Covid -19 Update 4th June 2021 GMM Bro William Ramsay McGhee


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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

During the past week I have been involved through the Lieutenancy with the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. 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.” 

We are already looking at planting at the two Masonic Homes, but it occurred to me, that as one of the major issues arising from the International Masonic Survey was raising our public profile, this initiative would present a tremendous opportunity to do just that. All our Lodges, at home and overseas could participate whether by planting a tree(s) in the grounds of the Lodge or getting involved in the community by taking a lead and encouraging other organisations to assist in the scheme.  It would be good to be able to report that trees were planted in each of our Provinces and Districts.

There is an excellent Queen’s Green Canopy webpage which can be accessed at – https:// queensgreencanopy.org – I commend the page to you and would encourage all Provincial and District Grand Masters along with our two Superintendencies and individual Lodges to seriously consider participating.  Planting will begin in October but there would be planning and preparation to be done before then. I would welcome your feedback and an indication from the Provincial and District Grand Masters whether or not you will be participating.
 
SCFS
 

The Group saw its membership rise to 5238 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 818, submitted by 290 of its members.

These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 322 Lodges, from within all 32 Provincial Grand Lodges, 23 of its 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 Argyll and the Isles, Dumfriesshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire, Midlothian, Perthshire East & Stirlingshire.

The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,301,888.

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has risen to 1483 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in Barbados, Chile, Middle East (Thailand), and the Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope. 
  • The largest increase in membership was, once again, from the District of Lebanon, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Al Arz, No. 1853.
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 635 Brethren (ICMs) 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.
  • This week Brethren joined from 6different Masonic Constitutions, namely: the National GL of Romania, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Nigeria, GL of Ireland(Zimbabwe), UGLE (England, South Africa), and the GL of South Africa
  • A very special welcome was extended to Brother John Smithwho is the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Africa. 
  • Brother Beng Hock Teo, District Grand Secretary of the Middle East, shared a post on behalf of Lodge Api-Api, No. 1826, in Sabah, Malaysia, showing the outstanding support of that Lodge for poor and distressed flood victims whose homes had been severely damaged / swept away during an extremely severe storm in that area. 

Those Lodges whose social clubs are now open will be aware of the necessity to deploy a track and trace system. If you haven’t already done so but would like to create a QR code to assist in the process, go to -

Create a Check In Scotland QR code poster - mygov.scot

My sincere thanks to the Brethren of the Province of Aberdeenshire East for their kind invitation to be with them last Monday night to discuss the way forward. Thoroughly enjoyed being with you.

I was in Barrhead this week to attend a funeral and took the opportunity to visit Lodge Union and Crown’s “Sausage Club” on Wednesday morning. What a great idea – held in the social club, properly socially distanced, utilising track and trace, obeying all the rules but offering a safe environment for Brethren, especially older Brethren, to come in, have a roll and sausage, a cup of tea but most of all the chance to meet up with their friends and have a good old blether. It was great to be there and enjoy their company. I understand there is a similar club in Paisley – well worth thinking about anywhere just to give the Brethren, especially those on their own, the opportunity to meet up and socialise in a safe, familiar and friendly location.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason