seeking to be better

IMN helps Philippines after typhoon Washi

Michael Carchrie Campbell — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:19:20 +0000

Some Irish brethren in the IMN group on Facebook have been making donations to an appeal for funds to assist those in the Philippines affected by the typhoon Washi.

As of an hour ago, the total was £281.33. Hopefully more Brethren will give more in the next few days.

fish and chips before Christmas

Michael Carchrie Campbell — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:28:26 +0000

Fish and Chips were welcome after our labour. Image via Wikipedia

The meeting of my lodge is usually on the fourth Tuesday of the month, but this month we had dispensation to change to the second Tuesday as the usual night would fall in the middle of the Christmas holiday. So this evening, I found myself making my way up to the Mount Masonic Centre for our meeting.

Tonight I met the Worshipful Master of my lodge who had been ill last month. Unfortunately, I had not been able to get my hair cut before today’s meeting so I was referred to as ‘the brother with the funny hair’. Hopefully, my ‘funny hair’ will be shortened tomorrow and this description will not persist in the new year!

Being the first meeting since I was initiated, I was eager to get there and experience my first whole meeting of the lodge. I came away not disappointed. There was much discussion on a whole range of issues but, unlike many meetings I have been at of other organisations, it was clear that those men present did have a common bond and a common purpose. Sometimes this seems lacking when organisations meet together.

Preparations are in hand for the Installation the incoming Worshipful Master and other Officers on 28th January 2012. I am now really looking forward to that – it’s an excuse (not that I need one) to don my kilt!

After the meeting, most of the brethren tucked into fish and chips for the Festive Board, together with some drinks (mostly soft drinks) from the bar in the social club. I got given a square and compasses lapel badge by the Treasurer and it is now on my lapel. I wonder if anyone will comment upon it.

We all left in peace and harmony, wishing each other a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and looking forward to the next meeting on 24th January, with the Installation and Dinner following on the 28th!

coming up to Christmas… a carol service…

Michael Carchrie Campbell — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:28:22 +0000

I was pleased to be part – quite a small part, as it happens – of the congregation that turned out on a cold winter’s afternoon for the United Masonic Charity Boards Annual Christmas Service of Nine Lessons and Carols which was held in Westbourne Presbyterian Community Church on the Newtownards Road, Belfast.

Many of the brethren there said that this annual service was the start of Christmas for them. For me too, this year, it is the start of the run up to the festivities. It is the first year that I have attended a carol service this early in Advent and not found myself wincing at singing words more usually sung actually during Christmas. I suspect that it was the presence of so many members of the Masonic Institution.

In addition to the efforts of the church’s choir augmented by some members of the Masonic Male Voice Choir, we all had a treat of two carols sung by a choir from Avoniel Primary School. The modern version of Unto us is born a Son was particularly enjoyable.

The collection was in aid of Masonic Charities. I am sure that there was a goodly sum collected which will be put to very good use by the Masonic Province of Down’s charitable boards and lodge almoners.

After the service proper, Santa Claus appeared and handed out selection boxes to the children present – it almost made me want to be a child once more. For the adults there was a welcome cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits.

I’m sure that we’ll all take the message of Christmas home and share it with those around us in the coming month.

Masonic Province of Down

Michael Carchrie Campbell — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:00:54 +0000

In a Report of the Grand Lodge for the half year, 27th December 1828 to the 24th June 1829, will be found the following significant notice, which was in all probability framed with a view to reform the local Masonic County Committees:- “The Grand Lodge of Ireland gives notice to the lodges under its jurisdiction, that His Grace, the Grand Master, will appoint, on the recommendation of the Grand Lodge, Provincial Grand Masters, and Provincial Grand Lodges for such Counties or Districts as may, in the opinion of Grand Lodge, require such establishments for the better government of the Craft.”

Belfast Masonic Charity Fund

Michael Carchrie Campbell — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:30:22 +0000

For the relief of poor and distressed masons or their families. No matter were they live, Brethren of every Masonic Lodge in the Province of Antrim, and Brethren whose Lodge is in the Masonic Province of Down,and meets within a six mile radius of Belfast, are eligible to seek assistance from the BMCF via their Lodge Almoner, immediately they receive their first degree.
The fund works on the principal of the persons definable income, that is: wages, mortgage, rates etc, and any social security benefits they may receive.

Deramore ML 290

Michael Carchrie Campbell — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:00:20 +0000

Unfortunately due to the lack of any written information and the passage of some one hundred and four years, all information to do with our Lodge crest had been lost. We know from our Lodge history sheets who named us Deramore but as to why the name Deramore was chosen and our association to the name is as yet unknown…

Deramore Masonic Lodge 290