October 8, 2016 - Examining the Modern Social Landscape: Implications for Freemasonry
The seminar serves as an introduction to understanding the complexities of demographic, social, and economic trends. We would focus on both the United States as a whole and the State of Maine specifically. Masonic lodges have been an integral part of the social landscape for centuries. To maintain our viable and relevant presence, we need to develop an enhanced awareness of and critically examine the changing sociocultural factors that impact our fraternity.Instructor: Wor. Christopher Howard, Ph. D
Location: TBD- District 1 9AM-12PM
October 15, 2016 - Annual Convocation
Professor Steven Bullock, author of Revolutionary Brotherhood will keynote this exciting opportunity to spend a day together gaining new insights into our Craft.Location: Spectacular Events Center, 395 Griffin Road, Bangor 8AM - 3PM District 6
October 22, 2016 - Jurisprudence
“A survey of the sources of Masonic principles and usages, of Masonic law and an analysis of how the former are expressed in the latter.”Instructor: MW Wayne T. Adams
Location: Governor William King, Scarborough 9AM-12PM. Breakfast will be served at 8:00AM District 17
November 12, 2016 - Polishing the Stone
In every Masonic Lodge Room one enters, one will find two stones prominently displayed – one rough cut the other smooth. These two stones – the ashlars – bear special symbolic insight and significance to every man who has ever been or is now a Mason. They portray a man from the beginning to the end of his Masonic life and set before him a goal. This course is a study of these symbols and the meaning inherent within.Instructor: RW Mark E. Rustin
Location: Columbia-Doric Lodge, Greenville 9AM-12PM District 5
November 26, 2016 - EA Degree
Through the use of lecture, illustration and seminar dialogue, this course seeks to expand the participant’s realization of the extraordinary experience which takes place when candidates become Entered Apprentices. Together those involved in this course will seek to explore the expanding space of particular human experience in which the new Masons find themselves. Governing the working geometry of this space are such cardinal points as Ethical Care, Scope of Understanding, Practical Skills and Professional Responsibility as a Mason. As a source of historical perspective, attention will be given to one of the oldest Masonic documents, the Regius Poem, and its significance to the E.A. Degree. Every part of the Degree has a symbolic meaning as well as a literal interpretation. That most important symbolic part will be highlighted and explored. The final goal of this course is to have everyone present leave with an understanding why ...the greatest and best of men in all ages have been encouragers and promoters of the art, and have never deemed it derogatory from their dignity to level themselves with the fraternity....”Instructor: MW Walter Macdougall & RW Don McDougal
Location: Morning Star Lodge, Litchfield 9AM-12PM District 11
December 3, 2016 - Astronomy
Of all the arts and sciences, Astronomy has the closest association with our human feeling of awe and our search for who and where we are. The Maine Masonic College through the University of Maine is pleased to present this planetarium program once each year for the enjoyment and edification of the whole family. The program is typically a blend of a guide in observing the nighttime sky and an adventure into new discoveries in deep space. We have chosen December as the month for this occasion. The specific date will be announcedInstructor: UMO Planetarium
Location: UMO Orono 3PM- Confirmed. District 6
January 14, 2017 - Tenents & Cardinal Virtues
Freemasonry is not a revealed religion. It is, however, as are all great human endeavors, a search after what is truly significant. Instructor Reginald Wing will lead us in such a search for the interrelated significance of the Cardinal Virtues and the Tenets of our profession not only as Freemasons but as human beings. Brother Wing course is intended for participation and is supported by excellent hand-out material. You will leave with a new understanding of the importance of our tenets and cardinal virtues.Instructor: RW Reggie Wing
Location: Tyrian Lodge, Mechanic Falls 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
January 21, 2017 - Polishing the Stone
In every Masonic Lodge Room one enters one will find two stones prominently displayed – one rough cut the other smooth. These two stones – The Ashlars – bear special symbolic insight and significance to every man who has ever been or is now a Mason. They portray a man from the beginning to the end of his Masonic life and set before him a goal. This course is a study of these symbols and the meaning inherent within.Instructor: RW Mark Rustin
Location: Alna Anchor Lodge, Damariscotta 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
February 11, 2017 - Jurisprudence Note Change in Venue
“A survey of the sources of Masonic principles and usages, of Masonic law and an analysis of how the former are expressed in the latter.”Instructor: MW Wayne T. Adams
Location: Brownville Church 10AM-12PM Meal to follow
Due to unforeseen circumstances the class has been moved to the Brownville Community Church. The meal will follow in the church community room. Thank you for your understanding.
February 18, 2017 - Esoteric Masonry
This seminar is a continuation from the basic symbolism course and it would be helpful if you have taken that course in the past. Here the Entered Apprentice degree will be analyzed and explored and so it is a prerequisite that you have received the EA degree and therefore are a mason. RW Brother Eric Kuntz and VW Brother David Guarente will lead us on a journey through the words, objects, gestures and movements of the degree while they integrate deeper meanings and connections to other esoteric practices. This will be a lengthy course running from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm and will be given at Lygonia Lodge on February 18, 2017. This is the second in what we hope will become a four part series beginning with general symbolism and going on to cover each individual degree. Come out and enjoy.Instructor: RW Eric Kuntz, MD
Location: Lygonia Lodge, Ellsworth 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
March 4, 2017 - Vitruvius
In the reign of Caesar Augustus, Vitruvius was an engineer who wrote a series of texts on Architecture and the art of building. We read those texts with amazement. So often what Vitruvius has to say shares with the world-view of modern Freemasonry- a “virtually seamless relationship... between the critical, rational methods of science and the maintenance of the ancestral traditions including religion” or perhaps as better phrased, a spiritual reverence for the beauty and the order of the universe. This course introduces what Vitruvius sees as fundamental to the work of the Builder along with the importance of the Arts and Sciences in an inspirational adventure with very practical results.Instructor: MW Walter Macdougall, RW George Macdougall & RW Don McDougal
Location: Mt. Kineo Lodge, Guilford 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
March 11, 2017 - Symbolism
This course will help establish a foundation of understanding for several Maine Masonic College courses dealing with Masonic and other forms of symbolism, allegory, myth and philosophical expressions of belief. It was developed from a psychological and practical perspective which examines the use of dynamic roles of symbols as instruments of understanding and vehicles of exploration both in our personal lives and in our mutual and significant inter-relationships with others. The lecture portion of this course explores the use of certain symbols of the Masonic degree experience. Participants will be divided into groups and given practical; exercises in which to explore the significance and efficacy of symbols in the process of developing individual and group insights in their encounter with human situations and in their search for greater understanding. This is a practical applications course and is critical for mentors of any organization in which symbolism plays and important role.Instructor: RW Eric Kuntz
Location: David A. Hooper Lodge, Sullivan 9AM-12PM District 21
March 18, 2017 - World Religions THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED
A highly important and timely subject and open to all. A recent poll of Americans revealed an alarming lack of basic knowledge about the world's religions. Surprisingly, a Gallup poll revealed that only half of American adults could name even one of the four Gospels of the New Testament. This course has been designed to teach participants the basics of world religions including their origins, historical figures, rituals, scriptures, holidays and key teachings – all that Masons should know and understand in order to consider themselves religiously literate. By studying the religious traditions of the world, we will better understand our world and our neighbors, and because religions deal with the fundamental questions of human existence, understanding religion will help us to better understand ourselves as Freemasons who profess to be linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection and who regard the whole human species as one family. We will begin by exploring what a religious tradition is and by examining a number of ways of defining religion along with the strength and weaknesses of each. Then we will examine important themes that nearly all religions address: The concept of divinity or ultimate reality, scripture, ritual understanding of good and evil, and the idea of salvation or liberation. We conclude our studies by examining important trends in religion and the relationships of religion, violence and peace in today's world.Instructor: RW Charlie Plummer
Location: Messalonskee Lodge, Oakland 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
April 1, 2017 - Rhetoric
While Rhetoric, as one of the seven liberal arts and sciences listed in the Fellow Craft Degree, covers the powerful and informative use of language in general, this training experience focuses on speech as an essential aspect of effective communication. This experience will provide the fundamental skills of organizing and delivery in speaking situations where the goal is either to inform or to persuade. Special effort is made to provide a friendly and supportive atmosphere in which participants may practice what they are leaning. Instructors for this course come from the University of Maine's Department of Communication and Journalism or some other similar institution of learning.Instructor: Tony Sutton from the Speach & Communication Dept. at UM
Location: Star in the East Lodge, Old Town 9AM-12PM Lunch to follow
April 15, 2017 - Celebration of the Arts & Sciences
Once a year the Maine Masonic College holds a celebration of the arts and sciences which are the magnificent achievements and courageous outreach of the human mind and spirit. Traditionally, the format for these annual celebrations includes a morning presentation by a leading figure in a particular art of science or in arts and science education followed by a banquet and an open session encouraging participation on the part of the participant. Below is a little insight in what the speakers will be addressing.............................................. Daniel Gaucher-Linear perspective is a mathematical system for projecting the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface, such as paper or canvas. A series of rules were adapted during the early Renaissance and developed over the following centuries. This presentation will cover one-point, two-point and three-point perspective and highlight how these rules have been used in everything from Brunelleschi’s and Raphael’s masterpieces to modern day video games. Luke Shorty-Mathematical connections between the 47th Problem of Euclid and the golden ratio......Join the Maine Masonic College in a illuminating talk on the 47th problem of Euclid and the Golden Ratio, better known as the Pythagorean theorem and the mathematical constant Phi. Though these two concepts seem like they are not connected we will discover that the 47th problem can be a gateway to constructing the golden ratio that is found throughout all of architecture, nature, and art. We will explore what these concepts are, where they can be found in nature, art and architecture, their history, and their deep roots in geometry, and how they can be constructed with square and compasses.Instructor: Luke Shorty, Daniel Gaucher & Honor Students from UM
Location: Spectacular Event Center, Bangor 9AM-3PM
About the Speakers:
Daniel Gaucher is an accomplished television editor and documentary producer, who has two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. He has worked in the Boston, New York, and Los Angeles markets for both broadcast and cablecast outlets. With his professional achievements as an editor, and producer, Gaucher brings a broad knowledge of all aspects of production to the wide range of projects and institutions with which he works.
After moving to Los Angeles after completing his degrees, he established himself in the production world as one of the original editors for the hit reality series Blind Date. He went on to edit reality and documentary programming including REAL TV, Extreme Engineering and the PBS science series NOVA. His work has aired worldwide on NBC, MTV, Bravo, A&E, UPN, Spike, VH-1, TLC, PBS, History Channel, National Geographic, and the Discovery Channel.
Daniel’s current research addresses narrative in a virtual reality environment, and the impact working outside the frame will have on the rules of production and post-production. He completed post-production on the innovative virtual reality feature film (MansLaughter, 2015) which was distributed worldwide by Samsung for the Gear VR. His current virtual reality project, Maren’s Rock, addresses the historic events surrounding the 1873 Smuttynose Island murders on the Isles of Shoals.
Luke Shorty is the Executive Director at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. He received his Masters in Mathematical Sciences from Montana State University and his Bachelors of Arts in Mathematical Sciences from University of Maine at Farmington. He currently lives in Caribou, Maine and is the Junior Warden of Limestone Lodge #214.
April 29, 2017 - Alchemy THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS
A look at the similarities and possible connections between the symbols in Freemasonry and those of alchemy and depth psychologyInstructor: RW Eric Kuntz
Location: Tuscan Lodge, Addison 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
May 13, 2017 - Ethics
Sam McKeeman is a regular and greatly valued faculty member for the Maine Masonic College. He is presently Program Manager for the Maine Bureau of Human Services. He previously was Director of Organization Development and Training at the Maine Department of Transportation. In his life time of teaching and as chief planner for the Justice System in Pennsylvania and in New South Wales, Sam has become an engaging expert in making courses in ethics, critical thinking and organization leadership vital and close-to-home experiences. You will find Sam Mckeeman a wise, witty and widely informed instructor who listens as well as he teaches.Instructor: Sam McKeeman
Location: Orient Lodge, Thomaston 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
May 20, 2017 - Critical Thinking
A presentation on the importance of Critical Thinking in society and our lives. Don McDougal and George Macdougall present on what Critical Thinking is, where it is used, how easily the brain can be fooled and ways to get to the correct decisionInstructor: RW George Macdougall and RW Don McDougal
Location: Solar Star Lodge, Bath 9AM-12PM
June 3, 2017 - The Great Conversation
GF 42-The Great Conversation Description: As human beings we live in a cloud of opinions and suppositions. Some of these seem trivial while others pertain to our major concerns and needs. In the case of the latter, we want and need to know what is the origin, the purpose, and the consequences as well as the credentials of these opinions. Philosophy is an ongoing process which seeks reliable answers to such questions. Literally, philosophy means a “love of knowledge.” It is involved with the human proclivity to know- our search to expand our horizons and to find larger answers. Philosophy is also a great conversation between us and those who have spent their lives in the meaningful and disciplined exploration of opinions and ideas. Join in a bit of this conversation. This course offers an opportunity to consider Plato and Aristotle, two of the all- time great philosophical searchers. They come striding down the corridor of western thought, lighting intellectual fires in all directions and igniting questions of consequence in human beings everywhere. One can be sure that he will meet these two figures on the path of his Masonic journey. Note: GF 42 was originally designed to follow GF 41 which covers the beginning of western philosophy, the Pre-Socratics and Socrates. The Instructor will briefly describe this information at the start of GF 42 for those who have not taken GF 41.Instructor: MW Walter Macdougall
Location: Horeb Lodge, Lincoln 9AM-12PM Meal to follow
July 1, 2017 - Critical Thinking
This presentation is on the importance of Critical Thinking in society and our lives. Don McDougal and George Macdougall present on what Critical Thinking is, where it is used, how easily the brain can be fooled and ways to get to the correct decision.Instructor: George Macdougall and Don McDougal
Location: Cornerstone Lodge, Portland Maine 9AM-12PM Meal to follow $5.00 per person