At last. . . !
It looks like we will shortly be arriving at the bright light situated at the end of an exceptionally long tunnel, and we will be able to return to some sort of normality regarding our masonic meetings. We are not quite there yet and, sadly, there may still be several smaller hurdles to overcome.
During the last couple of ‘lockdowns’ and restricted ‘meetings of six’, overall our chapters and lodges have shown a remarkable degree of resilience, determination, and ingenuity in keeping things ticking over, managing to stay in contact, and, in some cases, even recruiting potential candidates for both initiation and exaltation. Judging by the increased interest shown by non-members to our organisation via the internet, there is an increasing positive public image, emphasised by the amount of charitable and voluntary work undertaken by our members. This, in my opinion, deserves our collective applause and gratitude to all concerned.
The long-awaited! In theory (following the announcement by the Prime Minister to Parliament on 22nd February 2021 outlining the plans to come out of lockdown, and assuming everything goes as planned regarding the vaccination rollout programme), we can start to look forward to resuming our meetings after 21st June 2021 which is the date that he said, “all legal limits on social gathering could end”. Yippee!
(All legal limits may be ended. but will it come with conditions? – social distancing/masks of some sort, perhaps?)
The Provincial Team is available to both chapters or individual members to assist with any advice or recommendation needed to ensure that your chapter returns to normal as soon and as smoothly as possible. The Grand Superintendent has already agreed that during the re-boot period any approved dispensation will be granted free of charge and that any new exaltee will have his regalia supplied by the province free of charge (a good initiative to encourage a new exaltee!)
So, what now? With the potential date of resumption now known, chapters should be starting to organise their reopening plans. With these plans will come a few points to take into consideration. . .
(a) What happens if your hoped-for meeting date just after the June 21st date is moved backwards?
(b) Will your masonic centre be up and running and ready to allow full meetings?
(c) Will all your members be happy to return immediately?
(d) What ceremony will you be undertaking: installation, exaltation, or business meeting only?
(e) What will you do if there are social distancing rules?
(f) Will your caterer be able to supply a Festive Board?
(g) Have you been keeping in contact with potential Exaltees/Candidates during lockdown?
These are some of the points to which it would be sensible to address sooner rather than later.
Modern means of communication. The successful use of Zoom during the lockdown has been a real bonus, with chapters and lodges holding regular get-togethers, committee meetings, quizzes, some just fun and some for charity, and dealing with certain business aspects of the chapter.
Due to the use of modern technology during the lockdown periods, there are recorded cases of some chapters and lodges actually seeing and speaking to members who through residential location or other possible health reasons had been unable to attend regular meetings. They have, therefore, until now not been known to some other members. . . Why not consider continuing with a few regular Zoom get-togethers even when our meetings restart, which could involve those unable to attend a regular meeting. If they are just “get-togethers”, then anyone can attend making it a place where potential members could be introduced. And if you want to use it to expand the social side of your chapter, you can even invite wives or partners!!
Charity: As an organisation our support of charity has been terrific, both as individuals and as chapters and lodges, including the province, but this has in some cases come at a financial cost to chapter/lodge funds, so please do not forget wherever possible to contribute to building up the coffers again, including support of the Craft Provincial MCF Festival 2022.
Summary. Nobody is saying that the return to the new normal is going to be easy or without the possibility of a few unforeseen occurrences. Yet, with the determination and commitment shown over the last couple of years, and by all working together, we will again start to enjoy the face-to-face companionship and enjoyable meetings (not to mention the drink at the bar!) which I for one have missed.
Members of the Provincial Team are looking forward to visiting chapters again as soon as possible. Until then, enjoy the return, enjoy the Summer, but stick to any restrictions.
In future editions of ‘The Second Rising’, it is your chance to have your say or ask questions about all things Royal Arch, so If you have any comments on this or any other article, have ideas for an article or even an article of your own for future editions regarding the Holy Royal Arch, please email me with details.
Take care and stay safe.
Les Steward
Deputy Grand Superintendent