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!
COVID-19 Update for the 650 Fisgard St Masonic Hall:
- As the COVID situation is fluid, effective September 2nd, MWGM MacKenzie has re-suspended all in-person meetings.
- Victoria-Columbia No.1 was scheduled to have a limited in-person meeting September 3rd at the Fisgard Hall, however, that has now been cancelled.
- Everyone is looking forward to a return to normal, however the health and safety of all members of the Craft will continue to be the paramount factor in the resumption of in-person activities.
Our Regular Weekly Update for Masonic Events and News:
A Mid-August 2020 Update....
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Monday morning Coffee – August 17th – 9:00AM– our WM has invited Carlos Quintero [one of our Scholarship students from last year] to attend our Monday morning coffee to give us an update on how his year has unfolded and what his plans are for the future.
Monday evening Coffee – August 17th 7:00PM – some people [particularly those who are still gainfully employed] have asked us to consider a coffee hour in the evening following the same format to that held on Monday morning. The first opportunity for this will be this Monday August 17th at 7:00PM.
COVID-19 Protocols:
We are following the COVID-19 protocols as recommended by the Public Health Officer – Dr. Bonnie Henry as well as those published by Grand Lodge. These include signing in whenever someone enters the building for whatever reason [Monday morning coffee, meetings, building maintenance etc.] and limiting the number of people attending.
Some examples:
SCHOLARSHIPS:
We presented the awards to our Scholarship students on Monday August 3rd at the Lodge Hall. From all reports it went well.
LODGE MEETING:
Although I do not normally report on our meetings in this forum, I felt it is important for everyone to who subscribes to the email blast to be made aware of decisions made at our Emergent Meeting on Wednesday August 12th.
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
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Monday morning Coffee – August 17th – 9:00AM– our WM has invited Carlos Quintero [one of our Scholarship students from last year] to attend our Monday morning coffee to give us an update on how his year has unfolded and what his plans are for the future.
Monday evening Coffee – August 17th 7:00PM – some people [particularly those who are still gainfully employed] have asked us to consider a coffee hour in the evening following the same format to that held on Monday morning. The first opportunity for this will be this Monday August 17th at 7:00PM.
COVID-19 Protocols:
We are following the COVID-19 protocols as recommended by the Public Health Officer – Dr. Bonnie Henry as well as those published by Grand Lodge. These include signing in whenever someone enters the building for whatever reason [Monday morning coffee, meetings, building maintenance etc.] and limiting the number of people attending.
Some examples:
- Monday morning coffee – everyone is expected to sign the register, and limit themselves to sitting at one of the round tables with limited seating
- Lodge meeting – we held an emergent Lodge meeting on Wednesday August 12th to address several Administrative issues. We had 16 people in attendance and everyone was safely distanced. We did not have a festive board, but rather a casual standup social after the meeting.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
We presented the awards to our Scholarship students on Monday August 3rd at the Lodge Hall. From all reports it went well.
LODGE MEETING:
Although I do not normally report on our meetings in this forum, I felt it is important for everyone to who subscribes to the email blast to be made aware of decisions made at our Emergent Meeting on Wednesday August 12th.
- Current Officers to remain in place until our Installation in January 2022
- Vacancies between now and our Installation in January 2022 to be appointed by the Worshipful Master
- Offer to make our Lodge available to other Lodges in District 1 – [Vancouver Island South] should their Lodge building[s] not be available up to December 31, 2020. This is subject to following strict COVID-19 protocols.
- Establish an evening coffee hour [see previous comment]
- Approval to submit pictures & text in the Saanich Peninsula News of our Scholarship presentation.
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