Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West

Weekly Update 22nd September 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, 

First Prostate Champion Training Session

On Wednesday 20 September the first group of Prostate Champions were involved in their initial training session. A total of 13 volunteers from six provinces took part in the session in Renfrew at the premises of Lodge Prince of Wales No.426.Several observers were also present. The two Provincial Grand Lodges and the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter in Renfrewshire are working together to get the widest coverage in all the masonic premises in Renfrewshire.

The training, by Adam Gaines and Mae Bell of Prostate Scotland, provided the volunteers with the facts and handbooks to pass on their knowledge and raise awareness in the West of Scotland. Future training session will soon be held in the East and North of Scotland. Additionally, Zoomsessions for those further afield or unable to attend the local sessions will take place very soon after the assessment of the success of the first training session. The volunteers are there to help you, so keep your eyes open for a talk in your area.

SCFS

 
o The Group saw its membership rise to 7308 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
o This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1819, submitted by 512 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 448 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
o Thanks are extended to the following Lodges who had posts submitted on their behalf this week.
o Edinburgh Castle, No. 1764 (Edinburgh), supporting The Dean & Cauvin Trust.
o Linlithgowshire Almoners (Linlithgowshire), supporting Who Dares Cares.
o Kajaki, No. 1848 (East Lothian), supporting Military Museum, Who Dares Cares, Home for Veterans, ACVC Hub & Western Desert Recce Group.
o PGL East Lothian, supporting PGL Durham Charity Cycle Run.
o PGL Ross & Cromarty, supporting Who Dares Cares.
o PGL Perthshire West, supporting Who Dares Cares.
o Western Districts Association (Glasgow), supporting Kelbourne Park School.
o Inverkip Ardgowan, No. 1425 (Renfrewshire West), supporting Ardgowan Hospice.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,801,532.
 
SCFS Overseas Report


The following interesting post from Sri Lanka was shared by Brother Nihal Fonseka.

On 12 September the Master of Lodge Bonnie Doon, No.611, Colombo, Bro Heshan Peiris, the Grand Superintendent for Sri Lanka, Bro. Dharmin Perera and Depute Grand Superintendent, Bro. Commander Russell Kerkovan, visited the Rehabilitation Centre for the Communication Impaired and donated Rs 135,000 (£300) towards the material costs of their Vocational Training Workshop. The Rehabilitation Centre for the Communication Impaired (RCCI) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1993 to care for children and adults with special needs. The funds were raised from contributions made by the brethren of the Lodge.

• This week there was a wonderful response from the District of Botswana, and we welcomed Brethren from Lodge Ntshe, No. 1746, Lodge Notwani, No. 1633, and Lodge Jwaneng, No. 1790. 
• Brethren from other Masonic constitutions (ICMs) were similarly welcomed, such as Brethren from Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and ACT and UGLE (South Africa Central). These Brethren help spread news of the wonderful support featured in the post on SCFS to a worldwide audience. 
 

The Rededication Ceremony in Lodge St Patrick No 1309 last Saturday was a very enjoyable occasion. The Master and Brethren, along with the Provincial Grand Master and his Brethren, made us most welcome. It was good to see the Lodge Room packed to capacity for the ceremony and an equally packed refectory for the excellent meal we enjoyed. Many congratulations on your Centenary.

Last Wednesday I had a very enjoyable evening in the company of the Brethren, and their wives, in the Province of Aberdeenshire East.Their warm welcome, hospitality and generosity were of the highest order. However, the drive home was not the most pleasant due to torrential rain and flooded roads. It feels as though huge volumes of water lying on the roads is, sadly,somethingwe experiencemuch more often these days.

Tomorrow, I am heading to Oban with a large Deputation to carry out the Installation of Brother John Douglas Stewart, our new Provincial Grand Master in Argyll and the Isles.

Last weekend our Jewish Brethren celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and our congratulations go to them. This weekend is Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) which is the holiest day of the Jewish year when many of our Jewish Brethren will be fasting. We wish them well.

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

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

 
 
 
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