Freemasonry and its Ancient Symbols of Office

Freemasonry and its Ancient Symbols of Office

We meet in our lodge room so often that it is easy for us to take for granted the things that we see around us there and which there take place. There are times, however, when those who are new to Freemasonry, or who are getting more interested in what we do, want to know why certain things are as they are or happen as they do.

Robert Burns – Freemason, Bard of Ayrshire & Ploughman Poet

Robert Burns

Burns’s rise in popularity for his poems also contributed to his rise in Freemasonry. At a meeting of Lodge St. Andrew in Edinburgh in 1787, at which the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Scotland was present, Burns was toasted by the Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Francis Chateris, with the words “Caledonia and Caledonia’s bard, Bro. Robt. Burns”

Famous Members of our Ancient and Honourable Institution

Winston Churchill

talk is aimed primarily at our younger brethren who have as yet not had time to absorb the immensity of our great Masonic institution. During the ceremony of your initiation you stated that you were prompted to solicit our privileges by a favourable opinion, preconceived, of the Institution, a general desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to render yourself more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures

Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research – Grand Lodge

365946805 The Grand Master Duke of Kent is introduced to RCS research department secretary Martyn Coomer by FFSR Chairman Anthony West

Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research support for Royal College of Surgeons – Freemasonry Today

Chapter support for surgical research Established with £587,629 in 1967, the Grand Lodge 250th Anniversary Fund is a registered charity supporting the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). By the end of 2013, the fund’s capital was £3.7 million, despite providing more than £4.3 million in grants during the previous 45 years. However, with lower returns and the increased cost of financing Fellows to undertake surgical research, fulfilling the fund’s aspirations was becoming difficult. Supreme Grand Chapter therefore decided to launch an appeal to support the RCS in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the Royal Arch, and £2.5 million was raised. From this year, two Royal Arch Fellows in every five fellowships will be supported. To reflect these changes, the fund was renamed The Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research (FFSR) on 1 January 2015.

Freemasons help British Red Cross deal with floods across UK

658967624 British Red Cross First Aid Unit in Cambridgeshire provides highest standard of care with medical supplies, oxygen & a defibrillator on board

Grand Charity funds help British Red Cross deal with floods across UK – Freemasonry Today

After the smoke has cleared and the flood waters receded, teams of British Red Cross volunteers are now on hand across the UK to give victims vital emotional support. Sarah Holmes investigates how masonic funding has helped this service to roll out nationally When the Telford family home caught fire in September 2014, Michelle and her five children got out with nothing but the pyjamas on their backs. ‘It was awful watching the black smoke billow out of the house,’ remembers Michelle. ‘All I could think was “What am I going to do? Where are we going to live?” ’ A plug in a bedroom sparked the blaze, which quickly engulfed the house along with a lifetime’s worth of possessions. Nothing could be saved. Fortunately, the family didn’t have to deal with the consequences alone. Within minutes, a British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS) vehicle – one of a national fleet part-funded by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity – arrived on the scene to offer the family hot drinks, clean clothes and a safe place to sit away from public view. ‘The volunteers stayed with us for a good couple of hours until they knew we had somewhere to go,’ says Michelle. ‘I was so grateful for their help.’ Michelle is just one of the many people who have received support from the FESS, which has evolved over the years to help victims through such emergencies as fire, flood and road collisions. ‘In an emergency situation, very few of the blue light agencies have capacity to look after the emotional needs of survivors,’ says Simon Lewis, head of emergency planning and response at British Red Cross. ‘Quite often, families are left to deal with the consequences alone. That’s where the British Red Cross comes in.’

£5,000 Emergency Grant For St Michael’s Hospice

Before the fire at St Michael's Hospice in St Leonards.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, twenty three residents of St Michael’s Hospice in St Leonards-On-Sea, Sussex, were evacuated following an explosion and fire. Three patients have since died following the evacuation, two of which were being treated for smoke inhalation.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity has donated £5,000 to support the Hospice during this difficult time. Since 1987, St Michael’s has been part of the Grand Charity Hospice Scheme and has received over £84,000 in total. The emergency grant will help the Hospice’s recovery needs by funding emergency supplies such as blankets and food, the relocation of patients and repairs. The Province of Sussex, a long-time supporter of St Michael’s Hospice, has also indicated that it will be making an emergency grant to the cause.

St Michael’s Hospice

St Michael’s Hospice are an independent charity and all their services are given free so they are heavily dependent on the generosity of local individuals, companies, groups and trusts. With only 30% of our total funding coming from the Government in the form of various grants they still need to raise almost £5 million each year.

St Michael’s Hospice believe that, as well as expert medical care, it is just as important to care for a person’s practical, social, spiritual and emotional needs too. St Michael’s provide care, not only within the Hospice, but also in the community. Many of their patients are cared for at home with skilled nursing support or night sitting services. St Michael’s Hospice also offer a range of Day Services, providing supportive care and company. They offer an holistic approach to care, aiming to meet people’s individual needs.

£5,000 Emergency Grant For St Michael’s Hospice · News · The Freemasons’ Grand Charity

‘If my role didn’t exist, who would help these families?’ Funded by the Grand Charity

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‘If my role didn’t exist, who would help these families?’ Funded by the Grand Charity

My role is entirely funded by the Freemasons’ Grand Charity, which supports charities such as Kids, which have to seek out funding streams from different avenues. I really enjoy my job but obviously there are challenges – and one of the biggest is that the demand for our service is immense. With so many cutbacks there is no shortage of families who want our help. If we didn’t help them I don’t know who would. Some of the children on my caseload have emotional and behavioural difficulties and don’t attend school. Those who do have a low attendance rates or are at risk of fixed term or permanent exclusion from school or college. Once I start working with a family I often have to work hard to gain their trust; I have to persuade them to trust me. Some families may have experienced domestic violence, health problems, or family tensions and don’t know how to cope with very challenging behaviour. Sometimes explaining Kids’ remit to other professionals can take time and patience.


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