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Welcome to your news and information update for the progressive/companion Orders of Freemasonry administered from Mark Masons' Hall, 86 St James's.
This bulletin is emailed to all 'leaders' in the Provinces, Districts & Divisions and their Secretariats.
Please share this content with your members - forward this email, send a copy of the PDF or let them know that it's available on the MMH website and TeamApp.
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Notice of a General Suspension of All Masonic Activity
The following briefing was sent to all members of Orders administered from Mark Masons' Hall on Tuesday of this week by the Grand Secretary:
Throughout this period of national and international emergency, the well-being and safety of our members has been paramount. This is why the guidance we have issued so far has gone beyond that published by the UK Government and Public Health England. For our members overseas, our guidance has supplemented that provided by the local Public Health Authorities wherever they live. As a result of the latest advice given by the UK Prime Minister yesterday, backed by the Chief Medical and Scientific Officers, our existing guidance has been reviewed and updated. The Grand Masters of the Orders administered from Mark Masons’ Hall have jointly agreed an immediate General Suspension of all Masonic Activity for a period of four months. This means that no masonic meetings or related social activities should take place until further notice. A similar Notice of a General Suspension is being issued today by the United Grand Lodge of England, the Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Rite and the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Whilst regular masonic activity will now cease for the time being, the administration of our Orders will continue as usual with regular updates issued to let you know what is happening. These are unprecedented times requiring unprecedented action and I feel sure you will agree that the suspension of all masonic activity now is the right thing to do. Our Orders are facing a considerable challenge as a result of the spread of the coronavirus and will do so for some months to come. So, it’s important that we do as much as we can to safeguard one another, maintain contact with one another by phone and email, and ensure that when the current emergency is over, we can fully resume the practice and enjoyment of our freemasonry.
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Dates for your diary - given the current general suspension of all Masonic activity, all previously advised events have been postponed/cancelled.
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Grand Master & Great Vice-Chancellor Pass Muster
Following their attendance at the Muster of the Great Priory of Scotland on Tuesday, accompanied by Past Great Seneschal, Malcolcm Slater, they were entertained to lunch by the Most Eminent and Reverend Grand Master, J Stewart Wood and members of his Executive. The usual post Muster dinner having been cancelled owing to the coronavirus situation.
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Knights Templar maintain life changing support of
the St John Eye Hospital Group
The Knights Templar has agreed to provide £100,000 each year for the next three years towards the cost of running the St John Eye Hospital Group Mobile Outreach programme based at the hospital in Jerusalem. This funding is in addition to the donations made by members of the Order.
Last year, the Mobile Outreach treated over 10,000 patients, a third of whom were children. In 2019 the Eye Hospital treated over 136,650 patients and performed more than 5,700 major surgeries across their clinics. Thanks to the gift of £100,000 this year a second Outreach van will reach more patients. As a small gesture of appreciation, they have displayed the KT logo on their vans.
The Group’s Chairman, Sir Andrew Cash, said "It is because of your commitment and generosity that we are able to help break the cycle of poverty and despair due to the blindness inherent in this region, and provide an opportunity for the people of the Holy Land to obtain an education, become productive members of society and experience a basic way of life that many of us take for granted."
Please click on this link for the full letter of thanks from Sir Andrew Cash.
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Mark Province of Essex and Mark Benevolent Fund make a massive donation to Havens Hospice for 17 specialist electronic beds
Andy Smith, Chief Executive of Havens Hospices, said "the provision of the new beds is really transformative. For the first time our patients will be able to have the latest design in beds, not just ‘riser/recliner’ but the very best technology supporting patients to be comfortable, and reducing the risk of bed sores throughout their time with us. It is genuinely humbling to know that local Masons stand with us in providing excellent care to those who need it most.”
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Facebook Post of the Week
It highlights just one of the numerous excellent ways that we can maintain contact, share the kindness and friendship so valued by our Orders as well as providing the care and support needed by all members.
Don't forget, new members will also benefit massively by staying in touch.
Mark Masons Hall will be sending out a full guide of best practice and suggestions for managing the situation in these uncertain times.
As Bob Hoskins said in the video on this link 25 years ago "It's good to talk."
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#Tweet of the Week
Testament to the enduring regard towards this wonderful Order, which truly embraces friendship, unlike any other Freemasonry.
And a valuable example to us all during the current challenging times.
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#Friday Feeling
It's good to feel liked and followed - Mark Masons' Hall and our Grand Secretary are no exception. One of the very powerful ways of building awareness and consideration towards our ten Orders is to establish a presence on social media - Facebook and Twitter are a good start - and to have that conversation with your members and potential candidates.
We would also like to share our appreciation of the great work you are all doing - please email us on communications@mmh.org.uk with your Facebook and Twitter details. This will ensure that we like, share, follow and retweet in return - all emails will be acknowledged.
Thank you. |
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Progressive Freemasonry on the Move
Check out the Mark Masons' Hall Team App, which is ready and waiting to be filled with useful information - it's what smart phones were made for.
Content posted so far includes:
- all News from Freemasonry@86 bulletins
- key events and booking details (where available)
- Social Media Guidelines and Best Practice
- TeamApp User Guide
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