To the public, one the most confusing and mysterious parts of Freemasonry is the process of joining. Because the process is only open to members, it is often assumed that it contains something mystical or inscrutable. For someone looking to join the fraternity, the idea of a becoming a member can be a mix of exhilarating, nerve inducing and self-reflective. [...]
Credit: Robert C. Snyder, II, D.D.G.M. 34 The Brothers of Mount Zion Lodge No. 774, in McConnellsburg, gathered at the McConnellsburg United Presbyterian Church Cemetery on Monday, April 11, 2016 prior to their April Stated Meeting. The purpose of the gathering was to dedicate a new grave monument for Brother Andrew Lindsay, Past Master of Mount Zion Lodge No. 210, [...]
Credit: Bro. Ariel Gonzales, Lodge No. 2, Philadelphia, PA They say hospitality is a dish best served from the heart and never is that more true than during the 4th annual Ronald McDonald House Guest Chef Charity Event sponsored by Lodge No. 2 of Masonic District D. A cornerstone of the fraternity’s pledge to promote community outreach, this charity drive [...]
Credit: Bro. Cody Spangler, Past Master, Armstrong Lodge No. 239, Freeport, PA One of the challenges with membership retention within our jurisdiction is keeping members active and involved in their Lodge. One possible cause for the lack of participation is a lack of understanding of the fundamental meanings of the degrees of Freemasonry. This thought brought a small group in [...]
Thanks to a long history and smart financial planning, Freemasons enjoy something many other civic clubs do not – private buildings for meetings and events. At one time, these facilities were used only for members, but, in more recent years, they have been opened up to the community for use for events and services. As folks have become more familiar [...]
On Saturday, March 19, 2016, the hosts of the Masonic Roundtable Podcast gathered at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown to speak at the bi-annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge. The Academy offers learning opportunities in which Masons may participate in dialogues with similarly inclined brethren, witness prominent Masonic scholars discussing various aspects of Freemasonry, and pursue home [...]
The records, documents, and historical papers of Freemasonry are valuable and should be preserved with care. The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania preserves and treasures these artifacts in its archives. Lodges can do the same: often lodge secretaries or specially designated members are responsible for taking care of documents relating to the Lodge. There are a number of standard [...]
The most universal symbol associated with Freemasonry is the square and compass. Thousands of variations on this design have been produced through the centuries. Just this year, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania offered a new, alternative version of the square and compass, which is now used on our media and letterhead. Even the biggest Grand Lodge in the world, the [...]
That’s right - your Masonic Library and Museum! There’s more to a library and museum than housing, cataloguing and lending materials!Did you know that…?You can search the catalogue? You can either click here to go the online lending system or you can navigate there by clicking “Contact & Links”, then “Library” and scrolling down to the bar saying, “Click here [...]
Credit: Bro. Joshua D. Parmer, Past Master, Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, PA Have you ever wondered about our Blue Lodge dating system of “AL” or those of other appendant Masonic bodies? Most of you probably know or have heard of the abbreviation of AL after the dates listed your blue lodge monthly notice. What you may not know is that [...]
