First Rising #31

MONDAY 21st MARCH
 Welcome to First Rising – the official newsletter for members of United Grand Lodge of England.
News from Grand Lodge
PRO GRAND MASTER PETER LOWNDES ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
In case you missed it, at the recent Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, MW Bro Peter Lowndes announced his retirement from his role as Pro Grand Master. RW Bro Jonathan Spence will be installed as his successor in September.
FIND OUT MORE
UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND/MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE FREEMASONS’ CHARITY RESPONSE TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN UKRAINE
The United Grand Lodge of England is keenly aware of the events which are currently taking place in Ukraine. We are immensely encouraged by the quite exceptional and rapid response to the call for charitable donations to provide relief to those who have been, and are, suffering from events in Ukraine.  The joint UGLE/MCF appeal has raised £350,000 to date to help those who are being affected in the region. This sum has been raised in a shorter time than in any recent appeal, which indicates the strength of compassion felt by individual Brethren to those affected by the war.  

At this time, we are maintaining communications with all our recognised Grand Lodges in the region to ensure we are providing an appropriate level of support where possible. In a world of disinformation and propaganda, we value the insight of those who are living through the current crisis.

The United Grand Lodge of England has a strong history of supporting those who have lived through the trauma of active conflict. It is for good reason that so many of our Lodges and Chapters have had their Centenary celebrations in the last 5 years as many of these were founded to provide supportive networks for soldiers returning home after the First World War. We are still maintaining this supportive relationship 100 years on; most recently, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent signed the Armed Forces Covenant in a show of unerring support for members of our Armed Forces. 

Freemasonry has always taken steps to avoid divisive discourse which can promote conflict in the Lodge. All three of the Home Grand Lodges have a long-standing policy of not expressing opinion on State or foreign policy either at home or abroad.  The aim of this policy is to foster a harmonious environment within an ever-turbulent wider world.  We hope that peace soon prevails.  In the meantime, our efforts towards supporting humanitarian aid will continue.
DONATE HERE
BOOK YOUR TICKET FOR THE BELMONT ENSEMBLE & TRAFALGAR SINFONIA AT FREEMASONS’ HALL
Freemasons’ Hall is proud to partner with the Belmont Ensemble and Trafalgar Sinfonia for a series of concerts in 2022.

The Belmont Ensemble of London was founded by its Musical Director, Peter Dyson in 1991, winning instant critical acclaim. It is now one of the busiest and finest chamber orchestras in the capital.
BOOK YOUR TICKET
SOLOMON LIVE: MEET THE ASSISTANT GRAND MASTER SIR DAVID WOOTTON
Meet the Assistant Grand Master Sir David Wootton on Solomon Live.

Find out about Sir David’s life, from being Lord Mayor of London, leading the Universities Scheme, being a leading City lawyer and his life-long commitment to rowing!

These stimulating webinars are hosted by W Bro Brody Swain, PCO of Worcestershire and are designed to give us our #DailyAdvancement. They will last approximately 45 minutes. We will cover popular masonic topics and offer the opportunity to ask questions.

Book here to register for an interview with RW Bro Sir David Wootton, at 19.30 on Tuesday 19th April.
BOOK YOUR TICKET
FIRST RISING FEEDBACK AND AMENDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
Did you enjoy this edition of First Rising? We highly value your feedback!

Please let us know by emailing: newsletter@ugle.org.uk

You can change your First Rising contact email address by clicking here.

Looking For Volunteers!

Looking for Volunteers!We are looking for ambassadors to join us to support The Mobile Information or “outreach Team” on behalf of the Province of Middlesex.The Team will promote Freemasonry, provide information to the public and attract potential new members.Volunteer ambassadors may be invited to attend up to three events, for the day or part. These events are normally weekends, with the majority in the summer.We are also looking for volunteers to spare a couple of hours on a Saturday, or Sunday to tow the provincial information trailer from Cole Court to one of the venues within Middlesex and at the end of the event, to collect the trailer to return to Cole Court. So if you would like to join the team please reply to keith.gregory@pglm.org.uk adding your contact details and numbers and confirm whether you would like to just become an Ambassador at the events or if you are able to also the support the team and tow the Trailer.

First Rising Special Edition – Peter Lowndes

WEDNESDAY 9th MARCH

MOST WORSHIPFUL BROTHER PETER LOWNDES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT


At today’s Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, Most Worshipful Brother Peter Lowndes announced his retirement from his role as Pro Grand Master, and that his successor, Right Worshipful Brother Jonathan Spence, will be installed in September.

Peter was initiated into Old Etonian Lodge No. 4500 on the 20th April 1972. He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on the 8th June 1972 and was then raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on the 19th October 1972. 

Peter served as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1984 until 1987 and was promoted to Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1995 – a role he held for eight years. 

In 2004, Peter was appointed Deputy Grand Master and held the role until 2009 when he was appointed Pro Grand Master.

When the Grand Master is a member of the Royal Family, he may appoint a Pro Grand Master to be his principal Masonic advisor and to act for him on occasions when, due to Royal engagements, he is unable to be present. Brother Lowndes has performed this role with wisdom, humility and with consummate skill.

On behalf of all Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England, we thank him for his service to our Craft. 

First Rising Special Edition – Crisis In Ukraine



TUESDAY 8th MARCH

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND AND MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE FREEMASONS’ CHARITY, LAUNCH UKRAINE CRISIS APPEAL

The United Grand Lodge of England and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (the Freemasons’ charity) have been monitoring the growing refugee crisis in Ukraine.

In response to this, we have created the Ukraine Crisis Appeal to allow Freemasons and their families to donate.

All the money raised in this appeal will be used to support the overall contribution that we are already making on behalf of all Freemasons under the United Grand Lodge of England, which includes £50,000 to assist the British Red Cross in their work providing essential aid to refugees.

Please click the link below to donate
 
DONATE HERE



Facebook

Twitter

Website

Instagram


Copyright 
 2022 United Grand Lodge of England
You are receiving this because you are a Freemason under the United Grand Lodge of England.

Our mailing address is:
United Grand Lodge of England
Freemasons’ Hall
60 Great Queen Street
London, Eng WC2B 5AZ
United Kingdom

Add us to your address book


Update preferences here or unsubscribe here

The United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. For more information about The United Grand Lodge of England, please visit our website http://www.ugle.org.uk/. CAUTION: This email is confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected by law from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, please telephone +44 (0)20 7831 9811 or email the sender immediately and delete this message and any attachments from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy this message or attachments or disclose the message or attachments to any other person. This email and any attachments have been scanned for viruses prior to delivery. The United Grand Lodge of England accepts no liability for any loss or damage which may be caused by viruses or any other malicious code and you are responsible for carrying out your own virus checks before opening the email and any attachment. Where this email is unrelated to the business of UGLE, the opinions expressed in this email are the opinions of the sender and do not necessarily constitute the opinions of UGLE.