Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

Last weekend was another very productive one with a further two Provincial Installations taking place. On Friday night there was an excellent turnout of Brethren in the Tait Hall in Kelso to see the new PGM of the Scottish Borders, Brother Drew Forsyth and his Commission being installed. The Tait Hall is a very spacious building which accommodated all present safely and comfortably.

The following day we travelled north from Kelso to Fauldhouse where Brother Ronnie Gemmill and his Commission were installed in the Province of Linlithgowshire. Again, we were fortunate to have a large number of Brethren present.

Like the previous week, I was well impressed with all the arrangements that had been made to ensure the safety of all present and compliance with the Government regulations.

I have been delighted, over the past couple of months, to receive a goodly number of Annual Reports from both District and Provincial Grand Masters. It is so enjoyable to read about all that has happened, and all that continues to happen, at home and abroad despite the difficulties we have all had to cope with in terms of Coronavirus.

Lodges are opening up again both within the Provinces and the Districts and I am receiving very encouraging reports on the initial meetings. I am also delighted to hear that the Lodge Members are being totally sympathetic to those brethren who, for medical or other reasons, do not feel the time is right to return. Let me once again reiterate that while I am keen to encourage Lodges to reopen, there must be no pressure whatsoever placed on individuals to return if they are uncomfortable doing so – we will make them very welcome when they do feel that they can return to their Lodges.

SCFS

  
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5648 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 924, submitted by 309 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 332 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Galloway, Midlothian and Lanarkshire Upper Ward.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,419,283.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • As a result of new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of North Island New Zealand, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Jamaica, Middle East (Malaysia, Thailand), and Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, our Overseas Membership has increased to 1587 Brethren and we look forward to welcoming our 1600th Overseas Member. 
  • The largest increase in membership was from the District of the Middle East, and it was encouraging to see a wide spread of Lodges being represented by our other Overseas Brethren who joined this week. 
  • We welcomed Brethren who joined as International Constitution Members (ICMs) from 7different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of Ireland(Antrim, South East Asia), GL of Russia (Belarus), United GL of Queensland, MWGL of the Philippines, GL of California, UGLE and the GL of Japan.
  • As a result we now have 868 Brethren, who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS, spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
  • We would encourage all Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, to advise us of the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

It has been another busy week – two Provincial Installations carried out - one in East Lothian and one in Stirlingshire, a trip south to London to attend the Glasgow in London Dinner through the Incorporation of Masons and yesterday a meeting of Grand Committee by Zoom.

It was agreed by Grand Committee, having discussed the papers submitted by the working parties, that Grand Secretary and I prepare a list of items raised in the papers that can be used immediately by District and Provincial Grand Masters to address a range of issues that may be needed in their Districts and Provinces. Furthermore, that we prepare for Grand Lodge approval a remit for a new strategic working party who will put together a five-year strategic plan which will be delivered to Grand Lodge early in the New Year.

With that in mind, could I draw to your attention again the Register of Interests. If any brother, at home or abroad, feels he has knowledge and experience of strategic planning that could assist in the process, could you please contact Grand Secretary, marked “Register of Interests”, and include a short CV of your experience in strategic planning.

We are also looking to add to the Register of Interests any member qualified as a paramedic who would be available to attend all Grand Lodge meetings in Edinburgh – again, please email Grand secretary if you are interested.

SCFS

  
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5632 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 919, submitted by 308 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 331 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeen City, Fife & Kinross, Glasgow, Midlothian, Perthshire West and Stirlingshire.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,416,983.

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1578 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of The Bahamas, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Lebanon, and Western Australia. 
  • The largest increase in membership was from the District of Western Australia, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Sir Walter Scott-Breadalbane, No. 859, in Western Australia. 
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 859 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 11different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of Nigeria, GL of New Jersey, GL of Newfoundland and Labrador, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Virginia, GL of Argentina, United GL of Victoria, UGLE(England, South Africa, Bengal), GL of Illinois, GL of India, GL of Pennsylvania. 
  • Brother Janine Blaghorn, Lodge Margate, No. 1420,in the District of Kwa-Zulu Natal, shared an interesting post showing Brethren in Widows Sons (East Coast Chapter), from his and other Scottish Lodges, being involved in joint Masonic Constitutional support of underprivileged children by donating toys, clothing and cooking equipment to their care home.
  • Brother Rinus Grau, District Grand Secretary, shared a wonderfully kind gesture by Brother Rory Fahy, WJW, Lodge Acacia, No. 1582,in the District of Zimbabwe, in which he provided and delivered a total of 2280 eggs to the residents of the Masonic Homes in Harare, to help relieve the ever-escalating costs of even basic commodities.
  • Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to share examples of the excellent support in which they are involved, and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

I am delighted to report that Past Grand Master, Brother Marcus Humphrey, Chair of the Benevolence and Care Committee, announced yesterday that the total sum raised by Scottish Freemasons for Prostate Scotland now stands at £771,665. It has been decided that Prostate Scotland will continue to be our nominated external charity until November 2022 by which time we hope and trust that we can work together to raise £1 million for this very necessary charity. Ideas are already coming in as to how we can raise the remaining £228,335 – so please, let Grand Almoner know of any ideas you may have that will help along the way – we will do all we can from Edinburgh to assist you in your efforts.


Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren


How good it was to get Regalia back on last week and conduct a Provincial Grand Lodge Installation Ceremony. The meeting was held in the spacious dining room of the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer with external doors open at either end of the room, sanitizer available throughout, track and trace in place and everyone wearing masks throughout. All photographs were taken outside which was good and in place of a formal dinner, we had tea and sandwiches which everyone enjoyed after which the dispersal. There was only a handful of Brethren left by four in the afternoon. 

The Deputation from Grand Lodge was reduced to four in order that the Province could maximise on the attendance of their own Brethren, and I’m delighted to report that all 12 Lodges in the Province were represented.

Everyone acted responsibly and there were no issues – what impressed me was the sheer delight everyone displayed in being able to get back to a meeting and, having attended a Provincial Meeting, are now looking forward to their own meetings.

This coming weekend I am looking forward to re-installing Brother Dougie Fergie as PGM of East Lothian and on Saturday installing Brother Gordon Sewell as PGM of Stirlingshire.

SCFS

 
➢ The Group saw its membership rise to 5604 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
➢ This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 909, submitted by 305 of its members.
➢ These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 329 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
➢ This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire East, Ross & Cromarty, Scottish Borders and Stirlingshire.
➢ The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,414,264.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1567 Brethren. This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Lebanon, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, and Western Australia. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Lebanon, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Zahlé, No. 1047, Lebanon. 
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 839 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
• During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 11 different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of Cuba, GL of India, GL of Chile, Simbolic GL of Paraguay (Asunción), United GL of Victoria, UGLE(England, Northern India), GL of Ireland, GL of the District of Columbia, GL of Oregon, GL of Texas, GL of Nigeria. 
• From the above, it was delightful to extend a special welcome to Brother Virendra K. Agarwal, Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India.
• Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to share the examples of the excellent support which they are involved in and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 
 
 Brethren, we cannot be insensitive to the fact that there has been an increase in Covid numbers in Scotland in the past week – I reiterate therefore that if you are unsure about attending a meeting, don’t worry about not going – there is no pressure on anyone to attend meetings. It is perfectly understandable, especially if you have underlying health issues. For those of you who are keen to get back – go back, but be sensible, stick to the guidelines and do all the basics which will ensure that you keep yourself and others around you, safe and sound.
 

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

 

I’m delighted to report that meetings are beginning to get underway and by all accounts, the first of those meetings in Lodge Oak in Fife was carried out with all precautions in place, with risk assessment completed. For their first meeting they sensibly restricted attendance to their own members and concentrated on catching up on all the business that has accrued over the past 15 months. 

Grand Lodge gets underway this Saturday with a small Deputation heading north to install the new Provincial Grand Master of Ross and Cromarty, Brother Raymond MacKeddie. It was also hoped to carry out the installation in Sutherland but due to a small, isolated outbreak of Covid cases in the Golspie area, common sense prevailed, and all Masonic activity was cancelled.

I have no doubt that this will be the pattern which will emerge over the coming months – we need to accept that like the flu, covid is with us to stay. We will need to work our way through the ups and downs, accept our booster jabs every year along with the flu jab and act accordingly wherever and whenever a spike occurs. 

It is good to get back to physical meetings but please remember that at all times the health and well-being of our members is paramount. 

We now have Grand Lodge Facemasks on sale in both our in-house and online Shop - these are priced at £5, are made of breathable, washable cotton – and very comfortable too.  Buy yours here https://www.grandlodgescotland.com/product/gl-face-mask/

 

SCFS

 
  • With an additional 51 Brethren joining, the Group saw its membership rise to 5580 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 904, submitted by 303 of its members.
  • These updated contributions have been made on behalf of 329 Lodges, from within 55 of the Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Midlothian, Linlithgowshire and Perthshire West
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,407,645.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1561 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Lebanon, KwaZulu Natal, Newfoundland and Labrador, Central South Africa (RSA),and from Chile (under direct supervision of GL). 
  • The largest increase in membership was from the District of Lebanon, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming jointly from Lodge Al-Arz, No. 1853, Lebanon, and Lodge Progress, No. 812, Chile. 
  • We welcomed our 800th ICM (International Constitution Member) this week … congratulations to Brother Amin A. Dayekh, Master Elect, Abuja Lodge, No. 9866, District Grand Lodge of Nigeria under UGLE.
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 820 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions.
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 15 different Masonic Constitutions, including: United GL ofNew South Wales and A.C.T., GL of South Africa, United Grand Lodges of Germany, United GL of Victoria, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Indiana, GL of Quebec, GL of Tennessee, GL of Ireland (Southern Cape), GL of Nigeria, GL of Missouri, GL of Japan, GL of Texas, UGLE (England, North Wales, Nigeria), GL of 
  • A very interesting post from Brother Andrew Shaw, RWM, Lodge Lusaka, No. 1368, was published, in which Brother Mark Lüring, Secretary, Lodge of Unity, No. 1510, provided an extremely comprehensive overview of the wonderful examples of support with which our Lodges in the District of Zambia have been involved, and which received national press and TV coverage. 
  • Lodges in other Districts are encouraged to share the examples of their excellent support and we look forward to sharing them with all our Brethren. 

It is my sad duty to report that I have been notified of the death of the Past District Grand Master of India, Brother Dhunjishaw D. Karkaria who passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 17th August. Our condolences are extended to the District and to the family of Brother Karkaria.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

There has been much activity in the background this past week especially with all the Lodges who have missed out on important anniversaries over the past eighteen months. Thanks to the co-operation of Lodge Secretaries in particular, we have agreed alternative dates for the majority of Lodges and have secured agreement with all the Provinces who have new Provincial Masters awaiting Installation. This is most encouraging and the Grand Lodge Office-bearers who will be assisting in the rededication ceremonies are all looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead during the remainder of this year and into 2022. We will be in touch with all the Lodges who have still to confirm new dates and look forward to trying to accommodate all requests.

The uncertainty over the Installation of our District Grand Masters and their Commissions still exists. The Heads of Orders agreed that there should be no foreign travel this year which is eminently sensible. We have pencilled in dates for 2022 but I stress the point that they are still in pencil and until the world situation with flight availability, quarantine regulations and vaccination programmes settles down we cannot replace the pencil with ink, but we will constantly review the situation along with our District Grand Secretaries in the hope that we can fulfil all engagements in the foreseeable future.

 

SCFS

 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5529 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 897, submitted by 302 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 328 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of East Lothian, Midlothian & Stirlingshire.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,403,751.
 
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

 
  • Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1553 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Jamaicaand the Middle East. 
  • The largest increase in membership was from Lodge Tullibardine in the East, No. 1118, Malaysia, in the District of the Middle East. 
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 792 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.We look forward to welcoming our 800th ICM this week. 
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 4different Masonic Constitutions, including: United GL ofNew South Wales and A.C.T., GL of South Africa, GL of India, UGLE (England, South Wales, India, Nigeria). 
  • We received and shared excellent posts from our Overseas Brethren this week.
  • Brother Rajaghantham Ramasamy shared that our Scottish Lodges, with particular reference to Lodge Tullibardine in the East, No. 1118, Malaysia, in District of the Middle East, had donated over £6500 last month to provide food for 600 needy families. 
  • Brother Andrew Shaw provided an update on the Mwandi Mission Hospital, Zambezi, in the District of Zambia, which was supported by Lodge Lusaka, No. 1368, and Lodge Nkana, No. 1378, the donations having been matched by Grand Lodge. 
  • We’d encourage Lodges in other Districts to share the examples of the excellent support which they are involved in, too.

Last Saturday was a busy and productive day with a zoom meeting with Provincial Grand Masters in the morning and a zoom meeting with our District Grand Masters in the afternoon. I was delighted that 31 of our 32 Provinces were in attendance in the morning and that 21 of our 26 Districts were present in the afternoon – those unable to attend were generally because of time differences. Both meetings discussed a wide range of issues including the return to Masonic activity, statistical returns, dispensations, a Grand Lodge Memorial Service, mental health initiatives, the Grand Lodge database, social media and the way forward for the Scottish Constitution. 

As a result of both meetings, there is much to work on in the months ahead for Grand Lodge, the Districts and Provinces and for our Daughter Lodges. I found both meetings to be inspiring, encouraging and positive and I thank all in attendance for their input on the day.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

At long last, I am delighted, following the meeting of Heads of Orders, that I could announce earlier in the week that Lodge meetings in Scotland can resume forthwith. From the feedback I have received so far, the announcement has been welcomed but we must remember that there will be Brethren who for health or other reasons will still be cautious or unsure about returning at present. Their position must be acknowledged and fully accepted – no one should feel under any pressure whatsoever to return at this time. Likewise, we must proceed in a manner that ensures that we all strictly adhere to the Scottish Government guidelines – as the guidelines change from time to time, so must we. The Strategy Group will monitor the guidelines and advise the Administration Committee of any changes – that information, once examined by the Administration Committee will be circulated to all Scottish Lodges.
At this time of rejoicing that we can once again meet and restart our programmes, we must also be mindful of our Brethren in many of our Districts who are still a long way from being able to re-open, in many cases due to the lack of vaccines in the country. We all hope and pray that their varying situations will improve sooner rather than later, and I give them all the assurance that they are very much in our thoughts during these difficult times.
Brethren, both at home and abroad, we are on a journey, and it is imperative that we all work together to ensure the success of the journey. We just don’t know what we will encounter in the months ahead, but I am sure that proceeding with caution and common sense we will be able to overcome all the difficulties and take this great fraternity of ours through the 21st Century in as strong and vibrant way as is humanly possible.
 

SCFS

 
➢ The Group saw its membership rise to 5517 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
➢ This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 892, submitted by 301 of its members.
➢ These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 327 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
➢ This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Glasgow, Lanarkshire Upper Ward, Midlothian and Perthshire West
➢ The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,391,101.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1550 Brethren. This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas and the Middle East (Malaysia, Thailand)
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of the Middle East.
• It was an additional pleasure to welcome Brother Claudius R. Walker, Past District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas.
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 784 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions. We look forward to welcoming our 800th ICM.
• During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 7 different Masonic Constitutions, including: United GL of New South Wales and A.C.T., GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Indiana, UGLE (England, Nigeria, South Africa North), GL of Virginia, GL of Greece, United Grand Lodges of Germany, GL of Ireland (Thailand).
• It’s always a pleasure to receive news from our Districts and we look forward to receiving and sharing further posts from our Overseas Brethren this week, still eagerly awaiting the first ones from a number of Districts.
 
As we resume our meetings here in Scotland, can I take this opportunity to thank, in the sincerest of terms, Grand Secretary and the staff of Grand Lodge for all they have achieved on our behalf over the past eighteen months. They have worked extremely hard to ensure that the day-to-day business has continued with minimum disruption. I would also pay tribute to Mrs Dawn Oliff, her Home Managers and the staff in both of our Masonic Homes for the tremendous job they have done and continue to do under extremely difficult conditions.
Finally, my sincere thanks to all District and Provincial Grand Masters and their Office-bearers, our two Superintendents and to all Lodge Masters and Office-bearers at home and abroad for their efforts over the past eighteen months. We are winning the battle but there is still some way to go for all of us. Keep up the good work that you are doing and, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.


Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

On Wednesday I attended the Benevolence and Care Committee and was once again totally impressed by the amount of good work carried out by the Committee under the expert chairmanship of Bro Marcus Humphrey greatly assisted by Grand Almoner, Brother Tom Davidson and our Benevolence and Homes Manager, Mrs Dawn Oliff.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the announcement that the contribution from Scottish Freemasonry to Prostate Scotland has now reached £767,220 – a fantastic achievement and one that we should be exceedingly proud of. I have had comment from time to time that this is a predominantly Scottish initiative and doesn’t really include our Districts. Can I emphasise that the monies raised through Scottish Freemasonry are significantly impacting on research into this disease which can affect men no matter where they are and that the results of the research will undoubtedly benefit men throughout the world. This is a vitally important programme for us all and I encourage Brethren throughout the Scottish Constitution to continue their support of the charity.

Another scheme which was given the green light at the meeting was the Queen’s Green Canopy. It was agreed that trees will be planted at both our Homes to mark Her Majesty’s 70th Jubilee Celebrations. I have already mentioned the scheme in the 4th June update but I would again appeal to all Lodges at home and abroad to give serious consideration to participating locally.  For those of you who have not heard of the programme, it is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people, individuals and organisations, from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.” The tree planting at home should start to take place in October. There is an excellent Queen’s Green Canopy webpage which can be accessed at – https:// queensgreencanopy.org – I commend the page and the initiative to you.

SCFS

 
  • The group was delighted to welcome Bro. Billy Forsyth, Worshipful Junior Warden of Lodge Fraser, No. 267 in the Province of Aberdeenshire East as its 5500th
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 884, submitted by 301 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 327 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Midlothian, Moray & Nairn, Ross & Cromarty and Stirlingshire.
  • With the addition of £30,520 during the course of last week, the total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,388,221.

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1547 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Jamaica, Lebanon, Middle East (Thailand) and Nigeria. 
  • The largest increase in membership was from the District of the Middle East, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Lane Xang, No. 1632, Bangkok, Thailand, in that District. 
  • It was an additional pleasure to welcome Brother Col. Lemuel Lindo, Past District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica. 
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 772 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 11different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL ofBolivia, GL of Chile, GL of Western Australia, GL of California, GL of Denmark, UGLE (England, Eastern Archipelago, South America), GL of Arizona, GL of Japan, United GL of New South Wales and ACT, and the GL of
  • In addition to the above, Brother Noel George, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador,also joined as an ICM. 

We look forward to receiving and sharing further posts from our Overseas Brethren this week and eagerly await the first ones from a number of Districts. 

On Monday night I thoroughly enjoyed a Zoom meeting with the Brethren of Lodge St Thomas 306 in Larkhall. Many thanks for your kind invitation and warm welcome.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

We might still be living under restrictions, but time certainly does not stand still. Here we are at the end of July ready to start not only a new week on Sunday but a new month. Hopefully August will bring with it good news about the fight against Covid and the re-opening of Lodges.

In accordance with the reduction of Government protection levels the Grand Lodge shop at Freemasons’ Hall will once again be open to customers from Tuesday 3 August 2021.  Customers will be limited to a maximum of four in the shop at any time and they must wear face coverings when inside Freemasons’ Hall.  No other part of the building will be open, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The weekly update is featuring a first this week – the announcement of the winners of the Grand Lodge June Draw.

Number

Name / Lodge

Amount
     

1278

Robert J Edgar

£600

6612

Lodge Unity No 682

£500

6407

The United Lodge of Dunkeld No 14

£400

5100

Lodge St John Operative No 37

£300

3170

Lodge Oak No 877

£200

 

Congratulations to all the winners – if your Lodge has not taken out tickets or you personally haven’t taken a ticket, now is the time to do so. The Draw is open to everyone at home and abroad – it is a bit of good fun – give it a go.  Get details from Grand Lodge on 0131 225 5577.

 
SCFS
 

  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5475 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 875, submitted by 299 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 324 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Edinburgh and Linlithgowshire.
  • During the course of the pandemic posts have been shared on a weekly basis highlighting the sterling work which has been undertaken by the Young Ashlars and latterly the Edinburgh Masonic Food Initiative.  This initiative which has been running since the spring of 2020 drew to a close this week with a total of 25,813 meals having been cooked, prepared and delivered to Masonic Brethren and vulnerable persons throughout Edinburgh.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,357,701.
 
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1541 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Barbados, Central South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. Interestingly, this week, all new Members came from different Lodges. 
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 755 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 12 different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL ofIreland, GL of Quebec, GL of Russia, MWGL of the Philippines, GL of California, GL of South Carolina, GL of Indiana, GL of Texas, UGLE (England, South Africa North), GL of Ghana 
  • In addition to the above, the list of Grand Lodges represented by Brethren from within them joining as ICMs had the GL of Mauritius and the GL of Hawaiiadded to it. 
  • A special welcome was extended to Brother Frank Condello, Past Grand Master, of the Grand Lodge of Hawaii. 
  • Brother Martin Weekes, PM/Secretary, Lodge St. George, No. 200, Bermuda, shared a most interesting post about the Lodge’s support of the charity “Meals on Wheels Bermuda.” 
  • We look forward to receiving and sharing further posts from our Overseas Brethren this week.

On Monday night I thoroughly enjoyed a Zoom meeting between the Proxy Masters and their respective Lodges in the District of East Africa. Both the District Grand Master and District Grand Secretary were present, and we had six out of the ten Proxy Masters which was good for a first attempt. It was good for everyone to be able to put faces to names, learn a bit about each other and their respective Lodge. An exercise we will certainly be repeating and one I would recommend to all Proxy DGM’s.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren

The recent spell of good weather has brightened everyone up – it’s good to see people with a smile on their face again. The beaches here on the Black Isle have been full of tourists enjoying the sun, the sand and the Moray Firth dolphins – hopefully it will continue for a few weeks yet.

A few weeks ago, our Depute Grand Master, Brother Tom Smith organised a zoom meeting between the Proxy Masters of our Lodges in the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East and the Brethren of the Lodges – it was very successful with only two Proxy Masters unable to be present. I am hosting a similar meeting this Monday with the Lodges in East Africa but am struggling to get any more than four responses from the Proxy Masters which is disappointing to say the least. The Proxy Master system plays a vital role in communication between our Lodges abroad and Grand Lodge and very many brethren get immense pleasure and satisfaction communicating with their Proxy Lodges – keeping them up to date, helping where they can and, when we get back to normal, meeting up with members of the Lodges when they visit Edinburgh.

Brother Jim Jack has done an amazing job in bringing the system up to date, but its success depends solely on the commitment of those who put themselves forward as Proxy Masters.

With products like Zoom, it makes contact with Lodges much easier and exercises such as we will have on Monday night enable the Brethren of the Lodges to put a face to the name. The Brethren in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are all looking forward to Monday night – it will be a first for us all – but will, I’m sure go a long way in cementing the relationships between East Africa and Edinburgh.

 
SCFS
 
 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5442 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
  • This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 871, submitted by 299 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 324 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
  • During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Edinburgh, Midlothian and The Scottish Borders.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,356,632.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has risen to 1534 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of the Far East(Philippines) and Lebanon.  
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 736 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions.
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 8different Masonic Constitutions, namely: GL ofSpain, MWGL of the Philippines, UGLE (England, Bombay, South Africa North), GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Pennsylvania, GL of Georgia, GL of Maryland.
  • In addition to the above, the list of Grand Lodges represented by Brethren from within them joining as ICMs had the GL of Ghanaadded to it. 
  • Brother Gopala Krishnan Dass, Almoner, Lodge Scotia, No. 1003, Penang, Malaysia, in the District of the Middle East, shared a post, via Brother Beng Hock Tao, PDG Secretary, showing the Lodge’s support of 50 local fishermen’s families in the form of providing food packages. 

My sincere thanks to the Brethren of Lodge Polkemmet for their very warm welcome on Monday night. It was a real pleasure to meet with you.

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason


 
 
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