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the Universe and in ourselves that this pandemic subsides and we (http://internet.lodge.org.uk/), Ireland Lodge 2000 (GL of Ireland)
can all rejoice in resuming personal contact again. (http://www.ireland2000.org/index.php) and Castle Island Virtual
VWB Richard M. Kovak, DDGM District 4 Lodge 190 (GL of Manitoba) (https://civlodge190.ca/). Particularly
Castle Island Virtual Lodge seems most ―lodge-like,‖ uses Zoom for
meetings and actually opens on the Entered Apprentice Degree for
VWB Thomas W. Christie, Past District Deputy its business. Although its website is a bit outdated, it has a
Facebook page which appears to be regularly updated. To join any
District 6 of these lodges, one must already be a Master Mason in a Lodge
recognized by their respective Grand Lodges.
What Comes After Covid-19?
The development of the Castle Island Virtual Lodge is an
extraordinary tale of how a virtual lodge attempts to answer some of
We are hopefully coming to the end of a very difficult time in World
History – the time of isolation wrought by Covid-19. While this has the key questions with which Masonry struggles -- elder members
been a troubling time, forcing us to think in new ways about how to spread out over a large geographic area, and where inclement
do things, it is also possible that this experience will lead to some weather may make regular attendance difficult. The fascinating story
answers to questions with which we have struggled. of Castle Island is the subject of a Winding Stairs podcast,
While I am certainly not ready to believe that Masonry is dying, it https://thewindingstairs.com/2019/07/31/tws-048-virtual-
is certainly true that it seems to be disappearing, particularly from freemasonry-a-conversation-with-jason-richards-and-nicholas-laine/.
rural areas and urban centers. This is particularly true of the various
concordant and appendant bodies. Even if a Lodge survives, the There are, of course, a number of considerations which emerge
various bodies which often accompanied the Lodge -- Eastern Star, from a virtual lodge -- security and secrecy, degree offerings,
Amaranth, Royal Arch, Commandery, etc., are now frequently Masonic education, etc. These concerns are every bit true for Castle
absent, along with the richness, education and benefits which they Island Virtual Lodge, and I encourage any Mason to listen to this
brought to the individual and community. podcast for an interesting perspective of what the future of Masonry
Moreover, as those bodies disappear, I worry that it becomes ever may include.
more difficult to hold meetings, to enjoy the fellowship of our brothers Leaving aside questions of having an actual lodge meeting, during
and sisters, let alone learn the ―secrets‖ of our orders. this most recent enforced isolation the Grand Master and Grand
Yet we have at our fingertips technology which has proven itself Lodge of Washington encouraged us to meet via Zoom, not to hold
vital in supporting our meetings, friendships, and lodges through tiled meetings, but to make certain we support one another, that we
interactive programs and the internet. These programs or take care of each other, and to address issues which are uncommon
applications like Zoom, Webex and Skype, along with the often and emergent (even if no binding vote could be taken) through a
abused social media like Facebook and Messenger, provide a survey of the members.
possible answer to future meetings, especially if this period of At first glance, for the future of virtual meetings, the real difficulty
isolation continues. appears to be ritual -- it has often been said that it is our ritual which

It should be noted that this follows up on the concept of the sets Masonry apart from most other organizations. How can we
internet meetings which were pioneered by Internet Lodge No: 9659 preserve our ritual while not meeting? How do we convey the

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