W Bro Charles D Ingram tells us what Freemasonry Means to Him
Worshipful Brother Charles D Ingram is the Worshipful Master of the Coventry Foundation Lodge. Recently, we asked him to give us an insight into his journey within Freemasonry. Here is what he told us:
As a young Mason, being initiated into Freemasonry in 2013 by my father and grandfather, I felt very confused as to what everything meant, and what on earth I had let myself into! All these strange words, customs, songs and clapping? How bizarre. It was only until I was raised and began my journey towards the Worshipful Master’s chair did I truly understand the value of Freemasonry, and what it can do for me, my family, and my local communities.
We always say that Freemasonry means different things to different masons, and I truly believe that it’s true. For me, a few great things that I find fascinating may hold no interest for other masons. We each have our own reasons for joining and continuing in Freemasonry and I would like to share some of them with you all today.
Freemasonry has been incredibly welcoming and non-judgemental, which was incredibly important for a young man emerging in the world trying to figure out who he was at Twenty-One years of age. Joining my Lodge has allowed me to make friends with those I would have never been introduced to in my regular day-to-day, either because of age, location, profession, or personal interests. Even though we are all so different, we don’t judge one another, we are purely supportive of each other, and I have truly made friendships that will last my entire life, and I am thankful that Freemasonry has introduced me to such a wide range of folks with a huge number of interests outside my own circle that in have grown through school and work etc.
I find that freemasonry is a challenge, in a good way! It strives me to create a sense of self discipline that I highly value in myself, and I hope that I can bring that out in others now I have gathered a bit more experience in my eight years as a mason. The ritual can be tough to learn, but the satisfaction that I get from giving it a go holds no bounds. Also, as a theatre lover, I adore the dramatic potential that the ritual holds. And yes, I sometimes get it wrong, but so does everyone! I am yet to be chastised for missing a line or asking for a prompt. So, for those out there with their head in their ritual books thinking the world will end if you get the one “the” out of place, it won’t!
Of course, I cannot mention the idea of what Freemasonry means to me without speaking on charity. I truly believe outside of the ritual and the festive boards, the value of freemasonry is in its charitable activities. As a member of the Coventry Masonic Pantomime committee, I am passionate about helping and providing for those less fortunate and am immensely proud that I am part of an organisation that does so much to help and serve the local, national, and international communities.
To those who are still wondering “what’s it all about?”, don’t worry, that feeling never leaves you, and that’s a great thing! That curiosity is one of the main attributes of Freemasonry, I truly learn something new every time I visit, speak, and donate time to mine or any other lodge, and I can’t think of any other social organisations that can boast such a claim.
I have no idea where my masonic journey will be headed as I move towards ten years as a Freemason. But I am sure excited to find out!
W Bro Charles Ingram