“My Initiation” is the brainchild of W Bro Dan Reed of Willing Lodge No 2893. It’s a signed, embossed Token from a Lodge on the day of a candidate's Initiation, gifted to him to keep and commemorate his special day.
It is also a fundraiser: Gift Tokens will cost £25 each (so not a significant cost to Lodge funds, and likely no more than £1 per Member) throughout 2025, with the aim of raising £25,000 for LFC – the London Freemasons Charity. That’s £25 for £25k throughout ’25.
LFC disburses money to countless London charities each year, and monies raised by “My Initiation” will top up the overall fund rather than supporting any specific charity – you can be sure the money is, appropriately to Initiations, “gratefully received and faithfully applied”!
The Token is bespoke, featuring all original artwork, the Lodge's name and number, the Candidate’s name and with space for the Worshipful Master who has initiated the Brother on that day to sign and gift it on behalf of his Lodge and its Members.
W Bro Dan says, “Gifting to a Brother, within Freemasonry, is a heartfelt way to honour shared memories, express gratitude for his presence, and celebrate the unbreakable bond of brotherhood and mutual support.”
Willing Lodge has already given out its first to a new Initiate, Bro Bhav Patel. Says Patel, “Receiving the gift certificate really added to my already special day.”
Metropolitan Grand Inspector, Martin Vidler PJGD (PGStB), has this listed on his portal for all Tokens distributed to new Initiates in Lodges under his Inspectorate; making “My Initiation” Certificates even more memorable. Vidler says, “In the spirit of the fraternity and our shared purpose, Dan Reed exemplifies the essence of our Masonic values with this vision to elevate the experience of new Initiates. His initiative not only seeks to secure £25,000 for the London Freemasons Charity but also drives a genuine connection between newcomers and the rich traditions of our Lodges. In this endeavour, we are reminded that strengthening our community enriches the journey of every Brother who walks through our doors.”
For clarity, this is not a MetGL initiative, and therefore, the presentation should not be made in open Lodge, nor can this token be referenced in the Summons. However, the Festive Board provides an excellent opportunity to make the day even more special.
At the time of writing, W Bro Dan has already received 20 pre-orders, so the first £500 of donations is already assured. For more information about the “My Initiation” campaign and how you can get a customised Certificate for your Candidates, please follow this link to order your gift: https://pay.collctiv.com/25-25-25-my-initiation-32490
Or use this QRCode :
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.