A joint effort by the Deputy Grand Superintendent and the Provincial Grand Scribe E.
It looks like the long-awaited return to some sort of normal is now on the way. . . Who would have thought a couple of years or so ago that things like two injections, no face masks, not so many Zoom meetings in the diary, and meeting friends and family in the flesh would be so much looked forward too, and even bring us a tinge of excitement? We think that one of the many things that the pandemic has taught us all is that the normal should never be taken for granted and, whilst we have the normal, to make the most of it.
We are now heading back to the normal thanks to an army of dedicated people, very many professionals, and an even bigger army of volunteers from all walks of life. Masons have not been slow in stepping up and doing their part in the voluntary sector. This fact has not gone unnoticed and is reflected in the increased amount of interest shown in Freemasonry by members of the public via the internet alone.
Oxfordshire, as per the article in the last edition of The Second Rising, has had three of our members honoured for their voluntary works by UGLE in the form of Certificates of Commendation from His Royal Highness the Grand Master. Whilst these three members have been officially and rightly recognised, we are aware and truly grateful that so many more of our members have gone far beyond the call of duty to help society in general through this once in a lifetime disaster.
Masonically, we must now really start to concentrate on getting back on an operationally firm footing regarding re-opening our Chapters and Lodges. Many have accumulated a backlog of ceremonies; some have seen sad losses of members. To help with the re-start, UGLE/Supreme Grand Chapter have made numerous permitted variations to the Book of Constitutions, the latest of which is holding meetings on previously unauthorised days (Sundays/public holidays). There is also the ever present of the Provincial Grand Secretariat, both RA and Craft, who are always available for advice.
This is the point at which the ever present Provincial Grand Scribe E takes over with his share of this article, which is by far a better presented and more informative article than was my attempt.
Take care and stay safe.
E. Comp. Les Steward
Deputy Grand Superintendent
Companions,
I am pleased to write for this edition of The Second Rising knowing that the current restriction on gatherings imposed by H.M. Government is drawing to a conclusion.
Whilst I know that some chapters are keen to resume their chapter meetings and catch up with overdue business, I would draw your attention to the recently circulated joint letter circulated on behalf of the PGM/GSupt. In this, he advises that caution should still be observed and recommends that meetings be limited to six attendees until the next stage of the lifting of restrictions by H.M. Government which is due on the 21st of June – providing there are no setbacks with new variants of Covid 19, etc. and that any meetings must be held in conformity with Government guidelines and the Masonic Halls own risk assessment.
Catching up with Installations. It is well known that virtually every chapter has fallen behind with their elections or installations of the Three Principals and other officers of the chapter and it is worth issuing some guidance on this topic. Supreme Grand Chapter recently issued some advice on FAQ’s which can be found here
but to sum up this advice:
Election held but no Installation takes place. If the Principals elect could not be installed on the day for which the chapter was or should have been summoned (i.e., because the convocation had to be abandoned) each of them must be installed at the first convocation he attends during the year for which he was elected, which may be an emergency convocation.
The Book of Constitutions also allows a Principal to be installed out of his chapter at another chapter meeting within the Province upon production of sufficient proof of his having been duly elected and at the written request of the chapter. If an emergency convocation is called for this (or any other) purpose, no dispensation is required as the Principals alone have the authority to call it. But if the convocation is held at a different venue from that named in the by-laws, a dispensation will be required for that purpose.
Unless, therefore, the period for which the Principals were elected has expired, any Principal-Elect present must be installed, officers must be invested, and an Installation Return for that year must then be submitted to the Grand Scribe E and a Provincial Grand Chapter Installation Return must be sent to the PrGReg.
Missed Election meeting but Installation Convocation able to take place. If the election convocation could not be held because of the suspension, the Book of Constitutions regulations requires Principals to be elected at the next regular convocation to be held. Notice of the election must be given on the summons. The Principals so elected can be installed forthwith and, if so, will be deemed to fulfil the qualification for election to a higher Chair at the next regular election convocation. A Treasurer and a Janitor must be elected and invested with the other officers, and both Installation Returns must be submitted.
Both Election and Installation meetings missed. At the next regular convocation to be held (not an Emergency meeting), elections must take place, Principals-Elect installed, officers invested and both Installation Returns submitted. NOTE: Although a Principal-Elect may be installed at an emergency convocation, a Principal may only be elected at a REGULAR convocation. This does not mean that one or more emergency convocations cannot be held in the meantime in order to carry out exaltations, but, in that event, the companions who previously held office as Principals must continue to act in those offices (just as would be the case in normal times if a Principal-Elect were not installed on the regular day of Installation).
In summary. If you are in any doubt as to any of the procedures outlined above, do not hesitate to contact me. I would also remind you that the Provincial Grand Chapter Officers are here to help, so if you find that you are short of a quorum (five, excluding the janitor) and wish to hold a meeting (regular or emergency) contact me directly, and I will ensure you have the help required.
Other Meetings
I am confident that the planned tripartite meeting with the Provinces of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire at Cardinal House on Thursday 22nd July will go ahead where we look forward to witnessing a Ceremony of Exaltation carried out with the Oxfordshire workings by the members of Alfred Chapter. Further details will be distributed in due course.
I am also confident that our planned Provincial Grand Chapter meeting at The Heythrop Park Resort on Friday 3rd September will also go ahead at which we will invite the wives, partners and friends of Royal Arch Masons, as well as non-Royal Arch Members, into the Temple to join the Grand Superintendent who will recognize and congratulate our members on their recent appointment or promotion in Supreme Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter as well as those members who received appointments or promotions in 2020. This will be followed by a white table dinner and dance. Please pencil this date into your diary.
Lastly, I would remind you all that the Grand Superintendent has decreed that all new joining members of the Royal Arch during the first year after the resumption of meetings will receive from the Province a brand-new set of Royal Arch regalia which represents a saving of around £75. It is also worth remembering that new members may be exalted at an emergency meeting and that all fees for any dispensation are also waived for the foreseeable future.
The Preliminary Declaration on page 1 of the Book of Constitutions states:
“By the Solemn act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Free-Masons of England in December 1813, it was ‘declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.”
This is now an ideal time for a Master Mason to join the Royal Arch and complete his journey in Freemasonry.
Forthcoming Chapter Meetings
Thursday 3rd June – Jersey Chapter No.2334 – Closed meeting of 6.
Wednesday 9th June – Caversham Chapter No.3831 – Closed meeting of 6.
Wednesday 23rd June – Semper Paratus Chapter No.3015 – Installation meeting and double exaltation – all welcome.
Monday 28th June – Round Table Chapter of Oxfordshire No.9509 – to be confirmed.
Wednesday 7th July – Rathcreedan Chapter No.8690 – Installation meeting to be confirmed.
Thursday 22nd July – Tripartite Meeting – joint meeting with the Provinces of Berks and Bucks at Cardinal House hosted by Oxfordshire Installed First Principals Chapter No.7770 and honoured with a live ceremony of exaltation demonstrating the Oxfordshire workings by the Members of Alfred Chapter No.340 – all welcome.
I very much look forward to seeing you all around the Province.
E. Comp. Andy O’Sullivan
Provincial Grand Scrbe Ezra
Email: prgse@oxfordshirefreemasons.org