Weekly Update 9th December 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,

This has been a quieter week albeit we had Grand Committee yesterday. It was all pretty run of the mill agenda items but one item will no doubt be of interest to everyone. We will be calling a special meeting of the Administration Committee followed by a special meeting of Grand Committee in order that the motion on Governance will be available for tabling at the February meeting of Grand Lodge. This is one of the most important items to come before Grand Lodge in a very long time. Its successful passage through all the committees and Grand Lodge will secure the positive future of Scottish Freemasonry. 

SCFS

 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 6976 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 1425, submitted by 416 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 412 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 Aberdeen City, East Lothian, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Glasgow, Lanarkshire Middle Ward, Linlithgowshire and Stirlingshire.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,852,381.
 

SCFS Overseas Report

We were delighted to publish information from Brother Rinus Grau, District Grand Secretary of the District Grand Lodge of Zimbabwe, who shared news the annual Combined Constitutions Christmas Lunch and presentation of grocery hampers to all the 70 residents of the two Masonic Homes in Harare, which was driven by Brother Grau, members of Lodge Scotia, No. 1323, and other brethren from lodges under the Scottish Constitution.

  • The Overseas membership continues to increase, helped by new members joining from several Lodges. Of particular note this week were Lodge John James Mills, No. 1657 (Jamaica), and Lodge Angoni, No. 1404 (Malawi).
  • In addition, new members were approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS such as the Grand Lodge of Tennesseeand UGLE

** We are grateful to those Overseas Lodges and Districts/Superintendencies which have recently shared news of their support and look forward to further publishing similar posts from them and others. **

                                                                                                                        

CHRISTMAS CONCERT – THIS SUNDAY

The Glasgow Phoenix Choir Christmas Concert will be held in Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh this Sunday 11th December at 2.30 pm for 3.00 pm. Tickets can be reserved through Grand Lodge Reception – only £10 per ticket. This year, in commemoration of the ascension of King Charles III, the choir will perform “Zadok the Priest” as part of the concert.

Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the concert as I’ll be heading to Jordan to meet with our three Lodges there plus a somewhat special meeting which I’ll hopefully be able to tell you about next week.

These past few weeks have been good to me with what I could describe as “home games” as far as travelling is concerned. First, I had a memorable centenary meeting with the Brethren of Lodge St Columba, 1295 in Inverness then last weekend a wee trip from the Black Isle to Ullapool then across the Minch to the Installation meetings of Lodge Fortrose No 108 in Stornoway and Lodge St Clement No 1353 in Tarbert, Harris. A tremendous weekend – two excellent Installations and visitors from America, from Fife and beyond. 

We hope to return to Stornoway in the Spring with a Deputation from Grand Lodge to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the construction of the Lodge building in Kenneth Street.

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

 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason