Royal Arch News
On Friday 5 February, Bro John McMann became Comp John McMann as he was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch at the Chapter of St. Giles and completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. 
Comp McMann is pictured above: E Comp Malcolm Atkins, E Comp Jack Summerfield, Comp John McMann and E Comp David Docherty.
The Chapter’s Principals led their team for an excellent ceremony with some fine ritual, a special note must be made to the 1st Assistant Sojourner, Comp Garth Coward who stood in at short notice for the whole Sojourner role. The ceremony was warmly appreciated by all those present, including Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp Mike Coleman and Past Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp David Jackson.
This was the second Exaltation ceremony in which the Chapter of St. Giles has presented the short information excerpts simultaneously to both exaltee and the Chapter during the ceremony, which were received by all with great interest. Finally, Comp John McMann was the first exaltee in the Corby Centre to receive the new ‘Welcome to Royal Arch Masonry’ brochure which was presented by E.Comp Mike Coleman. The evening was finished off with a superb “Haggis led” Festive Board which was kicked off by some excellent bagpiping by Comp Scott Morton, followed by a wonderful address to the haggis by E Comp Billy Glover. E Comp Jack C Summerfield provided an English translation for those not of Scottish persuasion, all in all a very enjoyable Royal Arch evening…. Is there any other kind.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Tuesday 9 February was the convocation of Thistle and Rose Chapter at which Bro Stephen Skillen was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, completed his journey from Initiation to Exaltation and became Comp Stephen Skillen. The Chapter was honoured to have E Comp Mark Constant, the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in attendance accompanied by E Comp Tony Winn, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. Also in attendance was the Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp Mike Coleman and Past Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp David Jackson.
Companion Stephen Skillen (pictured below) was proposed by his brother Companion Richard Skillen (pictured right) and seconded by his father Companion Alex Skillen (pictured left). Thistle and Rose Chapter is no stranger to father and son members as they also can boast Companions Ron and Chris Goode and Companions Mel and Matt Garner.
The Three Principals, E Comp Graham Roger, E Comp David Docherty and E Comp Chris Goode led an excellent ceremony which saw several officers produce some superb work. The Principal Sojourner, Comp Andy McWilliam, and 1st Assistant Sojourner, Comp Willie Docherty performed their work in the most exemplary manner. The signs were presented by E Comp Alex Henderson with great style, followed by the Symbolical Lecture presented solely by E Comp David Docherty whilst he walked the candidate Comp Stephen Skillen around the chapter followed by the Mystical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by E Comp Ken Marris, E Comp Tom Strickland, and E Comp Keith Millington. Finally, Comp Matt Garner was presented his Grand Chapter Certificate by the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant.
The 3rd Provincial Grand Principal is pictured below with the Principals of the Chapter and the Exaltee:
Left to Right: E Comp Tony Winn, E Comp David Docherty, E Comp Mark Constant, Comp Stephen Skillen, E Comp Graham Roger & E Comp Chris Goode.
A thoroughly enjoyable Festive Board followed which was enjoyed by all, particularly, the Exaltee, his father and brother. It is good to see that Royal Arch Masonry is going strong within the Thistle and Rose Chapter and looks that it will continue to do so from generation to generation.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Monday 1 February was the February convocation of Eleanor Cross Chapter in which Bro Matthew Ellmer was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, completed his journey from Initiation to Exaltation and became Comp Matthew Ellmer. The Chapter was honoured to have the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E Comp Wayne Williams in attendance, accompanied by E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Chapter was further honoured by several Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter officers, namely, E Comp Jeff Lowe, E Comp Tony Greene, E Comp Derek Todd and E Comp Michael Green.
The Three Principals, E Comp Merrick Bowles, E Comp Kevin Corcoran and E Comp John Fergusson led an excellent ceremony which saw several officers produce some superb work. The Principal Sojourner, E Comp Paul Sparks, and 1st Assistant Sojourner, E Comp Kevin Foreman performed their work in the most exemplary manner. The signs were presented by E Comp Trevor Sherman with great style, followed by the Mystical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by E Comp John James, E Comp Ken Briers and E Comp George Clayton.
Below Comp Matthew is pictured with E Comp Kevin Corcoran, ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, E Comp Merrick Bowles and E Comp John Fergusson.
Companions of the Chapter congratulated E Comp Paul Sparks on his first appointment in Provincial Grand Chapter, acting Provincial2nd Asst Grand Sojourner and E Comp Mike Pepper on his past rank promotion to PPrGScN.
The Chapter enjoyed a wonderful selection of music throughout the ceremony by acting organist for the evening, E Comp George Clayton.
Below the ME Grand Superintendent is pictured with Eleanor Cross Chapter's Three Principals.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Chapter Almoners: Your Important Role
As we are now regularly reminded, membership trends of late have caused considerable concern and in order to understand fully the extent of the problems and to consider ways of urgently addressing them, the Membership Focus Group (MFG) came into being a couple of years ago. Many of us will have participated in the on-line surveys that have been circulated. From a senior level at Great Queen Street, we are now close to publishing a number of initiatives and strong recommendations by which we can, and must, assist further.
Against a backdrop that up to 20% of our Initiates never progressing to the stage when they receive their Grand Lodge Certificate, then one can appreciate the longer term implications not only for the Craft itself but also for the Royal Arch.
Key to the strategies currently under consideration will be the selection and appointment of a Craft Provincial Membership Officer (PMO) whose primary responsibility, as we currently see it, will be the well-being of newly raised Master Masons and to ensure that they have a better understanding of Freemasonry in general and what it stands for. From an early stage, assisted by Lodge Membership Officers in due course, they will need immediate space to “mentor” a newly raised Brother and to ensure that he is not inundated with other distractions at too early a stage, which might lead to confusion, disillusionment and ultimately, resignation. Believe me, it happens.
Other MFG initiatives will follow, not least a thorough review of the role of the Almoner within our Lodges and Chapters. The “pastoral” duties of both will remain as before – the well-being of our Companions in particular is so important - but considerably more emphasis will be needed on issues relating to membership retention and retrieval, central to the role of a good Almoner.
Our record in this Province, both in the Craft and the Royal Arch, is the envy of many but we cannot afford to be complacent. From the Royal Arch perspective, the Provincial Year Book confirms the quality, seniority and experience of the vast majority of our Chapter Almoners and to whom I am so grateful. I have no doubt at all that already their role is being implemented as it should and that, within their individual Chapters, membership trends and attendance levels are being carefully monitored. Where need be, immediate action and referral can then be taken to ascertain the well-being of an absent and missing Companion.
As Grand Superintendent, therefore, I merely need to ensure that we all share the same understanding, that we are all “singing off the same hymn sheet” and that monitoring systems are in place, so that when we are instructed further by Great Queen Street, we will have pre-empted their requirements.
To this end, therefore, we have recently written to individual Chapters in advisory mode to set out our thoughts and suggestions. At the same time we have also briefed Chapter Almoners separately.
It need not be an onerous task – a simple Attendance spreadsheet, access to the Chapter Attendance Register, a sympathetic enquiry here, a telephone call there but, come what may, this Province will continue to take every opportunity to strengthen our membership and enhance the Companionship we share together by attracting new Royal Arch Masons to the Supreme Degree and becoming more adept at retaining existing ones.
Everyone will be needed to play his part.
E Comp Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson