Welcome to Freemasonry at Example 999
Welcome to Example Lodge 999. This website is aimed at those that would like to become Freemasons one to be a source of information for those that are already members of Example Lodge 999.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. We are a secular society open to men of any race, religion, political belief or status.
Based on the traditions of medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals, today we still use the stonemason’s tools as symbols of our aim to ‘build’ better men and a better world for everyone, whatever their background.
As Freemasons, we use four principles to help define our path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity. In our present uncertain times, these principles are as important today as they have ever been.
When we meet
Meetings & Dinners
We meet regularly and each meeting is followed by a Dinner. We meet six times a year, on the last Friday in January, February, March, September, October and November (Installation). The ‘Installation’ meeting is where the new Master for the coming year is installed, and his new officers for the year are appointed on that night too.
Meetings are held at The Masonic Centre, Main Street, Big Town and begin promptly at 6pm, except in November when it is 5.30pm for our Installation meeting.
The meeting, which like those of other groups, are open only to members, is normally in two parts. First, there are normal administrative procedures such as:
• Minutes of the previous meeting
• Proposing and balloting for new members
• Discussing and voting on the annual accounts
• Masonic news and correspondence
• News about charitable work
Second, there are the ceremonies for:
• Admitting new members
• The annual installation of the Master of the Lodge and his officers
Lodge of Instruction
The ‘Lodge of Instruction’ is used to rehearse our ceremonies and learn the work, with a view to improving the ceremony held on a Lodge evening, but in a more relaxed environment.
Time and experience has shown these meetings are invaluable to all those seeking to progress through the various offices to the Masters Chair, and all members are strongly encouraged to attend.
They are held on the first Wednesday of each month the Lodge meets, at The Masonic Centre, and start at 7pm.
There is also a ‘Standing Committee Meeting’ and ‘Officers Night’, which is held on the Tuesday immediately before the actual Lodge meeting. The Standing Committee Meeting starts at 7pm, again at The Masonic Centre, and is followed by the final rehearsal, or ‘Officers Night’, which will begin at 8pm after the ‘Standing Committee Meeting’.
More teddies arriving at our local hospital for our charity Teddies for Loving Care.
Example 999 Lodge Diary
Jan 2021
Lodge of Instruction – Wed, 08 Jan 2020 at 19:00
Standing Committee Meeting & Officers’ Night – Wed, 29 Jan 2020 at 19:00
Craft Meeting & Dinner – Fri, 31 Jan 2020 at 18:00
Feb 2021
Lodge of Instruction – Wed, 05 Feb 2020 at 19:00
Standing Committee Meeting & Officers’ Night – Wed, 26 Feb 2020 at 19:00
Craft Meeting & Dinner – Fri, 28 Feb 2020 at 18:00
Mar 2021
Lodge of Instruction – Wed, 04 Mar 2020 at 19:00
Standing Committee Meeting & Officers’ Night – Wed, 25 Mar 2020 at 19:00
Craft Meeting & Dinner – Fri, 27 Mar 2020 at 18:00
Sep 2021
Lodge of Instruction – Mon, 09 Sep 2020 at 19:00
Standing Committee Meeting & Officers’ Night – Wed, 23 Sep 2020 at 19:00
Craft Meeting & Dinner – Fri, 25 Sep 2020 at 18:00
Oct 2021
Lodge of Instruction – Wed, 07 Oct 2020 at 19:00
Standing Committee Meeting & Officers’ Night – Wed, 28 Oct 2020 at 19:00
Craft Meeting & Dinner – Fri, 30 Oct 2020 at 18:00
Nov 2021
Lodge of Instruction – Wed, 04 Nov 2020 at 19:00
Standing Committee Meeting & Officers’ Night – Wed, 25 Nov 2020 at 19:00
Installation, Craft Meeting & Dinner – Fri, 27 Nov 2020 at 17:30
Latest news from The Province
Freemasonry, Common Questions
Freemasonry is the largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.
The meeting, which like those of other groups, are open only to members, is normally in two parts.
Firstly, there are normal administrative procedures such as:
Minutes of the previous meeting
Proposing and balloting for new members
Discussing and voting on the annual accounts
Masonic news and correspondence
News about charitable work
Secondly, there are the ceremonies for:
Admitting new members
The annual installation of the Master of the Lodge and his officers
New members make solemn promises concerning their behaviour both in the Lodge and in society. Members also promise to keep confidential the way they recognise each other when visiting another Lodge. Freemasons also promise to support others in time of need but only so far as it does not conflict with their family and public obligations.
Certainly not. This would be unacceptable and may lead to action being taken against those involved. On joining, each new member states that he expects no material gain from membership.
Whilst there are Masonic charities that cater specifically, but not exclusively, for Masons or their dependants, others make significant grants to non-Masonic organisations.
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.
There are elements within churches who misunderstand Freemasonry and its objectives. They confuse secular rituals with religious liturgy. There are many Masons in churches where their leaders have been openly critical of the organisation. Masonry has always actively encouraged its members to be active in their own religion.
Yes, four Grand Masters of English Freemasonry have been Roman Catholics. Today there are many Roman Catholic Freemasons.
Freemasonry, as a body, will never express a view on politics or state policy. The discussion of politics at Masonic meetings has always been prohibited.
Freemasonry exists throughout the world. Each Grand Lodge, however, is sovereign and independent. There is no international governing body for Freemasonry.
Yes. Whilst UGLE, following the example of medieval stonemasons, is, and has always been, restricted to men, there two separate Grand Lodges which are restricted to women.
Wearing regalia is historic and symbolic. Like a uniform, the regalia indicates the rank of the wearer in the organisation.
Approximately 2,000 Freemasons belong to Lodges in the Province of Bedfordshire and there are over 250,000 members under the United Grand Lodge of England.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland (which covers both Northern Ireland and Eire) and the Grand Lodge of Scotland which have a combined total of approximately 150,000 members and, worldwide, there are approximately 6,000,000 Freemasons.
It varies from Lodge to Lodge. Anyone wishing to join will find a Lodge to suit his pocket. There is an initiation fee on entry and in due course regalia will have to be bought. The meeting is normally followed by a dinner, the cost depending on the venue. There is, in addition, an annual subscription.
Members are invited to give to charity but this should always be within their means and it is entirely up to the individual how much he wishes to contribute.
Our Lodge History
Example Lodge 999
Our Lodge was formed in 1856 by General Lord Roger Example CBE on returning from the Crimean War. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec sit amet auctor felis. Nam in nibh rhoncus eros posuere posuere. In mi sapien, hendrerit ac urna nec, iaculis consectetur nibh. Curabitur nec neque sed nisi vehicula tempor. Morbi suscipit mollis facilisis. Proin mattis tellus sit amet neque sagittis, vitae vulputate ante auctor. In ex nibh, sodales et ante eu, vehicula ultricies neque. Etiam dolor diam, mollis nec eros at, faucibus convallis libero. Vestibulum risus eros, aliquet a erat congue, porta dictum velit. Fusce ac lacus suscipit, fringilla neque vitae, maximus metus. Suspendisse interdum augue non quam tristique suscipit. Donec eget tincidunt lectus, vitae vehicula orci.
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Banner of the Example Lodge, consecrated in July 1856.
Craft Officers
Freemasonry is called a Craft, partly because of its roots in medieval stonemasons practices and because it requires training given in the form of initiation ceremonies of those wanting to join. Within each Lodge, the members elect officers to run the activities of the Lodge. Office holders within a Lodge are entitled to wear symbols know as ‘jewels’ that are based on the tools used by medieval stonemasons.
Worshipful Master – The leader of the Lodge elected by the brethren, in many respects the MD or CEO of a business is probably a good description.
Senior Warden – Assists the Master in keeping order in the Lodge, and to close the Lodge.
Junior Warden – Assists the Master in keeping order in the Lodge, and is responsible for the admission of visitors.
Chaplain – To give the appropriate prayers when required, and generally to remind the brethren of their obligation to the three grand principles on which the order is founded.
Treasurer – The Financial Officer, or banker of the Lodge.
Secretary – In many ways very similar to a secretary of a small business. A hinge pin to ensure the smooth running of the lodge affairs both in and out of the Lodge Temple.
Director of Ceremonies – To regulate the ceremonies and keep an eye on the working of the ritual.
Almoner – To distribute alms where necessary and generally attend to the welfare of those in sickness or distress.
Charity Steward – To promote and cement the support of the Brethren of the Lodge for our Charities.
Lodge Mentor – To provide help and support to all the brethren of the Lodge, but especially the new brethren so they are not left alone during meetings.
Senior Deacon – The special messenger of the Worshipful Master.
Junior Deacon – The special messenger of the Senior Warden.
Asst. Director of Ceremonies – To assist the Director of Ceremonies in the discharge of his duties.
Organist – To provide appropriate music during the course of the meetings.
Asst. Secretary – To assist the Secretary in the discharge of his duties.
Inner Guard – To work in conjunction with the Tyler, to ensure that the Lodge is properly secured against intruders.
Steward – To assist the other officers in performing their duties and to ensure the best is provided for the comfort of the brethren.
Tyler – To ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent the approach and entrance of unauthorised persons.
Immediate Past Master – The previous Master, and is considered the guide, philosopher, and friend of his successor to the Chair of the Lodge.
Become a Freemason
Join us
We always welcome new members who live, work or study in the local area and wish to become Freemasons.
Becoming a Freemason isn’t difficult, in fact it is quite straightforward – you do not have to wait to be invited. If you wish to become a Freemason and join our Lodge simply start an application by completing the enquiry form.
Joining Form
Contact us
Contact details
The Masonic Centre
Main Road
Big Town
Somewhereshire SS11 9EX
Tel: 01234 567 890
Email: lodge@examplelodge.org