Weekly Update 2nd December 2022 GMM Bro William Ramsay McGhee

 

Logo

The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren,

Over the past week I have been delighted to receive much positive feedback regarding the Conference. My thanks to all Brethren who have taken the time to be in touch.

Last Sunday, Grand Secretary and I hosted the second Zoom meeting for young Masons. We had over 150 Brethren registered to attend but only eighty on the day. I am a bit concerned that there was a technical issue somewhere along the line – I had difficulty getting connected to zoom and was successful on the third or fourth attempt after rebooting the computer. If you tried to connect but could not join the session, my sincere apologies. Hopefully, the next session will be easier to navigate. However, for those who did join, we had a very enlightening and positive session following a presentation from Brother Will Rowan from Ayrshire. The plan is to form a network of young Masons groups throughout the Provinces and Districts to promote education, retention of members, recruitment of new members, socialising, and the building of new skills. 

I was most impressed by the enthusiasm, the interest, and the eagerness to promote the network. We will take the project forward through the Information and Communications Committee and in consultation with Provincial and District Grand Masters. This will be an excellent platform for those Brethren who are the future of Scottish Freemasonry.

SCFS

 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 6971 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 1412, submitted by 413 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 412 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 Provincial Grand Lodges of Aberdeen City, Fife & Kinross, Glasgow & Linlithgowshire.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,843,881.
 

SCFS Overseas Report

We were delighted to publish information from Brother Danny LangcayLodge Ivanhoe, No. 879, Western Australia, who shared news of a sizeable donation of over £1700 to the charity “Cancer Teenager”. This was made on behalf of the Filipino Australian Masonic Club of Western Australia, comprising members of Lodge Ivanhoe and other lodges within the Districts of Western Australia, and Western Australia, Goldfields … the presentation being made at the Club’s early Christmas Party.

  • The Overseas membership continues to increase, helped by new members joining from several Lodges. Of note this week were Lodge Eleutheran Adventurers, No. 1816 (Bahamas) and Lodge Maritzburg County, No. 996 (KwaZulu Natal). 
  • In addition, new members were approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS such as: Symbolic GL of Hungary, United GL of Victoria, GL of Nigeria, GL of Colorado, GL of Greece, and UGLE. There are now 1664 such members. 

** We are grateful to those Overseas Lodges and Districts/Superintendencies which have recently shared news and look forward to further publishing similar posts from them and others.                                                                                                                 

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The Glasgow Phoenix Choir Christmas Concert will be held in Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 11th December at 2.30 pm for 3.00 pm. Tickets can be reserved through Grand Lodge Reception – only £10 per ticket. This year, in commemoration of the ascension of King Charles III, the choir will perform “Zadok the Priest” as part of the concert.

I am looking forward to attending two installation meetings this weekend. Tonight, I will be in Lodge Fortrose No 108 in Stornoway and tomorrow afternoon Lodge St Clement No 1353 in Tarbert, Harris.

I am aware that there are still several Lodges who have not celebrated milestone events such as Centenaries that should have taken place during the lockdown period. Grand Lodge is keen to celebrate those events with you albeit two years late. They are significant dates in your history. If your Lodge falls into that category and you are keen to have a Rededication Ceremony, please ask your Secretary to contact Assistant Grand Secretary, Brother Duncan MacFadyen, and we will make suitable arrangements. Likewise, I am happy to celebrate similar events in any of the Districts I will be in during the coming year – in the first instance contact your District Grand Secretary to have the celebration included in the itinerary and they in turn will contact Assistant Grand Secretary.

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

 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason