Let's set the stage. A committee of expert ritualists, Minnesota's Board of Custodians, is responsible for the ritual used within our Grand Lodge. "The Minnesota Masonic Ritual" is similar to that used in most US states. It is often called the American Preston/Webb Work, after a British writer and summarizer of the lectures and content of his era, the early 1700s, and after an early 1800s traveling lecturer who taught it around the US. At one point in US history, traveling lecturers were very much in demand during a time when Masonic rituals were only transmitted mouth to ear, or in group 'lodges of instruction.' Over time, very small variances between states have crept in, due to the influence of a mistake-ridden exposure written by a fellow named Lester, and other such errors over the years. But by and large, Minnesota's ritual looks much like that used in Wisconsin, or Florida, or New York, or Arizona.

Churchill is no different. We open, close and do degree work using our standard state ritual. However, in addition to this, Churchill Lodge is set up to practice and share the "Emulation Work," a version of the Masonic ritual practiced in about 60% of the lodges in England, along with most of Canada, in Australia and New Zealand, and in the other English Constitution lodges around the world. --We practice it and will show it as part of an exemplification program. With the help of friends from England and Canada we've pretty well learned the First Degree, and are beginning work on the Second.

Learning and performing this British-style ritual is an opportunity to learn about our roots, and better see the meaning of our own ritual by comparison. It is different from ours, and wonderful to watch.

As indicated earlier, when we raise candidates, we will do so with the Minnesota Work, unless or until down the road a future Grand Master grants a dispensation to do otherwise.

There is much precedent for this: Other states allow several ritual variations, including the option for a Spanish ritual, or for use of Emulation or some other more exotic text. Our neighbors in Wisconsin permit Ben Franklin #83 to use the Emulation Work to raise candidates. Wisconsin also has a German-speaking lodge. DC has several Emulation lodges and multiple languages permitted, as do other states. New York and Louisiana allow multiple rituals. So do several Canadian grand lodges. Pennsylvania's ritual is markedly different, adhering to an older style than that used in other US jurisdictions. In England herself, lodges operating under the United Grand Lodge of England choose from among over fifty different rituals, some of which are maintained by semi-autonomous schools of instruction, and some of which are maintained only by their proponents or users. For example, we are told the ritual used and maintained by lodges in and around the English city of Bristol, “Bristol Working,” is profoundly beautiful. Ireland and Scotland too enjoy several ritual variations. The fact is, throughout the world, English Constitution lodges work side by side under the Emulation or other ritual, while local jurisdictional lodges work their own forms, possibly in English, or in the vernacular of the land.

In the United States, in order to slow the process of unintended ritual change or variance, many jurisdictions have opted to publish the ritual in 'cypher' form in order to ensure consistency and as a memory tool. The cypher may reduce words to a single letter, or two letters. A handful of states continue the mouth-to-ear tradition, keeping only a single hand-inscribed copy safe in the Grand Lodge archives, to settle arguments.

Most of us here are Past Masters from active lodges. We are proud to know our own Minnesota work. Learning the Emulation ritual just helps us reflect on the deeper meaning that connects all these rituals with the larger message of Masonry. Here's how to join us.

If Emulation degree work interests you, the brethren of Churchill Lodge are hosting a group of English Masons traveling to Minnesota in June of 2011, to enjoy fellowship and to exhibit their ritual work in one of our beautiful temples.  All Master Masons in good standing are welcome to sign up and join us at any or all of these events.  Click HERE for further information.

Through the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, Churchill Lodge is in amity with the United Grand Lodge of England, and all recognized grand lodges in the world. Yet we have special, and personal friendships that have been improved by regular visitation, by correspondence, and by mutual aid.

1. Led by PGM Rice, many of us have a relationship with brothers from The Martello Lodge #7121, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK, of the United Grand Lodge of England.

2. PGM Jackson serves as an Honorary Past Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Cyprus, and supported their efforts to gain Masonic recognition worldwide.

3. We recently lost founding member, WB Frank Harris, who enjoyed membership in Internet Lodge #9659 under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England. We met members of this lodge in the summer of 2011 for fellowship and a shared meeting here in Minneapolis. He was also our former Grand Rep to Malta.

4. We've a relationship with WB Alan Tibbetts of Granite Lodge #446 in Ft. Francis, of the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario.

5. We've a relationship with Ben Franklin Lodge #83 of Madison, Wisconsin, of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

6. Many of us enjoy connections through our relationship with Cincinnatus Lodge #76 in Washington, DC, of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

7. Led by PGM Jackson, brothers Berger, Gann, Genz, Blakesley, Kraska and Jackson have a relationship with the Grand Lodge of Cuba, and in Jackson's term as grand master they delivered a half ton of medical supplies, childrens toys, electronics and other goods to many of the lodges on that island. Not linked here for security reasons.

8. We've a relationship with Thunder Bay Lodge #618, of the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario.

9. PGM Jackson served as Chairman of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota's External Relations Committee in 2011-12, a role which some jurisdictions know as Chancellor. In this capacity he aided the Grand Lodge in determination of potential treaties of amity between jurisdictions.

10. A number of Churchill members have previously served, or have been designated by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as Grand Reps (~ambassadors) to foreign jurisdictions, many of which are out of the United States. (Masonically, a "foreign" jurisdiction is any outside our borders or outside one of the 160 constituant lodges of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. Thus even our state's Prince Hall jurisdiction is 'foreign'.) Here is the list of our reps:

             Grand Reps who are Members of Churchill Lodge #351
Africa / Burkina Faso - WB David Johnson
Cuba - WB Jason Berger
District of Columbia - MWB Tom Hendrickson
England - MWB Andrew Rice
Puerto Rico - Bro. Robert S. Davis
San Marino - Bro. Shane Wendt

Previously, many Churchill men have served as Grand Reps, and we thank them for their service. Such appointments change with the requirements of each Grand Master, and our lodge is proud that so many of us are willing and able to serve in these valuable roles. Previous Grand Rep appointments, no longer serving, include:

Alaska - Bro. Gary Twigg
Andorra - WB Bradley Skeel
Arkansas - RWB John Gann
Bolivia - Bro. Steve Genz
Columbia / Bogota - RWB John Gann
Columbia / Cartagena - WB Ted Martz
Cyprus - MWB Thomas C. Jackson
Germany - MWB Neil Neddermeyer
India - WB Daniel F. Akins
Israel - WB Peter Nickitas
Kentucky - Bro. James Martin
New York - Bro. Paul Kraska
South Carolina - Bro. Chris Taylor

Each of these brethren serve or have served the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as the Grand Rep, or ambassador, for travelers who are Masons, and who are traveling to or from their assigned nation or state. These men provide guidence and the sometimes vital link of aid for such travellers. Minnesota Masons may contact these men through our lodge secretary, and external Masons may contact them via your Grand Secretary who will contact ours, Rt. Wor. Doug Campbell, in the US at 952-948-6700 or via e-mail at "grandlodge (at) qwest.net". Bro. Campbell will also assist Minnesota Masons to identify Grand Reps serving other jurisdictions not listed.

Note: Unless or until an introduction is made, long-standing Masonic protocol indicates that Masons ought to establish foreign lodge relationships via their own Grand Secretary rather than directly contacting the foreign lodge. An exception is made when you are actually sojourning within the boundaries of another state or nation, and may in an emergency contact the Grand Secretary there, who will extend to you every Masonic courtesy while confirming your affiliation with your home jurisdiction. Some other exceptions are made that allow you to easily join a foreign research lodge, or when encountering Masons during the course of commerce or social events. Once an introduction is made, of course, the relationship is yours to develop and cherish as you wish.

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