The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Only two weeks to go till the zip slide and I still need to lose three pounds to make the weight limit – working hard on it. We have a full complement taking part – Brother Joe Morrow in his capacity as Chair of the Benevolence and Care Committee will be first to go and I will bring up the rear. If you haven’t already done so, feel free to sponsor any of those taking part – at the end of the day the monies are all going to the same pot. To all those who have sponsored – sincere thanks.
Arrangements are now finalised for the Memorial Service this Sunday at 2pm – for those who cannot attend in person here is a link to watch the service live:
https://www.grandlodgescotland.com/2022/09/02/29569/
As some Provinces haven’t taken up their allocation, there will be additional spaces available in the Cathedral for Brethren and their spouses. Please contact Assistant Grand Secretary if you would like to attend and he will allocate seats for you. This is an important service giving us all the opportunity to remember all those who have been called to higher service.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 6797 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 1325, submitted by 396 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 401 Lodges, from within 57 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,591,294.
SCFS Overseas Report
- It was a pleasure to publish a post in which Brother Craig Jessop, DDGM, District of Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, shared news of the support of Lodge Kirkwood Kilwinning, No. 1393, to the Buffelsfontein Old Age Home in Port Elizabeth. The lodge held a Black and White Dinner Dance party, leading to finance being raised for repairs to the home’s water-damaged dining room floor. In addition, donations of food parcels and medical supplies were also delivered to the Home.
Our membership of brethren from Lodges located outside Scotland continues to grow. Reference this week must be made to Lodge Northcliffe, No. 1086, in the district of Newfoundland and Labrador, for adding to this total.
- There are now 1827 members in the SCFS group from our Lodges overseas.
- In addition, we now have 1569 ICMs (International Constitution Members) – brethren belonging to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. These brethren are important in spreading news worldwide of the wonderful support given to others by our brethren. This week that group was boosted by new Members joining from other Masonic constitutions such as: GL of Slovakia, UGLE, GL of Alabama, United Grand Lodge of Germany(the GL of British Freemasons in Germany) and the GL ofthe Czech Republic.
- It was an additional pleasure to welcome Brother Eric Walker, Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republicinto the group.
**We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing further posts from them.**
I have been reminded by Brother Anthony Bostwick, our DGM in Bahamas that it was three years ago, on 1st September 2019 that the Bahamas suffered badly as a result of Hurricane Dorian. Let us, this weekend remember those Brethren, their families and loved ones who perished in the Category 5 Hurricane when the wind speed was recorded at a record 185 mph. I had the privilege of visiting Grand Bahama earlier this year. I saw the devastation caused by the hurricane and met with Brethren who lost all they possessed. It certainly brought into focus for me the heartbreak caused as a result of the hurricane.
This Saturday I will have the pleasure of chairing a meeting of our District Grand Masters by Zoom. This is an important event in the calendar when Grand Secretary and I will receive verbal updates from all our Districts and discuss a variety of topics. If ever there was a silver lining coming out of covid, it was Zoom. I am very conscious that through that medium we can now afford our DGM’s the same opportunity that our PGM’s have had to meet together, discuss issues of common interest and put forward proposals to enhance the way we do things, as well as simply enjoying each-other’s company. The following Saturday it will be the turn of the PGM’s to have their first face-to-face meeting in Perth since the Covid lockdowns.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason