‘Advances in Masonic learning’

    

An advancement in Masonic knowledge is being introduced by the Masonic University of New York, where learning soon will be understood in two denominations: the Masonic Development Curriculum, for in person interaction; and Hiram, for online work.

The introductory Zoom meeting this morning was very productive (dozens in attendance), and there will be duplicate sessions through the summer to share these plans with more New York Masons. In short, the Masonic Development Course is being phased out. It remains current through this Masonic year, but beyond then it will be superseded by the Masonic Development Curriculum. And Hiram, which we’ve been hearing about for several years, is coming to fruition. Its content is not fully uploaded at this time, but it is possible now to enroll and have a look around. (GLNY membership credentials required.)

RW Bro. Bob Drzewucki, co-chair of the Leadership and Education Services Committee, led the hourlong discussion today to explain the opportunities the brethren can expect shortly. The Masonic Development Course has been in place for about twenty years. Both its content and the style in which it is presented have been overhauled. I received certification in MDC a number of years ago, and I admit I don’t recall much of its content, but this new work, it seems to me, will be more probing and will require more thinking and personal expression.

My class years ago was led by our then District Deputy Grand Master, and it took the better part of a Saturday. The work was a traditional classroom approach with testing at the end. The new approach does not require a Grand Lodge Staff Officer to lead the instruction, and instead will have qualified facilitators do that. The GLSO simply will certify that the sessions have taken place.

Let me share a taste of what we can expect.

And Hiram? Click here and you can see the beginnings of the program. Logon credentials are provided to New York Masons in good standing.

I don’t know everyone on the team that has been laboring to put all this together, but if I could offer one piece of advice thus far, it would be eschew the bureaucratese of the education business. (e.g., “The Hiram System is a Learning Management System and repository which presents a modern and timely system for collaborative knowledge delivery.” That almost sounds like Kamala Harris.) Instead, simply borrow from Freemasonry’s ample prose, whether from the Standard Work and Lectures or the vast body of literature published over the centuries. You’ll be glad you did.

    

‘Masonic University returns Saturday’

    

Masonic University of New York will return Saturday morning with a new curriculum in the Masonic Development Course, and it’ll be remote instruction via Zoom.

Advance registration is required. Click here to sign up at Eventbrite. Be there at 10 a.m.

     

‘Tonight at the First Manhattan District’

    
Tonight is the first of the three-part Masonic Development Course in the First Manhattan District. Topics will include the 24-inch gauge and Masonic etiquette. The brethren will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Wendell Walker Room, first floor of Masonic Hall. (71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.)

 

The remaining dates:

 

Session 2, Monday, Jan. 17, 2011
Session 3, Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

 

The cost per person is $30, which pays for the course book, and the framed certificate and pin for those who complete the work.

 

The purpose of the MDC is to educate new Masons in each of the three Craft degrees including ritual, tradition and history. It is recommended that this course be taken immediately after conferral of the Master Mason Degree.

 

The Masonic Development Course booklet is available through Lodge Services at Masonic Hall. It should be distributed in advance of Session 1 to allow sufficient time to complete the homework assignment.

 

In the Introduction to the MDC the instructors will define Freemasonry. The brethren will gain insight into:

 

• Origins and Purposes of Freemasonry
• Famous Freemasons
• Transition from Operative to Speculative Masonry
• Origin of First Grand Lodge
• Is Freemasonry a Secret Society? Is it a Religion?
• Qualifications of a Petitioner
• Preparation of the Candidate
• The Dignity and Decorum of Freemasonry

 

The first section also explains the Entered Apprentice Degree. The brethren will review and discuss questions pertaining to the ritual.

 

In the second section, the importance of the Middle Chamber Lecture is discussed and explained. In this section the brethren will discuss the symbolism of the Fellowcraft Degree. All quiz and discussion questions will be reviewed and discussed by all participants.

 

The last section explains the Hiramic Legend and the meaning of the Master Mason Degree.

 

Each section should consist of a 2-to-3 hour session. Instructors who are well versed in a particular topic should be used to present and discuss that topic. Homework assignments should be given prior to the first session and after Sessions 1 and 2.

 

MDC should be given on a non-meeting night, either in the collation room or in a facility where the brethren feel comfortable, knowing the lodge is taking an interest in the education. The new brethren and their mentors should attend together. If necessary the course can be given by a group of lodges or as a district.

 

Every brother taking the course should have a personal copy of the Standard Work and Lectures.

 

By the end of the third section every brother should have a working knowledge of each of the three degrees and should be able to explain the meanings and importance of each.