| M.E. Grand Superintendents address to Provincial Grand Chapter, 7th November 2009 |
| Good afternoon Companions, welcome to
Provincial Grand Chapter. Once again, I am overjoyed at the
excellent support we have received from the Companions of
this Province and the Companions from our sister Provinces.
I never know whether it is the excellent food that is
supplied by the University, or the healthy and first class
beer and pub food obtained at the numerous taverns in the
area. Whichever, It's lovely to see you all here and I hope
you enjoy yourselves. As always, I have already welcomed our distinguished guests. I would just like to reiterate how pleased and thrilled we are, that they have made this special effort to be here and share with us, the joys and pleasures of this special occasion. We do so value their wonderful support, for it is occasions such as this, that the Holy Royal Arch excels, in promoting, good fellowship and companionship, which adds and encourages our infinite pleasure and happiness. You will all have noticed the slight change in our Agenda this year. I was very impressed with the changes at some of our neighbouring Provinces and decided to apply their apparent, sound judgement; for it involves and encourages every Chapter in the Province to support this Occasion and give our newly Exalted Companions a wonderful insight and understanding, into this marvellous Annual Royal Arch Convocation. I also hope the Mentors of the respective Chapters, will give time to explain the significance of today's proceedings. As you can see, the invitation to all our First Principals has been a great success, all 56 Chapters are in attendance, which is a wonderful response and I congratulate each and every one and thank them for their support. For at your next Chapter convocations, you will be able to express your observations and the significance of supporting this special occasion. Again, I must congratulate the retiring Active Provincial Grand Officers, for their tremendous support and loyalty to this Province during the last twelve months. Their numbers have been numerous at every Installation Ceremony and also they have supported me at many Regular meetings, all of which have been most encouraging. They will have gained an abundance of knowledge, experiences and pleasure from their endeavours, which will hold them in good stead, for many years. Our warmest congratulations and best wishes must go to all those Companions whom I have appointed in Provincial Grand Chapter, they have justly earned their preferment, for their past endeavours, but, what is more important, is the tremendous knowledge and experience they have gained, which can be put to very good use in their respective Chapters and this Province, for future benefit. For those whom I have promoted I know that their wise Council will prove most beneficial to the success and happiness of Royal Arch Masonry in this Province. I would like to express my warmest congratulations to those companions named in the Provincial Grand Scribe E's Report, who justly received Supreme Grand Chapter honours, at the Investiture meeting in May of this year. I know our Province in particular will be strengthened and enriched, by their preferment. I would like to thank my Deputy, 2nd Provincial Principal, and my 3rd Provincial Principal, for their unquestionable loyalty and support during the year and also my Scribe E., who keeps me on the straight and narrow, and his excellent organisation has been most helpful. There is a tremendous amount of work leading up to this convocation and he has worked tirelessly to see that everything goes according to plan, I thank and congratulate him, especially as he has suffered with his eyes these past few months, but it has not deterred him, in any way. It is wonderful to see our 2nd Provincial Grand Principal fit and well. Healthwise, he has been through quite an ordeal, but, if he gives himself time and if he behaves himself, he will soon be firing on all cylinders again. It has been twelve months since we appointed E.Comp. John Murray as our first Assistant to the Principals, a new office in this particular Province. John has fitted in perfectly and has been a great help during the year and I thank him for his commitment and support. I would like to send a message of hope and encouragement, to those loyal companions who are working so hard to build-up their Chapters. They are true descendants of those 'Sojourners' we commemorate in our ritual; ready to accept any task, however humble, to prepare for the rebuilding of the edifice they hold dear, and deem it an honour to do so. I urge all companions to rally to their support; there is no way better of doing so, than by regularly attending their Chapters and by recognising that membership of this Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, is in itself, 'An honour conferred'. I have been concerned on a couple of occasions, when I receive a Summons with the Agenda reading: Open the Chapter, Read the Minutes, Matters Arising, Correspondence, Close the Chapter. I know my Scribe E., has informed all Chapters that the Province has a great volume of Talks and Lectures, which can be provided on occasions such as this, also there is no reason for the Chapter not to work the ceremony of Exaltation and adopting the new Ritual and give more Companions a chance, by splitting the work, you never know, those Chapters who have yet to comply, might see a great difference and adjust accordingly with their own Ceremony. I am very encouraged in this Province to enjoy the very close affinity we share with all the other Orders and Degrees, the constructive and friendly dialogue is always in evidence, which encourages good fellowship and wonderful companionship, with which, I am delighted to be associated with. We must be the envy of a great number Provinces. A lot of this good work is down to our Provincial Grand Master, who, regularly invites all the leaders to an informal luncheon and open discussion, which is most beneficial and informative. The fish and chips and glass of wine go down very well too! As most of you already know, this is my last Convocation, next November will be the Installation of a new Grand Superintendent, with the Provincial Meeting to follow. I will be informing Supreme Grand Chapter of my retirement on the 31st July next year. Quite a sad time for me. The pleasure, joy and happiness, I have received these last 8 years and the wonderful friendships I have gained will remain with me for the rest of my life. You have all been marvellous Companions. After a short while I will be pestering you all for invitations, that's if you'll have me! I feel most satisfied and grateful, to all the Companions of this Province, for the tremendous support and pleasure they have given me during that time. It has been most humbling. It is lovely to see the Province 'bubbling'. Companions generally are enjoying their Royal Arch Masonry, there're receiving a lot of pleasure and fun and what's more, they're looking forward to the next meeting. This has a lot to do with the new changes that have occurred, more Companions being involved in the ceremony. The introduction of the Mentor, who explains to the Exaltees, the importance, significance and advantages of the Exaltation ceremony. Also, with over 2,300 happy and contented companions, who become automatic, ambassadors and promoters of the Holy Royal Arch. Companions, let us try to contemplate on what the Holy Royal Arch teaches us, a Reverence to God and to reflect on the nature of God and our relationship with him. So, practice those virtues which we all profess to admire, to become an example to all those master masons who have not yet made the most important step in their Masonic lives; try to become a Beacon for all to see and a Jewel they will want to behold. By doing so, we will emphasise the pleasure, happiness and fulfilment that this wonderful Order of ours can provide. I am sure you will agree that our 'permanent' Provincial Officers have excelled today, in the presentation of our Ceremonial, this has been due, in no small measure, to our Director of Ceremonies, E.Comp. Chris Roach, ably assisted by his Deputies, all his assistants and the Stewards, whom I congratulate and thank them all. I do apologise for the parking arrangements we have had to cope with this year, it seems to have started two days too early, for us. I thank you all for your wonderful tolerance and self-control, any other feelings have been well hidden!! Companions, I thank you for the kind and patient, way in which you have received my remarks. I hope it has been an enjoyable and rewarding day for you all. I wish you a safe return to your homes and all the joys and riches of Royal Arch Masonry in the days to come. And may TTALGMH go with you all and bring us all together, in a year from now. E.Companion C.J.Pengelly , M.E.Grand Superintendent, Devonshire |
| Annual Report from the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, September 2009 |
| Most Excellent Grand Superintendent,
Excellent Companions and Companions all. I have much
pleasure in submitting for your approval my annual report on
the activities of the Holy Royal Arch in Devonshire over the
last year. Membership:- For the second year in a row the number of memberships in the Province has increased, this time by a net gain of 20. The slow decline in numbers of previous years has been halted. Exaltations are again up, a total of 92 this year, 7 more than last year and 17 more than in 2007. The numbers of joining members is down, not unexpectedly due to the Consecration of Dartmoor Chapter last year when the majority of Founders were “joining” members from within the Province. Resignations and Exclusions (including Cessations) are disappointingly high at a total of 80 up from 55 last year and should be a cause for concern for all of us. The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent is confident that the Mentor scheme will address this (see below) However none of us can afford to be complacent. There are over 4000 members of the Craft in Devonshire who are not members of the Holy Royal Arch. Do your best to point out to them what they are missing by not completing their journey through pure, ancient masonry or, if applicable, encourage former Companions back to the fold. Every newly Raised Brother in the Province now receives a letter signed jointly by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent and the Provincial Grand Master introducing the Holy Royal Arch so it should not come as a surprise when you approach them regarding the Chapter. Mentors:- The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent has requested that each Chapter appoints a Mentor. The vast majority have acted on this and hopefully those very few who have not will reconsider. E.Comp. Brian Meldon, Deputy Grand Superintendent, has agreed to lead this initiative and will liaise with, and support, the Mentors. Being appointed a Mentor is definitely not a sinecure. It is an extremely important post and Mentors will need to be both enthusiastic and proactive. Their job is to support Exaltees through their early years and to liaise closely with the Scribe E to identify any members who may be starting to miss meetings. These “missing” members need to be contacted to find out if there is a reason for the absence that can be overcome. If, unfortunately, resignations or exclusions occur we, via the Mentor, are going to start asking the member concerned to complete an “exit” survey to see if there is anything that can be done by the Province, or locally, to stop further departures. Lodge H.R.A. Representatives:- The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent is grateful for the continuing support and encouragement from the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Michael Penny in asking Lodges to appoint a Lodge H.R.A. representative. Response from Lodges has so far been disappointing and we shall be following this up. E.Comp. John Murray, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, has agreed to coordinate this initiative. The Lodge H.R.A. representative is NOT a recruiting agent for a particular Chapter. His main role is to keep Lodge members appraised of any happenings in the Royal Arch, locally and nationally, that may be of interest to the Lodge members and to keep the H.R.A. alive in their minds. Provincial Support Team:- The Provincial Support team is a band of enthusiastic Companions who are willing, by invitation, to attend Convocations and provide support throughout the Province at their own expense. If, for instance, you have an Exaltation planned which, for whatever reason, is likely to be poorly attended, the Support Team can attend and boost numbers to make the ceremony and festive board more enjoyable for all concerned, especially the new Exaltee. E.Comp. Simon Rowe, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal is coordinating this project. Please contact him on swrowe@tiscali.co.uk if you want support or if you want to join the support team. Grand Honours:- At Supreme Grand Chapter on 30th April 2009 Companions of the Province received the following Honours:- First appointments:- E.Comp. Jeff J. Bailey to Past Grand Standard Bearer E.Comp. Chris A. Roach to Past Grand Standard Bearer E.Comp. David J. Jones to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Promotion:- E.Comp. Keith B Jackson PGStB to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner I know every Companion in Devonshire will extend warmest congratulations to these Companions. Chapter Installation Convocations:- Our Grand Superintendent and/or members of his Executive have, once again, attended every Installation Convocation in the Province as well as many regular Convocations. We all express our grateful thanks to every Chapter for the kind and generous manner in which we have been received. And finally:- I express my thanks to:- All Scribe Es for their co-operation without which my work would be much more difficult and far less enjoyable. The Provincial Assistant ScE, E.Comp. Tony Lee, for his invaluable help and assistance and slowing me down! E.Comp. David Lyne, the Provincial Grand Secretary, and his staff for their help, guidance and sympathy! The St. Chapter of St. George No. 112 for agreeing to host the Provincial Meeting. All those Active Officers this Provincial year who have supported the Grand Superintendent, and the Chapter concerned, at Chapter Installations and other meetings. And to All Companions in the Province for helping to make this such a happy Order. Companions, may the True and Living God Most High be with you now and always E.Comp. Jeff Bailey; Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra Yours sincerely and fraternally, Jeff Bailey - Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra – Devonshire |
