Weekly Update 3rd June 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,

 

On this Jubilee weekend we send our warmest congratulations to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Her commitment, dedication and devotion to duty should serve as an example to us all. I will head a small Deputation from Grand Lodge to Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday morning to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.

My thanks to the Master and Brethren of Lodge Earl Haig No 1260 who celebrated their Centenary last Saturday – a year late – but that didn’t really matter – it was a marvellous occasion.

This Saturday I’ll be in Ayrshire along with Depute Grand Master, Brother Jim Bell, when we visit Lodge Thistle No 127 to celebrate 250 years of Freemasonry in Stewarton. Once again, we will be exactly a year late, but the good news is that the Lodges are all opening up again and we are steadily getting through the backlog of Provincial and District Installations as well as the backlog of Lodge Rededication Ceremonies.

As I write this week’s update, Grand Secretary and I are in Dublin attending the June Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Last night we attended the Grand Masters Lodge prior to a formal dinner. Today (Thursday) we will attend the annual Communication during which a new Province will be consecrated. 

On Thursday 9th June, we will be delighted to welcome Brethren to Grand Lodge for the June Communication. I unfortunately missed the February Communication due to Covid, so I’m really looking forward to the June meeting.

SCFS

 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 6568 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 1228, submitted by 372 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 387 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 Fife & Kinross, Glasgow, Kincardineshire, Linlithgowshire and Stirlingshire.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,330,621.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

Our membership of Brethren from Lodges located outwith Scotland continues to grow steadily and this week we welcomed another 28 Brethren to the SCFS group. 

Included in that number were Brethren from Overseas Lodges operating under the Grand Lodge of Scotland and also Brethren from Lodges in other Constitutions which are in amity with the GLoS. 

  • Brethren joined from the Districts of Bahamas, Barbados, Gibraltar, Middle East (Malaysia, Singapore), Namibia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, and from the Superintendency of Malawi. There was also an excellent response from Lodges in the District of Western Australia, with most new members from an individual Lodge coming from Lodge Ivanhoe, No. 879, in that District. 
  • We also now have 1447 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. New members joined from 12 different Masonic constitutions this week: GL of Washington, United GL of Queensland, United GL of Victoria, GL of the PhilippinesUGLE, GL of Missouri, GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of Florida, GL of Newfoundland and Labrador, GL of Brazil, GL of New Zealand, and the GL of Western Australia.
  • A special welcome is extended to our 1800th Overseas Member who is Brother Kevin Combes, RWM, Lodge Ivanhoe, No. 879, in the District of Western Australia. 

We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing posts from them.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason