Summary of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendents Address to Provincial Grand Chapter on Saturday 26 September 2009.
Good afternoon Companions – welcome to our usual sunny day at York Racecourse
I extend a particular welcome to all those Companions who are attending our Convocation for the first time whether as a Distinguished Guest, an Appointee or most importantly a recent Exaltee.
It seems to me that the last 12 months have passed very quickly. Commencing here a year ago when we were privileged to have the 2nd Grand Principal give us a thought provoking address.
I am pleased to report that the itinerant players from the Provl G Stwds Chapter have been in action and the Chapter greets the Craft presentation team have had a number of successful evenings. Well done to them – keep up the good work
Thank you all for taking up “the challenge” I issued last year – for those that think they have forgotten what it was I will remind you. The challenge was to extend greater happiness into your Chapters. Smiling is infectious and is painless and I continue to encourage every Chapter Mason to use this powerful gift when speaking about the Royal Arch degree. We have a colourful ceremony a wonderful story of discovery and adventure and a happy ending. It should be an easy sell.
You will all be aware that I was opposed to exalting new candidates for the Royal Arch on the night of ballot. I am still not an enthusiast but appreciate that this is a matter for individual Chapters and after discussions with the Committee of General Purposes it is now permitted with a request that all the circumstances of each case are considered in order to avoid embarrassment.
I am sure that a brief reference to “gloves the wearing of” is appropriate. I wish to put on record that while I issued a suggestion that as there was no historical reason for the wearing of white gloves in Chapter and they were not worn in Supreme Grand Chapter nor of course at our Provincial Convocations then some of our Chapters might consider copying that example. This idea was no more a directive than any of the many other opportunities that the Province put forward from time to time when some take up the ideas and others do not. If your Chapter likes wearing gloves and wants to continue I have no problem with that whatever although I hope that perhaps the decision was made in open Chapter and not by the Past Principals ginger group.
We have of course recently seen the “removal” of the very unsatisfactory additional words added in 2003 about what is the Royal Arch from the preliminary declaration of 1813 so that the old reference to three degrees including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch is no longer qualified by supplementary words.
I am pleased to report that we had a very happy and successful Consecration of our newest Chapter, White Horse Installed Principals No 9807, last Saturday. Great venue sunshine and good turn out. Thanks to all involved
I take this opportunity to congratulate all those who I have appointed or promoted this morning. Enjoy your new status but use it wisely for the benefit of the Royal Arch and the Companions that come under your influence. Provincial Rank should be a badge of sound judgement and the mark of a Companion willing always to guide and help any who seek assistance
Finally you might like an update on the progress of the Prostate Cancer Research appeal launched by Provincial Grand Charity in May. Over the summer months the support has been amazing and the contributions to date from specific donations exceed £20,000 with pledges of another £8,000 made to me. This includes £750 from our newest Chapter.
Companions, there is no truth in the rumour that I am having prostate surgery to boost the appeal! However my thanks to the many who have sent cards emails and letters and I have not gone in yet. I expect to be back on the roundabout by Christmas and to be undertaking normal duties and activities from 1st January.
I hope you have all enjoyed the day here and while I shall see many of you at lunch to the others I wish you a safe journey home
It is a pleasure to be your Grand Superintendent an office I hold with great pride
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