Update 13th May 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,

Last Friday night, accompanied by the Depute Grand Master, Brother Jim Bell, and Grand Secretary, Brother Willie Semple, I attended the District Grand Chapter of East Africa Annual Convocation in Nairobi. It was an excellent meeting during which I was able to convey greetings and best wishes from the 1st Grand Principle, MEC Dr Joseph Morrow. At the conclusion of the meeting, we enjoyed a most convivial harmony organised by the Companions of Orient Royal Arch Chapter No 437.

The following morning, we three returned to Freemasons’ Hall in Nairobi to attend a District Grand Lodge Committee Meeting. Thereafter we had a rehearsal for the Installation Meeting. 

That afternoon, I had the immense pleasure of installing Brother Kalpesh Prabhulal Shah into the Office of District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of East Africa along with his Commissioned Office-bearers. I was assisted in the ceremony by our Depute Grand Master Brother Jim Bell who took on the role of Grand Director of Ceremonies. What a tremendous job he did and coped with some names that were, to say the least, a challenge to us all! Grand Secretary was likewise tremendous carrying out not only his own duties but those of Grand Chaplain. At the conclusion of the Installation of the DGM and his Commission, we thoroughly enjoyed sitting back to witness the Installation of the Elected Office-bearers carried out by the DGM and Brother Michael Craig.

At the close of the meeting over 120 Brethren assembled in the refectory where we enjoyed a superb meal followed by good speeches and the opportunity to catch up with friends – old and new.

SCFS

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/ 
 
o The Group saw its membership rise to 6518 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
o This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1203, submitted by 368 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 382 Lodges, from within 56 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
o During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire, Renfrewshire West and Stirlingshire.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,209,319.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

We were delighted to continue welcoming new members to the group from our Overseas Lodges. 

• In this respect, reference may be made to Lodge Tullibardine-in-the-East, No. 1118, Lodge Lusaka, No. 1368, and Lodge Northern Province, No. 1576, in the Districts of Middle East (Malaysia), Zambia, and Central South Africa (RSA) respectively. Brethren joining from those Lodges helped increase our Overseas Membership to 1388. We look forward to welcoming our 1400th Overseas Memberin the near future. 
• We also now have 1409 Brethren from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, and who spread news, worldwide, of the wonderful support given to others by our Brethren. 
• In this category, new Members joined from 6 geographically widely spread Masonic constitutions: the GL of Texas, UGLE, GL of India, GL of Cuba, GL of Arizona, and the GL of Japan. 

We are aware of a number of excellent charitable and support activities which have recently been undertaken by some of our Overseas Lodges and Districts and look forward to receiving and publishing posts about them.

As I finish off this week’s report, Grand Secretary and I have arrived in Zimbabwe where, last   night we attended a Lodge of Sorrow at Lodge Lomagundi No 1075. It was a very moving ceremony to which the ladies and relations of the deceased, Brother Battiss, were included in the proceedings. Tomorrow we will be installing the new District Grand Master, Brother Robert MacDougall Fisher in Harare

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason