I Found this video very helpful in introducing new Masons to the Craft. With permission from Indiana Grand Lodge, we present it here. Please disregard the contact info at the end. ( Unless of course you live in Indiana)

Or cut and paste the following URL:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=x42AGtb0jkw

The charitable work of the Masons goes back well over 600 years, with the earliest Masonic document dated from approximately 1390.

The first Masonic lodge in America was founded in Boston in 1733. Many of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were members of the Masons; other members include many senators, representatives, supreme court justices and fourteen United States presidents.

With more than four million members, Freemasonry is the world's largest fraternal organization. One half of its members are in the United States.

Thanks to the Masons, more than $2,000,000 are given to charitable organizations on a daily basis worldwide. Though the efforts of Masonic organizations, the homeless sleep safely, the sick are comforted and healed, the promising educated, the hungry fed.

To See the Difference Washington Masons make, Click Here

FAQ on Freemasonry

	Are there dues or membership fees required to be a Mason?
	Yes. To keep membership within reach of most men, initiation fees and annual dues are intentionally low. While the actual amounts vary among Washington's Lodges, the one-time initiation fee at Fairweather is 150.00 . Annual dues are 50.00

	What do Masons believe?
	Overall, Masons believe in: • Supporting public education • Constitutional government and equality • Freedom of religion and expression • Helping where a void exists • Personal responsibility

	What is Freemasonry?
	Masonry is a charitable organization dedicated to strengthening character, improving moral and spiritual outlook and broadening mental horizons. Masonry seeks to make good men better – not better than others, but better than themselves.

	Is Masonry a cult?
	Masonry is definitely not a cult. It's also not a secret society, nor is it a political group.

	Is Masonry a religion?
	No, it's not a religion. There are no creeds and no plan of salvation.

	Is there religion involved?
	Masonry is religious by nature in that it requires a belief in a Supreme Being. Your religious beliefs are your own, and as Masons we implore you to hold fast to all your religious convictions.

So what is Freemasonry, Really?

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the World. Its current worldwide membership totals 3.6 million members, 1.6 million of which are in North America.

As a fraternal organization, Freemasonry unites men of good character who, though of different religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.

The traditions of Freemasonry are founded upon the building of King Solomon's Temple, and its fraternal ceremonies use the working tools of the stonemasons to symbolize moral lessons and truths. For example, Masons are reminded at Lodge to "meet upon the level of equality, act by the plumb of uprightness, and part upon the square of virtue."

Like most organizations, one will get out of Freemasonry what he is able to put into it. However, membership in Freemasonry is not meant in any way to interfere with an individual's commitment to his faith, family, or occupation. Freemasonry is not and never can be a replacement for these important institutions, but rather it is a positive environment that reminds every Mason of his duty to God, his community, his family and himself.

Freemasonry provides opportunities for sincere, honest, forthright men who believe in God and desire to contribute to the improvement of their communities and themselves. Through our Masonic Fraternalism, we reaffirm our dedication and unity to become involved citizens who have a strong desire to preserve the values that have made and continue to make America great.

What are the Ceremonies?

The experience of becoming a member of a Masonic Lodge is divided into three ceremonial stages that Masons call "degrees." These three degrees are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate Medieval craftsmen. Symbolically the degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood, and age.

The first degree of Freemasonry is the Entered Apprentice degree. It is a candidate's first experience with the ceremonies of the fraternity and like all Masonic ceremonies is a solemn and meaningful event. Though new to Freemasonry, an Entered Apprentice enjoys the title of "Brother."

The Fellow Craft degree is the second ceremony and exposes a Brother to more of the symbolism and philosophy of the fraternity. For skilled craftsmen this degree would have marked one's progress from an apprentice to a journeyman.

The Master Mason degree is the last of the Lodge ceremonies and with it a candidate becomes a full member, enjoying both the rights and responsibilities of membership.

During all three ceremonies, a candidate is treated with complete respect. At no time, is he ever made to feel uncomfortable or harassed in anyway. Masonic ceremonies are a wonderful tradition shared by men such as George Washington, Harry S. Truman, Dave Thomas, and other men of integrity. These ceremonies are always conferred in such a way as to bring pride to the candidate and the members of the Lodge.

Joining a Masonic Lodge and Becoming a Master Mason

Joining a Masonic Lodge is an opportunity for qualified men to become members of the world's oldest, largest, and best known fraternal organization. The process of becoming a member is divided into stages marked by three separate ceremonies, the symbolism of which is intended to strengthen a man's commitment to his Faith, his family, and his community.

Master Masons are men from a variety of ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds who share a belief in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God, work to improve themselves and their communities, and are an asset to all who know them. Membership in a Masonic Lodge is an honor that says a great deal about the character and personal integrity of a man.

Qualifications for Membership

Application for membership is open to men who:

Have been a Washington resident for at least one year
Are at least 18 years old
Have a belief in a Supreme Being
Live a good moral and social life
Do not advocate the overthrow of the government
Can read and write English
Are recommended by two members of the Lodge they wish to join. (If you do not know two members of a Lodge, the secretary of the Lodge to which you are applying can arrange a meeting with two members of the Lodge for you .)

General Instructions for Joining

Is it your desire to join the ranks of men, both great and small, who are proud to share in the Masonic tradition of excellence? If so, please contact us through the CONTACT US page

Freemasons of Washington will be recognized as a relevant and respected Fraternity, committed to attracting and retaining all men of high quality who strive for self improvement and the opportunity to make a positive difference in their community

Fairweather Lodge #82 Meets the third Tuesday at the Tacoma Scottish Rite Center,

817 S. Vassault, Tacoma, WA

Meetings start at 7:30, with dinner or refreshment at 6:30