The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Greetings from Colombo, Sri Lanka
Following on from last week’s report, the Installation Convocation of Chapter Camellia No 871on Friday night was expertly carried out by the District Grand Scribe E, MEC Noshir Paghdiwalla. During the following Banquet, it transpired that I was the first GMM to visit Munnar. It was also pointed out that this year marked 120 years since the Masonic Temple was opened. That being the case, it was agreed that on the Saturday night, we’d start a bit earlier than planned and that I would rededicate the building. I was assisted by Assistant Grand D of C, Bro George Donnelly, Brother Noshir Paghdiwalla, Bro Kersi Commissariat and Bro Farokh Chinoy. The additional ceremony was greatly appreciated after which we enjoyed the Installation in Lodge Heather No 928.
We returned to Mumbai on the Sunday and next morning held a rehearsal for the Re-Installation of Brother Kersi J Limathwalla. The Ceremony proper started at 18.30 on Monday evening. Over 100 Brethren assembled including Deputations from The District Grand Lodge of India (EC), the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ireland and the District Grand Lodge of India. After the following Banquet, Brother Donnelly and I returned to the hotel, got changed and headed to the airport for an 03.10 flight to Colombo. However, the flight was delayed for three hours, and we didn’t arrive until almost 09.00 on Tuesday morning.
That night we had a welcome dinner at the Colombo Club. On Wednesday morning we had the first rehearsal for the Consecration of the Superintendency and the Installation of the Grand Superintendent.
Yesterday I had a morning meeting with three of the senior Brethren in the new Superintendency followed by lunch hosted by the Irish Brethren. In the afternoon we conducted the 2nd full rehearsal and last night enjoyed a barbeque at the home of Brother Nihal Fonseka and his charming wife Rhuna.
Today I will be visiting several charities supported by the Scottish Brethren and tomorrow we will consecrate the new Superintendency and thereafter install the new Grand Superintendent.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7061 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 1565, submitted by 452 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 428 Lodges, from within 59 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 Aberdeenshire East, Galloway, Inverness-shire, Lanarkshire Middle Ward, Linlithgowshire, Perthshire East, Renfrewshire West and The Scottish Borders.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,089,517.
SCFS Overseas Report
We are grateful to Brother Edwin Pineda, Lodge Perla del Oriente, No. 1034, in the Philippines, Far East, who shared news of a wonderful donation from the Lodge of over £750 to the Tzu Chi Charitable Foundation which aims to support four major areas: Charitable Services, Medical Services, Educational Services, and Cultural Services.
- Now with 1897Overseas Members, we are approaching our 1900th member from our Lodges abroad. This week particular mention must be made to Lodge Energy, No. 1760, South Africa, Central South Africa,Lodge Unity, No. 1611, Kenya, East Africa, Lodge Al Moghreb al Aksa, No. 670, Gibraltar, and Lodge Han Yang, No. 1048, South Korea, Far East.
- Additional members were also approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. This week we welcomed Brethren from Lodges which are under UGLE (Gibraltar, North Wales).
We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their support of others by sending posts to the SCFS group.
My sincere thanks to the Brethren of our District in India. The welcome, hospitality, kindness, and friendship received were of the highest order. It was a privilege to be with you.
Brother Moncrieff, SGM, would also like to convey his sincere thanks to the Brethren of Lodge Rothes No 532 for their welcome and kindness. It was greatly appreciated.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason