these comments as a reminder
"In a world that is constantly changing, stability can be comforting. Besides, ritual actions themselves are highly structured and repetitive – think of hanging the ornaments on the tree or singing the lyrics to a carol. Laboratory and field studies show that these types of repetitive rituals are soothing, because they provide a sense of predictability and control".
We should tie these two ideas together – ritual as providing a sense of predictability and control while a crucial element of happiness is relationships, all of which are available as members of a Masonic Lodge.
Research on Ritual [an Update]
- As noted last week, I had an email conversation with Dimitris Xygalatas – [Department of Anthropology and Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut] regarding his research on rituals and if he had done any research of ritual and the relationship to Freemasonry. Dr. Xygalatas has been invited to speak at the Rhode Island Lodge of Research at the end of January. I have since received an invitation from WB Josh Irizarry Master ("Chancellor") of the Rhode Island Lodge of Research to attend the meeting via Zoom.
"Jim, I think your question about the role of ritual in forging bonds of community within the lodge and fraternity is spot on, and I certainly hope that Dr. Xygalatas' discusses it at our meeting on the 31st. I know our members will want to hear the answer too!"
I will provide an update of the meeting in a future MODO Sunday email blast.
My further comment on change
- With the effect of COVID on society in general, I’m not too sure Freemasons appreciate the change taking place as the opportunity to broaden our outreach through the use of technology. Who would have thought 3-5 years ago of holding a Lodge meeting via the Internet to other parts of the world!
A reminder of the presentation via Zoom by WB Matthew Clark
- WB Matthew Clark of Britannia Lodge No. 73 has been invited to speak via Zoom at Prometheus Lodge in Massachusetts on January 24 at 7:00PM Eastern time [4:00PM PST] . The presentation will be based on his book titled “The Point Within the Circle”. The meeting is open to visiting brethren, and an opportunity “to visit” a Massachusetts lodge with WB Clark. To register for the Zoom, email Dean Blackburn at deanb68@outlook.com
Coffee & Social – no regalia meetings 9:00AM
- Monday - 9:00AM - Masonic Hall – 8105 Derrinberg Road – Saanichton
- Tuesday - 9:00AM - Masonic Hall – 650 Fisgard Street – Victoria
- Wednesday - 9:00AM Masonic Hall - 2744 Lashburn Rd Mill Bay - breakfast / coffee
- Saturday - 9:00AM Masonic Hall – 650 Fisgard Street – Victoria – [subject to availability]
Concordant Bodies – if you are interested: Scottish Rite – contact scottishritevictoria@gmail.com for application and further information.
Some other events/items which may be of interest…
-Travelling Gavel and other paraphernalia
- Many years ago it was the custom of Lodges to visit other Lodges which became known as a “Fraternal Visit”. It was an opportunity for members of a Lodge to invite their least experienced Brethren to visit a Lodge without having to go through an examination of proficiency and to experience in some cases similar and yet in other cases different ritual.
- Over the years, token[s] of recognition were exchanged – such as the travelling gavel, the travelling totem and I’m sure other souvenirs collected along the way. RWB Rod McKenzie of Mount Shepherd Lodge has asked the question – “…does anyone know where these artifacts might be…” and is there an opportunity to use them as an incentive for Lodges to rekindle the opportunity for Fraternal and Lodge visits.
- If you have any information of where these might be, please pass them along to RWB McKenzie at secmtshep159@gmail.com
-The Friend to Friend program is a recurring session hosted by the Oriental 20 Masonic Lodge in Mesa, Arizona. This program is primarily geared toward people who are curious about Freemasonry, but the more Masons that join this session, the better perspective can be given to those curious about Freemasonry. In addition to the agenda, a recurring book club starts approximately 45 minutes into the session. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to be part of this initiative, I suggest you send an email to Luke Evans - '18 Past Master - Oriental 20 Masonic Lodge - Mesa AZ luke.evans.us@gmail.com
-Ashlar College of Freemasonry – now has a web site www.ashlarcollege.ca The website offers both to students already registered with the college, as well as brethren curious in becoming members of the college, - an opportunity to register. The website contains all the coursework as well as soon to have the ability to pay on line [Pay Pal or a Credit Card].
-Victoria Lodge of Education and Research [VLER]– As we have seen changes in our individual Lodges related to declining membership the VLER is facing similar challenges. In addition to interesting and informative presentations; the VLER offers an opportunity for any Master Mason to present a paper exploring something of interest to them personally and then open the discussion afterwards to further explore their interest. Please contact RWB Ron Cawthra at ron.cawthra@telus.net if you are interested in paying them a visit.
-EBee – Grand Lodge Electronic Bulletin/Newsletter - The latest issues of EBee are available online HERE. Looking for Ebee archives from 2013 to 2106? Please click HERE
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe,
RW Jim Ferguson
Secretary Emeritus
United Peninsula Lodge No.24
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PEOPLE JOIN AN ORGANIZATION BECAUSE OF THE IDEALS, BUT THEY STAY BECAUSE OF YOU.
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United Peninsula Lodge No. 24 & Mount Newton Masonic Hall Calendar
For District Calendars, please visit the Grand Lodge Of British Columbia & Yukon
For District Calendars, please visit the Grand Lodge Of British Columbia & Yukon