Covid -19 Update 16th July 2021 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

It has been a busy week in Grand Lodge – at long last the fibre optic cable was installed last Sunday – a massive step forward for the IT Department. There is now a fair bit of work for the main contractor to do so that we have wi-fi throughout the building and the computer network brought into the 21st century.

Last Tuesday, the Strategy Group met and had a lively discussion about the revision of the advice to Lodges for re-opening. The main changes look to be (provided the proposed Scottish Government dates come to fruition) a reduction in social distancing, but we will still require to wear masks and take all other necessary precautions. It has also emerged that we may be required to appoint Covid Officers in every Lodge – this is already happening in many other organisations such as bowling clubs, golf clubs etc., and by all accounts is working well. Full information including the role and duties of Covid Officers will be included in the revised guidance notes.

 
SCFS
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5420 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 864, submitted by 299 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 324 Lodges, from within all 32 Provincial Grand Lodges, 23 of its 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 Edinburgh, Midlothian and The Scottish Borders.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,354,811.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • As the group moves towards 5500 total membership, our Overseas Membership has risen to 1532 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in Gibraltar, Lebanon, Mauritius, Middle East (Thailand), North Island New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. 
  • The largest increase in membership was from the District of Zimbabwe, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Scotia, No. 1323, in that District.
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 724 Brethren 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.
  • During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 17different Masonic Constitutions, namely: GL of Kentucky, GL of Nevada, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Louisiana, GL of the District of Columbia, GL of Quebec, GL of New South Wales and ACT, United GL of Victoria, United Grand Lodges of Germany (American Canadian GL), Most Worshipful GL of the Philippines, GL of Peru, GL of Western Australia, GL of Mexico, GL of JapanUGLE(KwaZulu Natal, Nigeria, South Africa), GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Ireland (Gibraltar)
  • A very special welcome was extended to Brother Jim Vitug Gipson, who is the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Japan. 
  • Brother Albert Revagliatte, PM, Lodge St. Thomas, No. 576, shared an introductory post on behalf of the recently formed Widows Sons Gibraltar Chapter which showed the excellent charitable support which the Chapter has already given. 

I am looking forward to being with the Brethren of Lodge Polkemmet No 927 in the Province of Linlithgowshire on Monday evening.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason