Feature Events & News:
Most Worshipful Brother Donald MacKenzie elected as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon for 2020-2021
MW Bro Don MacKenzie was born in New Westminster on 4 April 1951 and educated in Maple Ridge. Our Grand Master is a proud seventh generation Freemason. As you would expect, he was exposed to Freemasonry from a young age, which influenced his early childhood. This masonic influence has continued throughout his adult life!
For MWGM MacKenzie's full Bio, please click HERE!
MW Bro Don MacKenzie was born in New Westminster on 4 April 1951 and educated in Maple Ridge. Our Grand Master is a proud seventh generation Freemason. As you would expect, he was exposed to Freemasonry from a young age, which influenced his early childhood. This masonic influence has continued throughout his adult life!
For MWGM MacKenzie's full Bio, please click HERE!
Important COVID 19 Update for the 650 Fisgard St Masonic Hall:
- Commencing September 3rd, 2020, the 650 Fisgard St Hall will tentatively host its first Masonic Meeting since the March closure.
- This will be Victoria-Columbia Lodge No.1's regular night, however, as a phased opening, attendance will be limited to Lodge members and Freemasons specifically invited by the Worshipful Master. Drop-in visitors cannot be accommodated at this time, although everyone is looking-forward to a return to "normal" camaraderie later in the year! Standby for further updates as they occur!
Our Regular Weekly Update for Masonic Events and News:
A Mid-July 2020 Update....
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Some sad news..
We recently heard of the passing of WB Bob Hamilton. Bob was a long-time member of Mount Newton Lodge and along with WB Dick Nimmo and others at the time were instrumental in the upkeep, maintenance, and repairs to the Mount Newton Masonic Hall. Their legacy is our good fortune to have the use of perhaps one of the premier Masonic Halls in the Province. The notice was published in the Times Colonist and can be found at https://legcy.co/3iScZBA
Election of Junior Grand Warden
RWB Mark Forster was elected by written ballot to serve as Junior Grand Warden and installed with other Grand Lodge Officers in June. A bio of our Grand Master – MWB Donald MacKenzie is attached.
COVID
The impact of COVID-19 is far reaching. Our membership team continue to reach out to our members to ensure they are managing through the pandemic. The Monday morning coffee club was recently reactivated following COVID-19 protocols as was the July 1st BBQ. Protocols included registering as people enter the building, limits on the number of people in the hall and in the washrooms at any one time, the way coffee, snacks and/or food would be served. For all of us it is a learning experience.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We [the 3 founding Lodges] have over the years presented Scholarships to worthy students. We continue the tradition this year and have identified four students [2 from each of Stelly’s and Parklands] to each receive $1,500 post-Secondary scholarships.
The criteria for our scholarships focuses on the ‘community aspect’ and leadership demonstrated by the students and not necessarily the academic accomplishments. We can be well satisfied our Scholarships are awarded to most deserving candidates. Our practice has been to present the Scholarships at our Tenant BBQ in September. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the uncertainty of group gatherings, we plan to present the Scholarships at a small formal reception on Monday evening August 3rd. Attendance will be limited to the recipients and families along with members of United Peninsula Lodge. Please send an RSVP to WB Roger Trant [ rtrant@telus.net if you would like to attend so your name can go on the invite list. This is particularly important due to the strict measures of limiting size and contract tracing.
Officers Meeting
The Principal Officers and others held an Officers meeting on Monday July 13th. Several items were discussed and follow up information will be provided as we move forward.
Agenda items included:
Zoom meetings – the Zoom meeting which seems to have taken root is the daily 9 o’clock Toast.
I must give a shout-out to Melrose Lodge No. 67 on their initiative in promoting Zoom meetings and education evenings. Have a look at their web site https://www.melrose67.org/online .
Euclid Lodge No. 158 is hosting a meeting with the Grand Master, MWB Donald Mackenzie on Thursday July 23rd. There is a limit of 100 people so contact Bro. Craig Wolverton cwolvert@gmail.com to RSVP for the link and access protocols.
Concordant Bodies – if you are interested: Scottish Rite – contact scottishritevictoria@gmail.com for application and further information.
Some other events/items which may be of interest…
-Ashlar College of Freemasonry – now has a web site www.ashlarcollege.ca The website offers both to students already registered with the college, as well as brethren curious in becoming members of the college, - an opportunity to register. The website contains all the coursework as well as soon to have the ability to pay on line [Pay Pal or a Credit Card].
-Victoria Lodge of Education and Research [VLER]– As we have seen changes in our individual Lodges related to declining membership the VLER is facing similar challenges. In addition to interesting and informative presentations; the VLER offers an opportunity for any Master Mason to present a paper exploring something of interest to them personally and then open the discussion afterwards to further explore their interest. Please contact VWB Ron Cawthra at ron.cawthra@telus.net if you are interested in paying them a visit.
-Grand Lodge 2021 in Victoria – the planning team is laying the foundation for a successful Grand Lodge in Victoria in June of 2021. We are looking for people who are willing to help at different organization levels- Chairman of a Committee, a team lead or perhaps as a host to our visitors. The year 2021 represents the 150th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and the 150th year British Columbia entered Confederation. The history of the Province of British Columbia, the development of Victoria as a centre of Commerce during the early days of the Gold Rush and the establishment of Freemasonry in British Columbia is clearly entwined. Please contact the Chairman of Volunteers Committee WB Len Walsh at 250-216-3411 or lenwalsh@telus.net
-EBee – Grand Lodge Electronic Bulletin/Newsletter - The current issue of EBee is available on line at http://anyflip.com/xrkv/evxi/
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Some sad news..
We recently heard of the passing of WB Bob Hamilton. Bob was a long-time member of Mount Newton Lodge and along with WB Dick Nimmo and others at the time were instrumental in the upkeep, maintenance, and repairs to the Mount Newton Masonic Hall. Their legacy is our good fortune to have the use of perhaps one of the premier Masonic Halls in the Province. The notice was published in the Times Colonist and can be found at https://legcy.co/3iScZBA
Election of Junior Grand Warden
RWB Mark Forster was elected by written ballot to serve as Junior Grand Warden and installed with other Grand Lodge Officers in June. A bio of our Grand Master – MWB Donald MacKenzie is attached.
COVID
The impact of COVID-19 is far reaching. Our membership team continue to reach out to our members to ensure they are managing through the pandemic. The Monday morning coffee club was recently reactivated following COVID-19 protocols as was the July 1st BBQ. Protocols included registering as people enter the building, limits on the number of people in the hall and in the washrooms at any one time, the way coffee, snacks and/or food would be served. For all of us it is a learning experience.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We [the 3 founding Lodges] have over the years presented Scholarships to worthy students. We continue the tradition this year and have identified four students [2 from each of Stelly’s and Parklands] to each receive $1,500 post-Secondary scholarships.
The criteria for our scholarships focuses on the ‘community aspect’ and leadership demonstrated by the students and not necessarily the academic accomplishments. We can be well satisfied our Scholarships are awarded to most deserving candidates. Our practice has been to present the Scholarships at our Tenant BBQ in September. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the uncertainty of group gatherings, we plan to present the Scholarships at a small formal reception on Monday evening August 3rd. Attendance will be limited to the recipients and families along with members of United Peninsula Lodge. Please send an RSVP to WB Roger Trant [ rtrant@telus.net if you would like to attend so your name can go on the invite list. This is particularly important due to the strict measures of limiting size and contract tracing.
Officers Meeting
The Principal Officers and others held an Officers meeting on Monday July 13th. Several items were discussed and follow up information will be provided as we move forward.
Agenda items included:
- Officers staying in place until our Installation in January 2022
- Hold a tenant BBQ in September – yet to be decided
- Host a Christmas dinner subject to COVID-19 limitations [maximum of 50 with appropriate physical distancing]
- A discussion on PM’s acting as “Officers Coach and/or Mentors” for a 3-year commitment
- Establish an evening coffee hour – [probably Mondays due to the availability of our Hall] in addition to our Monday morning coffee hour. This would enable us to accommodate people who are not able to make the Monday morning coffee while at the same time inviting seekers. We could consider introduce a speaker’s program – all things Masonic or possibly of general interest.
Zoom meetings – the Zoom meeting which seems to have taken root is the daily 9 o’clock Toast.
I must give a shout-out to Melrose Lodge No. 67 on their initiative in promoting Zoom meetings and education evenings. Have a look at their web site https://www.melrose67.org/online .
Euclid Lodge No. 158 is hosting a meeting with the Grand Master, MWB Donald Mackenzie on Thursday July 23rd. There is a limit of 100 people so contact Bro. Craig Wolverton cwolvert@gmail.com to RSVP for the link and access protocols.
Concordant Bodies – if you are interested: Scottish Rite – contact scottishritevictoria@gmail.com for application and further information.
Some other events/items which may be of interest…
-Ashlar College of Freemasonry – now has a web site www.ashlarcollege.ca The website offers both to students already registered with the college, as well as brethren curious in becoming members of the college, - an opportunity to register. The website contains all the coursework as well as soon to have the ability to pay on line [Pay Pal or a Credit Card].
-Victoria Lodge of Education and Research [VLER]– As we have seen changes in our individual Lodges related to declining membership the VLER is facing similar challenges. In addition to interesting and informative presentations; the VLER offers an opportunity for any Master Mason to present a paper exploring something of interest to them personally and then open the discussion afterwards to further explore their interest. Please contact VWB Ron Cawthra at ron.cawthra@telus.net if you are interested in paying them a visit.
-Grand Lodge 2021 in Victoria – the planning team is laying the foundation for a successful Grand Lodge in Victoria in June of 2021. We are looking for people who are willing to help at different organization levels- Chairman of a Committee, a team lead or perhaps as a host to our visitors. The year 2021 represents the 150th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and the 150th year British Columbia entered Confederation. The history of the Province of British Columbia, the development of Victoria as a centre of Commerce during the early days of the Gold Rush and the establishment of Freemasonry in British Columbia is clearly entwined. Please contact the Chairman of Volunteers Committee WB Len Walsh at 250-216-3411 or lenwalsh@telus.net
-EBee – Grand Lodge Electronic Bulletin/Newsletter - The current issue of EBee is available on line at http://anyflip.com/xrkv/evxi/
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe
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PEOPLE JOIN AN ORGANIZATION BECAUSE OF THE IDEALS, BUT THEY STAY BECAUSE OF YOU.
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United Peninsula Lodge No. 24 & Mount Newton Masonic Hall Calendar
For District Calendars, please visit the Grand Lodge Of British Columbia & Yukon
For District Calendars, please visit the Grand Lodge Of British Columbia & Yukon