Weekly Update 17th 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,

 

Last weekend I was greatly impressed and encouraged as a result of three meetings I was privileged to attend. On Friday night our Depute Grand Master, Jim Bell, and I attended the 75th anniversary of Lodge Dunlop Caledonia No 1408 carried out by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire. It was a tremendous night and I’m sure nobody enjoyed it more than the Master of the Lodge, Brother Jimmy Laing. It was a real delight to be there.

On Saturday, I had the honour to lead a Deputation from Grand Lodge to Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning St James No 135 to celebrate their 250th anniversary albeit a year late. The organisation was second to none. We all thoroughly enjoyed being back in a lodge packed tight with Brethren and the ensuing Dinner and Harmony were nothing other than superb – especially getting played into the dining hall by Brother Liam Stewart to the new tune he composed – “McGhee’s March”. It’s a cracker and I’m indebted to Liam for such a gift.

On Sunday, I attended Garnethill Synagogue along with our Substitute Grand Master, Brother James Peddie and the PGM of Glasgow, Brother Andrew Mushet, to join with the Brethren of Lodge Montefiore in their annual Divine Service which was very ably led by Brother Rabbi Captain Ariel Abel. Prior to the service we were given a very interesting tour of the Jewish Archives Centre and the Scottish Holocaust-era Study Centre. We then witnessed Rabbi Abel dedicating a new Garden Seat to the memory of the late Brother Gerald Levin, Past Depute Grand Master. The hospitality extended by the Master and Brethren was first class – a very memorable day for all who were privileged to be in attendance.

 

SCFS

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/ 
 
 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 6593 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 1249, submitted by 376 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 389 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 Ayrshire, Glasgow, Inverness-shire, Linlithgowshire and Orkney & Zetland.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,466,092.
 

SCFS Overseas Report  

It was heartening to receive a post from Brother Paul Carnell, Master, Lodge Lane Xang, No. 1632, in Bangkok, Middle East, referencing the combined support from the Lodge and Widows Sons Scotland Thailand Chapter, for a local teacher who had been injured in a road accident. 

  • We continue to welcome new members to the group from our Overseas Lodges. In this respect, special reference must be made to brethren from the following Lodges for their support: Lodge Kilwinning, No. 849 (Western Australia), Lodge Pelican, No. 1750 (Barbados), Lodge St. Andrew, No. 1437 (Middle East) and Coronation Lodge, No. 934 (Gibraltar). 
  • We also now have 1471 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. New members joined from 11geographically wide-spread Masonic constitutions: the Symbolic GL of Paraguay, GL of Texas, Most Serene GL of the Republic of San Marino, GL of New BrunswickUGLE (England, Bombay, South America Southern Division), Grand East of the Netherlands, GL of South Africa, GL of California, MWGL of the Philippines, GL of China
  • In addition to the above, we were delighted to welcome Brother Les HicksGrand Master of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales and ACT

We are aware of a number of excellent charitable and support activities which have recently been undertaken by some of our Overseas Lodges and Districts and look forward to receiving and publishing posts about them.

This Saturday a large Deputation from Grand Lodge will be heading to the Kingdom of Fife to witness the Installation of the new PGM, Brother William B Rocks and his Commissioned Office-bearers.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason