The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Last Saturday was spent in the Province of Aberdeenshire East where we witnessed a superb MM Degree worked by the Young Masons in the Province. The Province is undoubtedly in good hands for the future given the enthusiasm, commitment and passion displayed by the Young Masons team. Not only were they word perfect, but the ceremonial was carried out with feeling. My thanks to the Province for their welcome, hospitality and initiative – it was good to be there.
On the way home, I called into Inverness Airport where, on the arrival of the last flight, my case appeared after four days on the loose.
I should have been in Lodge Caledonian in Annan on Wednesday night but many of the readers will already know that shortly after arriving in Annan, we received the devastating news that Brother Alex Craib’s wife had passed away. The priority was to get Alex back home which we duly did but I’m sure all our readers will wish to join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Alex and his family at this sad time.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7208 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 1743, submitted by 495 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 440 Lodges, from within 59 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 Provinces of Aberdeenshire West, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Linlithgowshire and Stirlingshire.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,474,569.
The following extremely interesting post was published this week.
- Brother Richard Luke Gordon, PM, shared news of Lodge St. John, No. 623, Jamaica, which grants two scholarships annually to students of the University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, each valued at Jamaican $200,000. This is in addition to the Alva Anderson scholarship, valued at Jamaican $100,000, presented to a student of Jamaica College. These annual donations of over £2500 are always warmly received by the recipients. The money for the donations is raised through various fundraising events.
New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas: Lodge Harmony, No. 1830, and Lodge Trinity, No. 1846, both in the District of Lebanon. Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the GL of Ohio, and the GL of Western Australia.
This weekend I will be representing Grand Lodge at the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy at their Communication in Rome.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason