Quarterly Communication

The future is bright

In his spring message, Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes celebrates the wonderful work that Freemasons are doing in their communities

The early months of the year are behind us and I suspect that we all are delighted about that. Spring usually brings some hope in our gardens and thoughts turn to getting the lawnmower out. I hope I also detect rather more optimism in the fight against COVID and, perhaps, our masonic thoughts can turn to meeting again in some form of meaningful way.

We have to put up with the inevitable doom- mongers who will talk about nothing except a third wave. I am not naive enough to consider that we have the virus beaten, but I do believe we have found a way to live with and have some measure of control of it, which will enable us to get back to a rather more normal way of life. That can include our Freemasonry, which has an important part to play in so many of our lives.

Of course, it is well documented that Freemasons have had an important part to play in the lives of so many fellow Freemasons and non-masons alike

‘Perhaps our masonic thoughts can turn to meeting again in some form of meaningful way’

over the past year. This has been enhanced by the generally positive coverage we have received both nationally and locally for all the wonderful work that our members have done. And this is by no means limited to financial donations. There are far too many instances to even begin to mention and, as Freemasons, we are more interested in carrying out this work than craving credit for it. However, it does make a huge difference when we do get some positive press.

If we have learned nothing else during this pandemic, we have vastly improved our method of communication both within the organisation, member to member, lodge to lodge as well as externally. This has not only been extremely noticeable at the centre here in Freemasons’ Hall, but also in our Provinces and Districts, which have all embraced the importance of this aspect. I would add that this process had started well before the pandemic arrived, but the trials and tribulations of the past year have made it all the more evident.

Brethren, for the second year in a row, there was no Investiture Meeting at the end of April. This means that the Grand Officers of the Year who were invested by letter last April will have had no opportunity to act in their office. Not surprisingly, The Grand Master decided that it was right that those who wished to continue in office for the coming year should be allowed to do so. The majority have taken up that offer. I am confident that during the next year they will get a chance to ‘don their chains’ and process into Grand Lodge. It may have to be done differently to normal, certainly at first, but let’s all be positive and look forward to the Grand Temple being used again in all its glory.

I am going to tempt fate by saying that I very much hope to be able address a reasonable gathering at some point in June.