It’s been a long time since we had a meeting of our Tiny Book Club, so I guess that’s why we are having two of them this week.
But, this is going to be fun. I promise.
2023 is going to be the 300th Anniversary of the publication of Anderson’s Constitutions by the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster. That’s right, the book that serves as the foundation for Freemasonry as it exists today.
Some big celebrations are being planned, you can check out those spearheaded by Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 at:
That website has a wealth of information about the Constitutions and their impact around the world, and it is sure to grow as 2023 comes nearer. Check it out, you’ll be glad you did!
But the question is, should Emeth do something, should we as a group, do something in 2023 to celebrate this event and mark the occasion?
If so, what do we want to do?
To put everything in perspective, when Emeth was born on March 1 of this year, it had two subscribers. Myself and my daughter (she was my test subject.) By March 2 we had doubled in size, so there were four of us here. Growth has been slow but steady since. I checked, Emeth is now larger than any Masonic Lodge in the Jurisdiction of Washington, indeed it is now larger than a large majority of Washington’s Masonic Districts.
So, by 2023, assuming that the present growth continues, we could well be big. Hopefully we will be really big, and we will be exerting a positive influence on Masons and their Lodges everywhere. That’s the dream anyway. To do something really good for our wonderful Fraternity. To help Lodges, and Freemasons thrive.
So, with that in mind, should we have a celebration in 2023?
If the answer is yes, what should we do to mark such an important anniversary?
I don't know about this site, but our GL should celebrate this anniversary. I would suggest holding an all day symposium here in the state with guest speakers discussing various aspects of the constitutions history, framework, and ideals. Perhaps instead, hold it at the leadership retreat, and along with the usual classes on lodge management, set aside some class time for this as well. I'm actually a bit surprised that this isn't already included.
Thank you Brother, I really like the symposium idea!
I presume that the GL will have something going on to mark the occasion, but by then I'll be a distant memory.
If it was done at the LLR, the logistics would all be taken care of. If it was done separate from it though, then can we talk about that a bit?
From your comment, you are thinking of a one day event, so presumably a Saturday would be best.
Is it more important that the costs for participants be kept to a minimum, or that things like a lunch is provided? I guess what I'm asking is do you feel it is better to have it in a place like a hotel, or in a Lodge building?
If we were to go with a Lodge building, do you feel it is important to have a hotel nearby in case people wanted to stay, or should it be arranged so that most can drive to and from the location easily on the same day?
Location is always a tough question. If a symposium were developed and held, how far do you think people would be willing to drive?
Sorry for all the basic questions, but I think that sometimes we do well by asking.
I believe esoterika lodge has been putting on a one day symposium every year (when not prevented by world events) that is well attended. Location? Well, I'd say sticking with a lodge that would volunteer to host the event and provide lunch, that also can accommodate a relatively large gathering. This actually should be seen as a fund raiser for the lodge and/or district to cover the costs for the meal and rental of the space. I think if it is fully supported by GL, advertised and attended by GL, it would be a pretty good event.
Just my opinion, of course. I myself would attend, as honestly, Anderson's Constitutions is something I haven't really read or studied.
Yes. The Brothers from Esoterica (I think along with Brothers from a Lodge in Oregon and another in BC) do put on a symposium each year.
I have attended, and it is superb. I very highly recommend it if you have an opportunity to attend in the future.
I'm liking this idea more and more.
You and I (along with others) have often talked about our own Code (our version of the Constitutions) growing way too big and way too complex over time. Perhaps by learning about these earliest Constitutions (I think we would want to include the Ancients as well) we would all learn how things were done in the past, and that might inspire less desire to bloat our Code.
Yes, a celebration in 2023 is appropriate. I believe this content needs to become part of our Masonic Collective Consciousness in our state, before 2023, by doing a series of informative PSA's & etc... asap....ie part of our required or optional Strategic Masonic Education.
Thank you. I think that you are right, a flood of Masonic educational topics could be very easily developed from this anniversary, and the content that is being created around it. Certainly our Lodges would do very well to utilize this unique occasion.
Also, please let me ask, what do you think about Glenn's symposium idea? If such an event were created, would you attend? Do you think your Lodge brothers would attend?
Glenn's symposium idea; the part of it's logistics that will always be an unknown challenge variable is the travel distance. This can be augmented by using zoom, you tube, facebook or other streaming service. I also believe in the holistic martial tactical strategy per se, in setting up this type of event. 1.) having the physical event that can be attended by Brothers, 2.) Stream the event, 3.) Simulcast thru a podcast 4.) Develop a curriculum and convert into dvd's, cloud access and any other cost effective medium.
Making this available to our public communities would also give us higher image visibility.
I choose not drive pass Olympia or Vancouver. Carpooling may interest me...ie GL could partner with Lodges and provide shuttle vans....In my Centralia Lodge maybe 2 other Brothers would attend, most other Brothers would by zoom, etc.. My statements are shallow without deep thought, just shooting from my hip. Thank you for your kindness...
As with politics or religion, it is always good and educational to study founding documents. I agree with WB Geiss that the Lodge Leadership Retreat would be an excellent venue to at the very least, approach and introduce the Constitutions of our Craft.
I don't know about this site, but our GL should celebrate this anniversary. I would suggest holding an all day symposium here in the state with guest speakers discussing various aspects of the constitutions history, framework, and ideals. Perhaps instead, hold it at the leadership retreat, and along with the usual classes on lodge management, set aside some class time for this as well. I'm actually a bit surprised that this isn't already included.
Thank you Brother, I really like the symposium idea!
I presume that the GL will have something going on to mark the occasion, but by then I'll be a distant memory.
If it was done at the LLR, the logistics would all be taken care of. If it was done separate from it though, then can we talk about that a bit?
From your comment, you are thinking of a one day event, so presumably a Saturday would be best.
Is it more important that the costs for participants be kept to a minimum, or that things like a lunch is provided? I guess what I'm asking is do you feel it is better to have it in a place like a hotel, or in a Lodge building?
If we were to go with a Lodge building, do you feel it is important to have a hotel nearby in case people wanted to stay, or should it be arranged so that most can drive to and from the location easily on the same day?
Location is always a tough question. If a symposium were developed and held, how far do you think people would be willing to drive?
Sorry for all the basic questions, but I think that sometimes we do well by asking.
I believe esoterika lodge has been putting on a one day symposium every year (when not prevented by world events) that is well attended. Location? Well, I'd say sticking with a lodge that would volunteer to host the event and provide lunch, that also can accommodate a relatively large gathering. This actually should be seen as a fund raiser for the lodge and/or district to cover the costs for the meal and rental of the space. I think if it is fully supported by GL, advertised and attended by GL, it would be a pretty good event.
Just my opinion, of course. I myself would attend, as honestly, Anderson's Constitutions is something I haven't really read or studied.
Yes. The Brothers from Esoterica (I think along with Brothers from a Lodge in Oregon and another in BC) do put on a symposium each year.
I have attended, and it is superb. I very highly recommend it if you have an opportunity to attend in the future.
I'm liking this idea more and more.
You and I (along with others) have often talked about our own Code (our version of the Constitutions) growing way too big and way too complex over time. Perhaps by learning about these earliest Constitutions (I think we would want to include the Ancients as well) we would all learn how things were done in the past, and that might inspire less desire to bloat our Code.
Yes, a celebration in 2023 is appropriate. I believe this content needs to become part of our Masonic Collective Consciousness in our state, before 2023, by doing a series of informative PSA's & etc... asap....ie part of our required or optional Strategic Masonic Education.
Thank you. I think that you are right, a flood of Masonic educational topics could be very easily developed from this anniversary, and the content that is being created around it. Certainly our Lodges would do very well to utilize this unique occasion.
Also, please let me ask, what do you think about Glenn's symposium idea? If such an event were created, would you attend? Do you think your Lodge brothers would attend?
Glenn's symposium idea; the part of it's logistics that will always be an unknown challenge variable is the travel distance. This can be augmented by using zoom, you tube, facebook or other streaming service. I also believe in the holistic martial tactical strategy per se, in setting up this type of event. 1.) having the physical event that can be attended by Brothers, 2.) Stream the event, 3.) Simulcast thru a podcast 4.) Develop a curriculum and convert into dvd's, cloud access and any other cost effective medium.
Making this available to our public communities would also give us higher image visibility.
I choose not drive pass Olympia or Vancouver. Carpooling may interest me...ie GL could partner with Lodges and provide shuttle vans....In my Centralia Lodge maybe 2 other Brothers would attend, most other Brothers would by zoom, etc.. My statements are shallow without deep thought, just shooting from my hip. Thank you for your kindness...
Thank you Brother, I really appreciate this further feedback!
As with politics or religion, it is always good and educational to study founding documents. I agree with WB Geiss that the Lodge Leadership Retreat would be an excellent venue to at the very least, approach and introduce the Constitutions of our Craft.
Thank you Brother! I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now, and I agree, study of these documents is a superb idea.