Masonic Charitable Foundation
A special end of the year message
| Wrapping up 2022 |
| Thanks to the generosity of Freemasons and their friends and family, we were proud to be able to support hundreds of charities and thousands of people in need. Our Chief Executive Les Hutchinson recorded a special message that summarises our achievements this year. We also spoke with people involved with our work to check how 2022 was for them and find out about their plans for next year. |
Hospice UK
| The festive period means different things to different people. We love celebrating here at the MCF and we are lucky to work with people from many different cultures and backgrounds. We’ve spoken with some of our colleagues to find out how they celebrate the festive period. |
News from the Provinces
Newlife is the largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities or terminal illness across the UK, and their work is changing lives.
We’re so proud that, through our work, Staffordshire Freemasons have been able to provide a £30,000 grant for this charity, which will help them buy life-changing equipment for young people with disabilities.
| The MCF office will be closed from midday Friday, 23 December and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday, January 3. If you need urgent mental health support during this time: Call the Samaritans on 116 123 Text ‘Shout’ to 85258 |
| The Masonic Charitable Foundation is the national charity of Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). UGLE is the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and some Districts overseas. To find out more about Freemasonry, visit ugle.org.uk |
2022 Masonic Charitable Foundation.Charity Number 1164703 Company Number 09751836 Unsubscribe |
First Rising Special Edition – An Introduction to UGLE Strategy
WEDNESDAY 21st DECEMBER
Welcome to First Rising – the official newsletter for members of United Grand Lodge of England.
MEMBERS INTRODUCTION TO
UGLE STRATEGY 2022 AND BEYOND
| We are delighted to share with you a video containing details of our new strategy, which the Pro Grand Master requests that all Brethren take the time to watch, as it is critical to the future success of our organisation. The video consists of: – An introduction from the Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E – A panel discussion on the Strategy – A concluding statement from the Pro Grand Master and Pro First Grand Principal Watch the video via the link below. WATCH THE VIDEO |
The Mercury Issue 50 November 2022
Provincial Service Of Thanksgiving – St. Albans
Sunday 30th October marked a special day in the Provincial Calendar being the occasion of the Annual Service of Thanksgiving, which was graced with the presence of the RW Bro HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, Provincial Grand Master.
| Open House London. During the weekend of 10-11 September, Freemasons’ Hall welcomed over 4,300 people who loved learning a little more about the building and Freemasonry. Watch the video here |
| Forthcoming Events |
The next gripping talk hosted by Temple of Athene Lodge No. 9541 is by W Bro Mike Neville SLGR PPrJGW (Surrey) – a retired Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector, all about Masonic involvement in Murder, Treason and Scandal!
This is to be a White Table event, so please feel free to invite partners and non-Masonic friends for what promises to be a riveting evening!
Book in here!
Middlesex Light Blues Club
The Middlesex Light Blues Club (MLBC) provides a means for getting together socially, and to encourage inter-lodge visiting. The MLBC welcomes all Masons who are yet to receive Provincial honours, and have two exciting tours coming up in January and February 2023, of Freemasons’ Hall in London and the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge.
Join / Book / Get involved here
News from the Province
Remembrance Day 2022
Middlesex Freemasons gathered at over 18 venues to mark Remembrance Day. For reports and photos click here
MGO / PGO Club Meeting
A well attended club meeting saw our own Pro Provincial Grand Master interviewed by Jim Mitchell in an engaging and revealing interview. Read more here
Open Day at PMK Court
Brethren of the Province were invited to attend an Open Day at Prince Michael of Kent Court on Sunday 25th September. Fortunately, the weather was fine and W. Bro. Stan Marut, Media Team News Editor was on hand to provide a full report.
Read more here
The Royal Order of Scotland
The Royal Order of Scotland is an ancient Christian Order in Freemasonry, based in Scotland with its own Grand Lodge in Edinburgh, and has Provinces all round the world – including in Middlesex.
Famous Middlesex Churches now in London
W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR, News Editor of the Provincial Media Team, continues his quest to highlight the history of Middlesex and its places that now have lost their connection with the old County.
Read more here
Charity Matters
Wheel Power to the People
W. Bro Paul Sully PAGSwdB, Chairman of the MMSA, along with the Pro Provincial Grand Master RW Peter Baker, who is the President, took part in the WheelPower event held at the Brunel University Sports Centre earlier in November. They were ably supported financially, first by Provincial Lodges and Chapters to the sum of £3000 and also by the volunteers from Ickenham St Giles Lodge No 6028 who gave up their day to attend the event.
A Harrow Hero – A Middlesex Mason in the Community
W Bro Leonardo Monno, Media Team member met with W. Bro David Won Soong LGR who was recently nominated for a Harrow’s Heroes Award. This is his report on a Brother who is dedicated to volunteering
Project Turnover – Youngsters Taking Control Of Their Lives
Youngsters who might be “in danger” are identified at an early stage and can be encouraged through participation in initiatives like “Project Turnover” to embrace changes which will give them the confidence to make their lives better and give themselves self-esteem. W Bro David Allan PSGD PPrAGM and VW Bro Barry Cramer, Deputy Provincial Grand Master paid a visit to the Project.
The Predominant Wish of our Hearts – LifeLites
Earlier in the year W. Bro John Briggs, Provincial Grand Charity Steward asked Craft Charity Stewards to consider the charity and the amazing benefits it provides to seriously disadvantaged children with life limiting conditions.
St. Lukes – This is Where the Money Goes
It is gratifying to see that the money is being well spent and that our Middlesex Masonic Charity is able to provide funds to assist St Luke’s Hospice in the various projects outlined in their report.
Bringing Comfort To Children in Distress
Middlesex Freemasons have donated over 28,000 teddy bears to local hospitals since 2005.
Click here to see how you can help.
The Lastest News from the MCF
The Middlesex Charitable Foundation releases a monthly newsletter called “Charity Light”, which is filled with the latest charitable news from the MCF.
News from Lodges and Chapters
It’s a Small World
W Bro Jim Ashton PPrJGW will shortly take the Chair of Middlesex Masters (Uxbridge) Lodge 9292, but in June this year he visited Barra Hall Lodge, No. 8096.
An Initiation – Borough of Acton Lodge
“After the dark days of Winter, the first shoots of Spring bring joy to the hearts of many” and so it is with Borough of Acton Lodge, No. 4368 which meets at the Southgate Masonic Centre.
The WOW Factor at Father Thames
At their recent meeting members of Father Thames Chapter, No. 5615 dug deep and gave generously to a number of charities which produced a considerable number of “wows” by way of exclamation. One of the recipient charities was Lifelites.
Bedfont Piper Marks Well
Brother Iain Raymond is a member of Bedfont Lodge No 8381 and Royal Hanover Lodge No 1777 and is well known as a Piper within the Craft Province of Middlesex.
High Five
At HDMC on Monday 15th November, E. Comp Denis O’Sullivan PPrGReg was installed as MEZ, in Kenton Chapter No 5046 for the fifth time. This in itself may not seem that unusual, however, but Denis was born on 11th May 1929 and this year celebrated his 93rd birthday.
Surprises in Store
The November Meeting of Strawberry Hill Lodge No 946, in the presence of W. Bro Bob Rough APGM on his Official Visit, included the usual Remembrance item, but then something which was not on the Agenda took place…
A Mix of Youth and Experience
It was a night for first appointments at the most recent convocation of Northwood Chapter No. 4994, as E. Comp. Roger Collins enjoys his first taste of M.E.Z. and E. Comp. Jamie Fyfe took up his first Scribe E role.
Lights Go Out at Lumen Chapter
It’s always sad to hear of a Lodge or Chapter handing back its Warrant or Charter, and it’s usually thought of as a kind of failure. But, if you think about it, it is only a reflection of the circle of life which applies to all things on this planet of ours, in this case for Lumen Chapter No. 5786.
The Jersey Boys
The wonderful thing about freemasonry is when families are involved in the same masonic unit. On Tuesday 25th October, Jersey Chapter No. 2163 met at Uxbridge Masonic Centre and on this particular occasion the three Principals were father, son and the son’s half-brother.
Jubilee Lodge – A Numbers Game
Jubilee Lodge No. 8822 met on the 26th October and initiated their sixth candidate since March 2020. Bearing in mind that this was just before the Covid outbreak, these are very acceptable numbers. Indeed, there is another Candidate waiting in the wings.
Small Links – Large Chain
Saturday 22nd October 2022 was a very special day for Fortitude Lodge No. 6503 and its members past and present when the 315th meeting of Fortitude Lodge took place at Harrow District Masonic Centre.
It Was Alright on the Night
Lodge Secretaries are used to having a lot on their plate, but Johnny Lewis of Harmony Lodge No. 255 will be grateful if future meetings turn out to be a little less demanding than their most recent, in October.
Lord Jim of Snowdonia
Bro Jim Dyett PPrSGD LGR is tireless in his efforts to raise money for good causes. He is a member of Gordon Bourne Lodge No. 9388 and also of Sackville Lodge No 7063 in Metropolitan Grand Lodge. This is even more significant when you discover that Jim is blind.
Heart-rending Courage and Fortitude
Earlier this year Alperton Lodge No. 5548 held its Ladies evening at the Hunton Park Hotel in Hertfordshire. It had been many years since the Lodge held one. Lodge tradition allowed the Worshipful Master’s Lady to chose which charity to support and this year the money raised was donated to the Papworth Hospital in Cambridgshire to be used in the Cystic Fibrosis unit.
Let Them Eat Cake
The Brethren of Rose of England Lodge No. 6456 know how to enjoy themselves and what better occasion than to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Lodge at the Harrow District Masonic Centre.
Drumming up Support for Charity
Newly installed Charity Steward at Bedfont Lodge No. 8381, Bro Iain Raymond, is already putting his best foot forward to support the Lodge’s chosen charities, including the Never Forgotten Walk.
Happy to Meet Again
The Companions of St Clair Chapter No. 2902 were happy to meet again after being one of the first masonic units to hold a meeting at TDMC in September.
A Charity Close to the Heart
During the summer of 2022 the Worshipful Master of The Middlesex Home Services Lodge No. 5836, W. Bro Michael New, presented a cheque for £500 to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust at their Offices in Aldgate, London.
