The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Last Saturday I had the privilege of heading a Grand Lodge Deputation to Lodge St James No 123 in Brechin to celebrate their 250th Anniversary. What a tremendous day we had – all arrangements rolled out like clockwork. Around 75 Brethren gathered in the Lodge and afterward in the Mechanics Institute where we enjoyed a superb meal. My sincere thanks to the members of St James for their welcome, hospitality and generosity.
On Sunday afternoon at 14.00 we have the second of the new series of lectures organised by the History and Heritage Group. The “View from Over Here” comes this week from the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Cape of Good Hope and will be presented by Brother Craig Jessop. Information on how to access the lecture can be found on the Grand Lodge Facebook page.
Left home yesterday morning at 04.00 hours to get to Inverness airport for the red eye flight to Heathrow en route to Gibraltar. Got through security, had my coffee, boarded the plane and sat there on the tarmac for the next two hours. Excuse was fog at Heathrow Airport albeit, Sue received a message from British Airways saying that the delay was due to air traffic control issues at Heathrow. However, after sitting on the tarmac for two hours, the Captain announced that the fog was lifting at Heathrow, but we couldn’t leave Inverness due to the air traffic controllers there having their official tea break. Couldn’t make it up. Missed the connection – hopefully I’ll get there today in time for the rehearsal!
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 6880 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 1348, submitted by 401 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 404 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 Forfarshire and Renfrewshire West.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,693,866.
SCFS Overseas Report .
It is extremely encouraging that, approaching 30 months after its formation, the group is continuing to welcome new members from our lodges overseas.
- This week, brethren joined from a wide spread of these lodges: Lodge Al-Arz, No. 1853(Lebanon), Lodge Benguela, No. 1616(Namibia), Lodge Ashlar, No. 1845(Mauritius), Lodge Notwani, No. 1633 (Botswana), Lodge Sir William Wallace, No. 868 (Western Australia, Goldfields), and Lodge St. Andrew, No. 1139 (Newfoundland and Labrador).
In addition, new members were approved from Lodges under UGLE (Eastern Archipelago) and the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.
The excellent examples of charity and support, as detailed in the many posts published, are being very widely read and appreciated by brethren from our lodges overseas and from other Masonic constitutions.
Such a post was received on Wednesday from Brother George Rogers, PDGM, District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, who shared the news that the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation, District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, has now been awarded Platinum Sponsor status by the Motor Neurone Disease Society of Western Australia in recognition of the Foundation’s remarkable donations of $20,000.00 (approximately £11,500) to the Charity.
Day tickets for the Conference are now available and separately, tickets for the Installation and Festival of St Andrew are now available from Grand Lodge. This will be a unique week in Scottish Freemasonry – one that I commend to all of you. If you don’t have your tickets yet – don’t delay – they are selling fast.
Heartiest congratulations to all those who completed the zip slide on Sunday – a fantastic effort and great boost toward the target.
I was disappointed that I couldn’t join you on the day but fully intend to pop into Killiecrankie on my way north in the next week or so and join the illustrious band of zip sliders
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason