Bringing a Youthful Energy to the Craft

Brother Spencer Talbot does not let his young age hold him back from making things happen in his lodge.

At 21, Spencer, a member of William L. Elkins Lodge No. 271, Philadelphia, is developing new initiatives he hopes will revitalize lodges, while at the same time keep longtime members engaged.

“In general, Freemasonry can wax and wane, but it’s our responsibility to see that growth occurs through our own efforts, instead of wishing growth would occur,” Spencer said. “Many of us have amazing ideas, but we’re not acting on them. I’d rather stoke the embers with everything I have than worship the ashes.”

Spencer, a member of Generation Z (often shortened to Gen Z), is part of a cohort defined as being born between 1997 and 2012. Most members of Gen Z are the children of Generation X and older Millennials. They are the first social generation to have grown up with access to the internet and portable digital technology from a young age.

Despite some reliance on technology within this age group, Spencer said there is still the desire for true connection and camaraderie among many Gen Z and Millennials that Freemasonry fulfills. He personally brought eight brothers of a similar age into his lodge over the past year.

“What I have seen in this age group is a definitive need for fellowship, camaraderie and a sense of belonging that can’t be found elsewhere,” he said. “You can’t get that type of connection from social media alone. Freemasonry fosters authentic face-to-face, real connection, something that is generally lacking in the society I’m growing up in.”

Spencer has partnered with Brother Jonathan Yu-Sen Liu, 31, a civil engineer, Millennial and Worshipful Master of William Penn Harmony Lodge No. 52, Philadelphia, to develop a public lecture series on the arts and sciences and to promote community engagement and fellowship activities outside of lodge meetings, such as golf games and day trips. The lecture series has generated interest from local professional organizations, academic institutions and other lodges.

The first lecture, on the intersection between alchemy and cancer medicine, was held Feb. 22, and a second lecture was held in March. The events were open to the public to encourage shared knowledge.

“We have a responsibility as Masons to engage the community and improve it by providing education,” Spencer said. “The lecture series is a sustainable and accessible way to improve District D in Philadelphia as a whole. It also serves as a casual entry point to get to know brothers from the lodge and perhaps have people petition [to join the fraternity].’’

Making genuine connections in a society dependent on digital information has become increasingly difficult, according to VeryWell Mind, a platform solely dedicated to mental health and wellness. The use of technology, social media and telecommuting keeps people in constant digital contact. Negative social experiences and an over-reliance on social media can make it more difficult than ever to feel emotionally connected to people.

“What we’ve found most rewarding is our fellowship outside the lodge, beyond just dinners and what occurs in meetings,” Spencer said. “I always had a sense of loneliness before [I joined Freemasonry], and I didn’t have many friends. Now, I feel a sense of belonging I’ve never felt before. I also get to do some pretty neat stuff.”

Spencer joined his lodge in 2023 and is a senior pre-med student at Thomas Jefferson University. He hopes to attend Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College to study cardiology. He learned about the fraternity because he had several now-deceased family members who were Masons.

“A man named Norm, who was in his 80s, served as my mentor for degree work” Spencer said. “It was incredible to be with someone so knowledgeable about the Craft. We want these more established members to mentor the younger guys and pass on that institutional knowledge.

“We also need to make our presence known so people can approach us. There needs to be a draw, because our free time is shrinking. There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding Freemasonry, but we are just regular people. I’ve never met a Mason unwilling to talk about the fraternity and answer questions.”

Because of Spencer’s and Jonathan’s enthusiasm and willingness to experiment with new ideas, both of their lodges have seen a surge in membership over the past two years.

“We’re attracting top talent to our lodge, from doctors to scientists to businessmen to tradesmen,” Spencer said.

“Through this sustained and steady push, we’ve seen diligent, honest growth that will continue to improve the lodge and hopefully lead to a resurgence of Freemasonry among my generation.”

Jonathan, who partnered with Spencer on the lecture series, thinks it will be a draw to others.

“In our ritual, we discuss grammar, rhetoric, logic, astronomy, music, etc., ideals that all Freemasons should hold in high esteem,” he said. “We want to explore these topics and present them to the public in a more approachable way. We’ve asked PhDs, doctors and university professors to lead some of these lectures.”

After becoming Worshipful Master of his lodge, Jonathan has focused on expanding the value of the journey to become a Master Mason and enforcing core values, so that candidates can focus more time on the Craft and degree work.

“Luckily, we are a lodge of literal craftsmen, from typewriter mechanics to glass blowers and watch makers to pipe organ builders,” Jonathan said. “These brethren made me realize we must dig back to our roots and find the true meaning of an apprenticeship and journeyman before anyone can call themselves a Master,” he said.

Jim Clancy, District Deputy Grand Master for District D, has connected with both Spencer and Jonathan and has been impressed with their ideas and enthusiasm. A Mason for 40 years, Jim said the speaker series is a great program for Masons but also for “inviting the community to see the good work we’re doing and exposing the district to university resources.”

“The resources there [at local universities] for potential speakers and interesting programs for our lodges are endless,” Jim said. “We just had our second speaker series on the Inca empire with a University of Pennsylvania professor, and it was so well received, we’re looking for a larger venue for next month’s speaker. It’s really interesting, educational stuff and out-of-the box thinking.”

It’s all part of a larger lodge revitalization program that Grand Master Larry A. Derr supports doing interesting programming and charitable and educational work outside of the lodge, he said.

Jim said he supports Jonathan’s efforts to ensure that new candidates are properly mentored through their journey to becoming a Master Mason.

“I don’t care if takes six months – if you don’t mentor a guy or show him the ropes, he’s going to fail,” he said.

Jim recently asked Spencer to help him set up a District D social media account on Instagram. Although some members thought Facebook was sufficient, Jim was forward-thinking enough to know how important the platform is for younger Masons – the future of Freemasonry.

“This gives us the opportunity to expand our horizons a bit and embrace the next generation, because that’s what is going to keep us moving forward,” he said.

Brother Evan Swinehart, 18, a freshman at Syracuse University, became a member of Herndon Lodge No. 702 in December 2024 after expressing his desire to join the fraternity to his father, Brother William Swinehart, P.D.D.G.M.-46. William set the petition process into motion and planned a one-day conferral when his son was home from college on Christmas break.

Evan said it was a “natural progression” to join the fraternity, as his father is an active Mason and member of the Scottish Rite. He made many friends in the fraternity and would often bring young Evan along to dinners and events.

“Some of the people who were there the night I became a Mason have either known me or been with me all of my life,” he said. “It was a very special moment with a very distinguished crowd.”

“Freemasonry is a different experience from hanging out with your friends,” Evan said. “It’s more professional and formal. I look up to the older members and seek fraternal and life advice from them. They are a huge resource.”