Weekly Update 24th March 2023 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,

Apart from the weather being cold and wet, I had an excellent two days in Greenock on my return from Zambia. I was met at the airport by the PGM, Brother John Black and Brother Stuart Smith. Friday afternoon was spent in the company of the PGM, John Black and SPGM Alan Beck with whom I visited the Greenock Burns Club in the old Customs House. After spending a very instructive hour there, we visited the grave of Highland Mary. In the evening I joined with a number of the brethren, including the new Commission, for a delightful meal in the Tontine Hotel. On Saturday, I had the honour of installing Brother John Williamson Black as the new PGM of Renfrewshire West. A superb day enjoyed by all. Then, finally arrived home courtesy of Brothers Alex Craib and Ian MacLaren.

Monday night saw a good turnout of Brethren in Lodge Seaforth 854 for the annual Provincial Visitation. Was good to be home and just sit back and enjoy the meeting.

Thursday, I got back into the routine of being in Grand Lodge – turned out to be a busy day with the Admin Committee in the morning and a debrief meeting with Grand Secretary in the afternoon.

SCFS

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/

o The Group saw its membership rise to 7101 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.

o This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1613, submitted by 461 of its members.

o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 431 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.

o During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeenshire West, Edinburgh, Forfarshire, Linlithgowshire, Midlothian, & Renfrewshire West.

o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,242,045.

SCFS Overseas Report

Very interesting posts were published this week.

• Brother Dave Munroe, SDGM, District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas, shared news of the support given by the District Grand Lodge to the Ministry of Education and Technical Training, part of which involved Brother Anthony Bostwick, DGM, presenting the award for the best overall performance by a male student, as this young man moves forward to pursuits in the medical profession.

• News of the continuation of the decade long support by Lodge Heart’s Content, No. 1275, in the District of Newfoundland and Labrador, to students in the Trinity Bay area, through the presentation of an anti-bullying project (performance of a play and poster competition) was shared by Brother Scott Bartlett, IPDGM.

• Overseas membership of the SCFS group again increased and now stands at 1911. Particular mention this week goes to Lodge Golden Throne, No. 1344 and Lodge Adonis, No. 1854.

• Additional members were also approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. Recently we have had Brethren joining from Lodges governed by the GL of Japan, GL of Victoria, GL of Quebec, GL of Tennessee, UGLE, and the GL of Kansas.

We were delighted to welcome Brother Tony Borum, Past Grand Master of the GL of Kansas and also Brother Craig Davis, Past Grand Master of the GL of Iowa.

Looking forward to being in Ayrshire this weekend to install Past Depute Grand Master, Brother Jim Bell as PGM of Ayrshire. Next Tuesday, have been invited to the prestigious Zodiac Group in Glasgow.

Congratulations to our Junior Grand Deacon, Brother Jim Jack, who was recently installed as Assistant Grand Tyler in the Grand Lodge of Kansas, United States of America. Very well done Jim!!

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason