Brethren, it is very good to see so many of you here today. I hope that you are enjoying your visit to this meeting of Grand Lodge, whether it is your first or another one of many such visits. I hope all of you have found the matters covered in the Communication today of some considerable interest and, in one particular instance, very inspiring.
Many of you will recall that at the Quarterly Communication held in Monmouthshire in September 2023 I announced a change to the modern, short, four word statement for the enlightenment values underpinning Freemasonry. The statement is, “Integrity, Friendship, Respect, Service”. This is deliberately brief, easy to remember, but captures the essence of what it is to be a Freemason in the twenty-first century.
The Third Pillar of the Strategy for Freemasonry, as you have been reminded again this morning, is concerned with our engagement with the communities within which we live and work. It is essential we do so, and do so with enthusiasm as we demonstrate the good Freemasonry can bring to those whom it touches, whether they are members or not. I am most grateful to Right Worshipful Brother Sir David Wootton for the work he and the eight other members of the Grand Master’s Council Charity Committee have undertaken over the last eighteen months or so. It is, Brethren, the most comprehensive review of our approach to our engagement in our communities in at least fifty years and it has been undertaken with a thorough and comprehensive consultation at all levels of our organisation.
It is evident, as you will have heard from the presentation, that we as an organisation need to be able to deploy our resources and efforts effectively and to do so well requires a much closer involvement locally with those decisions. The Report makes a number of recommendations both on altering ways of doing things and supporting them appropriately with the Grand Lodge, Metropolitan Area, Provinces and Districts working closely together. I very much welcome these recommendations and look forward to their implementation in 2025.
The establishment of the necessary and appropriate working parties to take the recommendations forward in a prompt way will be announced early in the New Year. There is much to do following the Third Pillar Review and we will address the recommendations promptly and enthusiastically.
I believe, Brethren, that the report of the GMCCC has clearly shown why the use of the word Service is appropriate as part of the statement of our values. It captures the breadth of what Freemasons do within and for the communities in which they live and work. I am sure you will agree, Brethren, it is rather more than just making donations of money, as important as that is, and we should not be reticent to make the point to our friends, neighbours and families.
Brethren, we have also seen today that service takes many forms, from serving in the armed forces or civilian services, small individual acts, to competing at the highest level in sports for your country. All those who are Freemasons and who serve, in whatever way, do so because of what they do not because they are Freemasons but they are Freemasons because of what they do. The organisation’s values strike a chord with them and it is one to which they can and do relate.
Brethren, I wish to announce there will also be a working party, to be led by Right Worshipful Brother Anthony Howlett-Bolton, Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire, dealing with a thorough revision of the Book of Constitutions so it is appropriate for the current century. This working party will commence work early next year.
Brethren, at this Quarterly Communication two years ago I emphasised the need for us all to adopt “yes, if” when dealing with issues and challenges and being willing to innovate and learn. I hope you have seen today Grand Lodge is doing just what it says we need to do. I very much hope you will all go back to your Lodges and Chapters realising “yes, if” is more than just a phrase, it is an approach we all can and should adopt. I am confident with your support and full engagement we can and will succeed.
Thank you, Brethren.
