Weekly Update 16th December 2022 GMM Bro William Ramsay McGhee

The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren,

Have just returned from a very productive week with our friends in Jordan. Due to the sensitivity involved in that country at the moment, I can only report that all is going well and that I was looked after very well indeed. During the week I was taken first of all to Mount Nebo where Moses died and was buried. Later, I was introduced to Rustom Mkhjian the Director General of the Baptism Site Commission who gave me a very informative tour of the site and took me to the spot where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.

I can also say that the weather was a bit warmer than you have been experiencing at home. On the way home from a meeting on Monday night it was nineteen degrees about 23.30 hours – which, for the Jordanians, was cold.

Hopefully as things change, I will be able to give a full account of my visit in the new yearbook.

Today I will hopefully get down the A9 to join the staff at 96 George Street for their Christmas Lunch. I’m sure that you would wish me to convey our thanks to them for all that they have done during the year and pass on our Christmas greetings to them all.

SCFS

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/

Bumper week for SCFS this week, 27 posts, 10 new contributors and another 6 Lodges having posted for the first time.

o The Group saw its membership rise to 6991 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.

o This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1452, submitted by 426 of its members.

o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 418 Lodges, from within 56 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.

o During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provincial Grand Lodges of Aberdeen City, Dumfriesshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Kincardineshire, Lanarkshire Middle Ward, Linlithgowshire Renfrewshire West, and The Scottish Borders.

o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,861,031.

SCFS Overseas Report

We were delighted to publish information from Brother Andre Wissler, who shared news of the very prompt donation by Lodge Turffontein, No. 1556, in the District of Central South Africa, of urgently required food provisions to Epworth Children’s Home and also cooked food to St. Mary’s Children’s Home.

• Brother Keith Thomas shared news of the Lodge Christmas Supper, hosted by Lodge Carbonear, No. 1043, in the District of Newfoundland and Labrador, for brethren, members of the local community and widows of former members, during which a financial donation to St. Vincent du Paul Foodbank was presented.

• Brother Scott Bartlett, IPDGM, also advised of a further financial donation to the same local Foodbank in Carbonear by Lodge Heart’s Content, No. 1275.

• The Overseas membership of the SCFS group continues to increase and now stands at 1874 brethren.

• In addition, this week, new members were approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS such as the GL of Pennsylvania, GL of Mississippi, GL of the Czech Republic, and the GL of Japan. This brings our ICM membership to 1672 brethren.

** We are grateful to those Overseas Lodges and Districts/Superintendencies which have recently been very supportive in sharing news of their charitable activities and look forward to further publishing similar posts from them and others. **

I am well aware that many Lodges are having family activities over the next week or so. I hope and trust that you all have a very happy and enjoyable time at all events.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason