Freemasons New Zealand
Or, what does it do? The usual response from Freemasons is, 'to make good men better'.
To be a good Freemason you must also be a good citizen - if you are not a good citizen then you can't be a good Freemason. Being "good" must include a tolerance for differing religious and political views, a commitment to high moral and ethical standards and to be of service to your fellow human beings.
It means not just obeying the law, but encouraging others to obey the law. It means treating your fellow citizens as equal human beings in the world without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or worldy status. In short it means being a decent socially responsible human being.
Membership of a Lodge provides the means by which the effects of peer pressure to improve the "good man" are incouraged to flourish. Preaching aside, good men can become better by seeking the company of other good men who are themselves seeking to become better.
Charitable Activites
A sausage sizzle to raise funds for the St Johns Ambulance
Acts of charity are important to Freemasons - although many of us undertake charitable activites as a means to an end - the end being the act of making good men better - a few undertake charitable works as an end in itself.
We have raised money for the local St Johns Ambulance, and a Hospice, as well for other local bodies seeking to relive distress in these difficult times.
Many of the acts of charity are on the small scale and are undertaking "by stealth" such that only those giving and receiving know about it.
Nevertheless, charity, and the well being of our fellow human beings, is important to Freemasons and we will always welcome opportunities to help out in the local community when we can. For a brief History of The Ashley Lodge No 28,click here...
A Freemasons' Lodge is either a place or a building or the collective term for the members who meet together as Freemasons.
The Ashley Lodge currently meets at the Amberley Lodge building which is also the meeting place of the Amberley Lodge (EC - English Constitution).
If you would like to know more about Freemasonry in New Zealand then go to the New Zealand Freemasons website: Click here...Alternatively have a look at the Southern Division's website Click here...
Joining the Ashley Lodge
Let's assume that you have contacted us and you've said you would like to know more and would perhaps like to join. You can contact us via the Editor: click here...
As a first step we would like you to have an informal meeting with two or three of us - probably at a local cafe or the Rangiora RSA.
There you can ask us questions and find out more about us.
If you decide you want to join the we can start the process. The next step is to have a social meeting - probably with another two or three senior members of the Lodge. We like this meeting to take place where you live and with adult members of your family - and in particular your partner - present so that they can ask questions about Freemasonry in general and about the Ashley Lodge in particular.
If at this point you still want to join, we then get the formal application filled in and then we take it from there.
At our next Lodge meeting the application will be discussed and ballot taken - if the ballot is successful we will then let you know when and where your initiation will take place.
Regular Lodge meetings take place at the Amberly Freemasons Lodge rooms on the 2nd Thursday of the Month - except January.
The Lodge also informally meets at other times as well for, educational, practice and social occasions.
We meet most Fridays at 1030 at the Rangiora RSA - good coffee, tea, hot chocolate, muffins and scones!