UNION, NEW JERSEY
About Freemasonry
Are you a Patriot? Are you a man of Faith? Are you a man of honor?
Maybe, deep in your heart you have always been a Freemason, and just never knew it.
Our Mission
What do Freemasons stand for?
Every man has his own reason for wanting to be a part of the greatest fraternity in the world. Regardless of your reason, you will benefit from membership because Freemasonry makes good men better. In today’s society, men lead busier lives than ever. Many Brothers find Lodge meetings to be an excellent “break from life,” where everyday troubles can be forgotten and Brotherhood prevails. Whatever your reason, Freemasonry has something to offer nearly every man.
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We stand for God, Country, Community, and Home.
God
As Freemasons we believe in God. But we also believe in religious freedom. We never ask how you practice your faith, we only ask that you believe in a Supreme Being. We ask that you live a moral and upright life. We ask that you be a man of honor, of integrity, of fidelity.
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Country
As Freemasons, we love our country. We begin every meeting with a salute to our flag. Just think of some of our past members. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, Simon Bolivar. We are defenders and promoters of freedom, liberty, and justice. In freemasonry we have a saying, “We meet on the Level, Act by the Plumb, and Part upon the Square”. Our lodge does not know rank, race, or religious affiliation; we meet every human being on the level with equality. We treat all people with dignity and humanity. The most high and the most low meet in lodge as brothers.
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Community
We thank God every day for our blessings, and view it as a responsibility to share those blessings with our neighbors who may be less fortunate than ourselves. We promote and support charities throughout our neighborhood. Our lodge supports blood drives, educational facilities for children with dyslexia, we raise funds for college scholarships, Child Identification Programs (CHIPS), a home for the elderly, and so much more.
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Home
While doing much to help others, we must never forget our own families. Whether it’s a ladies night, summer picnic, or breakfast with Santa, we know our success is due to the loved ones who support us at home.
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Truth
Truth is at the center of our Masonic doctrine. Without Truth, all else is superfluous and artificial. Freemasonry can be broken down into three key principles.
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Morality
We hold ourselves to a high standard and we treat one another and all those we deal with, with respect and as we would want to be treated ourselves. We strive to live our lives with conviction and principles. There is nothing more sacred than our word of honor.
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Brotherly Love
We express tolerance and respect for all people regardless of creed. We respect all of God’s creations. ​
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Charity
The sages say that the world is supported by a 3 legged stool, and that one of those legs is Charity. We dedicate ourselves to care for the orphan, the widow, the sick, and the poor.
How to Join / FAQs
Why be a Freemason?
Every man has his own reason for wanting to be a part of the greatest fraternity in the world. Regardless of your reason, you will benefit from membership because Freemasonry makes good men better. In today’s society, men lead busier lives than ever. Many Brothers find Lodge meetings to be an excellent “break from life,” where everyday troubles can be forgotten and Brotherhood prevails. Whatever your reason, Freemasonry has something to offer nearly every man.
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Who can join?
To qualify for membership, a petitioner must be male, at least 18 years of age, one who believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, of good moral character, motivated to join for reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit, prompted by a favorable opinion of Freemasonry, desirous of earning knowledge and willing to conform to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity.
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What is the Membership Process?
In the past, our tradition was to wait for you to seek membership entirely of your own free will and accord. Today, however, we allow our members to selectively invite men of good character, who will be a credit to our Fraternity. But this doesn’t mean that you have to wait to be invited to join us. Your interest is enough, if you meet the qualifications.
To start the process, you must first submit a petition for membership along with a small fee and form which authorizes a criminal background check. After the background check is completed and is clear, your petition will be read at a meeting of the Lodge you are seeking to join and published in the Trestleboard (newsletter of the Lodge) for the information of the membership. You will then be visited by a small committee from the Lodge who will ascertain your qualifications and answer any questions you or your family may have regarding Freemasonry. Shortly thereafter, the members will vote on your petition for membership. Once approved, the Lodge will schedule your initiation ceremonies (also known as Degrees), during which you will assume your vows of membership and learn the teachings of Freemasonry. The one time fee for joining Freemasonry varies with each Lodge, but averages around $250-$300. In addition, members pay dues to their Lodge, averaging around $100-$150 per year.
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Our Purpose
Freemasonry is a fraternity of brothers who share one common goal: to help each other become better men. We strengthen and improve our character by learning and practicing basic virtues of fraternal love, charity, and truth. Our principles extend far beyond our interactions with each other, and we strive to apply them to our daily lives. All who join Freemasonry must declare their belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, and practice their own personal faith, but the fraternity is neither a religion nor a place to worship. Rather, it is a place where men of all monotheistic creeds can meet and focus on the great truths of peaceful human interaction that are common to all religions.
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Religion
Freemasonry is not a religion. Your religious beliefs are your own. You must, however, believe in a Supreme Being.
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Secrecy
Freemasonry is not a secret society. Our members do not hide their affiliation with us. Many of our activities are open to family and friends.
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Hazing
There is absolutely no hazing permitted in the Masonic fraternity.
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Memorizing
There is no requirement to memorize any ritual, but members can choose to participate as they wish.
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Attending
There are no attendance requirements.
In summary, our mission is to leave the world just ever so slightly better than how we came into it. At the end of our days, we ask not to be judged by how much wealth we accumulated, but by how much happiness we shared with others. When people look back, can it be said of us, “He was a good Man”.
Ready to Join? Contact Us today!