St David - University Lodge - No. 36
About St David - University Lodge - No. 36
St David (University Lodge) is the first University Scheme lodge in Scotland.
St David - University Lodge - No. 36 Description
In November 2013, Lodge St David, No. 36 became the first University Lodge in Scotland. A similar scheme has been run very successfully under the auspices of the United Grand Lodge of England for ten years, with over sixty lodges now participating.
The Grand Master Mason understanding the benefits of such a scheme has created the five-year pilot in Scotland. The Scottish University Lodge Scheme allows young men in higher or further education, and similar circumstances, who would not otherwise be able to join a Scottish Lodge to benefit from the opportunity of Initiation into the Scottish Craft.
The Scottish University Lodge Scheme enjoys a number of standing dispensations to permit:
-Young Men who would not meet the age requirement (or are not a Lewis) to join a Scottish Lodge
-Admit to membership, those who have not been resident in the vicinity of a Scottish Lodge for the requisite period
-Potential Candidates in Full-Time Education enjoy a 50% reduction in joining fees.
The lodge has enjoyed a resurgence, with ten new members having been admitted during their first year.
Read more about the lodge and the scheme at stdaviduniversitylodge.org. uk
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Freemasonry can provide an opportunity for young men to reflect, for personal growth, and to provide service to the communities in which they live.
Today the lodge welcomes four young gentlemen into our fraternity - taking the first step on a lifelong journey.
Freemasonry provides an opportunity for individuals to give service to the communities in which they live. The thirty-six lodges in Edinburgh under the guidance of our Provincial Grand Lodge will be making contributions to the four foodbanks across the city in the period leading up to Christmas.
St David (University Lodge) will be participating in this drive by encouraging all of our members, and our visitors, at our next meeting on 16 November to contribute non-perishable i...tems such as:
• Cereal • Soup • Pasta • Rice • Tinned tomatoes/Pasta sauce • Lentils, beans and pulses • Tinned meat • Tinned vegetables • Tea/coffee • Tinned fruit • Biscuits • Long lasting milk • Fruit juice • Sanitary products • Toothpaste/Toothbrushes
Contributions will be received by the Edinburgh Ashlars (the young masons group) from 09:30 -10:30 at 19 Hill Street on Saturday 16 November.
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Three members of the lodge will complete their third degree and become Master Masons. Although they progress as a candidate through each of three degrees, this is merely the beginning of a life-long experience in Scottish Craft Freemasonry.
Our fraternity provides a framework of moral lessons whereby good men, by applying the principles taught within the lodge, have the potential to become better men.
It is always interesting to read about Freemasonry in the media. Sometimes the reporting is positive, sometimes less so.
An interesting take yesterday from Helen Rumbelow in The Times, however!
Find out more about Freemasonry (http://stdaviduniversitylodge.org.uk) and decide whether we might be the solution...
Following a relaxing summer break, the lodge meetings resume on Saturday 21 September.
One of our candidates will be be taking his next step in freemasonry. Having joined our lodge in January he has had an opportunity to consider the meaning of the lessons learned and is now progressing to take his next degree.
We describe freemasonry as a 'progressive science', and each individual embarks on a personal voyage of discovery. Each degree has moral lectures associated with it, and candidates reflect on these, and apply them to their everyday life.
Today the members of our lodge are meeting to confer the Second Degree on five of our progressing candidates.
As a lodge which seeks particularly to encourage younger men to join Freemasonry, ten members, all of whom are in their twenties, will undertake the majority of the work.
Freemasonry remains relevant in today’s society and the lodge seeks to promote the moral teachings to a new generation of good men.
On this day: Sir Walter Scott was born.
St David (University Lodge) is understandably proud that this giant of Scottish Literature was a member of our lodge.
Sir Walter Scott was Initiated into Freemasonry in our lodge.
Each year the lodge lays a wreath at the Scott Monument and holds a commemorative dinner to celebrate his initiation into our lodge.
This article from the Scotsman highlights the innovative approach being adopted by St David (University Lodge) to engage with a new generation.
Respecting the traditions of the Scottish Craft, but encouraging an inclusive membership reflecting modern society.
https://www.scotsman.com/…/masons-turn- to-students-in-bid-t…
... Members of the lodge feature in the recently-aired “Secrets of the Masons” documentary.
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Secret society and funny handshakes or Brotherhood of man?
... Alan Rudland, of St David's (University Lodge) No 36 in Edinburgh, says men who have just joined freemasonry are referred to as a "rough ashlar" - this is a stone which is formed but would not make a stable building if it were used. Mr Rudland says: "We are using the teachings in freemasonry to make that individual a better person - going from a rough ashlar to a smooth ashlar. "One of the basic tenets we have for... freemasonry is taking good men and making them better."
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-43385 303
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St David (University Lodge) is one of the lodges featured in this forthcoming BBC documentary:
FREEMASONS OPEN DOOR FOR CAMERAS TO BANISH MYTHS
Scotland’s Freemasons have broken with centuries of tradition and opened their doors to public scrutiny.
...Continue Reading
Annual Scott Night Dinner
Each year on the first Thursday of March our lodge celebrates the Initiation of Bro. Sir Walter Scott into Lodge St David No. 36.
A wreath-laying will take place at the Scott Monument on Thursday 1 March at 15:30 and will be followed by a dinner at 19 Hill Street at 17:30.
... The event is open to brethren and gentlemen. Dress code is lounge suit and tie.
Bookable now online via Eventbrite, or purchase your ticket(s) from the Lodge Secretary for £15. Tickets booked on Eventbrite will incur an administration charge, but entitles you to claim the DoC's dram on arrival.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-david-u niversity-lodge-an…
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Once again Freemasonry is being attacked in the press in a manner which is hurtful to the individual members of our fraternity who may not have the platform and voice to counter the claims being made.
Such criticisms however are nothing new, the following statement from a publication in Edinburgh in 1804:
“The best way of refuting those calumnies which have been brought against the fraternity of Free Masons, is to lay before the public a correct and rational account of the na...ture, origin and progress of the institution; that they may be enabled to determine, whether or not its principles are in any shape, connected with the principles of revolutionary anarchy.”.
The brethren of St David (University Lodge), like our forefathers, are always keen to meet with gentlemen with a genuine interest in Freemasonry to, “lay before (them) a correct and rational account” of our organisation and its continued relevance in modern society and to dispel any myths which may exist.
Rather than accept poorly-researched reporting, why not speak directly to the individuals who uphold the principles of Freemasonry in their daily lives?
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This coming Saturday, 16 September, St David (University Lodge) will be conferring the Second Degree on three of our University Scheme candidates.
The Lodge meets at 19 Hill Street and the meeting tyles at 10:30, followed by a formal lunch (tickets available for £10) at c12:30.
If you are interested in attending please contact our Lodge Secretary on enquiries@stdaviduniversitylodge.org .uk
... http://www.pgle.org/…/second-degree-st- david-university-lod…
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This video was produced by Freemasons in Australia; while the regalia we wear in Scotland is different, the sentiments expressed are very much shared by the Scottish Constitution and those seeking to join our University Scheme here.
https://youtu.be/wWv_q9fTLe4