The service provided many of those present with an opportunity of quiet reflection on the past and to evaluate the hopes for our future. A stepping stone to look back at the achievements that we, as Freemasons in Suffolk, have made over the past 250 plus years and continue so to do to this very day. Within the Liturgy of the Service the Dean, the Very Reverend Joseph Hawes, invited us to reflect on our Masonic values and the beneficial effect they have within our communities, especially those of Integrity, Respect, Friendship and Charity. Constants that have remained present as part of the fraternity in Suffolk since masonry began in the County during the 1730’s and later formalised in1772 with the establishment of our Provincial Grand Lodge.
The Dean said during his sermon:
'You know a thing or two, Freemasons of Suffolk, about the poor, the dying, the marginalised and those who have lost hope, because you raise tens of thousands of pounds, over a hundred thousand last year alone, to support charities, hospices, widows and orphans. Freemasons in this country are among the highest givers to charity every year, so as I say, you know a thing or two about caring for the human temples, repositories themselves of The Word, who are most in need in contemporary society. When I was invited recently to Ashlar House to speak to you and spend a convivial evening, I was deeply impressed by the passion revealed to me in conversation, not just to take care of each other within your lodges, but to allow the strong bonds of friendship and integrity to manifest themselves in actions and donations which make the world, in small and great ways, a better place. I was impressed by that passion, impressed also by your openness, and even more impressed by full throated singing which accompanied the not infrequent toasts!'
Towards the end of the Service, the Dean invited all Freemasons to stand, whilst he said The Act of Rededication. He invited us to dedicate ourselves afresh to God’s service, loyalty and grace and gave thanks for our steadfast way of life. As the service came to a close, the entire congregation, accompanied by the Alleyn Singers, who had provided the music throughout, sang the Closing Ode with great gusto and enthusiasm. Following the Blessing, the Choir, Clergy and Senior Members of the Province retired to the Felix Mendelssohn organ voluntary 'War March of the Priests'.
This proved to be, not only an uplifting experience, but an inclusive and public statement of our Masonic standards; to serve as a reminder that fashions, politics and aggression between nations may come and go, but the core values of our entire Masonic family have remained steadfast for centuries.
