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2008 Masonic Educational
Programs
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| December Program |
Masonic Labor ~ Our Fraternity throughout the ages has revered labor and charges its members to labor to build spiritual Temples throughout their Masonic lives. Labor is a central focusing all our degrees and activities.... |
| November Program |
A Few Points on Masonic Protocol ~ Protocols generally are defined as a "strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence", the "Rules of Etiquette of the Diplomatic Corps", or simply rules of conduct to be observed in social or official situations. Masonic protocol is therefore the rules or guidelines for conduct becoming a good Mason in both social and official circumstances. Breaches of Masonic protocol generally are a reflection of lack of common sense, courtesy, or understanding of the traditions of the Craft............... |
| October Program |
One's Back ~ Within the many lessons of Masonry are found references to one's back or behind one's back. They range from lending a helping hand to attacking one's character and each charge carries serious responsibilities that a Mason must understand and apply in order to fulfill his obligations, especially to his Brothers. |
| September Program |
The Tyler's Oath ~ The secrets of the building craft were closely guarded. Since these secrets were the key to the Mason's freedom of movement and security in employment, it was necessary and imperative that a stranger prove their right to enter and communicate with the Brethren. Thus we find the need for vouching, special tokens, words, and a test oath. |
| August Program |
Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities ~ Being a Mason has rights and privileges, but responsibilities are what the true Mason recognizes, accepts, and assumes. |
| July
Program |
The Solemnity of Prayer ~ Within the Fraternity one of the most solemn moments occurs during those times when a Freemason, or candidate, is asked to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect. Whether openly, or silently, this is a communication that expresses both our reverence and dependence upon a Supreme Being. It is through this reverence that Freemasonry begins each undertaking, and likewise, charges its members to work toward improvement. |
| June Program |
Internal and External Qualifications ~ Within the Craft there is a reasonable understanding of the internal and external qualifications expected of a petitioner or candidate. Clearly "internal qualifications" refer to the inner expectations and "external qualifications" refer to the outer. However, as with our symbols, there is more depth and these charges are worthy of careful review and reflection. |
| The Hand ~ The hand is the instrument through which great art is painted, great statues are carved, great ideas traced upon the Trestle board of life, and history passed from one generation to the next. The ability to touch and feel, in the light as well as the dark, is a critical sense since we often must rely upon touch to survive and build. | |
| April
Program |
Light, Enlightenment, and Reflection ~ Within the Degrees are represented the three stages of life, namely youth, manhood, and age. At each stage and degree, there is light, enlightenment, and reflection. |
| March Program |
The Terrestrial and Celestial Globes ~ Within the second section of the Fellow craft Degree is found a discussion of the Terrestrial and Celestial globes as representing the operative and speculative nature of the Craft. |
| February Program |
Traditional Responsibility of the Line ~ One of the traditions of the Fraternity is to advance our leaders within the elected "line" of officers in recognition of service, merit, and potential leadership. |
| January 2008 Program |
Opening the Lodge ~ One of the actions within the lodge is the opening ceremony, which begins each meeting of Masons. Members occasionally question the need to go through the ritualistic forms. "Just drop the gavel" and "get on with the meeting" is an easy answer, but this fails to consider other aspects of the opening exercises. |
| December 2007 Program |
Lessons from Places About the Lodge ~ There are at most fourteen officers installed each Masonic year, five elected and nine appointed, and in their installation each receives specific duties and charges. There are Masonic lessons to be found in these offices and their duties. |
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© The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. 2003-2009 |
