The explosion of social media in recent times has not passed Freemasonry by, with many members around the world taking to Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms to promote what Freemasonry is all about.
Back in 2019, a small group of avid “tweeters” began to discuss the possibilities of forming a Special Interest Lodge aimed at those who use social media platforms. With freemasons from all over the country and beyond showing an interest, London was decided upon as a central point to begin looking at how the dream could become a reality.
With the help of many within Metropolitan Grand Lodge, a local lodge who were struggling with numbers was identified, and a plan put in place to transform the future of the lodge to be the home for social media. The Lodge of Faith & Friendship was chosen, and a small team was put in place to work through the logistics of changing the fortunes and direction of the Lodge. With many interested in joining, all was going to plan, and then the pandemic hit.
Through the tenacity of the new lodge, zoom meetings, phone calls, and tweets ensured the direction of the new lodge remained in focus until such time as the first meeting of the new members was due to be held.
The lodge meets just three times a year, twice in London, with the third meeting being held in the Province of the Master. In 2021, this was held in the Province of Dorset, as the then Master, Mark Burstow welcomed everyone to a fantastic evening. With the bar being set extremely high, the next Master, Leicester’s very own Provincial Grand Communications Officer, Richard Barnett was to host the lodge here in Leicester.
The date was set for Sat 29 Nov, with a 3:30pm start time in the Holmes Lodge Room at Freemasons’ Hall Leicester.
With members of the lodge making their way from the far-flung corners of the UK, the meeting was further enhanced by Leicester freemasons wanting to support Richard as Master of the Lodge. The weary travellers were treated to a meeting in the exquisite Holmes Lodge Room, and a fascinating talk by Leicestershire & Rutland’s David Hughes, who captivated and entertained the audience. Wanting to keep the memory of the meeting, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master was on hand with his camera to ensure the meeting would be captured forever.
Not wishing to get in the way of wedding celebrations being held at Freemasons’ Hall, the lodge members and guests made their way over the road to enjoy a superb meal at the Mumbai Inn Indian Restaurant.
The next action for the lodge is a name change, with “Sialia, The Social Media Lodge” about to become the new name, with the fitting lodge motto of “Faith & Friendship Around the World” as a tribute to the former name.
