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meaning of our degrees without an actual presence? Do we confer I have heard real concerns from knowledgeable brothers who fear
our degrees in a Reunion (Scottish Rite) or Festival (York Rite) that because we have not been regularly meeting Masonically, we
format? Do we adopt the kind of 3-d simulations which are now have gotten out of the ―habit‖ of attending meetings. If your lodge
cutting edge and used to train such professions as physicians? Do has not been meeting via Zoom, perhaps this is a great time to do
we abandon the in-person model of conferring a degree for using that, as a step to gradually re-enter into the realm of regular
digital recordings of the degrees (admittedly this might improve the meetings.
quality of the conferral). I do not have an answer to these questions, Masonry and the application of technology in the future is
but I have to admit it is difficult to be active in my Blue Lodges, while inevitable. Just as once we incorporated magic lantern pictures into
also working to perform degrees for concordant and appendant our degree lectures in the York Rites, and magnificent sets and
bodies. theater to Scottish Rite, we will incorporate aspects of multimedia
But my goal here is not necessarily to provide answers to some of and interactive technologies. Simply, if we want to remain relevant,
these questions, but to sponsor discussion, while noting some real we must. Exactly what this future might look like is up for debate,
and immediate benefits from the changes which enforced isolation however, we should give thoughtful consideration, with ample
can provide. discussion, to make the future which we and Masonry deserve.
Nobody likes long drawn out meetings. As we return to actual in
person meetings, presiding officers would be remiss if they ignored VWB Thomas W. Christie, Past District Deputy District 6
the technology easily available to hold officer meetings prior to our All Rights Reserved
actual meetings. Just holding a Zoom meeting, with the goal of
developing a tight agenda, will shorten what sometimes may
otherwise seem to be a never-ending meeting. Committees can VWB Larry D Foley, DDGM District 8
meet with Zoom and address many issues without subjecting the A Mason in Heart, not Just in Name
main meeting to these discussions. During my years of service to our Craft, I have noticed two kinds of
Masonic education also benefits from the technology which now Masons; those who join for the name and those who join from their
exists. While I have not heard of many individuals who have used heart. We have all seen this in our Lodge where there are 3, 5, 7
this enforced isolation period to catch up on the myriad podcasts brothers who are involved in committees, organizing events, giving
available, I have seen some who have taken this time to practice educational talks, mentoring or doing the upkeep on the lodge
ritual and to read and develop their own education. Whether by building. These brothers have Masonry in their heart. Masonry is
traditional means or more apparently advanced technological many things to many Brothers and in this time of pandemic where we
techniques, each of us can and should seek out Masonic growth. are separated by social distancing and stay at home orders; are we
still Masons at heart or only in name? I have heard a great many
I personally believe that Masonry is the journey of an individual -- excuses why a Brother cannot come to Lodge, be at an event or help
each person grows as he will. Yet at the same time, we travel the
road of Masonry with our brothers and companions. This may seem with lodge maintenance.
Now I hear the excuses why they cannot reach out to a Brother
contrary, but it is not, as each person learns the lessons that he with a phone call or join a Zoom meeting from the comfort of their
needs when he needs them.

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