|
|
|
Annual Address to
Provincial Grand Chapter by the M.E. Grand Superintendent
E.Comp Simon Rowe 12th November 2011 |
| |
|
It
is quite remarkable how a year flies by. It is now exactly
one year ago that we were all here together at my
installation as the ME Grand Superintendent. It has been a
most enjoyable year, not only for me, but I also hope for
you Companions. After all, in my eyes, you Companions are
the important people.
We have had a very busy year for the Provincial Principals,
with all Chapters being supported to the full at
Installations, especially by the whole Provincial Team. We
have undertaken an exaltation at Dartmoor Chapter 4604 which
proved to be a most successful, and happy occasion enjoyed
by all those present. We have also celebrated the wonderful
occasion of the Centenary meeting of Benevolence Chapter 489
in Bideford, yet another memorable meeting of the year and
so well supported by the Provincial Officers.
The Provincial Officers have been phenomenal this year, with
as many as 30 plus attending convocations to support their
Companions and Chapters. . I must thank every single one of
them, and congratulate them on the truly dedicated manner in
which they have performed their duties, and supported the
Province. They, as with past years officers, have been
everywhere around the Province. I hope that they have gained
much from their term of office. I have been told that they
have made many new friends and Companions, and that pleases
me so much. To my outgoing Officers, please keep those
friendships forever, and don’t stop supporting Companions
and the Province. Never forget, Companionship is a great
thing.
Part of the reason this year has been so enjoyable is thanks
to all the Chapters for the wonderful welcome we have
received. I thank you one and all for your support during
the year. For the new kid on the block, it has meant so much
to myself and the Provincial Principals
My most grateful thanks are given to my Provincial Grand
Scribe Ezra, E.Comp Brian Kelly for everything he has done
in organising this occasion. Your friendship and loyalty,
and support in this your first year in office is very much
appreciated. I must also thank his team such as E.Comps.
Tony Lee, Alan Newberry and also my new Third Provincial
Grand Principal, E.Comp Jeff Bailey for all the help that
they have given Brian and myself. My sincere thanks to you
all. Thanks also go to all the hard workers to numerous to
mention individually who make up the whole supporting team,
which work hard to ensure a successful day such as today.
You all know who you are. My most sincere thanks to you all
May I also thank E Comp John Sevieri, my Director of
Ceremonies and his Deputies, E.Comps. John Bate, Chris
Thomas Kevin Hurley and Alan Newberry not only for their
hard work and dedication that has gone into ensuring this
day is successful, but also for the support they have given
to me and the Provincial Principals right through this year.
Congratulations to you all, and my grateful thanks.
My most sincere thanks must also go to my Companions and
friends, E.Comps. Terry Downe, Chris Roach and Jeff Bailey,
all of whom I have been pleased to appoint to high office
today. I have received their unfailing support without which
I would be lost.
Also, my thanks go to our PGM E.Comp. Michael Penny, with
whom I have found great friendship and wonderful support,
which means it’s my turn to buy lunch.
Also to my ME Grand Superintendent, E.Comp. Chris Pengelly
who has been such a help and a wonderful mentor over the
last year. I am so pleased that he “submitted and obeyed”
his ME Grand Superintendent, and is now joining us on many
occasions, and how delighted we all are that he is with us
today.
Once again I have to thank my Dad for all he has put up with
over the last year. You couldn’t wish for a better sound
board, as he just sits and listens to me basically talking
to myself when making decisions about the future. He does
not say a word but sits there smiling. Thanks Dad.
Today though, my greatest thanks must go to my very dear
friend and Companion Brian Meldon. He and I have been very
close friends for many, many years, and will continue to be
so. He is a true Companion. He has been a phenomenal worker
for this Province, and he has been an exceptional Companion
as my Deputy Grand Superintendent. He has shown great
dignity and true Companionship to myself and every Companion
in this Province. Even though he has kindly relinquished his
Office today to enable me to make my next set of changes, he
will always be within my inner circle. I trust Brian
explicitly, and I now ask you all to show your appreciation
to Brian for all the work he has done, and will continue to
do for this Province
I have already welcomed all our distinguished guests. Every
single one of them is a very close friend of this Province,
and your Companionship is much treasured. On behalf of all
the Companions in Devonshire, I thank you all for travelling
many miles to be with us.
I now wish to congratulate all those that I have had the
pleasure to appoint or promote this afternoon. Any
Provincial Grand Rank is conferred only after much
consideration and is an accolade given both in
acknowledgement of good work done, and , more importantly,
in anticipation of future endeavours. Be assured that the
rest of the Royal Arch Companions will be looking to you to
set the highest standards in all your activities at all
times. Your future roll will never end. If you have been
fortunate to receive active office, please take this
opportunity with both hands. Ask your predecessors.
It was a pleasure to see that our Companions, E.Comps. Bill
Carnell, Rodney Moore and Robert Pitts were appointed to
Grand Rank this year, all to Past Grand Standard bearer, and
E.Comp Ernie Smith was promoted to Past Assistant Grand
Sojourner. Our sincerest congratulations to then all. Whilst
talking about Grand Officers, as you Companions have been
given the highest accolade, I would appreciate that if at
all possible, it would be nice to have your Company on as
many occasions as you are able to attend, with thanks.
I would like to welcome the Most Excellent Zs of the
Province. You are leaders of your Chapters. On you hang the
responsibility of ensuring that your Chapters are happy, and
true to the Principals of Holy Royal Arch Masonry. Enjoy
your terms of office and ensure that your Companions are
happy and communicate happiness.
I also welcome some of the Exaltees of the last 12 months.
You my Companions are the future of your Chapters, and the
Holy Royal Arch. I ask you to pursue this Order with great
enthusiasm. You will learn more about yourselves, and learn
more about your relationship with your God and your
Companions. It is hoped that you will gain much enjoyment,
friendship and of course great feelings of Companionship.
You are Companions amongst us.
Please Companions, don’t forget the “J Team”. This team goes
out and supports whenever needed. The members pay their own
way, so no cost to a chapter, and go to enjoy a wonderful
HRA evening. All Companions are welcome to become a member
of the “J” Team. It is anticipated that the “J” Team will be
on tour, on a fraternal visit to the Province of Bristol
which is to be arranged soon. Please contact E Comp David
Jones, whose details are in the Scribe Ezra’s report within
the Agenda, or on the Provincial website.
It is my intention next year to hold an Annual Provincial
Dinner. This will be open to all Companions and their
Partners. Details will be announced soon.
Finally Companions, let me leave you with these thoughts. I
have often asked why all Freemasons are Brothers, but not
all Brothers are Companions. However what must be understood
is that we are all Masons within Pure Ancient Masonry. We
are reminded in the Book of Constitutions that “Pure Ancient
Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely, the
Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason,
including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.”
In the Three degrees in Craft Masonry we are instructed in
and led to practice that duty of love to our fellow man, and
in the Holy Royal Arch we are taught that great duty of love
to our God. At our initiation, indeed before that at an
interview, we all declare our belief in a Supreme Being. The
Holy Royal Arch is the spiritual degree within Craft
Masonry, or as it should be understood, Pure Ancient
Masonry. We are Craft. We are Brethren and Companions in
Pure Ancient Masonry.
So never be at a loss or afraid to talk about the Holy Royal
Arch, to those Brethren who are not yet Companions of the
Holy Royal Arch. Be fully supportive of all your Brethren
and your Lodges. If the Lodge requires someone to work
within the ceremony, or do some sort of labour for the
Lodge, then remember the story of the Three Sojourners, who
with great humility, even though they were Master Craftsman,
humbly submitted themselves to any work, as long as they did
some work on or within the Temple. Do the same for your
Lodges, and the Brethren will see the Holy Royal Arch, and
ultimately, Pure Ancient Masonry at work, when humbly
offering to undertake work to assist the Lodge.
Be proud that you are Companions, be proud that you are
Brothers and Companions in Pure Ancient Masonry, place your
trust in your God, but most of all Companions, enjoy your
Masonry, because Masonry is meant to be enjoyed. As I have
said before, Companionship is a great thing.
My Companions all, May peace be with you.
|
| |
|
Annual Report
from the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, 12th November 2011 |
| |
Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent, Excellent Companions and Companions, I have
pleasure in submitting the Annual Report on the activities
of the Holy Royal Arch here in your Province Devonshire, for
your consideration and approval.
Membership: The membership of each Chapter for the year
ending 31st August 2011 is shown on page 6. It should be
remembered the figures are but a ‘snapshot in time’
recording the situation as at the 31st August 2011. The
Exaltees, Joining, Deaths and Exclusions give but an
indication of the activities of the past year, they take no
account of multiple memberships. The numbers have held up
very well when judged against the National trend, and it is
encouraging that, in the past year, only some 18% of
Chapters have not had an Exaltee. This is a significant
achievement and I send my congratulations to those of you
who have succeeded in attracting new members. However, as
with last year, we cannot afford to be complacent. There
remains room for further recruitment as there are still some
4000 Craft Mason’s who have not completed their ‘journey in
Freemasonry’ by joining the Holy Royal Arch. Why haven’t
they joined ? Are they simply waiting for an invitation ?
Help them to complete their journey by inviting them to
become members !
May I remind you, please, of the role of the J Team. Under
the leadership of E. Companion David Jones they are
available to attend your meetings to enhance the numbers,
especially when you have an Exaltation. The first meeting is
an important and a truly memorable meeting for the Candidate
and how much the more memorable with a good attendance to
welcome him into this Degree. Contact David if you need
help.
The Grand Superintendent, E. Companion Simon Rowe has
enjoyed a very busy first year in Office, and will have
attended some 45 Chapter Installation Convocation’s, as well
as visiting 10 neighbouring Provence’s. On many occasions,
to the delight of the Companions present, he has been
‘persuaded’ to take an active part in the Ceremony, in
addition to the more usual Duties of the Grand
Superintendent. One of the high points of the year was when
the Grand Superintendent, his Co-Principals and a team of
Active Provincial Officers conducted an Exaltation Ceremony
at a packed meeting of The Dartmoor Chapter. It was such a
successful meeting that it is the intension to repeat this
again next year, and shortly Chapters who have a Candidate
will be invited to express an interest in the Provincial
Team attending a meeting and conducting the Exaltation
Ceremony. At the time of writing this report the Grand
Superintendent, his Co-Principals and the Deputy together
with the Provincial Team are looking forward to attending
the Centenary Meeting of Benevolence Chapter No. 489. It
will mark another memorable milestone in the history of this
Chapter and indeed the Province.
The Holy Royal Arch continues to enjoy an excellent
relationship with, and the support of the Craft. A
relationship stretching back many many years and highly
valued by the Holy Royal Arch. We are particularly grateful
to the Provincial Grand Master, RW Brother Michael Penny and
his Executive for their continuing support and encouragement
to Lodges to appoint a HRA Representative. We hope this will
continue until there is a representative in every Lodge in
this Province.
This year will remain long in the memory of those Companions
who received an Appointment or Promotion in Supreme Grand
Chapter. We send our warmest congratulations to :-
E. Companion Ernie Smith of Pleiades Chapter No. 710 and E.
Companion Gwynne Sullivan of Benevolent Chapter on their
promotion to Assistant Grand Sojourner:
and to E. Companion Bill Carnell of Newton Chapter No. 6129,
E. Companion Rodney Moore of Hauley Chapter No. 797 and to
E. Companion Robert Pitts of Torbay Chapter No. 1358 on
their Appointment as Past Grand Standard Bearers.
As briefly mentioned earlier, The Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent, the Deputy and the 2nd and 3rd Provincial
Grand Principals have visited far and wide throughout the
Province and one or other of them has attended every
Installation Convocation. On occasion all of them have been
present at particular meetings, and on every occasion they
have been very well supported by the Active Officers of the
year. It has been rare if there have not been at least 18
Active Officers in attendance and at some meetings there
have been more than 30. Our congratulations and thanks to
you all for your unstinting and ever cheerful support.
This has been my first year in Office and I have enjoyed the
very full support of many people without whose help my daily
life would have been far busier. I freely and unreservedly
acknowledge the support: Of my predecessor E. Companion Jeff
Bailey who has been a tower of strength: Of the Assistant
Grand Scribe Ezra, E. Companion Tony Lee who has unfailingly
guided me in my Duties and so generously made the coffee
which has sustained us when we are in the Provincial Office:
Of E. Companion David Lyne and Companion Chris Yard for
their help and guidance: Of E. Companion Colin Gale for
ensuring the IT Systems are functioning and for his
technical skill in sorting our problems: Of the Active
Officers of the year who I trust have enjoyed the experience
the year has provided and which has enabled them to take
pleasure in the wider circle of friends they have met on
their travels throughout the Province: Our thanks are due in
no small measure to the Chapter of St. Mary under whose
banner we hold our Provincial Convocations.
And finally, may I thank the Provincial Rulers for their
confidence in appointing me to this most interesting Office
and for their forbearance when the ‘New Boy’ has not on
occasion conformed to the time scales they had come to
expect from the previous incumbent of this important Office.
For the coming year I hope and trust we can continue to
enjoy our membership of the Holy Royal Arch and the
friendship it inspires in its teachings and engenders in its
meetings. Building on past success to an even more
successful future by going that ‘extra mile’ to seek out
those Brethren who are not, as yet, members and encouraging
them to become Companions with us in this wonderful Degree.
E. Companion Brian Kelly, Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, 12th
September 2011 |
| |
|