Weekly Update 22nd July 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,

On Thursday 21st July I arrived in Fiji at 06.30 in the morning. Compared to Melbourne, it was warm and dry.

After being escorted through the airport, Brother Russell Howorth and Brother David Gibson met me at the airport entrance. We had a three-hour-drive in front of us to get to Suva, but the journey was broken with a superb breakfast at Brother Howorth’s home, two hours into the journey.

In Suva, I booked in to the magnificent Grand Pacific Hotel. A quick change and was ready to be taken to the Lodge where I was to receive a traditional Fijian welcome.

And what a welcome it was. Some of the Brethren in traditional costume and their ladies, who are great supporters of the Lodge, in splendid Lodge outfits were most impressive. 

They looked wonderful and prior to our arrival they had completed some beautiful flower arrangements and laid out the special mats upon which I received the traditional welcome. 

They had also made a special garland with which I was invested. The ceremony included drinking a special drink made from the roots of a tree and water added – and seeing the drink being prepared in the wooden basin was highly memorable.

The whole ceremony represented unity – the uniting of me as their guest with them as Fijians. It was a very moving ceremony, and I am indebted to the Brethren and their wives for honouring me in this very special way. After the ceremony, we all enjoyed each other’s company at a superb meal in the hotel.

We spent most of Friday at the Lodge rehearsing for the next day’s Rededication Ceremony. Prior to the rehearsal, two of us went shopping. There are no consecration vessels in the Lodge, so we purchased traditional Fijian vessels to be used during the ceremony.

I will send some photos to Grand Secretary for inclusion on the Grand Lodge Facebook page.

At the time of writing (I am currently 12 hours ahead of Scotland but aware that many of our readers throughout the world will be in different time-zones), I’m very much looking forward to the 150th Anniversary Ceremony tomorrow in Lodge Polynesia No 562.

 

SCFS

 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 6701 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 1284, submitted by 383 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 396 Lodges, from within fifty-six 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, Glasgow, Forfarshire, Lanarkshire Middle Ward & Midlothian.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,525,091.
 

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 St. Anne’s, No. 1751, in the District of The Bahamas, Lodge St. Andrew, No. 1437, Singapore, in the District of Middle East and to Lodge St. Andrew, No. 1509, in the District of Barbados.
  • 1554 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, was boosted by new Members joining from geographically widely spread Masonic constitutions such as the GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of Tennessee, and the United GL of Victoria. In addition, there was an excellent response by brethren from Lodges under the GL of Ireland

** We are delighted that interest is continuing from Overseas Brethren in purchasing the SCFS Commemorative Token which has the added benefit of supporting the “Make it a Million” target. This week, tokens are now in the hands of brethren under the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. Details of how to order are on the SCFS page. **

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason