– My father was a Freemason. My grandfather was so I asked to join and they they were delighted and I had to have an informal interview. Got asked a few questions and then the date was set for when I joined. I had my joining ceremony and then the rest is history.
That was 20 years ago now but I still remember it like it was yesterday. – My interest in Freemasonry was very much sparked at an early age. I remember seeing my father and grandfather going off to meetings and very much enjoying their Freemasonry. I’ve become very much attracted to the history and
Mysticism surrounding Freemasonry. At the same time I was very much, heavily involved with scouting before going to university and Freemasonry for me very much followed on from that. – So I joined masonry for a few reasons. The main one being to extend my circle of friends.
Secondly because I had an inquisitive mind, I wanted to know a bit more about the history of Freemasonry. I was asked to join by a good friend of mine. My next door neighbour and at the time he asked me to put a letter into the lodge that I was interested
In joining and what I could offer the lodge as a man and the things I could bring so once that was approved that letter I went in for a short interview met some of the guys and I was happily approved which was great. – When I joined Freemasonry I thought I was just
Joining a single lodge. But actually I’ve joined a much larger community. I’ve made very good lifelong friends from a number of different lodges. We now have a young masons club called the Essex Cornerstone Club which provides an opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together and take part in social
And charitable activities throughout the year. – So in Freemasonry we sometimes have to stand up and do some talking and the good thing about that is that I can take that back to my work environment as a transferable skill so being able to have that confidence
And stand up and talk to people almost with authority gives me a good standing at work. – First of all it’s enabled me to meet people from various backgrounds that I don’t think I would’ve had the opportunity of meeting before. I travel for work quite a lot so whether that’s local
Or international I’ve got a great connection across the world. Secondly it’s given me great life skills. In our lodge meetings we stand up and we present and we talk and that’s great. We do the same at work so it gives me confidence at work.
Then I think the other thing is coming to our meetings is a good space away from the busyness of life and work in general. – My initiation was actually very exciting. Although initially it appeared quite daunting. The actual ceremony itself was very personal and comforting and something I will remember and treasure forever.
– I was in a room with lots of people that I knew. Lots of people that I didn’t know. It was a warm friendly environment. It was a fantastic story. It really was which continues throughout your masonic journey and then after the meeting we had a lovely meal
And a few drinks and that’s what it’s all about. – My initiation ceremony is quite special and it’s special to every Freemason that joins. What I was blown away by was the amount of work that went in for that ceremony by lots of people that I’ve never
Met before and people that came up to you afterwards. You almost feel like a superstar afterwards because everyone is there for you and for your initiation and you’ll automatically have these great friends around you and friends for life. – The ceremonies are things which take us back to our roots
Of medieval stonemasons but also bring in some aspects of learning and personal development. There’s three ceremonies that we do quite often. The first is the ceremony of initiation. That brings a candidate into Freemasonry and it really allows that candidate to reflect on who they are on the
Fact that when everybody comes into this world they come in as equals and as life progresses sometimes people do better than other people and it teaches us that we need to be mindful of that and see what we can personally do to help out those people who are less well off than us.
The second ceremony or the second degree that teaches us to better ourselves to reflect on who we are. How we fit into the world. How we can make ourselves better people through education. Then the final ceremony the third degree that teaches us that perhaps we only have so long on this world that
We’re all mortal and that we really need to make the most of our time here.
source
