Covid -19 Update 10th September 2021 GMM Bro William Ramsay McGhee


 saltire

The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

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

Brethren

It has been another busy week – two Provincial Installations carried out - one in East Lothian and one in Stirlingshire, a trip south to London to attend the Glasgow in London Dinner through the Incorporation of Masons and yesterday a meeting of Grand Committee by Zoom.

It was agreed by Grand Committee, having discussed the papers submitted by the working parties, that Grand Secretary and I prepare a list of items raised in the papers that can be used immediately by District and Provincial Grand Masters to address a range of issues that may be needed in their Districts and Provinces. Furthermore, that we prepare for Grand Lodge approval a remit for a new strategic working party who will put together a five-year strategic plan which will be delivered to Grand Lodge early in the New Year.

With that in mind, could I draw to your attention again the Register of Interests. If any brother, at home or abroad, feels he has knowledge and experience of strategic planning that could assist in the process, could you please contact Grand Secretary, marked “Register of Interests”, and include a short CV of your experience in strategic planning.

We are also looking to add to the Register of Interests any member qualified as a paramedic who would be available to attend all Grand Lodge meetings in Edinburgh – again, please email Grand secretary if you are interested.

SCFS

  
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 5632 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 919, submitted by 308 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 331 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
  • This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeen City, Fife & Kinross, Glasgow, Midlothian, Perthshire West and Stirlingshire.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,416,983.

SCFS Overseas Report  

  • Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1578 This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of The Bahamas, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Lebanon, and Western Australia. 
  • The largest increase in membership was from the District of Western Australia, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Sir Walter Scott-Breadalbane, No. 859, in Western Australia
  • Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 859 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 11different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of Nigeria, GL of New Jersey, GL of Newfoundland and Labrador, GL of Massachusetts, GL of VirginiaGL of Argentina, United GL of VictoriaUGLE(England, South Africa, Bengal), GL of Illinois, GL of India, GL of Pennsylvania
  • Brother Janine BlaghornLodge Margate, No. 1420,in the District of Kwa-Zulu Natal, shared an interesting post showing Brethren in Widows Sons (East Coast Chapter), from his and other Scottish Lodges, being involved in joint Masonic Constitutional support of underprivileged children by donating toys, clothing and cooking equipment to their care home.
  • Brother Rinus Grau, District Grand Secretary, shared a wonderfully kind gesture by Brother Rory Fahy, WJW, Lodge Acacia, No. 1582,in the District of Zimbabwe, in which he provided and delivered a total of 2280 eggs to the residents of the Masonic Homes in Harare, to help relieve the ever-escalating costs of even basic commodities.
  • Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to share examples of the excellent support in which they are involved, and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren. 

I am delighted to report that Past Grand Master, Brother Marcus Humphrey, Chair of the Benevolence and Care Committee, announced yesterday that the total sum raised by Scottish Freemasons for Prostate Scotland now stands at £771,665. It has been decided that Prostate Scotland will continue to be our nominated external charity until November 2022 by which time we hope and trust that we can work together to raise £1 million for this very necessary charity. Ideas are already coming in as to how we can raise the remaining £228,335 – so please, let Grand Almoner know of any ideas you may have that will help along the way – we will do all we can from Edinburgh to assist you in your efforts.


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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason