The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Last weekend I had the honour of representing Grand Lodge at the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy held in the splendid surrounds of the Rome Cavalieri hotel.
On Friday night I attended the welcome dinner for Heads of Deputations and the following morning I attended the Regular Communication during which I was taken by surprise by being given Honorary Membership of the Grand Lodge along with four others. The main aspect of the meeting was to accept a paper written by the Grand Master, Brother Fabio Venzi, entitled “Freemasonry and Modernity”. I have a copy of the paper translated into English and will make it available to Brethren through the Grand Lodge website. The Regular Communication was followed by lunch and in the evening, we enjoyed a gala dinner.
Delighted to say that both me and my luggage arrived together at Inverness Airport on Sunday night.
On Wednesday, I had the honour and privilege of representing Scottish Freemasons at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh to witness the Presentation of the Honours of Scotland to His Majesty, the King. It was an historic and significant occasion for Scotland and how good it was to be part of it. Great credit must go to Brother Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, as he was instrumental in organising the entire event. A fuller report on the event and those involved along with some pictures will appear on the Grand Lodge social media page.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7216 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 1745, 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 Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,475,169.
An extremely interesting post was published this week … a video of a broadcast on ‘Our News’ from the Bahamas, featuring the recent second Annual Scottish Masonic Food Festival, organised and presented for the community by the District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas. This Festival added greatly to the activities of the community, giving many a wonderful opportunity to socialise and strengthen friendships. It was attended by hundreds of patrons, and, as the reporter commented, “It started at 12 noon and lasted well into the night.” Brother Anthony Bostwick, District Grand Master, added that the Festival had been “a complete success for family, community and brotherly love.”
- New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas: Lodge Polynesia, No. 562 (Fiji), and Lodge Kadisha, No. 1002 (Lebanon).
- Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay.
Looking forward to attending Lodge Allan Wilson No 851 this coming Tuesday where the guest speaker will be Brother Willie Semple, Grand Secretary. Anyone interested in coming along, the Lodge meets at 11.00 for coffee and tyles at 11.30. Lunch is served at 13.00 hours.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason