Thursday, December 27, 2007

Masonic Tours in the Twin Cities

I have discovered something very interesting about Google Maps for anyone in the Twin Cities area or about 20 other regions in the country. On Google Maps, they have added what is called Street View which allows a person to take what amounts to a virtual tour of the city. I have been using this feature to check out Masonic Lodges in my area so that I know where they are when I want to visit them. Lodges could really use this feature to showcase where they are on a map, both on a map view but also on a street level shot. Unfortunately, they do not have my lodge photographed but there are many Masonic Centers around Minneapolis, Saint Paul and many of the suburbs, as well as other jurisdictions in the country. http://maps.google.com/

Friday, December 21, 2007

Happy Holidays

I just want to wish everyone happy holidays. I hope everyone will be safe this holiday season and have fun with your family and friends.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Open for the Public

In the Journal Standard, a paper from Illinois, an article describes the Freeport Masonic Temple and how it has been opened to the public for rentals as well as being open to the public for tours. Brothers, we should be opening our doors to the public. There are many misconceptions of the Craft and I think the first major way that we can end them is by casting light on them. The Masonic Services Association printed a very good piece on how Masons can speak of the Craft without endangering their oath.
It is essential that we, as the Fraternity, guide the discussion and not let those that wish to harm us get the final salvo. One of the first ways is to invite the public to see what we do, whether that be our charitable works, or inviting a guest outside the Craft to educate the brothers on a subject such as an expert on local or national history, etc. I am not suggesting that we allow a non-member during a meeting. However, we are an educational, charitable and fraternal organization desiring to make good men better and the public should be allowed to know this fact.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Misunderstanding...

When a Masonic Temple becomes abandoned, what should happen with the building? Many times, these buildings are listed on the historical register because of their age or historical significance to the small town. This week, the square and compass and cornerstone was removed from a Masonic Temple in Elgin, IL. The Square and Compass sustained great damage as it was removed when a church purchased and occupied the building. The church group had to receive special permission from the city council over the objections of the city's heritage commission to have the ceramic square and compass removed from the building. I am a believer in the rights of property owners to do what they want with their property but why did a historical artifact have to suffer because a church group purchased a Masonic Lodge and sought to remove symbolism that they disagree even though the group knew that the building was of Masonic origin. If the church had a problem with the symbolism, why didn't they find a different building? In Minnesota, the Hennepin Center for the Arts converted a very large Masonic Center building in downtown Minneapolis into a very workable space without removing the symbolism. (If you are in Minneapolis, you should take a look at the Hennepin Center of the Arts. The building is at the corner of Hennepin and 6th St. N.) I wish that more people would realize that Freemasonry is not incompatible with their faith. The damage sustained to the square and compass could have been avoided and it is a travesty that it occurred, all because of a misunderstanding.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Installation Night at Corinthian Lodge #67

I want to thank our new Worshipful Master for a great installation night and hope him a great new year. I hope that I can be of some help in my new office as Junior Warden to facilitate his plans for this year. Thank you again, and congratulations!!!