Brethren
I hope and trust that this finds you and your families keeping safe and well – over the past week we have been able to rejoice in several good news stories of Brethren being released from Intensive Care into High Dependency wards which has to be a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, however, we have been notified of several more deaths among our Brethren from Covid-19. I am sure that you will all wish to join with me in extending to all those families who have experienced bereavement at this time whether from Covid-19 or otherwise, our sincere condolences. We try to understand how difficult it is for all who are grieving, given that you are unable to have proper funerals, unable to have even a wee hug to console each other or unable to celebrate the life that has been taken in the way that you would wish. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this exceedingly difficult time. If there is anything that Lodge / District or Provincial Almoners can do to assist, please do not hesitate to contact them.
Brother Douglas Fergie, PGM of East Lothian, continues to keep a record of the posts on the new Scottish Constitution Freemasonry Supports group page and I detail below an update of the activity as of Wednesday.
1221 Members in the group.
58 Lodges mentioned in the posts.
25 Provinces/Districts represented
£40,320.00 of identifiable support.
The direct link is- https://www.facebook.com/groups/Scottish.Constitution.Freemasonry.Supports/
This is good and starts to paint a picture of all the good that Scottish Freemasons are doing throughout the world in our Lodges, Districts, Superintendence’s and Provinces. Can I please encourage all Lodges and home and abroad to put their good works on this site and let us see the full picture.
Can I remind everyone that even although all our Lodges are closed, it is imperative that they are checked externally and internally on a regular basis to ensure that all is safe and well. We have had an incident this week where rubbish that had accumulated around a Lodge was set alight resulting in damage to the Lodge – in fact, had it not been for the quick response of the fire service, we could have lost the Lodge. So please make sure arrangements are in place to have your premises checked regularly – this can easily be done without breaking any of the isolation rules and it will give peace of mind. While doing the checks, if your water system has not been fully drained, remember to run the taps and flush the toilets to save the likelihood of issues with Legionnaires Disease.
We will shortly be announcing the detail for the Covid-19 Challenge Appeal – the Benevolence and Care Committee met yesterday and are in the process of finalising the details.
Please remember for any urgent issues whether at home or abroad – you can contact Grand Lodge on the following numbers – Dawn Oliff – 07464 683630, Sue Williams 07881 440272 and Andrew Paterson 07787 217772. Emails to Sue at pa@grandlodgescotland.com will also be picked up and forwarded to the correct person.
Please take care of yourselves and each other – stay safe.
Kindest regards to you all.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason