The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

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

Brethren,

May I take this opportunity to convey to all our Jewish Brethren every best wish for a very happy, enjoyable, and meaningful Hanukkah.

What a memorable day yesterday was with Brother Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont, conducting the Grand Lodge Installation in his own inimitable style. I am truly indebted to him for his continuing support and for making the day such a successful one. 450 Brethren were in attendance to witness the ceremony and once again enjoy each other’s company. I would also like to thank Brothers Thomas Constable Smith and Alexander MacLachlan for their undaunting support and encouragement during their term of office and welcome our new Depute and Substitute Grand Masters, namely Brother Jim Bell and Brother Jim Peddie into office. I very much look forward to working with them in the year ahead. 

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• A very interesting post was received from Brother Joe Lum-On, WJW, Lodge Polynesia, No. 562, in Fiji, which detailed a donation of over £1750 to the charity which had been nominated by the wives and partners of the brethren … Children’s Cancer Foundation. 
• Our Overseas Membership has now reached a total of 1647brethren, with the largest increase in membership, this week, coming from a Lodge under the direct control of Grand Lodge … Lodge Friendship, No. 439, in Mauritius. 
• Our ICMs (International Constitution Members … brethren who are members of Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS) are continuing to play an important role in spreading news of the excellent charity and community support being provided to so many. Our worldwide ICM total is now standing at 1040. 
• During this week, new International Constitution Members joined from 12different Masonic constitutions, including the GL of Nigeria, GL of Louisiana, GL of Colorado, GL of Illinois, GL of the Philippines, GL of Philadelphia, GL of Mauritius, GL of New Zealand, UGLE(England, South Wales, Cyprus), GL of Mexico, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, and the GL of Japan. 
• It is heartening that more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are sharing the examples of the excellent support which they have been involved in by sending posts to the SCFS page and we would encourage others to follow this example. 

Last Saturday saw a small Deputation from Grand Lodge head north to Golspie where we had the pleasure of installing Brother David Collings as the new Provincial Grand Master. That now concludes the programme of installations with all twelve PGM’s now installed albeit a year later than originally planned. The next group of new PGM’s will take office in February at which time we will start the Installation programme again.

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

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 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

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

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Three outstanding posts, highlighting the support to charity and within the community by our Overseas Brethren, were published this week. 
• A donation of over £1100 to Breast Cancer by Lodge St. Andrew, No. 829, and the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia (SMCFWA).
• A donation of 10 tablets by Lodge Calabar, No. 1844, in the District of Jamaica, to needy students at Calabar College.
• Donations by the District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, the Daughter Lodges and SMCFWA of over £6500 towards a mobile skin cancer screening bus and the Special Children’s Big Day Out. 
• Our Overseas Membership has now reached a total of 1643 brethren with new members joining from Lodges in the Far East (Philippines), Jamaica, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. The largest increase in membership was from the District of Nigeria, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge coming from Lodge Itebite, No. 1619, in Nigeria. 
• Our ICMs (International Constitution Members … brethren who are members of Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS) play an important role in spreading news of the excellent charity and community support being provided to so many. This week we reached the milestone of welcoming our 1000th ICM, with our ICM total now standing at 1009. 
• Many congratulations are extended to our 1000th ICM who is Brother Norberto Gamarra, IPM, Asunción Lodge, No. 124, Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. 
• During this week, new members joined from 13 different Masonic constitutions, including the Grand Lodges of California, Canada in the Province of Ontario, Massachusetts, Quebec, Nigeria, India, Alberta, Philippines, UGLE (South Africa, Nigeria), New South Wales and ACT, and Ireland.
• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to BrotherJorge Zeledón-Pacheco, PastGrand Master of the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica. 

Next week there will be a meeting of the Administration Committee who, once again, will have a full agenda to deal with, and that of course, will be followed the following week by the Grand Lodge Installation. The Installation will obviously be a bit different to normal with numbers limited and no Festival of St Andrew to follow. However, it is good that we are getting back to some form of normality and actually having an Installation. Hopefully by November 2022 we will be in full flow once again.

My sincere thanks to the Brethren of Lodge Thorntree for a superb day in Nitshill as we celebrated 150 years of Freemasonry in Thornliebank.

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

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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

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone but especially our Hindu Brethren, a very happy Diwali. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance." I had the privilege, some years ago, of being in Singapore during Diwali and what a wonderful festival it is. I hope all Brethren and their families, who are celebrating this week have a very happy, enjoyable and meaningful time.

The Benevolence and Care Committee met this week and I continue to marvel at the work carried out under their remit. It was heart-warming to hear that both our Homes are still Covid free thanks to the dedication and commitment of Mrs Dawn Oliff, her two managers – Gillian Hunter and Wilma McDonald and all members of staff at the Homes for the outstanding level of care, attention and dedication they have given to all our Residents during the lockdown.

From the reports at the Committee meeting, I am confident that the running total to Prostate Cancer Scotland will reach £800,000 by the end of this year which gives us all a clear objective before the Installation in 2022 – to raise the final £200,000. It was agreed at the Committee that I can go ahead and appoint a working party to dream up fund-raising ideas and to co-ordinate the fund-raising. I will be looking to the Register of Interests to find suitable members.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

An outstanding post was published this week from Lodge Northcliffe, No. 1086, in the district of Newfoundland and Labrador, which shared news of the Lodge’s admirable donation to Madd Exploits Valley, as the charity works towards stopping impaired driving and to support victims of this. 

• Our Overseas Membership is still steadily growing and has now reached a total of 1634 brethren as a result of new members joining from Lodges in Central South Africa (RSA), Far East (Philippines), Jamaica and Fiji. 

• Our membership of brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS also continues to increase and now stands at 973. These members play an important role in spreading news throughout their respective constitutions of the excellent support which brethren of the Scottish constitution are providing to so many. 

• During this week, new members joined from 11 different Masonic constitutions, including: GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of the Philippines, GL of India, GL of New South Wales and ACT, United GL of Queensland, UGLE, GL of Kansas, GL of Quebec, GL of Indiana, GL of Hawaii. 

• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to BrotherJeffery VanCuren, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota.

• It is encouraging that more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are sharing with us the examples of the excellent support which they have been involved in, and we look forward to publishing future news. 

Can I convey the grateful thanks of my Deputation to the Provincial Grand Master of Orkney and Zetland, his Office-bearers and Brethren, for the excellent hospitality we received in Lerwick and in Brae last weekend – it was a delight to be with you all once again. Despite the travel issues, we all thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Many thanks.

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

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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

Yesterday, Thursday 28^th October, marked a significant step forward in the fight against Covid with the first Grand Lodge Communication since February 2020. Around 250 Brethren were in attendance and how good it was to be back in Grand Hall.

As you can imagine, we had a lengthy agenda to cope with and all those in attendance had received substantial amounts of paperwork to work their way through but thanks to the organisation of Grand Secretary and his staff, all went according to plan.

The Grand Lodge Installation will take place on Thursday 25^th November but there will be no Festival of St Andrew. Numbers will be restricted but it is another step in the right direction.

This weekend I will be heading a Deputation north to Shetland where we will be installing Brother Alan Balfour as the PGM of Orkney and Zetland. Hopefully the weather will improve compared to what it was in Edinburgh yesterday!

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

Several outstanding posts were published this week … 

• Brother George Rogers, Immediate Past District Grand Master of Western Australia, shared news of a wonderful donation of over £8100 to the Returned Services League of Western Australia by the brethren in that district. 
• Brother Bobby Law, Past District Grand Master, highlighted the wonderful support of Epworth Children’s Home in Germiston, South Africa, by brethren in the district of Central South Africa. 
• A post from Brother Scott Bartlett, Immediate Past District Grand Master of Newfoundland and Labrador, showing support by Lodge Northcliffe, No. 1086, for the Ronald McDonald House for Sick Kids and their Families, was also published. 
• Overseas Membership has now reached a total of 1630 brethren due to new members joining from Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas and Newfoundland and Labrador. 
• Our membership of brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS continues to increase and now stands at 959. These members play an important role in spreading news throughout their respective constitutions of the excellent support which brethren of the Scottish constitution are providing to so many. 
• During this week, new members joined from 11 different Masonic constitutions, including: GL of California, GL of Tennessee, GL of South Carolina, GL of Nigeria, GL of Texas, UGLE, GL of South Africa, GL of Japan, United GL of Queensland, GL of Peru. 
• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to Brother Stephen Michalak, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Australia and Northern Territory. 
• It is encouraging that more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, have shared with us the examples of the excellent support with which they have been involved and we look forward to sharing future news with all our brethren.

My sincere thanks and that of my Deputation to the Master and Brethren of Lodge St Peters Operative for the very warm welcome we received last Friday night – the 200^th anniversary celebrations were a joy to be part of.

Likewise, our sincere thanks to the Master and Brethren of Lodge St Martin in Ullapool where we enjoyed their Centenary celebrations last Saturday. A very productive and enjoyable weekend.

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

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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

While in Grand Lodge yesterday, I had a final planning meeting for our first Grand Lodge Communication since February 2020. It will be a bit different, but we are meeting again, which is good news. Grand Secretary will be issuing the paperwork this week and I can confirm that there will be a fair amount of bedtime reading! 

I am being informed of more and more Lodge meetings taking place which is also good news and, from what I have seen, the Government guidelines are being adhered to which is so important. We must be continually aware that the virus is still very much in our midst but by getting the vaccines and adhering to the rules and regulations, we will remain as safe as we can be while moving back to some form of normality. I can tell you that in Scotland at the moment, we have 460 applicants awaiting either enquiry committee or their EA Degree. Grand Secretary is currently conducting a survey amongst our Lodges abroad to get a true world-wide figure. 

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• An outstanding post from Brother Bobby Law, Past District Grand Master, and Brother Andy Kiloh, was published highlighting the wonderful support, to the value of over £52,000, which has been provided for the needy in the District of Central South Africa. 
• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1628Brethren as a result of new members joining from Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Western Australia, and from our Lodge in Peru, Lodge Peace and Concord, No. 445. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoShas now increased to 943. These members play an important role in spreading news throughout their respective constitutionsof the excellent support which Brethren of the Scottish constitution are providing to so many. 
• During this week, new members joined from 7different Masonic constitutions, including: United Grand Lodges of Germany, GL of Japan, United Grand Lodge of Victoria, GL of Peru, UGLEand the GL of 
• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to Brother Godfrey Place, Provincial Grand Master of the Northern Division of the Grand Lodge of South Africa. 
• We would encourage more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, to share with us the examples of the excellent support which they are undoubtedly involved in, and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren.

My sincere thanks and that of my Deputation to the PGM and brethren of the Province of Kincardineshire for the welcome we received in Stonehaven last Saturday. It was a grand day, well organised, culminating with a very welcome High Tea in the Station Hotel. 

This weekend takes on a different style – no Installations this weekend but two celebrations – first a bi-centenary in Lodge St John Operative No 286 in Thurso on Friday night then a cross country journey to Ullapool on Saturday for the Centenary celebrations in Lodge St Martin No 1217.

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

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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

Welcome to the 90^th edition of the Weekly Update. Little did I think when I penned the first one in March 2020, that I would still be doing it 19 months later.

However we had very heartening news this week at the Heads of Orders meeting. In terms of Grand Lodge, we can report that some 70% of Lodges in Scotland are back operating to some level – whether that be for Committee and/or Business Meetings or full-blown Regular Meetings with Degrees being worked.

We are also hearing of plans to have Installation Meetings this year in a significant number of Lodges at home and abroad. In Scotland, we are aware that there are well over 400 candidates awaiting Initiation. Grand Secretary is writing to the District Grand Lodges to get an overall number.

That said, globally, we are aware that during the past 19 months over 1000 brethren have passed to the Grand Lodge above. As I have mentioned before, it is the intention of Grand Lodge to hold a Memorial Service, hopefully in February 2022 at which each of those Brethren will be remembered.

Further details of the service will be made available soon and all being well it will be broadcast live so that our brethren, wherever in the world they may be, will be able to join those who are attending the service by a video link.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1622 This is thanks to new members joining us from our Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas, Central South Africa (RSA), Far East (Philippines), Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of the Bahamas. 
• We now have 935 Brethren (ICMs -International Constitution Members), who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS, spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions worldwide.
• During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 7different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL ofCalifornia, GL of New Brunswick, United GL of Victoria, GL of Georgia, Grand East of the Netherlands, UGLE, and the GL of Ireland.
• An interesting post was received from Brother Ivor Lopez, District Grand Secretary, sharing the support of Great Ormond Street Hospital by Lodge Al Moghreb Al Aska, No. 670, in the District of Gibraltar. 
• This was published on SCFS-Showcase in addition to a detailed post highlighting the support of Lodge Ailsa, No. 1172, Singapore, in the District of the Middle East, for the Children’s Wishing Well Foundation.
• Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to continue sharing the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

My sincere thanks for the welcome the Grand Lodge Deputation received in the Province of Forfarshire last Saturday. It was a joyful occasion with great optimism being displayed for the way ahead. This weekend, I am looking forward to being in Stonehaven for the Installation of Brother Graham MacKay as Provincial Grand Master of Kincardineshire.

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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

Scottish Freemasons at home and abroad have assisted their local communities in so many ways over the past 18 months – something we should be extremely proud of. However, we are now at a stage, both within and out with the Craft where we are seeing a rise in mental health issues. To try and help reduce the potential problems and be able to point people in the right direction, we are taking a pro-active approach to the subject. Mrs Oliff has all the material ready for inclusion in the proposed Mental Health Awareness leaflet and has arranged for the printer to produce a proof so that we can hopefully have some advance copies available for the Communication on 28^th October with the wider distribution to all our Lodges early in November. The availability of the leaflet is an important positive step which will hopefully lead, in the new year, to some brethren in all our Provinces and Districts volunteering to be trained as Mental First Aiders in a constructive and helpful attempt to assist those having difficulty in coping with the fallout from the pandemic.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1615Brethren, with most new Members coming from Lodge Hesperus, No. 1738, in the District of Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. A welcome increase in ourmembership from Sri Lanka (Lodge Bonnie Doon, No. 611) was also noted. 
• We now have 927 Brethren (ICMs -International Constitution Members), who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the Grand Lodge of Scotland, with new members joining this week from 7different Masonic Constitutions, namely: GL of Missouri, United GL of Victoria, GL of New South Wales and A.C.T., Grand East of the Netherlands, UGLE(England, Nigeria), GL of South Africa, GL of Japan. These ICMs play an important part in spreading news of the excellent examples of support published on the SCFS page. 
• Posts showing the outstanding donations and support by Lodges in our Districts of Western Australia, Middle East, Zimbabwe, and Kwa-Zulu Natal were published on our public SCFS-Showcase. 

Last weekend was another busy one with two Provincial Installations and a Lodge amalgamation. My sincere thanks and that of the Depute Grand Master for the welcome we received in Moray and Nairn, Perthshire West and the Scottish Borders. This weekend, I am looking forward to being in Dundee for the Installation of Brother Peter Taylor as Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire.

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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

As you will read in the SCFS report, we, as Scottish Freemasons, at home and abroad have, during the Pandemic contributed over £1.5 million into our communities to help those who are struggling with life at this difficult time. A tremendous effort which has not only helped those in need but has raised the profile of Freemasonry in a positive way.

I would wish to record my thanks to Brothers Dougie Fergie and Jim Ellis along with all those who assist them in promoting the SCFS Facebook which has highlighted all that the Lodges in our Provinces, Districts and Superintendencies are doing.

SCFS

SCFS Overseas Report  

• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1612 This is thanks to new members joining us from our Lodges in the Districts of the Far East (Hong Kong), Sierra Leone and The Gambia, and Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. 
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Sierra Leone and The Gambia, with a number of Brethren joining from 3 different Lodges.  
• We now have 915 Brethren (ICMs -International Constitution Members), who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase,throughout their constitutions worldwide.
• This week we were delighted to welcome our 900th Many congratulations to Brother Clay Elliott, RWM/PM of Demopolis Lodge, No. 49, under the Grand Lodge of Alabama. 
• During the past 7 days, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from13different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of South Austrialia and the Northern Territory, GL of the State of Israel, Grand East of the Netherlands, GL of California, GL of the Philippines, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of South Africa, United GL of Victoria, GL of Peru, GL of Alabama, GL of Ireland, GL of Arizona, and UGLE. 
• Posts showing the excellent donations and support by Lodges in our Districts of Zimbabwe, Middle East, and Gibraltar were published on SCFS-Showcase… which now has followers in 48different countries. 
• Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to continue sharing the examples of the excellent support in which they are involved and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

Another successful Provincial Installation took place last Saturday in Cambuslang bringing the total of new PGM’s installed to 6. This weekend will see another two taking place in Moray and Nairn and in Perthshire West. The remaining four will take place on 9^th, 16^th, 30^th of October and 20^th November.

Likewise, the Rededication Ceremonies are taking place each week and I’m delighted to report that the feedback we have received from them all has been very positive. We still have a number on the pending list and Assistant Grand Secretary will be in touch with those Lodges to assist them in arranging suitable dates to mark the important milestones in their history.

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