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/