The North Carolina Mason

Tempus Fugit! By Jonathan Underwood, Grand Secretary Time is a theme I've written about before. Of course, the measure of time is key to our ritual and our teachings, yet (at least for me) it never ceases to confound my senses. Where does the time go? The pandemic didn't help matters, and many friends and colleagues have acknowledged a sense of displacement. One sometimes wonders if 2020 and 2021 existed at all, yet here we are halfway through 2022. It still seems surreal that I was honored to be installed your Grand Secretary a year ago. Have I really been here that long? As a historian, I'm intrigued by the narrative of the past. I would venture to say that most of us find some measure of comfort in a story or reminisce from childhood. Nostalgia, real or invented, is a powerful force. It's what helps ground us in our beliefs and habits. It's also a lesson for our minds; we know what we're doing because we know what to expect. The ritual of Freemasonry is a potent reminder of tradition. And, well it should be. But while our ritual is largely fixed, the meaning behind its words are anything but. Freemasonry is futuristic. It always has been. For instance, Freemasons played a significant role in the Enlightenment, building and supporting ideas and methods of thinking that, to the people of a previous generation (and even some contemporaries), seemed radical and reckless. But they paved a way for the future, and our lodges provided a safe space in which to imagine what comes next. They had to, it's what our ritual teaches us to do. The message I want to convey is that Masonry is continuing to evolve, like its members. New ideas are what keep us alive and moving forward. Some of the ways we're changing can be found in our Grand Masters' messages: Be a true brother. Get to know your candidates. Take pride in your ritual. And participate in your communities – help the elderly and our youth. The message is simple, and is rooted in our own ritual, but we have to look toward new ways of doing and giving our time, talent, and treasure. The central tenet of Freemasonry is transformation and how you leave this world a better place through love – charity. In the Grand Lodge office, we're working to simplify the business of Freemasonry through new electronic forms, e-signatures, and automatic payment options. We're moving toward a new era of Masonic Temples and making Freemasonry a destination as well as a transformative experience. By partnering with our Foundation, we're striving to make giving easy in order to best support our causes to provide cutting edge elder care and child care. Our goal is to embrace technology and facility as the most positive experience possible for you on your journey, wherever it may lead. There's much work ahead, but Freemasonry is work and we're in "revival" mode. OPINIoNs 6 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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