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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? Experts in communications and psychology offer these 4 empowering steps:

Cultivate a Positive Mindset

When you deal with other people—especially those whose opinions differ from yours—assume these people have good intentions. Practice empathy and open-mindedness to try to understand their point of view, and always be open to considering alternative viewpoints. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have in common with them, try to focus on your shared values and common goals. Of course, you may still experience anger or frustration during interactions with others, but strive to practice emotional regulation as you respond constructively to challenging situations.

Enhance Your Listening and Communication Skills

Don’t just let what others say “wash over you”; instead, practice what is known as “active listening.” Fully concentrate on what others are saying—both verbally and nonverbally—to make sure you have a clear, honest, detailed understanding of their perspective. Listen to them with compassion, so you can connect with them on an emotional level and validate their feelings. Then, engage in respectful dialogue: Create a safe space for open, honest communication, even when you are discussing particularly difficult or contentious topics. Ask clarifying questions—and avoid interrupting—so you can get the deepest-possible understanding of others’ perspectives.

Build Trust and Strengthen Relationships

As Freemasons, we strive to lead by example, and this area is no different. If you embody the values of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration in your own behavior, you are much more likely to create environments and relationships in which people feel valued, appreciated, and part of a community. You’ll help to “unite rather than divide” by building bridges through shared experiences. As you do so, be humble and strive for intellectual honesty and integrity. Acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers and that you are dealing in good faith by being honest and transparent. This will build the trust that is essential for bringing people together.

Focus on Solutions & Collaboration

Once you have respectfully engaged in “active listening” and done the things listed above to build mutual-respect and trust, shift your focus to constructive problem-solving. Foster an environment in which people feel safe to explore new ideas and approaches, and encourage creative thinking and collaboration on projects. Think “win-win” as you strive for mutually beneficial outcomes—outcomes that address the needs and concerns of all parties involved.

By actively and intentionally pursuing the qualities and behaviors listed above, Freemasons can strive to be forces for unity, compassion, and connection in our divided world. And that’s a contribution that all Freemasons should consider making.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

When you think “John Wayne,” you think “Famous Hollywood Actor.” You think “The Ultimate Cowboy.” You think “Red-White-and-True-Blue Patriot.” But did you know he also was a very devoted Freemason? Let’s take a moment to see why.

Humble Roots in Iowa and California

Born in Winterset, Iowa, on May 26, 1907, the man the world would come to know as “John Wayne” was christened Marion Robert Morrison. When Marion was seven years old, his Freemason dad, a small-town pharmacist, moved his family to Glendale, California. It was there that Marion earned the nickname “Duke,” when local firefighters frequently saw him walking with his Airedale Terrier named Duke, and chose to transfer the name to Marion.

Drawn to Fraternal Organizations & Values

Because he was so grounded in small-town, neighbor-helping-neighbor values, Duke was drawn to fraternal organizations. After enrolling at the University of Southern California, he joined the Glendale DeMolay chapter and belonged to the Trojan Knights and Sigma Chi fraternities. One blogger later said of him that he was, throughout his life, “a man’s man, from his walk to his talk. You knew where you stood with him. He was straight-forward, self-sufficient, rugged, and dependable.” Actor Jimmy Stewart said John Wayne would always be remembered not only as a famous Hollywood actor but “because he lived his life to reflect the ideals of his country.”

John Wayne Becomes a Freemason

As a hard-working actor who made an astonishing 142 movies, the Duke had minimal time for “normal” life. But in 1970 he followed in the footsteps of his dad and became a Freemason. He reported to friends that he relished the time he spent among his Brothers, especially because he felt so at home in the lodge, “as if his fame melted away.” His Masonic lodge was Marion McDaniel Lodge No. 56 in Tucson, Arizona. Soon after earning his degrees, he became a member of the York Rite, joined Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles, as well as 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

A Freemason’s Final Chapter

Throughout John Wayne’s life he strove to embody the Freemason principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth, as he had learned them first from his Freemason dad. One of the many ways he embodied these principles was to speak out very publicly about cancer (which he battled in 1964 and later) and to urge preventative exams. He made TV commercials for the American Cancer Society and made sure his estate financially supported The John Wayne Cancer Foundation, which his children founded after his death.

It is a testament to the Duke’s personal character and commitment as a Freemason that he would help relieve the pain of others even after his death. As an enduring symbol of American values, John Wayne was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Carter.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

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, and spiritual values, including fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, and country.”

Notice that word: “values.” It’s critically important, because everything we believe—everything we do—is firmly based on striving to manifest good character and good values.

3 Key Benefits for Women

So how do women—wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers—benefit from the values embraced by Freemasonry? Experts say it is in 3 primary ways: 

(1.) Stronger, more fulfilling relationships; 

(2.) Increased well-being; and 

(3.) A greater sense of security and support. 

Each of these contribute to more satisfying, meaningful, positive lives, particularly within the context of relationships and family life. It’s easy to see why. A man of good character embraces and strives to nurture and achieve trust and reliability in his relationships. This fosters a sense of security in his friendships, his romantic relationship, and his other relationships. It allows a woman to feel comfortable and safe sharing her thoughts and feelings, without fear of judgment or betrayal.

Kindness, Respect & Compassion

The kindness, compassion, and respect that Freemasonry cultivates in men are crucial for a healthy relationship with a woman. A man with good character will treat women with dignity and respect, fostering a sense of mutual admiration and appreciation. These characteristics build a foundation for deeper connection and understanding. They also nurture an increased sense of emotional well-being in women: A kind, supportive, understanding partner can help a woman navigate the challenges in her life with greater resilience.

Reduced Stress & Greater Financial Stability

When a woman knows her male partner, friend, or family member is trustworthy and reliable, it reduces her overall stress level which, in turn, leads to greater happiness and a deeper sense of well-being. A man of good character is also more likely to be reliable and responsible with finances, enhancing a woman’s sense of financial security. This, of course, is particularly critical of husbands and fathers: By providing financial stability, men enhance and enrich family relationships.

Scott Galloway Weighs In

In his best-selling book, Notes on Being a Man, famous podcaster Scott Galloway spotlights key traits that define a good man—and a man who benefits the women around him. Chief among these are kindness, a strong sense of responsibility, and a commitment to uplifting others. “Women are impressed by men who are kind; who are good to their parents, who go out of their way to help people,” Galloway writes.

Sounds to us like Scott is talking about men attracted and enriched by Freemasonry. 

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

If you ask us, “What is the most frustrating thing Freemasons have to deal with?” many of us will reply, “All the myths and misinformation out there about Freemasonry.” The fact is, ever since Freemasonry was formally founded at the Grand Lodge of England in 1717, Masons have had to deal with a host of falsehoods—sometimes even slanders—told about us. To set the record straight, here are 5 common myths about Freemasons, and the truth about each:

Myth #1:  When Freemasons meet, they discuss religion and/or politics

False. In fact, most lodges let it be known that certain subjects of conversation are not welcome within the lodge, and “politics” and “religion” pretty much top the list. One of the world’s leading experts on Freemasonry, UCLA history professor Margaret Jacob, confirmed this to CBS News when she said that Freemasons may occasionally—and informally—discuss current events at the lodge. “But they don’t say, ‘Well, I’m a Democrat and therefore I think …’ Or, ‘I’m a Republican and therefore I think’? …  They just don’t.”

Myth #2:  Freemasonry is a religion

False. In Freemasonry, Professor Jacob says, “Everybody’s their own thinker.” And while Freemasons must believe in a Supreme Being (sometimes called the “Grand Architect of the Universe”) in order to join, Freemasonry has no priests, no ministers, no rabbis, no systematic theology of any kind.

Myth # 3:  Therefore atheists and agnostics are welcome  

False. As Brent Morris, Masonic historian and former editor of the Scottish Rite Journal pointed out, even though Freemasonry is not a religion, per se, agnostics or atheists cannot belong. “When Freemasonry started on a formal basis in 1717, many historians believe that it was trying to bridge the gap between the religious civil wars that had been going on in England at the time …. So when the Freemasons were formed, they said, ‘Here’s a group of men who agree that God is central in their lives; they can even agree that God compels them to do good in the community. Then they can shut up after that.”

Myth #4:  Freemasonry is somehow wacky and out of the mainstream

False:  If this claim were true, would 14 U.S. presidents—including George Washington—have been Freemasons? Would NFL Hall of Famer John Elway be one? How about music greats Louis Armstrong and Brad Paisley?

Myth # 5:  There are secret Masonic symbols on the U.S. dollar bill

False. Because the back of the dollar bill features an incomplete pyramid with an eye on top of it, many people—including some Freemasons—have said it’s a Masonic symbol. But as Professor Jacob points out, these symbols have been used by many different groups, including Masons, throughout history. Or as Brent Morris said, “The ‘Eye of God’ is a common icon for God looking over the affairs of man.” In fact, “it’s an icon that appears in cultures across the centuries.”

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

It’s a pretty amazing historical fact: Even though our U.S. presidents came from very different backgrounds and stations in life, nearly 1 out of 3 of them shared one important thing in common: they were Freemasons.

What drew these outstanding American leaders—these 15 presidents—to Freemasonry? What values did they embrace as Freemasons that empowered their rise to the heights of American political power?

Shared Values & Leadership

Richard Fletcher, a Past Masonic Grandmaster of Vermont, argued in an online Voice of America article that it is no coincidence that numerous U.S. presidents—including early presidents George Washington and James Monroe—were Freemasons.

“Freemasons were deeply involved in the creation of this country because a great underpinning of Freemasonry is the right of people to choose their own leaders, the right of people to think for themselves, [and] the right of people to vote,” Mr. Fletcher wrote.

A Thirst for Education & Human Rights

Freemasons had also long embraced public education—the right of people to learn irrespective of one’s income level or background—and this became a foundational value of many of America’s Founding Fathers who also were Freemasons. As Mr. Fletcher wrote: “You do not have to become a Freemason to become a good president, but I believe some of our great presidents have been Freemasons. And I think there is more than coincidence to this. They were men who believed in freedom. They were men who believed in human rights. They were men who believed in education. They were men who believed you could think for yourself.”

A Passion for Service

Freemasons are drawn to opportunities for leadership because of many of our core values, including integrity, responsibility, compassion, and a commitment to self-improvement. These values are also key elements of effective leadership more generally, both in service to our local community and to our nation more broadly. Freemasonry also places a strong emphasis on ethical conduct and moral principles like truth, justice, and charity, which are crucial for building trust and making sound decisions as a political leader. Self-reflection and growth are also strongly encouraged within Freemasonry, and these values help members develop their personal character and leadership abilities—key qualities recognized in all great U.S. presidents.

A Final Word from George Washington

Of all the 15 U.S. presidents who were Freemasons, probably George Washington best articulated what he viewed as the connection between his Freemason membership and his role as president of the United States. In 1790 he wrote: “Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother.”

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

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 older. But these aren’t just statistics. They represent an incredible opportunity for Freemasons to engage in the kind of service to seniors that can make a huge, uplifting difference in an older person’s life.

Here are a few simple yet extremely helpful ways that Freemasons can provide service to seniors:

Check-in Regularly / Help Battle Loneliness

If you don’t already know the person or persons, take a few minutes to introduce yourself and ask if there are any ways you might occasionally help them. Ask if they would like to give you their contact information so they can quickly get in touch with you if a need arises. A national poll recently reported that 37 percent of older adults in the U.S. (aged 50-80 years) commonly experience loneliness, and 34 percent reported feeling socially isolated. Simply calling your older neighbor on a regular basis can make a big difference in helping them feel less lonely and isolated.

Run Errands & Offer Rides

Before you leave to go to the supermarket or run other errands, call your older neighbor and ask if they might need, for example, food items from the market. Also regularly ask them if they need you to provide rides to doctor or dentist appointments or to other local destinations. Many older people like to minimize driving, especially in the winter, so offering rides to them will be extremely helpful and appreciated.

Senior Support During the Winter

As folks grow older, the Maine winter poses more and more of a challenge to them. So think of how you can offer service to seniors in the form of snow removal. If your older neighbor’s car is parked outside, could you brush the snow off it for them? Or could you shovel, salt, and sand their driveway or walkway? These things will not only free your older neighbors from having to do these things themselves, but also make the outside areas around their house or apartment less slippery and thus much safer for them.

Other Ways to Offer Service to Seniors

If you do the things mentioned above, you’ll be going a long way toward being a good neighbor and a genuine blessing to older folks around you. Here are a few other ways you might offer assistance, as well:

• Help with Pet Care: Walk their dog or offer to feed their dog or cat if they travel;
    
• Home Maintenance Assistance: If you’re handy in this way, offer to help with anything from changing lightbulbs to putting in window AC units to cleaning garages or basements;
       
• Tech Assistance: Teach them how to use new technology such as smartphones or tablets;
    
• Invite Them to Events: Include them in neighborhood activities or social gatherings.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

We hear these questions all the time: Is Freemasonry a religion? Is it somehow related to Christianity? How do Freemasons view Christmas?

If you are reading this Valley of Portland blog, you likely know that no, Freemasonry is not a religion. We warmly welcome men of many different faiths and beliefs into our Brotherhood. We only ask that you believe in a Supreme Being, which some Masons call “The Grand Architect of the Universe.” But that doesn’t mean Christmas isn’t very important to many of us.

What Christmas Celebrates

From ancient times, people have celebrated this time of year—the time around the Winter Solstice—as a time of hope, as we slowly move from the darkest day of the year toward days that are longer and brighter. Symbolically, this marks the death and rebirth of the Sun.

In a similar way, we Freemasons view Christmas as the celebration of Jesus of Nazareth and his deeply compassionate teachings, which empower humankind to move from darkness into light. Jesus spoke movingly and unforgettably of such things as mercy, tolerance, kindness, and love. His love and light changed the world.

The Christmas Spirit, Year-Round

Many of the life-changing lessons and values embodied by and taught by Jesus of Nazareth are taught and embraced by Freemasons. Because of this, we can truly say that Freemasons embody the idea of Christmas—and its powerful message—year-round.

Throughout our lodges and other Masonic organizations, we—every single day of the year—plan and carry out acts designed to assist and uplift our local communities. We teach our Masonic brothers to deal honestly and fairly with others, without regard to their race, religion, or political affiliation. We are united in compassionate, humanitarian service to others as Jesus was to those he encountered. We look to him—and to other great spiritual leaders, as well—as we strive each day to make our world a brighter, more loving place.

From Our Lodge Meeting to the World

The positive, uplifting energy that permeates our Masonic lodges at Christmas—and year-round—powerfully radiates out to the community as a whole, through the acts of our individual Brothers and our groups. Learning the lessons of tolerance, love, and hope in our meetings and Masonic activities—lessons that are the heart of the Christmas spirit—we instinctively act in the same way as we move through our southern Maine communities and the wider world.

So if you ask what Christmas means to Freemasons, we won’t just tell you. We’ll show you. Because to us it means working to make the world a better place, one day and one footstep at a time. It means taking the Christmas Spirit—which has so much in common with the Masonic spirit—and using it to make the world just that much better by being in a Brotherhood that uplifts so many others. Because that’s what Freemasonry is all about.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

When you think of Thanksgiving, do you think immediately of Freemasonry?  Maybe not? Well, it turns out you should! Because two Freemasons—including U.S. President and Freemason George Washington—had a huge impact on the American version of the Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate today. In fact, President Washington and one of his Brothers in Freemasonry, Brother Elias Boudinot, worked together to create the holiday as a very special way to give thanks and express gratitude to our families, friends, and communities. 

Freemasonry Spurs a “Day of Thanks”

You may be thinking, “What about the Pilgrims and Native Americans? Didn’t the holiday start with them?” Yes, in a more informal way, it did. In 1621, settlers from The Mayflower, along with members of the Wampanoag tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a celebration to thank the Creator for the harvest and for the many blessings of life. Thereafter, for the next 160-plus years, the holiday was celebrated as an informal tradition among many Americans, but not as a formal national holiday.

That changed dramatically on September 25, 1789, when Freemason and Congressman Elias Boudinot of Burlington, New Jersey stood up in the U.S. House of Representatives with a legislative proposal. Brother Boudinot requested that the federal government create a committee to persuade President /Freemason George Washington to declare a national day of thanks and prayer. Historians say that, without Brother Boudinot’s powerful connection to Freemasonry and its values, he likely would not have been inclined to rally for this national day of thanks.

The Freemason President Delivers
the Proclamation

Later that same year, President George Washington delivered the Proclamation of 1789 that formally assigned November 26 as the National Holiday of Thanksgiving. Importantly, the proclamation also served as a symbolic gesture to our former monarchical rulers in Great Britain that the colonies were a self-governing, legitimate state. In his remarks regarding the holiday, President Washington stated: “Both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Masonic Values That Spurred a Holiday

When we look back on that important historical moment, we see clearly that our national American Thanksgiving holiday would not have been established without the values of Freemasonry and the critical work of two Masonic Brothers, Elias Boudinot and George Washington. This should further encourage us, as Freemasons, to reflect on and express gratitude for our fellow Brothers and for all the others in our lives who enrich us each day with such profound blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

You’ve probably heard it your entire life: “Man up,” people say. Or “Act like a man.” Statements like these reflect a “Guy Code” that society often imposes on men, reflecting unspoken rules you are supposed to follow. But how much do these “rules” reflect healthy masculinity—as opposed to the “toxic” kind? And how can Freemasons reflect more deeply on this issue?

How Men Learn About Masculinity   

Almost always, young males learn what a “real man” is from their family, other children, or schoolmates. Starting from early childhood, boys are often called out for behavior that doesn’t match society’s definition of manhood. They might be called “sissy” or “wimp” … or told they “throw like a girl.” And sometimes it gets even worse: They might be forced to deal with bullying or even assault. This forces boys, as they age, to face a choice: Go along with male stereotypes, or face the heat of “going against the grain.”

Stereotypes vs. What Men Actually Think

Research shows most men don’t personally agree with society’s “real man” stereotypes—especially if they tend to lead to “toxic male” behaviors that Freemasons and many other men recoil from. Some might go along with expected attitudes and behaviors because they are afraid of condemnation. But most Freemasons and other men are more attracted to—and want to embrace—a more healthy masculinity that supports a fuller range of human emotions and behaviors.

Key Ways to Live a “Healthy Masculinity”

Historically, society has put certain positive qualities in “the Masculine Box.” These include leadership, strength, and courage. But by putting those qualities in that box, society has not only implied that those qualities are not feminine, but also that qualities that are stereotypically feminine—such as nurturing, compassion, and caring—are not masculine. By having the strength and courage to rid ourselves of rigid rules about human qualities, Freemasons can achieve a healthy masculinity that affirms a broad range of positive human qualities.

What Healthy Masculinity “Looks Like”

When Freemasons embrace healthy masculinity for themselves and others, they can more positively affirm their true selves. They are not rejecting masculinity, but rather are moving into a better, healthier version of it.  One in which they:

• Address disrespect by having the courage to call it out;

• Allow themselves and other men to express a wide range of human emotions;

• Embrace mentoring, nurturing, compassion, and caring behavior toward themselves and others;

• Create openings for Freemason brothers and other men to share their experiences and feelings, especially if you sense there’s a problem;

• Check in with those you know or suspect are hurting;

• Have the courage to ask for help if you are struggling.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.