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What is Freemasonry?
Firstly, it’s a lot of fun! Freemasonry is the oldest and the largest of the secular (that is, non-religious) fraternal societies. It exists to allow men with a social conscience to put something back into society by providing aid, support and hope to those in need. Freemasons support a wide range of charitable causes dealing with everything from major international emergencies such as earthquakes, to local community causes, and individual problems such as ageing, illness or poverty.
What is Freemasonry’s relationship with religion?
All Freemasons are expected to have a religious belief, but Freemasonry does not seek to replace a Mason’s religion or provide a substitute for it. It deals in a man’s relationship with his fellow man not in a man’s relationship with his God.
What is a Masonic lodge?
In Freemasonry, the lodge means two things. It refers to a group of Masons coming together in fellowship, and, at the same time, refers to the room or building in which they meet.
There are hundreds of Masonic lodges in the Sussex and many more across the country and the world. The lodge itself typically consists of a lodge room where official business and Masonic rituals are conducted, as well as several additional areas for Brothers to share meals, spend time together, host public and private events, and more.
What happens at a Masonic Meeting?
Meetings are in two parts. The first part is concerned with the administrative business that any organisation has, such as the minutes of the last meeting, discussing Lodge charity and finances and so on. The second part is usually devoted to ceremonies either for admitting new members, or the annual installation of the Master. The three ceremonies for new members take the form of a one-act play, to introduce the candidate, in a dramatic way, to the principles of Freemasonry
What if I don’t know someone in my local lodge?
When a potential member does not know anyone in the local lodge, the lodge will arrange a casual meeting with several members who will be glad to share information about their lodge and its activities. This kind of meet and greet provides an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, to ask and answer questions, and to discover if there appears to be a good fit between the man and the lodge.
Each lodge decides who may become a member consistent with our customs, rules, and regulations. Some lodge will invite the potential member to several activities or social functions before two members will agree to make the recommendation.
Can just anyone become a Freemason?
Freemasonry is a multi-faith, multi-cultural, multi-racial organisation. It is open to all men who are over 21, law abiding, of good character, and who believe in a Supreme Being. We will only accept men who fulfil all of those four essential requirements.
Are there costs to join?
There will be a fee to join, generally between £100 and £250, depending on the Lodge and its location. This fee is due at the time a formal application is submitted for membership.
There is no charge to meet with a lodge to learn more about it or the process of becoming a member. Once a man becomes a member, he then pays annual dues to help support Lodge operations, and he will likely have to pay for meals and event fees if the Lodge holds banquets, charitable or social events.
Charity has always been a core principle of Freemasonry. Individuals can make an important contribution at local, national and global level by giving both their time and money.
Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing £42m to deserving causes in 2019 alone. Freemasons do not only donate money – more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work was undertaken by Freemasons in 2018.
Why do Masons wear aprons?
The aprons hark back to working stonemasons, on which our ceremonies are based. Even today stonemasons still wear lambskin aprons to protect themselves and their work. In Freemasonry, they also represent badges of rank, signifying different stages in a Masonic career. As a rough guide, the colours can be likened to participation in sport. The light blue can be considered as playing at club level, dark blue for the county, and dark blue with lots of gold as playing for the national team.
If I do join, what’s in it for me?
You will find it a worthwhile and fascinating way to invest some of your spare time. For most, it provides a sense of belonging to a pastime that gives a structured and formal part of life which many feel is missing in today’s world. In addition your Lodge’s social programme offers numerous opportunities for socialising which in turn allows you to form new friendships that will last a lifetime.
If you are interested in joining Freemasonry and our Lodge in particular, and would like to know more, or what makes Eastbourne Lodge No 7057 so special, then please do get in touch. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.
Anatomy of a Mason
