Lodge Whifflet St. John 963
"Supporting local charities and good causes within the community"
Grand Master Masons Communication
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free
and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 14.01.2022
Brethren
Weekly update from the Grand Master Mason
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, OStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 07.01.2022
Brethren
Weekly update from the Grand Master Mason
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, OStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
It was with great sadness that I learned in the week past of the arson attack on the Grand Lodge of Ireland in Dublin. I have spoken to the Grand Master, Brother Douglas Gray, and he informed me that there is in excess of £200k worth of damage. The bulk of the damage has been to the library but there is extensive smoke and water damage throughout the building. The building was sealed off as a crime scene by the Garda but Grand Secretary, Brother Phillip Daley, and a few of his staff are back in the building working hard to restore order but they have no electricity and are working with a generator which is not ideal, but they are making progress. Our own Grand Secretary is in constant touch with Brother Daley and has offered any assistance that we can give.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
o The Group saw its membership rise to 6089 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 1071, submitted by 343 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 356 Lodges, from within 56 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
o During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Province of Inverness-shire.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,834,361.
SCFS Overseas Report
We were delighted to receive the first overseas post of 2022, which came from the District of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Brother Scott Bartlett, IPDGM, posted information on the District Grand Lodge’s generous donation to the local Cancer Hospice - Daffodil Place, which provides lodges to serve as welcoming homes, away from home, for people with cancer who need to travel to receive treatment.
*This week we welcomed 23 Brethren from Lodges located out with Scotland. Our first such member of 2022 was Brother Stevenson Ang, WM, Labong Lodge, No. 59, in the Philippines.
• Our Overseas Membership is growing steadily … now standing at 1675, with Brethren joining from the Districts of The Bahamas, Western Australia and Central South Africa (the District which had most Brethren joining from it). The Lodge which had most new members coming from it was Lodge Nelspruit United, No. 1402, in Central South Africa.
• We now have 1130 members from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS (ICMs), and who spread news, worldwide, of the wonderful support given to others by our Brethren. New members joined from 13 different Masonic constitutions this week: GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of California, UGLE (England, South Africa Central, South Africa North, Nigeria), GL of The State of Israel, GL of Ghana, GL of South Africa, GL of South Austrialia and Northern Territory, GL of Nigeria, GL of New Hampshire, GL of Florida, GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of the Philippines, GL “Alpina” of Switzerland.
I have been made aware of a number of remarks on social media that Grand Lodge has given no direction in respect of whether or not Lodges can continue to meet.
Can I state categorically that Grand Secretary has issued guidance to the effect that Lodges can continue to meet, provided that they comply fully with the guidance and legislation set down by the Scottish Government. That said, attendance at meetings is very much a personal choice and no pressure must be placed on any member to attend meetings.
The Government guidance is liable to change however, I can assure you that Grand Secretary will ensure that any changes are duly notified to Lodge Secretaries.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 31.12.2021
Brethren
Weekly update from the Grand Master Mason
The
Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, OStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
While the current restrictions have resulted in a significant number of
meetings being cancelled, it is good to know that some meetings are still
taking place with all necessary precautions in place. I attended an
Installation on Tuesday night at which the brethren in attendance had been
requested to do a lateral flow test before attending, no one got into the
building without recording their details and sanitizing their hands. Masks were
worn throughout, and ventilation was good. While the Harmony was cancelled, the
meeting did give the opportunity for brethren, many of whom live on their own,
to meet and socialise. While we must adhere strictly to the Government
guidelines, we must not lose sight of the fact that the guidelines do give the
flexibility to ensure that we take cognisance of the mental health of the
brethren. That two hours at a meeting can make all the difference to those
living in isolation – they too need all the support we can offer.
I had a very positive meeting with the majority of Provincial Grand Masters
this week to discuss the way forward to reach our target of £1 million pounds
for Prostate Scotland by next November. A number of ideas have been put forward
including each Province organising a charity cycle ride round all the Lodges in
the Province with one cyclist from each Province forming a cavalcade of 32
cyclists cycling into George Street in November. Another zip slide is a
possibility, tandem parachute jumps, white water rafting all feature – your PGM
will disseminate all the information to you very soon.
We are aware that the work of Prostate Scotland has a positive effect on men
world-wide and that being the case, I will be talking to our Districts about
ways in which they can also contribute.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
o The Group saw its membership rise to 6060 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 1068, submitted by 343 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf
of 356 Lodges, from within 56 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand
Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of
Grand Lodge.
o During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the
Provinces of Dumfriesshire, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Inverness-shire,
Lanarkshire Middle Ward, Linlithgowshire, Renfrewshire West and Ross &
Cromarty.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has
risen to £1,833,501.
SCFS Overseas Report
A number of outstanding posts were published this week … again, thanks are
extended to the brethren who supported SCFS by providing them. We were
delighted to receive the first post from the District of Sierra Leone and The
Gambia.
Nearly all of our Districts have now had posts published from it.
• Brother Nicholas Browne-Marke, Depute DGM of Sierra Leone and The Gambia,
posted information and a video of a very special Christmas treat of dinner and
gifts for under privileged children in Freetown … provided by the DGL.
• Brother Horace Gock, JD, of Lodge Polynesia, No. 562, Fiji, posted news of
the provision and distribution of 50 Christmas Hamper Packs by the Brethren and
ladies of the Lodge, to needy families in the community.
• Details of a magnificent donation of over £16250 to “Surf Life Saving Western
Australia” from the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia
were provided by Brother George Rogers, PDGM of Western Australia.
• Our Overseas Membership is growing steadily … now standing at 1671, with
brethren joining from the Districts of Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, and
Lebanon (the District which had most brethren joining from it).
• The milestone of 1100 ICMs (International Constitution Members) has been
reached. Many congratulations are extended to Brother René Fouraschen, Deputy
Grand Master of the Grand East of the Netherlands, our 1100th ICM.
• We now have 1112 brethren from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with
the GLoS, and who spread news, worldwide, of the wonderful support given to
others by our brethren. New members joined from 12 different Masonic
constitutions this week: the United GL of Victoria, GL “Alpina” of Switzerland,
UGLE (England, Botswana), GL of Illinois, Prince Hall GL of New York, GL of
Estonia, United Grand Lodges of Germany, GL of Ghana, GL of India, United
GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of Wisconsin, Grand East of the Netherlands.
Brethren, as 2021 comes to a close, may I wish you and your families every good
wish for a happy, healthy and fulfilling New Year. I look forward to meeting
with many of you at home and abroad during the year as and when the Covid
restrictions permit.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee Grand Master Mason
Brethren
Please see below communication from
Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports and the Grand Master Mason.
Jim Ellis is with Ramsay McGhee GMM.
30 December 2021
Brethren, during the course of 2021, this SCFS group has celebrated reaching a
number of significant milestones. Amongst these were the marking of £1.5M of
identifiable donations and support (now standing at over £1.8M), the publishing
of our 1000th post, and, most recently, the welcoming of our 6000th
member. In addition, the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase page has been
developed and is being shared widely.
We take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your extremely valued
support … you have made all this possible.
In wishing you a Happy New Year, we would also record our utmost thanks to
Brother Ramsay McGhee, Grand Master Mason, for his support and encouragement
during the past 12 months (and earlier). This has been very much appreciated.
We leave the final observations, below, to Grand Master Mason.
It is almost two years now, since I recorded the fact that I was delighted that
the initiative had been taken to provide a Facebook page which would give the
opportunity to show the marvellous support Scottish Freemasons have given to
their communities throughout the world during this horrendous pandemic.
Since those first cautious steps in April 2020, we have witnessed an amazing
journey, very ably recorded by Brothers Douglas Fergie and Jim Ellis, assisted
by their committed and energetic team, that has witnessed a membership of some
700 after the first month of operation to the amazing 6000 members we now have.
As we approach yet another significant milestone in the journey, may I once
again take this opportunity to thank our Brethren throughout the world for the
tremendous effort they have displayed during this pandemic to assist those less
fortunate than ourselves. The pragmatic display of Brotherly Love and Relief to
so many in so many places is both heartening and humbling.
It is fair to say that by this time, we fully expected to be back to some form
of normality but, as we see variant after variant appearing, there is no
knowing when we will recover fully but I believe we will overcome the virus –
it might just take a bit longer than we anticipated – just keep in mind our
motto – “In the Lord is all our trust”.
It is a real pleasure, in this celebratory post, to record my sincere thanks to
the entire team for the tremendous job they do week in, week out and to you,
Brethren, for the support you give the page. Please continue to support all
that SCFS is doing and please remember that the SCFS pages are recording an
important aspect of our history – 100 years from now the Brethren of the day
will read these reports with great pride and satisfaction.
Finally, may I wish you all a very happy, healthy and blessed New Year.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 10.12.2021
Brethren
Weekly update from the Grand Master Mason
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, OStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
In many of the Provinces and Districts we are now well and truly into Lodge Installations. May I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes to all new Masters and Office-bearers for a happy and successful term in office and thank all those who are demitting office, many who have carried out at least an extra year because of Covid. Your service and dedication have been outstanding. Thank you.
On Wednesday this week Ann and I had the pleasure of conveying the Past 1st Grand Principal, MEC Ian Fraser and his wife Joan to Inverness where we met up with the current 1st Grand Principal, Dr Rev Canon Joe Morrow, CBE, QC and Grand Scribe E, MEC Douglas Duncan when Ian presented another cheque to the Iris Murdoch Foundation bringing the total to a magnificent £200,000. Fantastic effort – well done.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
- The Group saw its membership rise to 5985 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 1008, submitted by 329 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 342 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeen City, Dumfriesshire, Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Glasgow, Inverness-shire, Linlithgowshire, Renfrewshire West, Ross & Cromarty and Stirlingshire.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,788,261.
MILESTONE POST ANNOUNCEMENT
The raison d'être for the SCFS page is to provide an online opportunity to record and share all the wonderful examples of charity and support by Freemasons in Lodges governed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Since its launch in May of last year, posts of such a nature have been received and published.
This week we celebrate the publishing of the 1000th post. That number in itself is very impressive, but we must look behind this statistic and take cognisance of what it represents … and that is the special nature of our order, illustrated through all these posts which have demonstrated support - large and small, financial and in kind, of time and of care.
The Milestone 1000th post was received from Brother Scott McAdam, WSW, Lodge Ivanhoe, No. 879, in the District of Western Australia, who shared news of a donation of almost £2000 to the mental health charity, “Beyond Blue”.
Many thanks are extended to all Brethren who have contributed towards achieving the 1000th post milestone.
SCFS Overseas Report
• A number of outstanding posts were published this week …
- Brother Jim Kerr, District Grand Master of Central South Africa, shared news of a wonderful donation of almost £5000 by the District to the Cancer Association of South Africa.
- Brother Scott McAdam, WSW, Lodge Ivanhoe, No. 879, shared news of his Charity Kilt Run at the Perth Highland Gathering of Western Australia (referred to above).
• Our Overseas Membership is now 1655 with the most brethren joining from an individual Lodge this week coming from Lodge Peace, No. 908, in the District of Lebanon.
• We now have 1070 brethren from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS. New members joined from the Grand Lodges of India, Washington, Louisiana, Indiana, Brazil, California, Italy, Canada in the Province of Ontario, Arizona, Columbia, Ohio, United GL of Victoria and UGLE. A special welcome was extended to Brother Roger VanGorden, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 26.11.2021
Weekly update from the GMM
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, OStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
May I take this opportunity to convey to all our Jewish Brethren every best
wish for a very happy, enjoyable, and meaningful Hanukkah.
What a memorable day yesterday was with Brother Charles Iain Robert Wolrige
Gordon of Esslemont, conducting the Grand Lodge Installation in his own
inimitable style. I am truly indebted to him for his continuing support and for
making the day such a successful one. 450 Brethren were in attendance to
witness the ceremony and once again enjoy each other’s company. I would also
like to thank Brothers Thomas Constable Smith and Alexander MacLachlan for
their undaunting support and encouragement during their term of office and
welcome our new Depute and Substitute Grand Masters, namely Brother Jim Bell
and Brother Jim Peddie into office. I very much look forward to working with
them in the year ahead.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
o The Group saw its membership rise to 5935 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 981, submitted by 321 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as being made on behalf of
338 Lodges, from within fifty-five of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District
Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision
of Grand Lodge.
o This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of
Forfarshire, Inverness-shire, and Lanarkshire Middle Ward.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has
risen to £1,767,310.
o The group is now fast approaching a significant milestone since its
inception, the publishing of its 1000th post. We await with eager anticipation
to see which Lodge / District / Province will receive the accolade of attaining
that special place in the group’s history.
SCFS Overseas Report
• A very interesting post was received from Brother Joe Lum-On, WJW, Lodge
Polynesia, No. 562, in Fiji, which detailed a donation of over £1750 to the
charity which had been nominated by the wives and partners of the brethren …
Children’s Cancer Foundation.
• Our Overseas Membership has now reached a total of 1647 brethren, with the
largest increase in membership, this week, coming from a Lodge under the direct
control of Grand Lodge … Lodge Friendship, No. 439, in Mauritius.
• Our ICMs (International Constitution Members … brethren who are members of
Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS) are continuing to play an
important role in spreading news of the excellent charity and community support
being provided to so many. Our worldwide ICM total is now standing at 1040.
• During this week, new International Constitution Members joined from 12
different Masonic constitutions, including the GL of Nigeria, GL of Louisiana,
GL of Colorado, GL of Illinois, GL of the Philippines, GL of Philadelphia, GL
of Mauritius, GL of New Zealand, UGLE (England, South Wales, Cyprus), GL of
Mexico, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, and the GL of Japan.
• It is heartening that more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand
Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are sharing the
examples of the excellent support which they have been involved in by sending
posts to the SCFS page and we would encourage others to follow this example.
Last Saturday saw a small Deputation from Grand Lodge head north to Golspie
where we had the pleasure of installing Brother David Collings as the new
Provincial Grand Master. That now concludes the programme of installations with
all twelve PGM’s now installed albeit a year later than originally planned. The
next group of new PGM’s will take office in February at which time we will
start the Installation programme again.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 22.10.2021
Brethren
While in Grand Lodge yesterday, I had a final
planning meeting for our first Grand Lodge Communication since February 2020.
It will be a bit different, but we are meeting again, which is good news. Grand
Secretary will be issuing the paperwork this week and I can confirm that there
will be a fair amount of bedtime reading!
I am being informed of more and more Lodge meetings taking place which is also
good news and, from what I have seen, the Government guidelines are being
adhered to which is so important. We must be continually aware that the virus
is still very much in our midst but by getting the vaccines and adhering to the
rules and regulations, we will remain as safe as we can be while moving back to
some form of normality. I can tell you that in Scotland at the moment, we have
460 applicants awaiting either enquiry committee or their EA Degree. Grand
Secretary is currently conducting a survey amongst our Lodges abroad to get a
true world-wide figure.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
o The Group saw its membership rise to 5801 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 955, submitted by 317 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf
of 338 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand
Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of
Grand Lodge.
o This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of
Aberdeenshire East, Edinburgh and Stirlingshire.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has
risen to £1,606,694.
SCFS Overseas Report
• An outstanding post from Brother Bobby Law, Past District Grand Master, and
Brother Andy Kiloh, was published highlighting the wonderful support, to the
value of over £52,000, which has been provided for the needy in the District of
Central South Africa.
• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1628 Brethren as a result of new
members joining from Lodges in the Districts of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Sierra
Leone and The Gambia, Western Australia, and from our Lodge in Peru, Lodge
Peace and Concord, No. 445.
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Sierra Leone and
The Gambia.
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in
amity with GLoS has now increased to 943. These members play an important role
in spreading news throughout their respective constitutions of the excellent
support which Brethren of the Scottish constitution are providing to so many.
• During this week, new members joined from 7 different Masonic constitutions,
including: United Grand Lodges of Germany, GL of Japan, United Grand Lodge of
Victoria, GL of Peru, UGLE and the GL of Georgia.
• In addition to the above, a special welcome was extended to Brother Godfrey
Place, Provincial Grand Master of the Northern Division of the Grand Lodge of
South Africa.
• We would encourage more Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents
and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, to share with us the examples of the
excellent support which they are undoubtedly involved in, and we look forward,
in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren.
My sincere thanks and that of my Deputation to the PGM and brethren of the
Province of Kincardineshire for the welcome we received in Stonehaven last
Saturday. It was a grand day, well organised, culminating with a very welcome
High Tea in the Station Hotel.
This weekend takes on a different style – no Installations this weekend but two
celebrations – first a bi-centenary in Lodge St John Operative No 286 in Thurso
on Friday night then a cross country journey to Ullapool on Saturday for the
Centenary celebrations in Lodge St Martin No 1217.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 10.09.2021
Brethren
It has been another busy week – two Provincial Installations carried out - one in East Lothian and one in Stirlingshire, a trip south to London to attend the Glasgow in London Dinner through the Incorporation of Masons and yesterday a meeting of Grand Committee by Zoom.
It was agreed by Grand Committee, having discussed the papers submitted by the working parties, that Grand Secretary and I prepare a list of items raised in the papers that can be used immediately by District and Provincial Grand Masters to address a range of issues that may be needed in their Districts and Provinces. Furthermore, that we prepare for Grand Lodge approval a remit for a new strategic working party who will put together a five-year strategic plan which will be delivered to Grand Lodge early in the New Year.
With that in mind, could I draw to your attention again the Register of Interests. If any brother, at home or abroad, feels he has knowledge and experience of strategic planning that could assist in the process, could you please contact Grand Secretary, marked “Register of Interests”, and include a short CV of your experience in strategic planning.
We are also looking to add to the Register of Interests any member qualified as a paramedic who would be available to attend all Grand Lodge meetings in Edinburgh – again, please email Grand secretary if you are interested.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
- The Group saw its membership rise to 5632 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 919, submitted by 308 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 331 Lodges, from within 55 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- This week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeen City, Fife & Kinross, Glasgow, Midlothian, Perthshire West and Stirlingshire.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,416,983.
SCFS Overseas Report
- Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1578 Brethren. This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Districts of The Bahamas, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Lebanon, and Western Australia.
- The largest increase in membership was from the District of Western Australia, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge, this week, coming from Lodge Sir Walter Scott-Breadalbane, No. 859, in Western Australia.
- Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with GLoS continues to grow. We now have 859 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions.
- During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that Brethren joined from 11 different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of Nigeria, GL of New Jersey, GL of Newfoundland and Labrador, GL of Massachusetts, GL of Virginia, GL of Argentina, United GL of Victoria, UGLE (England, South Africa, Bengal), GL of Illinois, GL of India, GL of Pennsylvania.
- Brother Janine Blaghorn, Lodge Margate, No. 1420, in the District of Kwa-Zulu Natal, shared an interesting post showing Brethren in Widows Sons (East Coast Chapter), from his and other Scottish Lodges, being involved in joint Masonic Constitutional support of underprivileged children by donating toys, clothing and cooking equipment to their care home.
- Brother Rinus Grau, District Grand Secretary, shared a wonderfully kind gesture by Brother Rory Fahy, WJW, Lodge Acacia, No. 1582, in the District of Zimbabwe, in which he provided and delivered a total of 2280 eggs to the residents of the Masonic Homes in Harare, to help relieve the ever-escalating costs of even basic commodities.
- Lodges in our Districts, under Grand Superintendents and under the supervision of Grand Lodge, are all encouraged to share examples of the excellent support in which they are involved, and we look forward, in turn, to sharing it with all our Brethren.
I am delighted to report that Past Grand Master, Brother Marcus Humphrey, Chair of the Benevolence and Care Committee, announced yesterday that the total sum raised by Scottish Freemasons for Prostate Scotland now stands at £771,665.
It has been decided that Prostate Scotland will continue to be our nominated external charity until November 2022 by which time we hope and trust that we can work together to raise £1 million for this very necessary charity. Ideas are already coming in as to how we can raise the remaining £228,335 – so please, let Grand Almoner know of any ideas you may have that will help along the way – we will do all we can from Edinburgh to assist you in your efforts.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 30.07.2021
Brethren
We
might still be living under restrictions, but time certainly does not stand
still. Here we are at the end of July ready to start not only a new week on
Sunday but a new month. Hopefully August will bring with it good news about the
fight against Covid and the re-opening of Lodges.
In accordance with the reduction of Government protection levels the Grand
Lodge shop at Freemasons’ Hall will once again be open to customers from
Tuesday 3 August 2021. Customers will be limited to a maximum of four in the
shop at any time and they must wear face coverings when inside Freemasons’
Hall. No other part of the building will be open, but it’s a step in the right
direction.
The weekly update is featuring a first this week – the announcement of the
winners of the Grand Lodge June Draw.
Number Name / Lodge Amount
1278 Robert J Edgar - £600
6612 Lodge Unity No 682 - £500
6407 The United Lodge of Dunkeld No 14 - £400
5100 Lodge St John Operative No 37 - £300
3170 Lodge Oak No 877 - £200
Congratulations to all the winners – if your Lodge has not taken out tickets or
you personally haven’t taken a ticket, now is the time to do so. The Draw is
open to everyone at home and abroad – it is a bit of good fun – give it a go.
Get details from Grand Lodge on 0131 225 5577.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
➢ The Group saw its membership
rise to 5475 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 875, submitted
by 299 of its members.
➢ These updated contributions
can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 324 Lodges, from within 55
of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and
Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
➢ This week posts were
submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Edinburgh and
Linlithgowshire.
➢ During the course of the
pandemic posts have been shared on a weekly basis highlighting the sterling
work which has been undertaken by the Young Ashlars and latterly the Edinburgh
Masonic Food Initiative. This initiative which has been running since the
spring of 2020 drew to a close this week with a total of 25,813 meals having
been cooked, prepared and delivered to Masonic Brethren
and vulnerable persons throughout Edinburgh.
➢ The total identifiable
monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,357,701.
SCFS Overseas Report
• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1541 Brethren. This is thanks to new
members
joining us from Lodges in the Districts of Barbados, Central South Africa, Sri
Lanka, and
Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. Interestingly, this week, all new Members
came from
different Lodges.
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in
amity with
GLoS continues to grow. We now have 755 Brethren spreading news of the
wonderful
support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly
popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions.
• During this week, the expanding reach of SCFS was seen by the fact that
Brethren joined from 12 different Masonic Constitutions, including: GL of
Ireland, GL of Quebec, GL of Russia, MWGL of the Philippines, GL of California,
GL of South Carolina, GL of Indiana, GL of Texas, UGLE (England, South Africa
North), GL of Ghana
• In addition to the above, the list of Grand Lodges represented by Brethren
from within
them joining as ICMs had the GL of Mauritius and the GL of Hawaii added to it.
• A special welcome was extended to Brother Frank Condello, Past Grand Master,
of the
Grand Lodge of Hawaii.
• Brother Martin Weekes, PM/Secretary, Lodge St. George, No. 200, Bermuda,
shared a
most interesting post about the Lodge’s support of the charity “Meals on Wheels
Bermuda.”
• We look forward to receiving and sharing further posts from our Overseas
Brethren this
week.
On Monday night I thoroughly enjoyed a Zoom meeting between the Proxy Masters
and their
respective Lodges in the District of East Africa. Both the District Grand
Master and District Grand Secretary were present, and we had six out of the ten
Proxy Masters which was good for a first attempt. It was good for everyone to
be able to put faces to names, learn a bit about each other and their
respective Lodge. An exercise we will certainly be repeating and one I would
recommend to
all Proxy DGM’s.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 25.06.2021
Brethren
I was very much heartened by a story that Brother Jim Ellis related to me. He received a message from one of our brethren in Cape Town stating that one of the positive things to come out of Covid is the fact that it has, through the weekly updates and Zoom meetings, brought the Brethren in the Districts much closer to Grand Lodge and to other Scottish Brethren than in the past.
It has indeed been good to witness zoom meetings between Proxy Masters and their Lodges, meetings with the District Grand Masters and the ability to join in meetings throughout the world. Tomorrow, I’ll have the privilege of joining our Brethren in South Africa when they meet for their District Communication. Zoom is here to stay, and I have no doubt that it will continue to enable us to forge stronger links with our Lodges scattered throughout the globe.
On Monday evening I had the pleasure of giving a presentation to the Young Masons in the Province of Renfrewshire East and have asked them to make contact with another thriving Young Masons group here in the Province of Ross and Cromarty.
There are no doubt similar groups in other Provinces and Districts – how good it would be to have greater inter Province and District meetings between such groups who are, after all, the future of our Craft. If those Brethren who organise Young Mason Groups drop Grand Secretary a line with their contact details he’ll happily arrange to have a list compiled and circulated to all the groups.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
➢ The Group saw its membership rise to 5316 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 849, submitted by 295 of its members.
➢ These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 322 Lodges, from within all 32 Provincial Grand Lodges, 23 of its 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, East Lothian, Edinburgh and Linlithgowshire.
➢ The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,347,091.
SCFS Overseas Report
• Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1496 Brethren. This is thanks to new members joining us from Lodges in the Bahamas along with Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
• Our membership of Brethren who belong to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS (International Constitution Members) continues to grow ... we now have 678 Brethren spreading news of the wonderful support featured in the posts on the main SCFS page and on the increasingly popular SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions.
• This week Brethren joined from 8 different Masonic Constitutions, namely: GL of Ireland, Most Worshipful GL of the Philippines, UGLE (England, South America, Bombay), GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Pennsylvania, National GL of Romania, Most Serene GL of the Republic of San Marino, Worshipful GL of Japan.
• A very special welcome was extended to Brother Massimo Tumietto who is the Grand Chaplain of the Most Serene Grand Lodge of the Republic of San Marino.
• A most interesting post was received from Brother Horace Gock, JD, on behalf of Lodge Polynesia, No. 562, Suva, Fiji, sharing the Lodge’s remarkable, ongoing active support in assisting those families in the local community who have been most severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
My grateful thanks to the members of the Young Masons Group in the Province of Renfrewshire East for their very warm welcome to their meeting last Monday.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 20.05.2021
Brethren,
The Update is being circulated a day earlier this week due to the fact that the
entire IT system in Grand Lodge will be closed down from Thursday night until
Monday to accommodate preparations for the new fibre optic cable being brought
into the building and the resultant upgrades that will be required on all
devices in Grand Lodge being implemented. This has been a long time coming but
at last we are working towards wi-fi throughout the building which will enable
improved functionality to our communication applications such as Zoom. It will
also mark the beginning of various hardware and software changes being
implemented under the direction of our IT manager, Willie Rice.
The Strategy Group met on Tuesday. It was a very productive meeting with four
out of five reports ready to go to the Administration Committee for their
consideration. The fifth report was only received minutes before the meeting,
but it will be forwarded as soon as the Strategy Group have a chance to go
through it. The members of the five focus groups have worked well and have
produced excellent final reports – I extend my grateful thanks to all those
Brethren who have been involved.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
The Group saw its membership rise to 5142 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 792, submitted by 286 of its members.
These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of
319 Lodges, from within all 32 Provincial Grand Lodges, 23 of its 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 Edinburgh, Midlothian and Perthshire West.
The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has
risen to £1,258,495.
Showcase progress for Info.
SCFS Overseas Report
• As a result of new members joining from Lodges in Lebanon, Malawi, Mauritius,
Middle East (Singapore), Sierra Leone and The Gambia, and also Trinidad &
Tobago and Grenada, our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1458 Brethren.
• The largest increase in membership was jointly from the District of Sierra
Leone and The Gambia and the District of Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada.
Interestingly, no two Brethren who joined from those Districts came from the
same lodge.
• Our membership of Brethren belonging to Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in
amity with the GLoS continues to grow. With the addition of 25 new
International Constitution Members (ICMs) this week, we now have 586 Brethren
spreading news of the wonderful support, featured in the posts on the main SCFS
page and on the new SCFS-Showcase, throughout their constitutions. We look forward
to welcoming our 600th ICM next week.
• This week Brethren joined from 13 different Masonic constitutions, namely: GL
of Norway, UGLE (England, Trinidad & Tobago, Bombay, Eastern Archipelago),
GL of Chile, GL of India, United GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of British
Columbia and Yukon, GL of California, GL of Norway, GL of Spain, MWGL of the
Philippines, GL of Japan, GL of Victoria.
• In addition to the above, the list of Grand Lodges represented by Brethren
within them joining as ICMs had the Grand Lodge of New Zealand added to it.
• A very special welcome to the SCFS group is extended to Brother Sanjiv
Chhibber, who is a Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India.
• A most interesting post was received from Brother Charles Stewart, in his
capacity as HM and Proxy WJW of Lodge Civil and Military, No. 726, in Bermuda,
showing the continuing charitable support from that Lodge and our other 2
Lodges in Bermuda.
My sincere thanks to the Brethren of the Province of Fife and Kinross for their
kind invitation to be with them on Wednesday night to discuss the way forward.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 26.03.2021
Brethren
The Young Masons zoom conference last Saturday attracted a total of 205 Brethren. I was delighted with the turnout and even more delighted with the vibrancy displayed and the standard of the discussions in each of the five breakout groups. This has resulted in a significant amount of feedback which Grand Secretary is now feeding into the Strategy Working Groups. My sincere thanks to all who took time out on a Saturday morning to attend. I would also like to record my sincere thanks to the facilitators and the scribes in each of the five breakout groups and to Grand Secretary and our IT manager for their excellent organisation.
Next week brings three Zoom meetings – on Tuesday, the Overseas, External Affairs and Special Purposes Committee will be meeting followed that afternoon with the Information and Communications Committee then on Wednesday by the Benevolence and Care Committee.
I had the pleasure last week to attend the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Vernal Equinox meeting at which ME Companion J Stewart Wood, Grand Master of the Great Priory of Scotland gave an excellent presentation on the various Orders related to Royal Arch Masonry. It was a well-attended meeting expertly chaired by the 1st Grand Principal, ME Companion Joseph John Morrow, CBE, QC, LLD.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
▪ The Group saw its membership rise to 4843 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 704, submitted by 265 of its members.
▪ These updated contributions can now be attributed to 313 Lodges, from within all 32 Provincial
Grand Lodges, 23 of its District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges under the direct
supervision of Grand Lodge.
▪ The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £1,032,131.
▪ There have been 106,912 individual comments likes, and other reactions to the group since its
inception.
SCFS Overseas Report
Our Overseas Membership has now risen to 1383 Brethren with new members joining us from their Lodges in Bermuda, Far East (Hong Kong), Fiji, Guyana, North Island New Zealand, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. The largest increase in membership was jointly from the District of Guyana and from Bermuda (which has only 3 Lodges, all under Grand Superintendents).
The most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge were from Lodge Alpha, No. 1594, based
in Georgetown in Guyana.
An additional 32 Brethren (ICMs) joined from Lodges operating under Grand Lodges in amity with the Grand Lodge of Scotland, bringing our ICM membership to 434. This week Brethren joined from the GL of the Philippines, GL of Quebec, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Victoria, UGLE (England, Montreal and Halifax, Bermuda), GL of Wisconsin, Grand Lodge of Texas, United GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of California, GL of Japan, GL of Ireland, GL of Ohio. In addition, the list of Grand Lodges represented by Brethren within them joining as ICMs had the Grand Lodge of Lithuania and Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ontario and Jurisdiction added to it this week.
Interesting fact - Brother Rick Huggins joined as an ICM within hours of his initiation into Lodge
Mornington, No. 160, GL of Victoria ... having been invited by his uncle, Brother Lex Law, WJW, Lodge Blackridge, No. 1145.
A very special welcome was extended to Brother Robert Dupel, who will be installed as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec on 29th May.
A very touching post was received from Brother Joseph B Lum-On, WJW, sharing details of a donation made by Lodge Polynesia, No. 562, in Fiji, towards the support of an elderly gentleman who is experiencing medical and social challenges during this difficult period.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 26.02.2021
Brethren
This is the 57th edition of the weekly update. Over the past 57 weeks I have tried to keep everyone up to speed with what is happening and issue advice on a whole range of issues currently affecting Lodges. Last week I highlighted the latest Discretionary Budget. A member of our Craft, who wishes anonymity as a whistle blower, has launched a personal attack on me by informing The Times that my giving advice to claim public money is "atrocious".
While this is yet another personal attack, whoever is behind this and the previous Times articles should be aware that I am not being damaged by these actions. However, a great deal of reputational damage is being done to Scottish Freemasonry as a whole. Did the person responsible ever give any thought to informing the Times of the other information in the Update last week that Scottish Freemasons have, during the Pandemic, contributed over £800k to the communities in which they operate?
Since day one, I have adopted an open-door approach. While I cannot physically be in Edinburgh at the present time, I am easily contactable at the end of a phone. I am more than happy to discuss any grievances that Brethren may have regarding what I put in the Update each week or on any other topic.
So, please, if you want to have a
pop at me personally, then don't hide behind the cloak of anonymity. Identify
yourself and speak to me, instead of besmirching the good name of our Craft in the
media.
The next lecture in the History & Heritage Group Series will be by Brother
Joe Curry, Immediate Past DGM of the Bahamas, on Wednesday 3rd March at 7.00
pm.
SCFS.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
o The group witnessed its membership rise to 4689 Brethren from both Scottish
Constitution Lodges and Lodges from other Constitutions recognised by the Grand
Lodge of Scotland.
o The total recorded examples of charitable giving within the group rose to
659, submitted by 257 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf
of 305 Lodges, from within the 32 Provincial Grand Lodges, 21 District Grand
Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges under the direct supervision of Grand
Lodge.
o The quantifiable monetary value of contributions has risen to £848,096 during
the 43 weeks since the group was started. This represents an average weekly
contribution of £19,723.
SCFS Overseas Report
With new members joining the SCFS group from the Districts of Central South
Africa (RSA), Middle East (Malaysia), Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, and
Lebanon (Distrjh nbngv ict with most joining members this week), we now have 1346
members from Overseas Lodges. The largest number of new members were from Lodge
Al Arz, No. 1853, in Lebanon (our youngest Lodge).
New ICMs were welcomed from the Grand Lodge of Argentina, Grand Lodge of
Canada in the Province of Ontario, UGLE (England, Wales, Argentina), Grand
Lodge of Spain, Grand Lodge of Alberta, Grand Lodge of Israel, Grand Lodge of
Bolivia. The list of Grand Lodges represented by brethren within them joining
as ICMs had the Grand East of the Netherlands added this week. This brings the
ICM membership to 360 Brethren.
A warm welcome was extended to Brother Yaron J. Ze'elim (Past Grand Secretary
of the Grand Lodge of Israel).
We received an excellent post from Brother George Rogers, IPDGM of the
District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, of behalf of the Scottish Masonic
Charitable Foundation and Lodge Royal Stewart, No. 893.
Letters have gone out this week to all Provinces stating that a Dementia
Awareness Initiative has been successfully implemented in Fife and
Kinross. In this regard, it has been agreed to hold an evening Zoom event
on Tuesday, 16th March, at 7pm, in order that the benefits of this initiative
in Fife and Kinross can be shared. Thereafter, we would be very happy to
provide further information and assistance to any Provincial Grand Lodge which
would like to progress a similar initiative in their area. It is hoped that we
will get a good response details are available through your Province. It is
hoped to arrange a further two such events and these are in the process of
being planned.
Very shortly Grand Secretary will be sending out letters to the Districts and
Provinces inviting young Masons under the age of 40 to attend a zoom seminar on
Saturday 20th March to begin a process with the young Masons to map out their
vision for the future of Scottish Freemasonry. This is a project that I would
commend to all young Masons.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Grand Masters Communication 29.01.2021
Brethren
Last Saturday I held a meeting with the Provincial Grand Masters. I am delighted to report that every Province was represented, and we had a very productive three-hour meeting. A significant number of actions have emerged from the meeting and they have been disseminated to all PGM's. Information from the meeting will be getting fed into the Strategy Group, the Admin Committee and Grand Committee. However, many of the topics can be actioned immediately such as encouraging Lodges to hold zoom meetings on Regular meeting nights, the sharing of successful initiatives, the collection and recycling of laptops within each Province and circulating the devices to Brethren who do not have one along with relevant training. Any Brother who has suitable hardware that they no longer use should notify their PGM and each Province will be looking for Brethren with expertise in cleaning and refurbishing the devices and Brethren to give training.
Much emphasis was put on the necessity for every Lodge to ensure that the premises are checked on a weekly basis and that each visit is logged, that all Lodges check their insurance policies in respect of the premises being vacant, that the insurance cover is adequate. Please ensure all those routine tasks are carried out so that in the event of an issue, the Lodges are not caught out by insurance policy escape clauses.
Many actions have been placed on your PGM's and they will be working with you over the next few months to assist with initiatives during lockdown and in the preparation for re-opening in due course plus the dissemination of useful ideas that were discussed on Saturday. Grand Lodge, through the Strategy Group and Administration Committee will be producing useful and necessary information packs over the spring and early summer months.
A week on Saturday the same exercise will take place with the District Grand Master's and next on the list will be the under 40 group. There has been a slight delay with the under 40 group because one of the contractors has failed to get the fibre optic cable into the building - the main contractor has all the internal wiring complete, but we still await connection to the main cable. Given the numbers that will be involved initially with the under 40 group and that we want to use the break-out facility as well, the present infrastructure in Grand Lodge would not cope. However, I am keen to get that particular meeting underway as soon as is practical.
Can I also bring to your attention, the 3rd series of lectures being organised by the History and Heritage group - they start a five-week run on Wednesday 17th February. The past two series have concentrated on the history of the 10 oldest Lodges - this series we will be transported to some of our Districts with the first lecture coming from the DGL of Lebanon - I commend them to you - the links to get into the lectures appear on Facebook each week.
SCFS
- An additional 59 new members joined the group which now has a membership of 4487 Brethren from all 4 quarters of the globe.
- This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 629, submitted by 253 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 299 Lodges, from within 31 Provincial Grand Lodges, 21 District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £589,561.
- There have been 92,490 individual comments likes, and other reactions to the group since its inception.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
SCFS Overseas Report
- A wonderfully inspiring post was received this week from Brother George El Khebbez, Substitute District Grand Master of the DGL of Lebanon, sharing the outstanding support which Lodge Kadisha, No. 1002, is providing to the Red Cross, underprivileged families, and the local community in Beirut.
- With the inclusion of our new Overseas Brethren this week, our Overseas Membership is now sitting at 1296 Members. We look forward to welcoming our 1300th Overseas Member this coming week.
- The geographical spread of Overseas Members saw Brethren being welcomed from Belgium, Jamaica, Lebanon, Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope.
- The largest increase in membership was, once again, from the District of Jordan, with the most Brethren joining from an individual Lodge coming from Lodge Kadisha, No. 1002.Congratulations.
- The reach of the SCFS page is increasing extremely encouragingly with another 43 Brethren from other Masonic constitutions being warmly welcomed into the group this week.
- Our worldwide International Constitution Members (ICMs) viewing the SCFS page has now increased to 288 (we look forward to welcoming our 300th) with new ICMs joining the group from the GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, UGLE, GL of India, GL of South Africa, GL of Ireland, GL of Peru, GL of South Africa, GL of Japan, United GL of Germany, United GL of New South Wales and ACT, GL of the Philippines, Regular GL of Portugal, National United GL of Bulgaria, GL of China.
- We also welcomed Brother Roberto Inchauste Varela ... our first member from a Lodge operating under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Bolivia.
- An additional warm welcome was extended to Brother Jai Murti, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Japan.
Finally, please stay safe and look
after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
At the meeting of the Heads of Orders on Wednesday, it was unanimously agreed that meetings of all Orders in Scotland will remain suspended for the foreseeable future. The decision was based on a number of factors – the current rise in cases and in deaths, the speed by which vaccine will be available and administered to all and the fact that we received notice that all public events have been cancelled indefinitely – for example, I received notification yesterday through the Lieutenancy that the Garden Parties in July have been cancelled. I know, accept and appreciate that this will be disappointing news to many, but the health and safety of our membership is paramount. With regard to our Lodges abroad, my advice is to remain closed unless you are 100% sure of the safety of the Brethren and are working in strict compliance with the law of your country.
As a result of Wednesday’s meeting, I will be calling an early meeting of the
strategy group and will be tasking them, as a matter of urgency, to bring
forward their work to ensure that we can do all that we possibly can to keep
interest and enthusiasm as high as we can possibly can. We all need to remain
positive and upbeat. I will also be meeting at an early date with all
Provincial and District Grand Masters to emphasise to them the role that I
expect them to play in this ongoing pandemic.
Brethren, please be assured that I will do all in my power to keep morale,
enthusiasm and passion for our Craft as my number one priority. I don’t enjoy
the situation any more than anyone else – however, I am confident that we will
come out of the pandemic strong and vibrant – it may just take a bit longer than
I was anticipating.
In the meantime, please keep the Zoom meetings going – I’ll move to try and
expand the meetings so that we can do more than we are maybe doing at the
present time. Keep in touch with the more vulnerable Brethren, widows and
families. Make sure they are safe.
I’ll also explore the possibility of Lodges applying to “Connecting
Scotland” for i-pads for those members who have no way of connecting to the
internet. I would also make an appeal on two counts – if anyone has a laptop or
i-pad that they no longer use then I’m sure we all know someone who could use
it and secondly, if we can get second hand devices, it would be good if we
could get some expertise in the Provinces and Districts to ensure that they are
stripped of all data and the recipients shown how to use them – I’ll expand on
this with the PGM’s and DGM’s.
My sincere thanks to you all for your patience and perseverance. The Heads of
Orders are going to meet again in June to review the situation.
SCFS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
The group can now boast a membership of 4346 Brethren from both Scottish
Constitution Lodges and Lodges from other Constitutions recognised by the Grand
Lodge of Scotland.
This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group
rise to 611, submitted by 246 of its members.
With the District Grand Lodge of Zambia being added this week, these updated
contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 297 Lodges,
from within 31 Provincial Grand Lodges, 21 District Grand Lodges,
Superintendencies and Lodges under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
An increase in the quantifiable monetary value of contributions to £534,515 was
recorded during the week.
There have been 88,325 individual comments, likes, and other reactions to the
group since its inception.
SCFS Overseas Report
• We welcomed another 13 Overseas Brethren this week, bringing our
Overseas Membership to 1281 Members.
• The geographical spread of Overseas Members saw Brethren being welcomed from
... the Bahamas, Barbados, Far East, Zambia.
• The largest increase in membership was from the District of Zambia.
• Lodge Lusaka, No. 1368, (Zambia) and Lodge Perla del Oriente, No. 1034, (Far
East). had equally the largest number of Brethren joining from an individual
Lodge.
• Our International Constitution Members (ICMs) viewing the SCFS page has
increased to 185 with new ICMs joining the group from the Grand Lodge of India,
Grand Lodge of South Africa, UGLE, United Grand Lodges of Germany, United Grand
Lodge of New South Wales and ACT (we were delighted to welcome Brother Jamie
Melville, Past Grand Master), Grand Lodge of the Philippines, Grand Lodge of
the District of Columbia.
Outstanding posts were received this week.
• Brother Andrew Shaw shared news of a donation of £4,000 organised by Lodge
Lusaka, No. 1368, and Lodge NKana, No. 1378, in the District of Zambia, for the
erection of a hospital partition for Covid treatment.
Brother George Rogers, IPDGM of Western Australia, shared news of a donation,
by the DGL and Daughter Lodges, of over £11,300, to support funds of the Motor
Neurone Disease Association (WA).
I have asked Sue to distribute a paper by Brother Alan Carmichael from Lodge
`Dalkeith Kilwinning No 10 in which he gives some expert advice on grants that
are currently available. The paper will accompany this update. My sincere
thanks to Alan for his assistance in this matter.
Finally, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Kindest Regards
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –
SCFS Overseas Report
We welcomed 20 Overseas Brethren this week. Our Overseas Membership is now standing at 1082 Members (with the anticipated 1100th. Overseas Member joining this coming week.)
The geographical spread of new members this week saw Brethren being welcomed from ... Bahamas, Bermuda, Central South Africa, Jamaica, Lebanon, Middle East, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Western Australia
The largest increase in membership, once again, was from the District of Lebanon closely followed the District of Central South Africa.
Lodge Pythagoras, No. 1841, and Lodge El-Mizab, No. 1130, had equally the largest number of Brethren joining from an individual Lodge.
The Masonic audience viewing the examples of the excellent support being shared on the SCFS page was further extended as a new International Constitution Member from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota joined the group.
An inspiring post was received from Lebanon demonstrating Al Arz Lodge, No. 1853, only consecrated on 28th. June this year, exhibiting true Masonic principles in assisting the local communities, psychologically and physically, in the wake of the Beirut Port blast.
I attended a meeting of European Grand Masters last night and while the news on the spread of coronavirus throughout Europe was of great concern to us all, it was evident that we are all committed to doing all that we can to keep Brethren in our respective Constitutions involved and active in whatever ways we can. While we accept that zoom meetings are no substitute for the real thing, there was universal agreement that we use zoom and all other similar platforms to the best of our ability to ensure the safety and welfare of Brethren and their families.
I am extremely proud that Scottish Freemasons throughout the world have displayed Brotherly Love and Relief in abundance not only within our fraternity but in local communities as well. As we face further restrictions and see the covid-19 statistics rising once more, let us all commit to putting the basic tenets of our Brotherhood into practice – let us be constantly mindful of our Brethren and the families of our Brethren who are struggling physically, financially or mentally – let’s all be there for them. Let us continue to meet by Zoom or similar means whereby we can assure that we take care of the business and administrative issues facing the Lodges and do everything that we can to enable as many Brethren to use the available technology to join in the meetings. Keep positive, keep safe and keep your sense of humour well honed
Our Grand Secretary has now been with us for over a month and has settled well into his Office. However, it has been brought to my attention that not everyone knows him so here is a wee bit about him.
Brother William M S Semple, Past Master of The United Lodge of Dunkeld No14, Past Provincial Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Perthshire West and currently the Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire West.
After a distinguished career in the Police Service, Brother Semple set up William Semple Consulting Ltd, a company providing bespoke investigation, risk & crisis mitigation services and mentoring to both the public and private sector. Having enjoyed much success both at home and abroad with his firm, the time was right for a change in direction and we were delighted to welcome him as our new Grand Secretary at the beginning of September. Brother Semple looks forward to meeting Brethren at home and abroad as soon as the current restrictions are lifted, and we can resume normal service.
Grand Secretary
Brother William M S Semple
Grand Masters Communication 02.10.2020
As I mentioned in last week’s Update, we have received many requests as to how financial support can be sent to the Lebanon in the wake of the explosion. At long last we have been able to get the banking issues both here and in Lebanon sorted out. Grand Secretary sent out information this week but just to widen the scope let me repeat the information - Individuals, Lodges, Districts or Provinces who would wish to contribute to the Lebanon Appeal can now do so by Bank Transfer to the following account - The Bank of Scotland (The Mound, Edinburgh), Grand Lodge of Scotland Support Account : Account number – 10119866, Sort Code – 80-31-20 – the reference word LEBANON should be included for ease of identification and an email sent to glfinance@grandlodgescotland.org informing Grand Lodge that money has been sent. All monies paid into this account will be sent safely to a new “fresh money” account jointly operated by the three Grand Lodges in Lebanon – the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, Washington DC and the Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF). A letter signed by the three Grand Masters will also be sent to all Regular Grand Lodges worldwide seeking their support.
I mentioned some weeks back that the dates for all Lodges having rededication ceremonies and all Districts and Provinces having Installation Ceremonies for new District or Provincial Grand Masters had been rescheduled into 2021. I did intend to circulate the new dates but with the total uncertainty that we are currently experiencing thanks to Covid-19, I have decided to hold back as it looks like at least some of the re-scheduled dates will need to be re-scheduled once more. Once things settle down and there is a reasonable possibility of being able to conduct the ceremonies, I will issue a fresh schedule at the earliest opportunity to allow local planning to take place. But I can assure you all that a Grand Lodge Deputation will be there with you as soon as it is lawful and practical to do so.
Due to the impending cessation of the Furlough Scheme, Grand Lodge staff will be returning to the office on Monday 5th October. From Monday the switchboard will be open during normal business hours. Could I also ask that if any Lodge has a query regarding the database to address the query to Lyndsey on the email address – Rashell@grandlodgescotland.org
Latest news from the Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports Facebook page is as follows –
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
SCFS Overseas Report
We welcomed 20 Overseas Brethren this week. This means that the amazing milestone of an Overseas Membership of 1,000 has now been passed, with Overseas Membership now standing at 1019.
Many congratulations is extended to our 1000th. Overseas Member who is Brother Johann Swanepoel, Past Master, Lodge Oranje, No. 1603, Orange Free State and Country Lodges, Central South Africa.
The geographical spread of new members this week saw Brethren joining from Barbados, Central South Africa, Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, Gibraltar, Lebanon, Newfoundland and Labrador, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada
The largest increase in membership was from the District of Central South Africa. Lodge Argyll, No. 1548, Roodepoort, The Reef, Central South Africa, had the largest number of Brethren joining from an individual Lodge.
A new category of Membership has been introduced ... that of International Constitution Member (ICM). Membership is by invitation and is aimed at Brethren from other Constitutions which are in amity with the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This development will result in the examples of the excellent support being shared on the SCFS page reaching a much wider audience.
We welcome Brother Paul Sefton, Past Master, Elwy Lodge, No. 4721, Province of North Wales, UGLE, as our first International Constitution Member.
As the Covid-19 situation worsens here in Scotland and in some but not all of our Districts, please stay safe, look after yourself and be constantly mindful of our Brethren and the families of our Brethren who are struggling physically, financially or mentally – let’s all be there for them.
Kindest Regards
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
Kindest Regards
Ramsay McGhee
Statement from Legion Scotland / Poppy Scotland
in respect of Remembrance 2020
Statement from Legion Scotland / Poppy Scotland
in respect of Remembrance 2020
Back in March no one thought we’d still be in this position but whether we like it or not, the risks to public health from Coronavirus are real, particularly amongst our older members.
Remembrance must not fall victim to coronavirus but plans at a national and local level must be adapted. Public safety is paramount so please consider the following guidelines when planning your remembrance event. Although we expect some further clarity from the Scottish Government later this week, we felt it important that we provided some guidance as things stand today:
- Parades are not currently permitted. Please do not make plans to include a parade as part of your remembrance event.
- All outdoor events, including remembrance events, are not currently permitted in the following health board areas - Ayrshire & Arran; Forth Valley; Greater Glasgow & Clyde; Lanarkshire; and Lothian.
- Outdoor events in the other health board areas are permitted but if they involve more than 6 people from 2 households they can only go ahead if Local Authority approval has been sought and granted.
- Scottish Government guidelines on outdoor events must be adhered to. This includes having a nominated individual who will be responsible for preparing a risk assessment and overseeing the safe delivery of the event.
These rules are in place until the 25th October but given the upward trajectory in coronavirus cases, it is quite possible that they will be extended beyond this date to include the Remembrance period.
Remembrance is of the utmost importance to Legion Scotland members, the Armed Forces Community and the wider Scottish public and although our activities this Remembrance-tide will be very different to previous years, we will still be remembering the fallen in a safe and compliant manner.
We are encouraging the wider public to take a moment at home on their doorstep on Remembrance Sunday and on the 11th of November at 11am for the two minutes silence. You can also pay your personal respects at war memorials at a time of your choosing, but please avoid 11am as per the guidelines above.
We are also acutely aware of the potential catastrophic impact the restrictions could have on this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal so we urge you all to support the Appeal utilising the various new digital methods that Poppy Scotland have introduced.
You can make a donation via their website, where you can also Donate, Download and Display a poppy at home https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk
Although we are devastated we cannot gather in our normal numbers across the country, we can join as
a nation in heart and spirit to pay our respects.
Courage Brother Do Not Stumble
Courage, brother,
do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right.
Trust no party, sect, or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
