Online With Light: For Freemasons

Sometimes we forget about what it was like to be a Fellowcraft. We see a number of degrees and they often run together. There is nothing like your first degree. I chat with Bro. Ben Valinsky, a member of Ouroboros No. 151 on his progress and what it is like to pass through the degree process at an especially strange time (COVID-19).

It is not easy to get your lodge trustee account on track. We have lodges that have ancient accounts and there are often changes in leadership that can lead to confusion. Bro. Andrew Boone of Hiram Lodge No. 1 and UBS talks to us about how we can approach setting our lodges into a more advantageous place financially. 

The role of the Marshall can be difficult to pin down. Sometimes, we find it as the beginning of the line, or it can be a place for a revered past master. However that role is defined, it is important to have the Marshall of your lodge contributing in a meaningful way to the life of your brothers. We discuss many of the options and the history of the position.

Many Junior Wardens worry about what they are going to produce for meals when they are feeding the lodge. As intimidating as this can be, RWB Jason Morse talks to us about how he did that job for two years at his mother lodge. We also explore the concept of a Festive Board and how that can be a fun alternative to traditional lodge dinners.

There are lots of ways that we can be nervous as we approach out time in the East. RWB James M. Anderson, the Deputy Grand Secretary, talks us through his process for coaching incoming masters so that they can be effective and relaxed at the same time. Jim is a valuable asset to the Fraternity and his wisdom continues to help many Worshipful Masters as they prepare to lead their lodges.

Bro. Chris Bolster, SW of Village Lodge No. 29 talks with us about how his experience in theater arts informs his memorization and performance of masonic ritual. Learn more about how you can calm your nerves and perform some great ritual in your lodge!

The author of www.masonicmentor.com MWB Mel is a past Grand Master of the state of CT. He invested a great deal of his time and effort into creating excellent experiences for Masons, particularly as they matriculate into the lodge environment. 

WB Rob is the Associate Grand Tiler for the State of CT and is also the lodge education officer for Meridian Lodge No. 77 in Meriden, CT. For work, Rob is the Career and Technical Curriculum Coordinator for Wallingford Public Schools. 

Rob talks to us about how he structured his program and what key elements you should consider when constructing yours. you can get in touch with him by emailing [email protected] and he would be happy to work with you to give a presentation to your lodge. 

It is great to be podcasting again! Expect a host of new podcasts on this next season as the CME revamps our seminar offerings.

As part of the Committe for Masonic Education RWB Nick Ives chats with WB Nick Valinsky and Bro. Chris Bolster about "The Meaning of Masonry" by Wilmshurst. Was/Is the craft misled from the spiritual path? We discuss.

RWB Andrew Melillo, the Grand Historian of CT, shares with us his historical findings on how our brothers were handling the Spanish Flu and how that relates to today's Covid-19 pandemic. He also talked about the importance of capturing the records of our past and present so we can better share our stories in the future.