A Trestleboard for A Mason's Journey
When a man is initiated into masonry, it is said he has begun a journey. Most of the time the new mason has no idea that this is what he has embarked on, but over time, and with receptive eyes and ears, he gradually comes to understand and see it. One mason's journey is not all masons' journey and each is as unique as a fingerprint. Journey's are shaped by desires, interests, mentors, education, opportunities, experiences, and perseverance.
It is my own belief that masonry is undergoing a natural and generational reformation and I find this highly ironic as we in the fraternity have simultaneously been engaged in deep and philosophical discussions about the need for reformation or reaffirmation of our masonic ideals and goals. It can be difficult to see change while immersed in change. Coincidentally, I've produced a significant paper on the topic of change within the fraternity and you can find it in the library and it is titled "Masonry in a Changing Culture" and it expands my thinking on this question.
I have chosen to capture my observations and impressions here through my own papers and blog posts. I have also created a section to publish the writings and ideas of others who have important thoughts and visions, but perhaps no venue through which to share their ideas and thoughts on masonic matters.
So I welcome you to my site, it is a work under construction, as is my journey, and as is my masonic edifice.
My Blog
Please feel free to read through my blog! I use the blog to capture my thoughts and, while I may appear to be explaining a matter of administrative nature, I frequently surprise the reader with a quick take on a symbol or some other masonic idea - you won't know until you read it. Click the pic and find out for yourself or click the link to the most recent Blog Post!
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Favorite Posts:
December 11, 2023
Published: "Mentoring on the Fly"
December 3, 2023
"Working Tools for a Worshipful Master"
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November 24, 2023
"Who Could Love Reading the Minutes?"
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Posted November 14, 2023:
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My Library
I store a lot of documents in my library in a downloadable format. I've also included a "Reference Library" with not only my source material, but some of the sources and historic documents used by masonic historians and authors. This reference library is a work in progress. Click the pic and take a peek!
HIGH INTEREST: "Freemasonry in a Changing Culture" - August 14, 2022
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MOST RECENT: "Trend Analysis In and About the Lodge" - 2/26/2023
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Headline News
Updates On "Stuff"
November 1, 2024
"New blog post - "Getting Back to Work" - just posted on November 1, 2024!
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"Noah's Quest: Volume I - Trial at the Gate (2nd Edition)" is now available for purchase! I've revised and re-edited the book that started it all and you can now order it from Amazon by clicking HERE!
"Noah's Legacy: Rude Awakening" is NOW ON THE STREET! Pick up your copy on Amazon NOW! (Click HERE)
​​​​​I reformatted my "Noah's Quest" page and I've converted it into a catalog of all of my books. You can also click on each book to order directly through Amazon! Check it out - CLICK HERE
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I will be starting to implement some changes in the website between now and August. Some pages - such as the "Library" will become members only. There will be no subscription fee or cost associated, but I'm planning a significant expansion of the library this year and I want to increase my control over the access to it.
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I will be updating and re-releasing my Education Manual later this year. For now, you can download the old version from my library, it's called "Educating the Mason: An Education Manual for the Masonic Lodge"
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It's going to be a busy year my brothers, so buckle up and follow along!
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~BroBill
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Left over from last year:
Please check out what I consider to be my opus magnum: "Freemasonry in a Changing Culture". It is in my Library at the top. This one has been long in the writing and deep in the research, but it is my hope brothers will read it and ponder our need to look at the bigger picture of the future of our craft and coming problems. We need to stop focusing on "membership" as THE problem and acknowledge it as the indicator of bigger problems! Here's the link to the paper or just click on "Library" at the top or the link below.
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Click here: "Freemasonry in a Changing Culture"
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I've added links to a list of my presentations so you can review the programs I have "in the can" and that are mostly ready for me to present. I've added the links in "My Library" and "My Papers" and, for a short time you can click here: "My Presentations" to get to the list. (2/24/2023)
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Check out the "Noah's Quest" tab! (Update: December 12, 2023)
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Important Paper: "Trend Analysis In and About The Lodge" - posted on 2/26/2023 in my library. It proposes regular Trend Analysis of your lodge vitals and provides a simple methodology to do it!
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Book Reviews
I've added a page for "Book Reviews" where I will post my thoughts and recommendations on masonic books and literature. If you would like to recommend or review a book, use the "Contact Me" page or button to let me know. Click the pic to go to the Book Review page!
UPDATE 1/17/2022: I posted my review of "Ancient Rites of Odd Fellowship" by Louie Blake Saile Sarmiento, J.D.. It's at the bottom of the page and anxiously awaits your perusal. Enjoy!
My Papers
I've captured my thoughts in several papers and writings and I store them here for those who may be interested. I've begun a series called "Living the Journey" and many of my papers are part of that series. But others are more random, more lighthearted, or very specialized. Click the pic and take a look-see! You never know if something may catch your eye!
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Highlighted Post - November 4, 2021
"Masonic Chart - Valley-Hi Lodge"
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Published on December 29, 2022
"Guard Well Our Craft"
A non-fiction collection of my articles on the future and state of the craft today
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POSTED (2/26/2023):
"Trend Analysis In and About the Lodge"
I've finished and posted an article on how and why to conduct a trend analysis on the health of your lodge. It has a step-by-step process including gathering the data and then analyzing it using two fictitious lodges as exemplars.
You can find it in my Library
Book Recommendation:
"Introduction to
Freemasonry"
Title: "Introduction to Freemasonry"
By: Carl H. Claudy
This is a 3-volume collection that addresses the lessons of masonic initiation as expressed through the three blue lodge degrees. Each volume addresses one of the degrees (i.e. volume one is EA, volume two is FC, etc.) and specifically addresses the symbolism and lessons portrayed through the conferral. Each volume is short and can be read in a single sitting, making them ideal as supplemental "text books" for candidates receiving the degrees.
Claudy was a genius at explaining the lessons of the degrees (which can be quite complex) in clear and simple terms, helping a new mason understand both the terminology he is learning and the meaning of the various movements he experienced during the degree.
One of my lodges provides the candidates the volume appropriate to the degree he has received and asks the candidate to read the book prior to beginning his catechism lessons. He is then informed he will need to provide a verbal book report to the lodge before he is examined for his proficiency.
Used in this fashion, the candidates benefit from these books by prompting his memory of his experiences during the degree and explaining them in clear, easy to understand lessons. These readings prepare him for his catechisms and help provide the context for these verbal lessons.
I highly recommend these books for both the candidates (as I described above) and the lodge's instructors to aid them in explaining the degrees. You can click on the picture to go to my Reference Library and download the pdf versions of these books!
Special Note
"Educating the Mason"
January 31, 2022
Several years ago I set about drafting an education manual to use for developing educational programs. That document has now evolved into "Educating the Mason: An Education Manual for the Masonic Lodge". The current copy, the September 2021 edition is available here for download.
It is modularized and it will seem redundant in some areas because it is designed for lodges to select those sections that apply to their needs while bypassing others. In a nutshell, it is designed around the results of a "Needs Analysis" I did and in which I identified the common masonic milestones where educational needs increase or change. Those milestones and that analysis are provided in this document.
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I may update it in the future, but I've reached no final decision on that yet. In the meantime, feel free to take a look and see if any parts of it may help your lodge. If you click on the picture it will take you to the pdf file and the document can also be found in my "Library".
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WHB
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