Weekly Update 10th June 2022 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,

Over the past few months, I have tried to keep you all up to date with where I have been and with what I have been doing. However, it has been remiss of me not to mention those other Brethren heading Deputations. Past Grand Master, Brother Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont, Our Depute, Bro Jim Bell, Substitute, Bro Jim Peddie, and Past Depute Grand Master Tom Smith have all helped out when we have had three or four celebrations on the same day. May I thank everyone involved as Grand Lodge have celebrated with Lodge St James 125, Lodge Moorpark No 1263, Lodge Nethan St John No 1289, Celtic Lodge No 291, Lodge Earlshall No 1292, Lodge St George No 503, Lodge Shettleston No 128 and Lodge St Andrew No 126. I convey my best wishes to all Lodges who have celebrated in the hope that they will all go from strength to strength in the future.

This week I was delighted to see so many of you in Grand Lodge. It is so good to see some normality returning but, as I remarked yesterday, Covid is still with us, and we need to remain vigilant.

On Wednesday evening I had the privilege of giving the St Columba Lecture in Inverness.  This is an annual pilgrimage by the Brethren of Lodge St Columba 1295. They meet at Craig Phadrig where Saint Columba met with King Brude and each year, they invite someone to present the Columba lecture. I am honoured that I was given the privilege in this, Lodge St Columba’s centenary year.

Having enjoyed a tremendous weekend in Ayrshire last weekend with the Brethren of Lodge Thistle No 127, I am returning to Ayrshire this weekend to celebrate another 250th Anniversary, this time with the Brethren of Lodge Tarbolton.

Finally, on Sunday I will attend the annual Divine Service of Lodge Montefiore in the Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow.

 
 

SCFS

 

The Group saw its membership rise to 6580 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 1241, submitted by 373 of its members.

These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 387 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 Provincial Grand Lodges of East Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Inverness-shire, Lanarkshire Upper Ward, Linlithgowshire and Midlothian.

The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,461,163.

 

SCFS Overseas Report  

We continue to welcome new members to the group from our Overseas Lodges.

  • In this respect, special reference must be made to Lodge Conception, No. 1679, in the District of Newfoundland and Labrador, and to Lodge Ailsa, No. 1172, Singapore, in the District of Middle East
  • We also now have 1455 Brethren 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. 
  • In this category, new Members joined from 6geographically widely spread Masonic constitutions: the GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of the PhilippinesUGLE(Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean), United GL of Queensland, GL of Canada in the Province of Quebec, and the GL of Japan.

** We are delighted that interest is building up from Overseas Brethren in purchasing the SCFS Commemorative Token which has the added benefit of supporting the “Make it a Million” target. Details of how to order are on the SCFS page. **

Last Sunday, accompanied by our Depute GM, Substitute GM, Grand Secretary, Assistant Grand Secretary, and the PGM’s of Glasgow and Dunbartonshire, I attended the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service in Glasgow Cathedral. The Lord Lyon declared the proclamation, the service was led by Brother, Rev Mark Johnstone and the sermon preached by the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev Iain Greenshields. A memorable occasion indeed.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason