Weekly Update 27th January 2023 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,

Further to the information circulated last week, I can now inform you that the funeral for Past Grand Secretary, Brother David MacKay Begg, will take place at Falkirk Crematorium on Saturday 4th February at 11.15.

I hope and trust that you are all enjoying Burns Festivities this week. I had an excellent night on Wednesday at the Burns & Hogg celebration at Lodge Canongate Kilwinning where the Orator was Dr Valentina Bold. Dr Bold is a researcher and presenter, who has written books on Burns and James Hogg as well as many others. Her presentation on both poets was excellent. Last night I was at Prestonfield House where Willie Hunter, the Edinburgh Solicitor, proposed a first-class Immortal Memory. Actor David Ashton offered the Toast to the Lassies in grand style and it was responded to in hilarious fashion by comedienne, Susan Morrison.

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of chairing a meeting of the District and Provincial Grand Masters during which time Bro Will Rowan gave a presentation on the proposed Young Masons Network. Delighted to say that the DGMs and PGMs were all very supportive of the initiative which is now being progressed through the Communications Committee.

SCFS

 

This week saw Group membership rise to 7036 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.

The total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group has risen to 1527, submitted by 443 of its members.

These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 425 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 

This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Linlithgowshire, Perthshire West and Ross & Cromarty.

The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,935,567.


SCFS Overseas Report

This week,we were delighted to publish news shared by Brother Robert Duffney, PM, of a very generous donation by Lodge Northcliffe, No. 1086, Newfoundland and Labrador, to the local “Grand Falls Windsor Community Kitchen”. In addition, a further donation was made by the Lodge to “Youth 2000 Centre”, a well-used Community Youth resource.

We are grateful to those Overseas Lodges and Districts who continue to share news of their support of others and look forward to publishing similar posts from others.

• Over the past number of weeks, the Overseas membership has continued to grow and, in this respect, particular mention must be made to the Districts of East Africa, Middle East, Western Australia, The Bahamas, Jordan, Lebanon, and Belgium.
• Additional members were also approved from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, such as from UGLE (South Wales, Bengal), GL of Florida, GL of Brazil, GL of Georgia, GL of the Philippines, GL of Cyprus, GL of South Australia and Northern Territory, and the GL of Louisiana. Our 1700th member is fast approaching.
 
It was a great pleasure to also welcome Brother Brad Billings, Immediate Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

I’m looking forward to getting the Rededication programme underway tomorrow when I visit Lodge St Enoch No 1288 to celebrate their Centenary. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the Dinner but I am delighted Past Depute Grand Master, Brother Kenneth Kennedy will take over from me in the evening while I travel to the east end of Glasgow to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow Masters Dinner hosted by the PGM, Brother Andy Mushet. Again, I am very much looking forward to the evening when I will have the opportunity to address the Brethren.

On Monday, Grand Secretary and I are heading to London to celebrate the tercentenary of the “1723 Lodges”. It looks like an interesting programme. Will give you all a report next week.

When we return, the February Communication of Grand Lodge will take place on Thursday 2nd February when I look forward to welcoming many of you to Edinburgh.

After the Communication, I will be heading to Barrhead on Friday night to a meeting of Lodge Union and Crown. Saturday morning I’ll attend David Begg’s funeral, followed by an afternoon trip to Mauchline to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Lodge St David No 133.

 

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

 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason