Launched on Tuesday, 6th April, Solomon Live began with a live interview with the Grand Secretary and CEO of the United Grand Lodge of England, VW Bro Dr David Staples on ‘What is Freemasonry?’
Viewed by members around the world from Chennai, India to Nairobi, Kenya and London, it was presented by W Bro Brody Swain the Provincial Communications Officer for Worcestershire to a live audience of over 1200. Among some of the topics were a reflection on the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign, his experiences as a Freemason and the future of Freemasonry.
These regular webinars, lasting approximately forty-five minutes are a series of engaging interviews covering a variety of popular masonic subjects, helping us to delve deeper into all aspects of Freemasonry.
Since the launch of Solomon Live viewers have also had the opportunity to learn more about ‘Freemasonry for Women’ during an interview with Christine Chapman, the Grand Master of The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, including its origins, how it enhances women’s lives and its future plans. ‘Mysteries of the Royal Arch’ with the Third Grand Principal, ME Comp Gareth Jones, OBE afforded us an opportunity to explore the Royal Arch’s rich history, what it teaches us and its connection to Craft Masonry.
‘Freemasons & Charity’ is the first of our joint interviews with the Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro Jonathan Spence and the CEO of the MCF, the Freemasons’ charity, W Bro Les Hutchinson as they discuss charity, the impact we have made in our communities and how their journey makes Brethren more charitable in nature.
Solomon Live also gives you, the viewer, the chance to pose your questions during the interview. All previous videos are also available to view under the ‘Starting Your Journey in Freemasonry’ Module on Solomon.
Stay tuned to Solomon (and to your inbox) for updates and the opportunity to learn even more from these fascinating webinars.
You can continue to foster your curiosity and develop your understanding with Papers, Nuggets and the wealth of interactive material on Solomon, including our Onboarding webinar series for Entered Apprentices, Fellowcraft Freemasons and Master Masons. These Onboarding Modules provide a four-week course with quizzes and suggested content as well as an introductory webinar at the beginning of each week, designed to give those Brethren who have recently experienced each ceremony a deeper understanding of each degree.
The webinars are also available as recorded videos so that – as with all material on Solomon – you can learn at your own pace.
Our content is not just for the individual Brother or Companion however, there is also a wide variety of material that Lodges and Chapters can utilise during meetings, allowing members to keep learning and engaging alongside their Brethren and Companions, including delivering a Paper, Nugget or Presentation within the Lodge or Chapter.
There is a wealth of content on Solomon which the Learning & Development Team, alongside our dedicated contributors from around the globe continue to work tirelessly to expand and ensure that the resources available cover the widest range of topics possible, from viewing the famous Prestonian Lectures narrated by the lecturers themselves which are usually only delivered inside a Lodge room, to testing your knowledge with our interactive quizzes.
Whether it is from a Nugget, Paper, Quiz or Webinar we want to give you the tools to learn, when you want, in the ways that you want.
Fostering Curiosity – Developing Understanding is not simply the central message of Solomon, it is the core value underpinning everything we do.
How to Register
Simply go to solomon.ugle.org.uk and fill in your details, once you have received the confirmation email log in, select your first module and enrol. You can then begin your journey of Masonic learning and understanding.
Solomon Live:
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/course/view.php?id=116#section-2
View all previous recordings and register for the latest Solomon Live here
Onboarding for Entered Apprentices can be found here
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/course/view.php?id=130
First Degree:
The Officers’ Jewels – Quiz
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=2321
Test your knowledge of the various Jewels worn by Officers within a Lodge.
Nugget – The Four Tassels
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=624
Origin and symbolism of the Four Tassels and their association with operative masonry
Nugget – The Deacons and their ‘Wands’
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=622
The creation of the modern day Deacons and the evolution of their wands.
Second Degree:
Second Degree Tracing Board Quiz
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=2835
Test your knowledge of the Second Degree Tracing Board.
Nugget – The Five Noble Orders of Architecture
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=687
The development of Five Noble Orders of Architecture as described in the lectures are explored.
Nugget – Between the Pillars
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=682
The association between the two Pillars from Solomon’s Temple and the two Wardens.
More general content:
Paper – The United Grand Lodge of England?
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=1724
A brief history of the formation of the Premier and Antients’ Grand Lodges and their unification in 1813 which led to the United Grand Lodge of England of today.
The Chequered (Mosaic) Pavement
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=2870
The duality symbolised by the black and white Chequered Pavement, which characterises our Masonic Lodges.
The Eight Grand Lodges of England
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=831
An investigation of the eight Grand Lodges that have been formed in England: some more ‘Grand’ than others.
Paper – A Glossary
https://solomon.ugle.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=1794
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 45 July 2021 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in the Arena Issue 45.
