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
- The Group saw its membership rise to 5801 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 955, submitted by 317 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 338 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 Aberdeenshire East, Edinburgh and Stirlingshire.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,606,694.
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.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason