The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
As you will all be aware by now, we have, this week mourned the passing of Brother David MacKay Begg, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. I am sure that you will all wish to join with me in extending our heartfelt condolences to his wife Fiona and the entire family at this time of sadness. Details of funeral arrangements will be circulated in due course by Grand Secretary.
Yesterday, we had a special meeting of Grand Committee to discuss the motion being tabled in Grand Lodge at our February meeting. I am delighted to say that Grand Committee voted that the motion was indeed competent and that it will be tabled on the 2nd February.
There is still a vast amount of work required to prepare the way for the proposals to become reality but at long last, we are finally making great and real progress in bringing Grand Lodge into the 21st century. I must convey my sincere thanks to Grand Secretary for the immense amount of work he has put into getting us to this stage in the future development of our beloved Craft.
SCFS
- This week saw Group membership rise to 7027 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 1522, submitted by 443 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 425 Lodges, from within 59 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 £2,932,261.
SCFS Overseas Report
We are grateful to those Overseas Lodges and Districts who have shared news of their support of others and look forward to further publishing similar posts.
This week,we were delighted to publish news provided by Brother Scott Bartlett, IPDGM, of a very generous donation through Lodge Tasker, No. 454, Newfoundland and Labrador, to the local Community Food Sharing Association.
- Once again, the Overseas membership continues to increase and, in this respect, particular mention must be made to theCaledonian Lodge of Kampala, No. 1815, Uganda, East Africa.
- Additional members were also approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, such as from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. We now have 1687 of such members and look forward to welcoming our 1700th.
Accompanied by the First Grand Principal, MEC Joe Morrow, along with Brother Tom Smith, Past Depute Grand Master and his wife Susan, Ann and I attended the Burns Supper organised by Linlithgow Royal Arch Chapter on Wednesday night. What an excellent time we had. Albeit we three had to work for our supper. Tom addressed the Haggis, Joe proposed the Immortal Memory and I had the privilege of presenting the Toast to the Lassies. Our sincere thanks to the organising committee for a tremendous night.
We are now getting well into the Burns season and next week I am looking forward to the Burns and Hogg evening in Edinburgh; the following night I am a guest of Prostate Scotland at a Burns Supper in Prestonfield House, and the week concludes with the Strathpeffer Burns Club celebration at which our Assistant Grand Secretary, Brother Duncan McFadyen will be proposing the Immortal Memory.
Over the next few months, we are going to be busy with Installations and Rededications both at home and overseas. Could I appeal to all Lodges / Districts / Provinces to return all necessary paperwork to Bro Lenny Pederson as soon as is practicable in order that we can confirm the paperwork and give the Deputations as much advance notice of their various duties as possible. Your assistance with this will ensure that we can provide the best possible celebration for you.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason