The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
This week has proven to be a bit busier than the past two weeks. It got off to a great start in Kilwinning last Saturday with the Lodge full to capacity to witness Brother Tom Wood being reinstalled as Provincial Grand Master of Kilwinning. It was pleasing to note that he was supported by ten reigning Provincial Grand Masters. My sincere thanks to the Province for their welcome, hospitality and generosity – all greatly appreciated.
Yesterday I attended a meeting of the Grand Lodge Administration Committee followed by Zoom calls to our Districts in Sierra Leone and in Barbados.
This evening, I will be attending the Masters Dinner in the Province of Midlothian and on Saturday the Installation meeting of Lodge St Andrew in Pitlochry.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7248 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 1765, submitted by 501 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 Ayrshire, Caithness, Inverness-shire, Ross & Cromarty, and Sutherland.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,626,127.
It is always interesting to read about the support for others which is being extended by our Overseas Lodges and Districts and thanks is given to those who have shared their news.
This week an extremely interesting post was published. Brother Tebuho Mulala, Lodge Lusaka, No. 1368, in the District of Zambia, shared information related to the Lodge, in partnership with the Tebuho Mulala Foundation, adopting the Show Grounds Community School in Mazabuka, Zambia, as a recipient of its support.
The Lodge is now involved in feeding programmes and providing educational materials to the orphans who attend the school.
This latest donation, to the value of £250, and the overall support given, is extremely well appreciated by all at the school. Further donations of footwear are now planned.
- The new members who have been welcomed from our Lodges overseasduring the past number of weeks has resulted in our Overseas membership now reaching 1968. We look forward to welcoming even more this week.
- Brethren from other Masonic constitutions were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren from Lodges under the GL of Massachusettsand the GL of Ireland.
Further to my report last week concerning Brother Bomi Mehta, I’m afraid that he passed to the Grand Lodge above on 23rd July. Our sincere condolences are extended to his daughter and family.
More sad news was received yesterday. Past Depute Grand Master, Brother Archibald McAllister McGown passed away in hospital on Wednesday. Brother McGown was a very active and influential Freemason whose passing will be a sad loss to Scottish Freemasonry. He served Grand Lodge well, especially as Chairman of the then Petitions, Complaints and Appeals Committee and thereafter as Chairman of the Disciplinary Review Committee. Our sincere condolences to his wife Jan and the entire family.
Next Thursday, 3rd August, I will not be in Grand Lodge because I’ll be attending the Black Isle Show – one of the biggest shows in Scotland other than the Royal Highland at Ingliston. Thereafter, normal Thursday operations will resume.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason