August 10, 2024
Hosted by Prather York Rite and Prather Council Knight Masons, please join us for a morning of Masonic Education that includes five hours of educational presentations and stimulating conversation on Masonic topics.
Registration Includes:
- 5+ Hours of Masonic Education & Discussion
- Printed Program Book with the Papers Presented
- Lunch and a light Breakfast
The cost for Registration is $40.
You Must be a Master Mason to Attend
Please reach out to us at info@pratheryorkrite.com if you have any questions.
Timeline:
Paper / Presentation Description
I have been studying the origins of the first Grand Lodge of 1717 for the last 7 years or more. Not based on the historical events of that time, but more in the area of why the members at that time would want to start a Grand Lodge after 100 years of more of masonry being opened and operating without it. This leads one in discovering the ancient cults that went before Masonry. If there is a connection, then we may be in danger of repeating history and just disappearing.
Russell L. Schlosser
I got a BS degree from the University of Michigan in Electrical Engineering 1972 back when Computers were the size of a football field. after 45 years with Donnley publishing, Microsoft and as a private consultant, I was busy writing technical papers on databased, Mail Servers and Virtualization now I’ve turned my attention on Free Masonry. i have been a member of almost every part of masonry for over 50 years not including my years as a member of Davison Chapter Order of DeMolay. I have been awarded the Degree of Chevalier and the Active Legon of Honor. I have served as Master of Nunda Lodge #169 in Crystal Lake; Illinois 5 times and I am now severing the Grand Lodge of Illinois as the Ambassador to the Grand Lodge of India. I have served the Valley of Chicago AASR as its Commander in Chief in 2010 and have been coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33° in 2006. In the York Rite I have severed as the Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Illinois in 2014 and a Most Illustrious Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Mason of the State of Illinois in 2000. I was installed as the Prior of Illinois Priory #11 YRCH in 2008. I have earned the right to speak openly and confidently on the subject of Free Masonry.
Paper / Presentation Description
A discussion of the reason, form, and construction of King Solomon’s Temple as well as the eventual destruction. Discussion then pivots to the focus of the Temple, the Ark of the Covenant. Discuss the construction, the historic accounts, what happened to it, and the greatest question of all – where is it now? The third part of this series, the Second Temple, will be presented in 2025.
Michael Taylor
Mike Taylor is Past Master of Rising Sun Lodge #6 and sitting High Priest of Versailles Chapter #113. He is honored to serve the Grand Chapter as Royal Arch Deputy. Mike takes great pleasure in preparing and presenting interesting pieces of Masonic Education and presenting them to lodges throughout Southeastern Indiana. He has a particular interest in the archeological history of the Holy Land.
Paper / Presentation Description
This paper will take you on a journey of the early AD years of Operative Freemasonry through the first sign of Speculative Freemasonry.
Adam Campbell
Adam Campbell is the Founding Worshipful Master of Circumpunct Lodge No. 777 that was established in 2024 and current Grand Lodge Laison. He is a Past Master of Englewood Lodge No. 715, a Past President of the Actual Masters & Wardens of Marion & Adjoining Counties, and Area Representative 22 in the year of 2013. Past Sovereign Master of his Allied Mason Degree Council, Past Governor of his York Rite College, and Past Master of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research U.D.
15 minutes will be spent discussing the presentations in small groups and then 15 minutes with the full group sharing what everyone discussed.
Paper / Presentation Description
This presentation explores the symbolism of the hourglass in the Master Mason lecture and its reflection of Aristotle’s ‘Paradox of Time’. It delves into the philosophical theories of time, the implications of measuring the immeasurable, and the Masonic teachings on the value of time.
Jason Rogers, Ph.D.
Jason Rogers, Ph.D., was born in Plymouth, IN, and grew up in Terre Haute. He graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Psychology. He earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Psychology from the University of Utah. His research focused on the neurobiology of learning and memory of space and time. Jason did a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in the Department of Neuroscience studying the neuropsychopharmacology of drug addiction. Jason was initiated, passed, and raised at Euclid Lodge #65, Naperville, IL, in 2010. Jason joined Caliburn Lodge #785, Cincinnati, OH, in 2012, and served as Worshipful Master in 2020. Jason received his 32° in the Valley of Cincinnati, and Royal Arch Degrees at Norwood Chapter #193, where he served as Excellent High Priest this past year. Jason is also a member of Prather Council #125 Knight Masons, Indianapolis, IN. In his free time, Jason enjoys running, playing percussion, woodturning, as well as the distillation of sprits and zymurgy.
Paper / Presentation Description
Early in his Masonic journey, the Entered Apprentice encounters the most enigmatic, and arguably the most important, of all Masonic symbols—a certain point within a circle bordered by two perpendicular, parallel lines. To operative Masons, it is a framework used to construct all other geometric figures. In the lectures of the speculative Mason, it is a framework of moral instruction. However, it is in the esoteric tradition that its true power can be discerned. This presentation explores several interpretations of this symbol, and a lineage of Greco-Roman philosophy related to the eternal nature of the sun and the human soul.
Jeremiah Beaver
Jeremiah Beaver is a Master Mason from Broad Ripple #643 and Vitruvian #767. At Broad Ripple Lodge, he is the Senior Steward as well as the Chair of the Masonic Education Committee and Illumination Programs. He was raised in 2023 and is a recipient of the Grand Lodge of Indiana’s Rookie Award. He is a video producer by trade with a professional background including over 20 years in live music promotion, journalism, art design and filmmaking. In his free time, he enjoys doing independent research and lecturing on all aspects of Freemasonry as well as esotericism and mysticism.
Paper / Presentation Description
A brief overview of the beautiful symbolism of the Circumpunct as found throughout the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry.
Jonah Butler
Jonah Butler is a Master Mason and Secretary of Circumpunct Lodge No. 777.
15 minutes will be spent discussing the presentations in small groups and then 15 minutes with the full group sharing what everyone discussed.
Paper / Presentation Description
This paper applies the principles of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to Masonic education and ritual, emphasizing parallels between educational theories and Masonic practices. Through active engagement, experiential learning, and emotional and cognitive integration, Freemasonry’s rituals offer unique opportunities for deep learning. Fink’s (2003) taxonomy enriches these parallels, emphasizing foundational knowledge, practical application, empathy, lifelong learning, and community. Understanding these educational connections provides insight into how Freemasonry leverages its rituals as powerful educational tools, fostering personal growth and development among its members.
Caleb J. Keith, Ph.D.
Caleb J. Keith, Ph.D., is Director of Research Strategy and Initiatives in the Office of Research, Indianapolis at Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI). Brother Keith was raised at Stephen Decatur Lodge #979 in Decatur, IL in 2007 and has resided in several jurisdictions since that time. He is currently Worshipful Master of Lodge Vitruvian #767. He is also a two-time Past High Priest, of Keystone #1 in Athens, GA and Joshua Chapter #158 in Indianapolis. He is a member of the Millersville and Prather York Rite bodies and currently serves the Grand Chapter of Indiana Royal Arch Masons as Royal Arch Deputy for District E. He writes, consults, and presents on topics related to assessment and evaluation, teaching and learning, educational research, and higher education. His doctoral dissertation was titled “Postsecondary Faculty Members’ Use of Learner-Centered Instructional Methods at Institute in the United States.”
Paper / Presentation Description
Presentation will be on elements of the Zodiac and its relevance to Freemasonry
Robh Zuniga
Bro. Robh Zuniga, PM brings a unique blend of expertise to the realm of astrological exploration. With a solid foundation as a mason since 2008, his journey into astrology has been informed by a rich tapestry of experiences, including a distinguished 14-year tenure in the Intelligence community, where precision and insight were paramount.
Currently, Bro. Robh serves as a Career Enlisted Aviator, ensuring smooth travel logistics for members of Congress—a role demanding both discretion and efficiency. His fascination with the esoteric began as a personal quest, gradually evolving into a profound understanding of astrological symbolism and its application in everyday life, and unraveling the mysteries of the celestial.
Paper / Presentation Description
This presentation will compare and contrast the Graham manuscript with other early masonic documents. This presentation will also tie lessons and concepts from this manuscript with degrees and practices from other bodies, as well as comparing the Noachite Legend with our current Hiramic Legend.
Shamus Driver, Ph.D.
Shamus Driver, Ph.D. is a Past Master of Pentalpha #564 in Indianapolis, IN and current Junior Warden of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research. Shamus is active in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons as the Grand Lecturer and the Grand Commandery as a DBC. He is also active in the Scottish Rite, Allied Masonic Degrees, Knight Masons, and Sovereign York Rite College. Shamus is also a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Hospital Corpsman.
15 minutes will be spent discussing the presentations in small groups and then 15 minutes with the full group sharing what everyone discussed.