Covid -19 Update 29th April 2022 GMM Bro William Ramsay McGhee

 

Logo

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 further on it is now two years since we started the SCFS Facebook page followed a year later with SCFS Showcase. Can I thank everyone at home and abroad who has supported the pages – little did we think that two years down the line we would still be running, and the stark truth of the matter is that communities are needing to rely more and more on the assistance we take to them. That trend will continue for the foreseeable future so, again, my sincere thanks to you all for all that you do for your communities and to promote all that is good in Scottish Freemasonry.

Of course, two Brethren, Jim Ellis and Dougie Fergie assisted by several others, have been instrumental in running the Facebook pages. Their contribution over the past two years has been tremendous and I thank them both most sincerely for all their hard work, enthusiasm and input to the initiative.

SCFS

 
  • This Sunday, 1st of May, will see the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook Group celebrate its second birthday, with its sister public facing Facebook Page celebrating its 1st birthday.
  • At its inception two years ago, the team behind the SCFS Group did not envisage how it would be perceived, develop and ultimately receive such widespread support.
  • To date the Group has attracted 6462 members from all four quarters of the globe, not only from Scottish Constitution Lodges, but also from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are recognised by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
  • The 1185 posts highlighting the wide and varied examples of support being provided by Districts, Provinces, Lodges and individual Brethren has been overwhelming, with 368 members representing 386 of our Lodges sharing their wonderful examples of charity and benevolence.
  • This has resulted in contributions with an identifiable monetary value of £2,192,609 being recorded.
  • The success of the Group would not have been possible without the support of its members and the team at SCFS would like to thank all Brethren who have contributed to this success by posting, commenting, liking and sharing.
  • With the introduction of the SCFS-Showcase Facebook Page, this has enabled the levels of support being given to be shared with the wider public and the team are equally grateful to those who participate and share these posts.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

In the final week of the Group’s second year, it’s heartening to reflect upon the overseas membership position which has been arrived at.  

  • Currently, we have 1379members from our Lodges in the various Districts etc., that number including this week’s new members from the District Grand Lodges of the Bahamas, Barbados, Lebanon, Middle East (Singapore) and Nigeria.
  • In addition, the number of Brethren (ICMs) from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, and who are spreading news, worldwide, of the outstanding support being shared in the posts to the Group , has now reached 1381. Included in that number this week were Brethren from Lodges such as the interestingly named Lodge Mystic Tie, No. 222, in Mississippi, and our first member from the Icelandic Order of Freemasons. We also welcomed Brethren from the following Grand Lodges: GL of Ohio, GL of Sweden, GL of AlbertaUGLE, GL of Japan

In extending our thanks to them for previous posts, would encourage our Overseas Lodges and Districts to continue sharing news of their excellent support of others and look forward to publishing the first post of our 3rd year from them.

What a splendid time we had in Aberdeen last Friday and Saturday. On Friday night I had the pleasure of Installing Brother Ian Williamson and his Commissioned Office-bearers and on Saturday we celebrated 350 years of freemasonry in The Lodge of Aberdeen No 1 ter.

On Saturday, we were joined by a large Deputation of Brethren from Warwickshire headed by their PGM, Brother Philip Hall. They made a presentation to the Lodge of Jewels that had come into their possession in 1928 but which were The Lodge of Aberdeen jewels – a beautiful gesture and by all accounts the Warwickshire brethren thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn north.

My sincere thanks to the members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Clay Shooting Association who attended at Grand Lodge on Thursday to present a cheque for £2500 toward the “Make it a Million” appeal. A fantastic effort and a great boost to the kitty.

As I am sure you are all aware, Freemasons’ Hall is now fully reopen and Tours of the Grand Lodge Museum will be recommencing with effect from Tuesday, 3rd May 2022.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason