The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
After all the activity of the past two weeks, things have been much quieter this week.
On Tuesday, Grand Secretary travelled north to address the Brethren of Lodge Allan Wilson 851. His presentation was well received by the 50 or so Brethren in the Lodge. At the conclusion of the meeting, 40 Brethren sat down for lunch.
Yesterday was a busy day in Grand Lodge. It started with a meeting with the Chair of the Discipline Committee after which I had a visit from Brother Giannis Benetatos, Deputy Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Greece.
At noon Grand Secretary and I had a zoom meeting with the Pro Grand Master of UGLE regarding a District issue. The remainder of the afternoon was spent dealing with administrative matters before an appointment to ascertain what inoculations I need before heading to Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Nigeria.
Things are moving with Prostate Scotland – progress is being made with the Pros Packs – they are in the final stages of being made available.
However, please spread the word that Prostate Scotland has launched its new “Prostate Scotland App”. The App is available for both Apple and Android mobile phones.
The Prostate Scotland App is free from Apple store or Google play and contains excellent information and help for men and their families who are going through their journey with Prostate Cancer.
Get download details here Prostate Scotland Cancer Navigator App launches! - Prostate Scotland
Grand Almoner will also be circulating more information to our Prostate Champions with regard to forthcoming regional training events.
SCFS
The Group saw its membership rise to 7237 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 1752, submitted by 498 of its members.
These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 441 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 Dumfriesshire, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire, Renfrewshire East and Ross & Cromarty.
The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,484,029.
Two extremely interesting posts were published this week.
- Brother Theeranet Ruanghnayshared news of a donation of money and basic necessity items for daily living for inmates, to the value of over £1550, by Bro. Phisit Charoenphan, Master, and the Brethren of Lodge Ratanakosin, No. 1833, to the Department of Corrections, Thailand.
- Brother George Rogers, Past District Grand Master, Western Australia, as Chairman of the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia, shared news of the continuing, wonderful support of Surf Life Saving in WA by the Foundation as he presented two awards, which are sponsored by the Foundation, at the ‘Awards of Excellence for Surf Life Saving’ ceremony.
- New members were welcomed from our Lodges overseas from the following Districts:Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada, Lebanon, Far East, Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Jordan. Particular mention must be made to Lodge Al Arz, No. 1853, Lebanon, from which a significant number of Brethren joined the group.
- Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren under the Regular GL of Italy, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Irelandand UGLE.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason