Page 11 - EssexMason (Issue 89)online_version

Pathway

Eastwoodbury Lodge 7922

by Dave King

ell I heard of the “Pathway” and attended a
Wcouple of the sessions at Saxon Hall in Southend.
The first event was well supported with the great and
the good from Grand Lodge and Province who were
also in attendance, expounding on the virtues of a
new day in Freemasonry.
Clearly some interesting debates ensued but it was refreshing to
hear that “ This is the way we have always done it” was no longer a
valid reason from some of the “old Guard” and was up for challenge
leading a refreshing way to identifying potential new members and
more importantly retaining them.
So I attended a second event, again at Saxon hall which was driven by the Pathway Provincial Team. The meeting reaffirmed steps 1-6
and basically getting the foundations laid with roles and responsibilities in the lodge. A further meeting was held at Saxon
Hall but this time the atmosphere was more dynamic as there had been a bit of a lull since the previous meetings. Led by Lee
Taylor and facilitated by Mick West, the room was challenged to their thought process and what needed to be done to qualify
for a Pathway Lodge.
Fortunately I had read the Pathway booklet and came prepared with our Lodge Profile, which I believe highlighted the lodge’s
determination to become a “Pathway Lodge”
I suppose like most lodges, planning of ceremonies for the forthcoming year were being developed. Eastwoodbury had what I
would call a lean year. Candidates did not materialise, a couple of resignations and deaths brought into focus that the Pathway
could be a welcome approach.
It was agreed that our installation meeting in October 2019 would go ahead as normal but November 2019 could be a
demonstration and January 2020 a Lecture and February 2020 a demonstration and March potentially a talk.
Then I August 2019, all changed. A Mr Charles Faweya had approached Saxon Hall to see about joining Freemasonry. Fortunately for
us they could not accommodate and I got a phone call asking if Eastwoodbury Lodge 7922 would be interested in the prospective
candidate. Straight away the answer was a resounding yes.
On the 3rd September 2019, both myself and WBro Paul Thomson
(Treasurer) contacted Charles and visited him at his home address and
met his family. He was a Microsoft Director covering the “Africa’s” so
made frequent journeys to Kenya, Nairobi, Lagos. A great first meeting,
a met with great hospitality from Charles.
Both Paul and I agreed that it was important to keep in touch with Charles
prior to him entering the lodge. We kept regular weekly contact and Paul
occasionally met up with him. Charles application was read out in open
lodge in October 2019 and he was initiated into Eastwoodbury Lodge
7922 on the 12th January 2020. Also at the meeting was the new APGM,
Graham Dickerson, being his first visit to the lodge.

Again, key aspect of retention is keeping in contact with new candidates and encouraging them to attend Lodge Of Instruction
and getting them involved in the day to day running of a lodge.

So Pathway has impacted on Eastwoodbury Lodge in a positive way. And may it continue to do so Charles will undertake his
2nd Degree Passing maybe November 2020 or January 2021

Essex Provincial Grand Lodge (Building Fund) Ltd
Masonic Centres in the Province are having financial problems due to being closed by the COVID–19 Pandemic, and
their income drying up. The EPGL (BF) Ltd want to assist those Centres to get through this dark time.
The Building Fund is made up of donations by every Mason in the Province some 50 years ago, and the interest
earned from the loans made to Centres since the fund was created.
However, it was created to lend to Masonic Centres to improve themselves, not to help them through an EMERGENCY like this Pandemic.
Therefore, as this Fund was created by every Mason in the Province of Essex, we are requesting your agreement to lend on appropriate terms to
these Centres to get them through this Crisis.
This is very urgent: Hence I am asking any Mason who does not approve, to respond immediately, and before the 30th September 2020, to W.Bro.
Paul J. Beech, Company Secretary, EPGL (BF) Ltd.
Further information is available on request, please email me at the following address: paulbeechepgl.bf.ltd@gmail.com

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