When first contemplating joining Freemasonry I wanted to make sure that what I was joining wasn’t a society that was great in the past but didn’t hold much weight any more and was no longer relevant in today’s world.

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So, I did what most people do in this day and age and Googled as much as I could about the Craft. Of course, the trouble with Googling information is that so much time is wasted disregarding all the nonsense that is out there. Conspiracy theories, and all those who think they know our ways but clearly don’t having never stepped foot inside a Lodge. It really is a minefield of disinformation. I tended to stick to trusted, reliable sources such as The Square Magazine, Freemasonry Today, UGLE and the Provincial website here in the Province of West Lancashire.

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The other thing I did was to read. Reading, just like writing, is a passion of mine. I read only from trusted sources from authors within Freemasonry and I learned so many things about the history of the Craft. I could clearly see that Freemasons are not only still relevant today but they are also very much needed in our society.

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organisation in the world. Just let that statement sink in for a moment. Of all the fraternities that come and go, Freemasonry has withstood the test of time and continues to flourish around the globe. It is the oldest fraternity and steeped in tradition. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling each time you step foot in a Lodge, perform a ritual or raise your glass at a social board to know that what you are doing at that exact moment has been done by millions of men from all walks of life for hundreds of years. 

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It is very easy to take this for granted after years in Lodge. We can all too easily just accept that this is how things are done and not give it much thought at all, but if we contemplate just for a moment on the enormity of the situation and think how each brother before us and each brother to come will be doing the exact same thing that we are doing now, you find yourself overcome with a pure sense of belonging. It’s a wonderful feeling. To me that history and that sense of belonging is like a magnet drawing me in to learn more and to do more, to be a part of it all. Each one of us is a part of a chain that started way back in the middle ages and will continue to flourish way in to our future and we all have our parts to play.

I was recently very honoured to be invited to attend Foundation Lodge 5394, here in the Province of West Lancashire, for a celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry of WBro. Jeffrey Newbrook PPrGSuptWks Master. I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating WBro. Jeffrey. It was a fantastic celebration of 50 years of Jeffrey’s life in Masonry and as I listened to stories of his years of service I was deeply inspired and felt a real sense of the brotherly love that each of the brethen has for Jeffrey. 

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The thing I took from this wonderful celebration was that although 50 years is a long time, in the grand scale of life it’s just a blink of an eye. It goes by so quickly. I really want to do as much as I can in the time I have to be of service just as WBro. Jeffrey has been of service in his 50 years and continues to be so. 

So, I believe that joining Freemasonry was the best decision I ever made. I believe that Freemasonry is as relevant today as it ever has been and I believe that if we keep working at it, keeping our traditions but moving with the times, Freemasonry will continue to thrive well into the future for new generations of Masons to enjoy. So mote it be!

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It is my ambition to write as if having a conversation with you – brothers having a chat. It is my hope that new and young Masons and those who might be thinking of joining us will gain some insight from my column, and also those who have been in for many years with far more experience than me might enjoy the read and be reminded of what it was like when Freemasonry was all new and exciting to them in the hope that spark might reignite in them. Or, I hope I can simply keep you company for a while as you read my thoughts and views on Freemasonry as we go on this journey together. Whatever your level of experience, newly entered or over 50 years service, I thank you all equally for being with me here in Wayne’s ‘Masonic’ World. We are all in this together. 

See you next month brethren!