THE MASONS - NEW TV SERIES

Work has started on the dramatic 33 episodes TV series about a fictional branch of the famous Masonic family of Sinclairs.

June 2 2015 / Chicago, Ill.  -  As announced by I. Michael Toth, founder and owner of I. Michael Toth Productions Inc., the first stage of financing for the production of the TV Series, THE MASONS, started on May 26^th,  with a crowd-funding campaign through the indiegogo platform. The idea behind this first stage is to raise enough funds to prepare base and all necessary elements needed for the start of the second stage of financing for the production of the PILOT of this series, to run in 33 episodes. The PILOT episode is planned to be released in the latter part of 2016.

The TV Series tells the story of a young man’s search for his true identity and his family history spanning ten centuries… The series dramatically chronicles the Sinclairs, an imaginary, fictional branch of a famous Masonic family. Crossing oceans and continents, this is a multigenerational family saga about people who strove to make a better life and better world. Through centuries, while many members of the family belonged to the secret society of the Freemasons, some of their own kin violently opposed the principles, philosophy and actions of the so-called “Craft.”

Curiously enough, thirty-three episodes of the Series are inspired by the stories coming out of 33 degrees of Freemasonry. This is not surprising if we take into account that I. Michael Toth, producer and director of the Series, as well as many of the members of his production team, including screenplay writers, are members of the Fraternity of Freemasons. In 1991, Michael produced and directed the very first feature documentary ever about Freemasonry for Freemasons, titled UNSEEN JOURNEY. The year 2017 will be the 300th anniversary of the consecration of the first Masonic Grand Lodge in London (UK). The idea behind the production of this TV Series is to honor that special occasion.  There will be a 90 minute TV pilot and subsequent 32 episodes (approximately 55 minutes each) that will be released and broadcast in the years 2017- 2019.

To learn more, you may visit http://www.themasonstvseries.com
To support this project, please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-masons-tv-series-pilot#/story



York Rite Masonry In Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia – As reported by the Masonic authorities in Serbia, Capitular and Cryptic degrees are now practiced in Serbia. Six months ago, on November 1^st, three Royal Arch Chapters – King Solomon No. 64, Keystone No.65, and Harmony No.66, working in Belgrade, Serbia, for a year under dispensation, under the protection of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons of the State of South Carolina (US), have received their Charters. At the joint meeting of three Chapters attended by the Most Excellent Samuel Davis, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina, and a number of Grand Officers, it was decided that these three Chapters form a new Grand Chapter under the name Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Serbia.  After the decision by the Companions of the three Chapters to form Grand Chapter of Royal arch Masons of Serbia, the first Grand Officers of the new Grand Chapter were elected and installed. ME Comp. Vladimir S. Markovic was elected and installed as the first Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter. Comp. Markovic is Past Grand Master of the united Grand Lodges of Serbia.

Following this, and on the initiative by the members of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Serbia, and in order to enable them to continue their road in York Rite Masonry, a group of Companions from the Prince Hall Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, led by Right Grand Trice Iliustrious Comp. Kenneth M. Barkley, visited Belgrade and organized degree work of the three cryptic degrees for the qualified Royal Arch Masons from the Grand Chapter of Serbia, after which three Councils of Royal and Select Masters were formed in Belgrade for the work under dispensation. The names of three new Councils are Jerusalem, Zarubabbel, and Alpha.

To learn more, visit United Grand Lodges of Serbia.

Participate in a Global Dialogue - The World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges

 

The World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges is held on a different continent in a different part of the world every 18 months. On November 18-21, Grand Lodge of California will host this important event.  Masonic leaders from throughout the world will convene in North America for the first time in seven years – at the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco.

Seven sessions will explore answers to some of Freemasonry’s most relevant contemporary topics: Tools and Implements of the Information Age – Technology and the Fraternity; Quality Versus Quantity – Membership Standards in 21st Century Lodges;  On the Level? – Tolerance in Contemporary Masonry; Legacy of Liberty – Masons and the Path to Freedom; Universal Benevolence – The Charity of Modern Masons; Family Ties – The Relationship with Concordant and Appendant Bodies; A World-Wide Connection – The Role of the World Conference.

To learn more, visit  Grand Lodge of California



Freemasons funding 50% of London's air ambulance

London, UK, - As reported by International Business News, an enormous 50% of the funding for London's new air ambulance came from the United Grand Lodge of England.

A sum of £2m ($3.1m) has been offered to pay for a second helicopter in the capital's sky by the Freemasons.

As told by the reporter, London is the location of global Freemasonry's headquarters - the imposing Freemasons' Hall near Covent Garden, in the heart of the city. There are reportedly around 40,000 Freemasons in London.

The air ambulance is not part of the NHS and so relies upon charity donations to operate. The Freemasons were hailed by the chief executive of the charity which operates the helicopter service.

"We have now crossed the halfway mark for the Your London, Your Helicopter campaign, thank you to all those who have helped us get there," said Graham Hodgkin.

GLNF-GOdF Lafayette Meetings (Freemasonry, School of thought, School of spirituality)

Paris, France - As already announced by Masonic Press Agency and Masonic Times a month ago, more news are coming from French Freemasons. On 28 May 2015 will take place a historic event in the French capital. The French National Grand Lodge and the Grand Orient of France will hold a joint conference: The GLNF-GOdF Lafayette Meetings (Freemasonry, School of thought, School of spirituality). The event will take place at GOdF's Grand Temple, the subject being: La Franc-Maçonnerie face à ses mythes (Freemasonry facing its myths). Even if the two Masonic organizations represent two different paths, they prove that the dialogue has always been a tool of Freemasonry.

This is just a further evidence of normalization of Masonic work within the French National Grand Lodge and among all French Freemasons, which is certainly a good news.

A new system of Masonry appearing in Brazil and it seeks recognition

 

As those present in Vancouver, at the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, could hear, there is a new system of Masonry appearing in Brazil and it seeks recognition. So far, there have been two recognized systems of Masonry in Brazil. One system consists of the Grand Orient of Brazil, and the other system consists of the individual state Grand Lodges in Brazil.

This new, third system, operating in Brazil consists of independent state Grand Orients, and one of them -  “Grande Oriente Paulista” in Brazil, was a subject of discussion in front of the Commission on information for recognition.

As we leaned, at this time, the Commission has no evidence that the independent state Grand Orients meet the standards for recognition. As stated by the Commission,  It may be that in the future, an agreement of mutual recognition among the several Grand Lodges in Brazil will resolve many of the questions concerning recognition in that country.



Manchester Royal Eye Hospital has received a £125,000 donation from the Freemasons

As reported by Optometry Today Magazine, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital has received a £125,000 donation from the Freemasons. The funds, donated by the East Lancashire Freemasons and the Freemasons Grand Charity, will allow the hospital to create the post of ‘children’s eye clinic liaison officer,’ who will provide support to patients and their families when they are diagnosed. The funds will also contribute towards the purchase of DNA sequencing equipment.

Sir David Trippier, Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire, said to reporter: “Freemasons are delighted to have provided vital financial support for the most worthy cause of the eyesight of young children, a cause for which Manchester Royal Eye Hospital provides such superb facilities and expertise.”

Photo: Left to right: Professor Graeme Black (of MREH), Mr Grahame Black (representing the Freemason’s Grand Charity), Sir David Trippier (Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire), Maurice Watkins CBE (Chairman of MREH Charity), Mr Susmito Biswas (of MREH) and Professor Chris Lloyd (of MREH).

Read more about  in Optometry Today



Masonic Cornerstone Dedication Ceremony in Leadwood, Missouri

 

 

As reported by dailyjournalonline.com, Leadwood Masonic Lodge 598 and Irondale Masonic Lodge 143 will take part in a masonic cornerstone dedication ceremony March 28 at West St. Francois County R-IV's new middle school.

A masonic cornerstone dedication ceremony is scheduled to take place in late March at the new West St. Francois County R-IV Middle School facility being constructed on Route M next to West County High School. The event is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on March 28. Leadwood Masonic Lodge 598 and Irondale Masonic Lodge 143 will take part in the ceremony.

The dedication will commemorate the placement of a masonic cornerstone in the outer wall of the new middle school building. It is to be an event worthy of attending, since masonic cornerstone placement ceremonies on the public buildings are a rarity in the modern times. The actual dedication is expected to last roughly 10 minutes. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri will perform the ceremony.

The honor guard from the Bismarck Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post will take part in the function. Members of the Desloge VFW are to present an American flag. A flag-raising ceremony is being planned as well and members of the Order of the DeMolay will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Wine, corn and oil will be poured on the cornerstone as part of the ceremony. Each item has significance. Wine is the emblem of joy and gladness; corn is the emblem of plenty and oil is the emblem of peace.

The names and lodge numbers for both the Leadwood and Irondale entities will be etched into the stone, as will the name of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Made of marble, the stone also will include the masonic emblem in the center and the dedication date.

To learn more about this event visit dailyjournalonline.



Tercentenary International Conference celebrating 300 years of Freemasonry

Organized by the members of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 (The premier Lodge of Research in the world) Tercentenary International Conference celebrating 300 years of Freemasonry will be held at Queens’ College, Cambridge, England, 9 September–11 September 2016.

June 2017 is an important landmark in the history of Freemasonry as it marks the three hundredth anniversary of the first meeting of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster; the first Grand lodge in the world. To celebrate this important occasion the members of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 are hosting this conference at Queens’ College.

The lodge was founded by brethren who were intent on using an evidence-based approach to the study of masonic history and research into Freemasonry. This innovative approach was intended to replace the imaginative writings of earlier authors on the history of Freemasonry. This new style and approach was later to be referred to as the 'authentic school' of masonic research.

The conference is open to all Freemasons and non-Freemasons interested in masonic history.

The conference will have three eminent keynote speakers making a 40-minute presentation. A combination of short and medium presentations, lasting 10 and 20 minutes respectively, will be delivered at each of the five conference Sessions, which will be followed by a period for questions and discussion. Papers are invited on any aspect of the history and development of Freemasonry, in general, and Grand Lodge, in particular, over the three centuries since its foundation. Synopses, abstracts and papers should all be sent to new@le.ac.uk

As announced in the magazine Freemasonry Today, the Secretary of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, Bro. Richard Gan, will be pleased to deal with any general queries regarding the conference. His contact is secretary@quatuorcoronati.com  Full details for delegates wishing to register and attend the conference will be made available early in 2016.

The Quarry Project Phase II: Masonic Conference on Research and Preservation

James R. Dillman, FMS, President of the Masonic Society have announced in his message on the Masonic Society website that Phase II of The Quarry Project will be held September 18-20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.

A joint project by The Masonic Society, the Masonic Library and Museum Association, and the Masonic Information Center, a branch of the Masonic Service Association, the Quarry Project is a continuing effort designed to promote Masonic research and preservation by providing instruction and guidance to Masonic writers, researchers, and editors both within and without the fraternity and also to Masonic librarians and museum curators on the display, preservation, and cataloging of Masonic archives. Phase II will feature a third track on Masonic public relations sponsored by the Masonic Information Center, an arm of the Masonic Service Association. The public relations track will address topics such as effective use of social media, publications, and best practices.

Anyone, Freemason or not, with an interest in these topics is invited  to attend the conference. The programs are currently being developed and will be made available as soon as they are complete. Further information will be released as it becomes available. Registration will be begin on March 1, 2015. The Quarry Project website is www.thequarryproject.com.

The Grand Leveler

That Freemasonry is not spared from  new media expressions is well shown by this music video. Even if you are not a fan of this genre of music, you may find something useful  in this very modern approach to the fraternity.

From the YouTube Credits:
Apathy – “The Grand Leveler” produced by Smoke The World
From the album “Connecticut Casual” (June 3rd, 2014)
On Dirty Version Records
Video by Reel Wolf Productions

New Line of Masonic Jewelry

A new line of Masonic jewelry designed by artists who are Freemasons recently appeared under  name the Voltaire Collection. So far, they offer rings and cufflinks, and the prices of these original and well-designed pieces are very reasonable.  You can see them on http://www.voltairecollection.com

United Grand Lodge of England in British Press

The United Grand Lodge of England is working hard to promote the fraternity in the British press, and generally affirmative articles appear periodically in mainstream news channels. An interesting article titled “An exclusive insight into UK Freemasonry: What is this organization really about?”, written by Danya Bazaraa was published by Get West London website on February 20^th.  To read this article click here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/news-opinion/exclusive-insight-uk-freemasonry-what-8658428?fb_ref=Default#ICID=sharebar_facebook

Lure of the Languedoc: Land of Mystery, Myth, and Magic

 

 

Lure of the Languedoc: Land of Mystery, Myth, and Magic
Group tour with authors
Tim Wallace-Murphy and Jeanne D’Août
June 7-14, 2015

The mystery, magic and intrigue of the Languedoc range far beyond the mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau, which is a minor affair, or the more important story of Mary Magdalene. This land has been at the cultural, commercial and spiritual crossroads of the known world for more than 20,000 years and is redolent with spiritual energy.

The Phoenicians, the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Jews, the Moors, the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller, the Troubadours, and the Cathars all have played their part in molding the spiritual heritage that is so apparent here. On this tour we will explore Neolithic sites that resonate with tangible, telluric energy; see cave paintings which are among the earliest archaeological spiritual artifacts known to man; visit castles, churches, and towns associated with the Knights Templar; explore the rich local heritage (which, according to many historians, was so creative that it would have sparked the Renaissance in the 1300s had it not been for the Crusade against the Cathars); visit castles that are imbued with the history of the Troubadours; and, most important of all, just be in this wondrous landscape and absorb its peace and its sacred, transformative atmosphere.

The tour will be led by two authors who live here and know this landscape well. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Jeanne D’Août will share their insights to enhance your understanding and appreciation of this beautiful country where historic sites and sacred geometry are an integral part of a much larger holistic spiritual entity—the land itself.

Click here to see the detailed itinerary.
 http://www.thelureofthelanguedoc.blogspot.com/