So what goes on on these meetings?
A lodge meeting, like many other organisations who meet regularly, has a certain formula and framework that is followed. Members (who call each other Brothers) usually gather for a drink and a chat prior to the meeting, they then enter the lodge room and take their places.
Once everyone is seated the meeting is called to order and the ceremony of opening the lodge begins. This ceremony is quite formal and draws on elements of the very foundations of Freemasonry. It serves to remind Freemasons of the virtues they seek to live by.
Once the lodge is ‘open’ and the ceremony complete, the secretary of the lodge reads the minutes and correspondence, projects are planned, issues discussed and progress reports given, as well as any other relevant business.
The lodge also confers different ‘degrees’ upon its members. The advancement through the degrees of Craft Masonry are carried out from time to time at lodge meetings. This again involves a ceremony which is formal in nature and is used to teach important moral lessons.
At the end of a meeting, the lodge is formally closed and it is usual for some socialising to take place over supper.
