The Mark Meets the Craft (MMTC) was an initiative proposed by the Past Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Keith Emmerson, which received the approval and support of the then Craft PGM RW Bro Michael Batham Jones and continues to enjoy the encouragement of the present craft PGM RW Bro Paul Gower.
A Team made up of senior members of the Mark Provincial Executive visits craft lodges within Hertfordshire, at their invitation and deliver a presentation on the Mark Degree.
The members of the Mark Team attend the craft lodge wearing craft regalia and at the appropriate time the lodge is called OFF, the Mark team leave, and then re-enter wearing Mark regalia under the direction of the Mark Director of Ceremonies and then deliver a presentation in three, ten minute distinct parts:
- The origins, history and teaching of the Mark degree
- The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Hertfordshire, its history, its lodge and meeting venues etc.
- The Mark Benevolent Fund, its history, its purpose, aims and objectives
Where time permits and the speakers are available two other topics are presented:
- Mark Masons Marks found at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans
- Mark Tokens, their origins and history
The Mark team then retire and the Lodge is called ON and resumes its business.
The Mark team join the brethren at the Festive Board (all mark members pay for their own dining) and it should be noted that there are no costs whatsoever imposed on the craft lodge.
Since commencing this unique project in February 2001, which continues to find much favour with the Hertfordshire Craft Lodges, 90 presentations have been given, addressing some 3,100 brethren (approx 33% of the craft membership)
Presentations have taken place at all the Masonic centres in the Province.
Resulting from these presentations, interest has been shown by craft members and indeed a goodly number have since been advanced into various Mark lodges within our Province.
This initiative is continuing into 2009, and to assist, posters have placed at all Masonic centres, detailing those Mark Lodges that meet there, with the appropriate name and addresses of the secretaries, and advertising these presentations.
Founded on the success of the MMTC presentations, a similar initiative has been developed for presentation at Mark Lodges in the Province and entitled “The Mark Meets the Royal Ark Mariners Degree” and Lodges are invited to contact the undersigned who will make arrangements.
Neil Phillips, PAGDC, APGM