The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Despite delayed flights, missed connections and airport incompetence, I’m glad to report that Grand Secretary and I arrived home safely from the Caribbean and South America trip during which we installed five new District Grand Masters and one new Grand Superintendent, rededicated one Lodge and one District, attended ten Lodge Meetings, one District Grand Lodge Communication and a joint Q&A session.
I attended two Church services, had four Television and one radio interviews, met a President, two Governors General, one Minister of State and a High Commissioner, visited a hilltop military base and even attended the Test Match between West Indies and England at which I was introduced to the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers.
It is with great delight that I can report that our Superintendency in Bermuda and our District Grand Lodges in Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada and in Guyana are all in good spirits. I witnessed degree work in all Districts and without exception it was of the highest standard.
Our new Grand Superintendent and our five new District Grand Masters are all men who are committed to Scottish Freemasonry and who have the energy, the desire and the ability to take Freemasonry forward in a very upbeat and positive way. I am confident that they will all be a great credit to the Craft in their new roles.
During my trip it became abundantly clear that we have many men in the Districts who have a wealth of experience in many different disciplines and who would clearly be a tremendous asset in all of our Standing Committees. We seriously need to make urgent progress in realigning the governance structure of Grand Lodge so that we can tap into their expertise – and importantly, they are keen to become involved. With the advances in technology, there is no reason why they cannot do so.
Overall it was a first class trip during which much was achieved and I am indebted to Grand Secretary, to Brother Jim Bell, Depute Grand Master and Brother Tom Davidson, Grand Almoner for their support and likewise to Brother Anthony Ulysses Bostick, DGM of Bahamas who accompanied me throughout the entire trip.
Unfortunately, I have to end on a sad note. Whilst in Trinidad, I had the privilege of installing Brother Martin Hatem as Senior District Grand Chaplain. This weekend past, Brother Hatem was killed in a tragic accident. I’m sure you would all wish to join with me in sending our deepest condolences to Brother Hatem’s family and to the District Grand Master and Brethren of the District Grand Lodge of Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 6414 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 1157, submitted by 362 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 372 Lodges, from within 56 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, 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 Forfarshire, Glasgow and Perthshire West.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,076,784.
SCFS Overseas Report
Our membership of Brethren from Lodges located outside Scotland continues to grow steadily and the new members whom we have recently welcomed demonstrate the wide reach of the SCFS group.
- In this respect, reference may be made to LodgeBon Accord, No. 965, in the District of Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, and to Lodge Peglerae, No. 1749, located in RSA, District of Central South Africa. Brethren joining from those Lodges helped increase our Overseas Membership to
- We also now have 1350Brethren from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, and who spread news, worldwide, of the wonderful support given to others by our Brethren.
- Included in that number this week were Brethren from Lodges such as Lodge Illawarra, No. 59, from the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and ACT, and Aomori Lodge, No. 10, from the Grand Lodge of Japan.
- In this category, new Members joined from 11 different Masonic constitutions: the above plus the GL of thePhilippines, GL of South Australia and Northern Territory, GL of Japan, GL of India, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of South Carolina, UGLE, GL of the State of Israel, GL of Washington, GL of Louisiana.
We would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing posts from them.
Can I remind you all, at home and abroad, if you haven’t registered for the Conference, please get your application in as soon as possible! The Conference will be limited to 300 and the numbers are creeping up – so don’t delay.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason