At the Valley of Portland, we often speak about “making good men better”. While this journey begins with internal reflection and the study of our degrees, its most profound expression is found in how we serve others. As Scottish Rite Masons, our core value of Service to Humanity is not just a sentiment; it is […]
Masonic Values & Leadership
Maine Boys Need Mentors, Not Just Messages
Boys hear a lot of messages about who they are supposed to become. Be strong. Be respectful. Be confident. Be independent. Be kind. Be a leader. Be yourself. Those are good words, but words alone are not enough. Boys need to see what good men look like in real life. They need fathers, grandfathers, coaches, […]
Understanding the 32 Degrees of Scottish Rite Masonry
To the general public, the “32 degrees” of Scottish Rite Masonry can sound mysterious. To a Mason, they are better understood as a continued journey of learning. The first three degrees of Masonry are received in the Blue Lodge: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. The Scottish Rite does not replace those degrees. It […]
Patriots’ Day and the Masonic Tradition: Service, Duty, and Devotion to Country
Each April, Patriots’ Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the founding principles of our nation—principles grounded in courage, sacrifice, and a commitment to the greater good. Observed throughout Maine and Massachusetts, the day commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution and honors those who answered the call to serve their communities and their […]
What Freemasons Mean by “Making Good Men Better”
As a new year begins, many of us naturally pause to reflect—on who we are, what we value, and how we might continue to grow in the months ahead. Within Freemasonry, this spirit of reflection is not reserved for a particular season. It is central to the Craft itself and is captured in a phrase […]
How Freemasons Can Be Especially Kind to Children at Halloween
If you’re like most Freemasons—or Americans, for that matter—you probably have very warm memories of Halloween. Fun and funny costumes. Trick-or-treating with friends. Community parties attended by pretend-ghosts, Spider Man, or Barbie. But for some children, Halloween can be a challenge, as they struggle with shyness around others or fear of scary costumes. So how […]
How Maine Values Intersect with Freemason Values
From Abolitionist editor Elijah Lovejoy … to Civil War General Joshua Chamberlain … to revered U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith … Maine values have shown themselves throughout history to be virtually synonymous with integrity and a deep-seated commitment to ethical conduct. So how do Maine values specifically intersect with Freemason values? Let’s take a moment […]
How Freemasons Can Help Unite a Divided World
Look all around you, and you’ll see a very troubled, divided world. But amid all that, we as Freemasons have been called to be very different. We have been called to be “Men who unite and not those who divide.” So how can we, as Freemasons, do our part—and more—to help unite a divided world? […]
How Women Can Benefit from All-Male Freemasonry
Let’s take a moment to focus on the Freemasonry Mission Statement spotlighted on the Valley of Portland’s website. It reads that our mission is “to improve [our] members and enhance the communities in which [we] live by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth, while actively embracing high social, moral, […]
Service to Seniors: How Freemasons Can Build Generational Bonds
Here’s a quick, one-question Pop Quiz for you: In the U.S., which state is the “oldest” in terms of the median age of its citizens? If you guessed “Maine,” give yourself an A+. Because the median age of folks in Maine is 45.1 years, and more than 1 in 5 of us is 65 or […]
