Author

Steve

Masons in their Communities

There are many different service clubs within communities. Masonry is not one. That does not mean that Masonry cannot serve the communities they live in. Many lodges do serve within their communities without seeking recognition

Masonry is about good men become better men.
What can you do as an individual to help within your community in the spirit of Masonry?
What can you do to promote Masonry which demonstrates the philosophy of the fraternity?
What benefits to you, to the lodge, to the community and to Masonry in general can be gleaned?

Essays should be double-spaced, 12 font and 1200 to 1500 words in length.
Title page to include your name, Lodge name and number and email address.
Please include all citations used in the writing of your work either within the body of the essay or under references in the last page (Not included in the length of essay)

Please submit entries to Ashlarsubmissions@gmail.com

Contest starts 1st November 2023 through to 31st January 2024.Please submit essays by 1st March.
Book prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, places, with all entries eligible for a $50 discount in registration to the College.

All entries become the property of ACF

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6th Annual Writing Contest

by Steve

The Question

“With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III the public has been exposed to the historical rights, responsibilities and traditions of the monarchy. The reaction of the public has caught many people by surprise.

Respect for this traditional institution has transcended mere interest.

As Freemasons, can we expect our organization to benefit from this phenomenon?”

The Rules

1200 – 1500 word essay of original thought (no more)

Double spaced, 12 pt font.

Name, Lodge Name and Number with title on front cover of essay

If using quotations please identify the sources.

<author> <date of resource> <title> <publication house>

The Dates

Entries will be received after December 31th, 2022 until January 31st, 2023

Winners will be announced March 1st, 2023

The Prizes

Prizes of quality Masonic Books will be awarded to the First, Second and Third place papers. All entries will be eligible for a discount of $50 in the registration fees for the Ashlar College Educational Program.

Good Luck

All entries to cfoxon@shaw.ca

Chris Foxon, Dean Ashlar College

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The use of “deepfakes” and other methods to spread misinformation is on the rise. A red flag is a message that urges you to share that information further. Before you send along the message, be sure it’s from a trusted source.

#5
  Use strong passwords for your online accounts.
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  Stay up to date on cybersecurity news, alerts, and tips by subscribing to the Bitdefender Consumer Insights blog.

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5th Annual Writing Contest

by Steve

The Question

The cement which binds a lodge together is the regular meetings of its members. For the first time ever, in our recent history, we have been unable to meet. We have taken part in a long, dangerous and compulsory experiment. For the first time in our long history we have had to submit Our Craft to life support by placing it in an artificially induced coma and keeping its life breath of meetings flowing by using the artificial ventilator of the video get-together. With the advent of vaccines, we are faced with the risky business of arousing this slumbering giant. Because of the losses by death, resignation, and some decline of interest, there is a real danger that the habit of monthly Masonry in our lodges will crumble and fail. We need to do something, but what?

Do you agree or disagree with this statement and what, in your opinion, will the new reality look like?

The Rules

1200 – 1500 word essay of original thought (no more)

Double spaced, 12 pt font.

Name, Lodge Name and Number with title on front cover of essay

If using quotations please identify the sources.

<author> <date of resource> <title> <publication house>

The Dates

Entries will be received after December 30th, 2021 until January 31st, 2022

Winners will be announced March 1st, 2022

The Prizes

Prizes of quality Masonic Books will be awarded to the First, Second and Third place papers. All entries will be eligible for a discount of $50 in the registration fees for the Ashlar College Educational Program.

Good Luck

All entries to cfoxon@shaw.ca

Chris Foxon, Dean Ashlar College

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The Question

Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of other men —above all for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and am still receiving.”

A. Einstein – Living Philosophies

How has COVID – 19 made you realize the essential nature of human kind and the need to help each other, especially in a time of crisis?

The Rules

1200 – 1500 word essay of original thought (no more)

Double spaced, 12 pt font.

Name, Lodge Name and Number with title on front cover of essay

If using quotations please identify the sources.

<author> <date of resource> <title> <publication house>

The Dates

Entries will be received after November 30st until January 31st, 2021

Winners will be announced March 1st, 2021

The Prizes

Prizes of quality Masonic Books will be awarded to the First, Second and Third place papers. All entries will be eligible for a discount of $50 in the registration fees for the Ashlar College Educational Program.

Good Luck

All entries to cfoxon@shaw.ca

Chris Foxon, Dean Ashlar College

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The Question:

“Define what Modern Freemasonry means to you, and how is this helping the fraternity to grow and prosper in your local community. “

The Rules

1200 – 1500 word essay of original thought (no more)

Double spaced, 12 pt font.

Name, Lodge Name and Number with title on front cover of essay

If using quotations please identify the sources.

<author> <date of resource> <title> <publication house>

The Dates
Entries will be received after November 30st until January 31st, 2020
Winners will be announced March 1st, 2020

The Prizes
Prizes of quality Masonic Books will be awarded to the First, Second and Third place papers.
All entries will be eligible for a discount of $50 in the registration fees for the Ashlar College Educational Program.

Good Luck

Chris Foxon, Dean

Ashlar College

Email your entries to cfoxon@shaw.ca

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