Mark Awareness Evening Wednesday 22nd of January
The first of this year's Mark Awareness Evenings was hosted by the Ilford St. Mary RAM and Mark Lodges at their regular meetings on Wednesday 22nd of January at the Hutton Masonic Centre. After the meetings, the DPGM, V.W.Bro Richard Bowyer together with members of the Provincial Ritual Support Team accompanied by both APGMs, W.Bro. John Finlay and W.Bro. Mark Reeve, were on hand to assist the evening to run smoothly.
With the Mark Lodge closed , the Brethren were asked to remain in their regalia for the first part of the evening. After a short refreshment break the awareness event took place with an excellent total of 14 non Mark men in attendance.
The format of the evening is that the Lodge Officers remain at their posts, as well as several Provincial and Grand Officers sitting in strategic positions around the Lodge. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proceeded to give a talk on the origins of the Mark Degree, the Officers of the Lodge and their relevant regalia.
He showed those present the difference in regalia worn by all those members and Officers, from Mark Master Mason to Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
The DPGM explained the roles of all the Officers of the Lodge, when he came to the Overseers, he explained to those present that " You will need to join to find out why they are placed there". He also informed the guests of the place of the Mark Degree and its relevance in the timeline of Freemasonry, explaining that it is indeed the extension of the Second Degree in Craft Masonry, but requires all prospective candidates to be Master Masons. The explanation of the Mark Degree concluded with a question and answer session.
The Lodge room was then laid out for a Royal Ark Mariner Meeting, with the Brethren once again donning their RAM regalia.
The DPGM went on to explain the Degree, its colourful regalia and its attachment to the Mark Degree under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Another question and answer session took place with the main question being the relevance of the Triangle on the floor.
The DPGM informed the guests that it is the symbol of the degree and more information would be given once they became Mariners. He then went on to thank everyone for attending and that the evening had hopefully sown the seeds for our Friendly Degree and hoped that some present might ask for application forms.
All those present, then retired for a buffet and to socialise with each other, and to form some new friendships. Several application forms were given out before everyone parted company.
The next Awareness Evening will be held on Friday 14th of February at Colvin Memorial Temple, Clacton on Sea and will be hosted by Aurelius Lodge. To book please contact John Finlay by email: [email protected]
