The biggest change Clerestory Lodge has witnessed in the recent past, it the context of adjusting Lodge activities in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, is the extent to which the Brethren have been able to embrace the use of modern technology, and in particular, using virtual meeting software (Zoom). Much too is being made of the use of social media and web-based technology to enable communication both within the Lodge, but also with Metropolitan Grand Lodge and UGLE.
In September 2020, to comply with instructions from MetGL, a formalised meeting was convened, and attended by the maximum possible number of Brethren. This proved to be the only physical meeting held that year.
Whilst there never will be a substitute for regular face to face meetings, necessary for the continued wellbeing and support that such a fraternal Brotherhood requires, circumstances have proved that Freemasonry can thrive in the challenging circumstances that exist at this time.
Subsequent meetings, including the social occasion that year, as a substitute for the December installation meeting, and on subsequent occasions, the Brethren and their partners were able to meet and enjoy one another’s company, using Zoom technology. In July 2021 some normality began to be introduced into Clerestory Lodge Meetings. Our regular June meeting was rearranged for July and, to catch up, an additional meeting was held in early August 2021, we were then able to hold our next regular meeting in September and are lloking forward to the Installation meeting in December. All these meetings were arranged to comply with the COVID guidelines applicable at the time. It is hoped that future meetings will be all back to normal
The Lodge believes that these practical solutions also demonstrate that in the modern era, and going forward, Freemasonry is very capable of adapting itself to embrace internet-based websites and social media.
The use of such means of communication, and particularly the availability of information about the Craft, also facilitates a far wider understanding throughout the general public. Freemasonry is now much more in the public eye, largely through its charitable work, and will continue to evolve from being “a secret society” to one which is “a society with secrets”. This wider understanding of the Brotherhood will, I am sure remove much of the stigma that has dogged it in recent years.
This element of ensuring that the ritual is performed to the highest possible standard may be seen in the context that Clerestory Lodge only meets four times a year, and that there are no formal Lodges of Instruction, but ahead of regular meetings, at least two evening rehearsals are organised (which in themselves are great fun) as well as a ‘dress rehearsal’ during the afternoon immediately before the meeting. Despite our worst fears, it always seems to be ‘all right on the night’!
