Covid -19 Update 18th March 2022 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,

Greetings from Bridgetown, Barbados. I arrived here on Wednesday night from Jamaica.

Jamaica was busy. On Wednesday 9th I attended a reception at the home of the District D of C, Brother Horace Reid and met up with Brother Jim Bell and Brother Billy Grant at the reception.

Brother Bell is Proxy District Grand Master of Jamaica and Brother Grant is Proxy Master of Lodge Elgin. 

On Tuesday morning we headed to the Masonic Temple in MacGregor Square where I rededicated The Glenlyon Lodge with the assistance of Brother Bell, Brother Lloyd Moore and Brother Very Rev Peter Clarke.  That was followed by a lunch hosted by the Lodge. 

At night we had a second reception at the Pegasus Hotel.

Thursday was a repeat performance at MacGregor Square, to celebrate the 250 years of the District Grand Lodge. Another lunch and another reception at night at the home of the new DGM, Brother Dr Courtney King Palmer. 

Saturday morning, we congregated in the Hotel Ballroom for the Installation Ceremony. All went well and again I was indebted to Brothers Jim Bell and Very Rev Peter Clarke for their assistance. 

This was followed by the Banquet where we were joined by the wives of the Brethren. It was a late night which made getting up at 06.30 to attend Church at 07.30 somewhat difficult but we enjoyed a stirring Lenten sermon from the Rector, Rev Franklyn Jackson. 

After the service we headed to the Sunday Brunch and Entertainment – an absolutely great event.

On Monday morning there was a courtesy call with the Governor General then we headed north to Port Maria to witness an excellent FC Degree carried out by thr Brethren of Lodge Caledonian. 

We were late back but it was up and away just after 08.00 the following morning to Newcastle Hill Military Training Unit where we joined a group of Officers (all of whom are Masons) for a traditional Jamaican breakfast and a visit to the Military Museum.

That evening we we attended the Installation meeting of Lodge St Andrew No 1684. At the conclusion of the meeting, we were privileged to be present at one of the best Harmonies I can remember in a long time. A total of 14 songs were sung as accompaniments to the Toasts.  

After just 4 hours sleep it was off to Miami where I had 6 hours before the flight to Barbados on which I was accompanied by the DGM and Depute DGM of Bahamas, both of whom were supporting me on the journey through the Caribbean.

SCFS

 
 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 6364 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 1129, submitted by 358 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 364 Lodges, from within 56 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 Forfarshire, Lanarkshire Middle Ward and Ross & Cromarty.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,033,209.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

Our membership of Brethren from Overseas Lodges operating under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and other recognised constitutions, continues to grow steadily. 

  • In this respect, reference may be made to Lodge Ophirton, No. 886, in the District of Central South Africa (RSA), and to Lodge St. John, No. 1072, located in ThailandDistrict of Middle East. Brethren joining from those Lodges helped increase our Overseas Membership to 
  • We also now have 1312 Brethren from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, such as Lodge Rosendal, No. 839, Grand Lodge of Denmark,who help spread the news, worldwide, of the wonderful support given to others by our Brethren. 
  • New members recently joined from a number of different Masonic constitutions, with a notable response this week coming from Brethren under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines
  • Also worthy of mention this week are the GL of CaliforniaUnited GL of Victoria, GL of Nigeria, and UGLE(England, North Island New Zealand). 
  • We are delighted to also welcome our 1300th ICM (International Constitution Member). Congratulations are extended to Brother Marvin DeocaresWM, Emon Masonic Lodge, No. 179Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

Again, we would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their good support of others and look forward to publishing posts from them … most especially first posts from some Districts. 

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason