The District Wire the Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of Cyprus Issue No
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The District Wire The Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of Cyprus Issue No. 14 “Keeping Members in Touch” Spring 2014 The District of Cyprus Education undertake what became a very lengthy task – to devise Programme both the materials for a programme of Masonic Every newly admitted member of a lodge within the Education and the mechanism by which it would be delivered and monitored. In this respect, they were District Grand Lodge of Cyprus, or a more experienced freemason who joins any of these lodges, is entitled to ‘ahead of their time’ and the package they devised have access through their Lodge Mentor to an extremely remains exceptional in content, style and method of comprehensive programme of Masonic Education. With delivery. W Bros Hubbard and McLean will continue to the relatively recent creation of the office of Mentor at monitor the content of the programme and make every level within the United Grand Lodge of England changes as and when this appears to be appropriate or and the www.masonicmentoring.co.uk website, the beneficial – in this respect feedback from Lodge Mentors Cyprus programme has been re-branded as the District is vital. W Bro Finney has recently ‘stepped back’ from of Cyprus Mentoring Programme. The purpose remains direct involvement in the programme – we thank him for unaltered – to enable brethren to become confident and his leadership and guidance throughout the project, and effective members of their lodges by means of a for the meticulous manner in which it was approached. thorough understanding of what we do and why we do it The post of Lodge Education Officer has now been and to discover the history and development of what we succeeded by the Office of Lodge Mentor – but the purpose of the scheme and work to be undertaken refer to as ‘the Craft’. remains unchanged, as was mentioned earlier. The role of Proposer and Seconder remain vital – in the majority of cases it would be hoped that these individuals would become Personal Mentors to their candidate (or joining member) and would assist them in working through the appropriate Fact Sheets which are the essential building blocks of the programme. These are neither lengthy nor complex, but they are thorough in their treatment of each relevant topic. They are available to every Master Mason through the District website www.cyprus-freemasons.org.cy and Lodge Mentors would be delighted to give the necessary password to those suitably qualified to receive it. At the conclusion of each degree ceremony the appropriate pack of materials should be presented to the W Bros Dave Hubbard MBE, John Finney and Ian McLean candidate who will then be able to work with his worked tirelessly for several years in order to devise, Personal Mentor in studying the information contained compile and co-ordinate the materials for this purpose therein. Support, encouragement and further and to present them in a manageable and fully supported explanation, where needed, can then be offered in an package which is easy to understand. All three of these informal setting. brethren are joining members of the District of Cyprus We have every reason to feel proud of the support the and brought with them their own individual experiences, District Mentoring Programme is able to lend to those interests and approaches to the task they set themselves. commencing their own personal Masonic Journey, and Whilst there has been for many years a presumption that we owe a great debt of gratitude to W Bros John, Dave the Proposer and Seconder of a candidate for and Ian who gave freely of their time in devising the Freemasonry would provide the support that their programme. However, they would be the first to point nominee required, it was plain to Bros Finney, Hubbard out that the journey does not end there. A glance at the and McLean that this was not always the case. These UGLE website will reveal how we can all extend our brethren have a keen interest in extending their personal knowledge of, and interest in, the whole topic of researches beyond the ritual procedures and day-to-day Freemasonry – each according to his own particular practises of the Craft and wish to promote a spirit of interests. Rob Cowin PJGD enquiry in every brother. Hence, they agreed to District Grand Mentor The District Wire 1 Visit to Supreme Grand Chapter for the Royal Permanent Jewel Arch Bi-Centenary Celebration on Wednesday W Bro Brian Brown, President of the Board of 16th October 2013 Benevolence asks “Have you got yours yet?” – the A report by E Comp R Cowin permanent jewel that is. The Masonic Samaritan Fund is The District of Cyprus was represented on this most a charity funded by Freemasons and their families. It important occasion by the Grand Superintendent and provides grants to eligible beneficiaries who have an Deputy Grand Superintendent, accompanied by E Comps identified health or care need and, faced with a long wait Theocharous, Dr Vorkas, Hubbard, James and Cowin – for treatment, care or support, are unable to afford their with E Comp Colin Cheshire (Wilts) joining the group on own private care. the day. Details of the eligibility criteria, the application process The morning session saw the Metropolitan Grand and how to support its work are available at: Stewards’ Chapter demonstrate the Exaltation www.msfund.org.uk Ceremony according to the Permitted Alternative Version of the Aldersgate Ritual, which proved to be little different from the Complete Workings version. This was an excellent performance of the ceremony in which a great deal of the work was shared by several officers, clearly illustrating the ease with which a greater number of companions can be involved without any loss of impact in the ceremony. The afternoon session was a regular Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter, with the M E The First Grand Principal, HRH The Duke of Kent, KG and a large gathering of very senior companions in attendance. The historical explanation of events leading to the creation of the Supreme Grand Chapter in 1813 was delivered by E Comp John Hamill, followed by an Oration by E Comp Rev Dr Railton. Somewhat disappointing addresses were delivered by the First Grand Principal of Scotland and the Grand King of Ireland, followed by an interesting address by ME First Grand Principal. The significant addresses were published in ‘Freemasonry Today’, available through the District Website at www.cyprus-freemasons.org.cy . Masonic Samaritan Fund District Grand Lodge thanked for its Donation Teddy Loving Care (TLC) in the District W Bro Maurice Stephenson, DJGW, has been the District Coordinator for TLC since its inception in October 2006 and has provided The District Wire with a reminder of how the provision of teddy bears to our local General Hospitals operates. The continued success of the Appeal requires not only money but also a good relationship with the A & E Units. Raising Funds There are a number of ways that Lodges raise funds for the purchase of teddies for their local A & E Units, e.g. 1. The sale of TLC badges in their respective Lodges and at local fetes. 2. Collection boxes that go round at Festive Boards. 3. Contributions from Lodge Benevolent Funds 4. Locally arranged functions. The District Wire 2 As an example, Agapinor and Dionysos Lodges hosted of it being worked in Chapters under the original the Annual Quiz Night at the Gustoso Restaurant in Excellent Grand and Royal Chapter. Paphos on Wednesday 20th of November. The usual At the time that the Passing the Veils Ceremony was being worked in England circa 1770 – 1834 the Opening combination of brethren and regular non Masonic of the Chapter was restricted to the three Principals and supporters of the Appeal dined on the choice of fish and the Past Principals of, and in, the Chapter, and they chips or chicken and chips. A total of one hundred and would enter and open the Chapter in a manner very twelve competitors ensured that the kitchen staff were similar to the opening of a Craft Lodge. Once the Chapter kept very busy. Twelve donated gifts which ranged from had been opened the remaining Companions would alcohol to complimentary meals helped to raise €1,600 enter in two columns, led by Scribe Ezra down the North ensuring that teddies would be available to the Paphos side and Scribe Nehemiah down the South side, they would then form groups of three to prove themselves General Hospital A & E Unit for the year. It is pleasing to (Share the Word) as Royal Arch Masons. Once this had report that this event draws a large number of local non been completed the First Principal would then ask each Masonic supporters. The Quiz Master who has travelled of the Officers of the Chapter, in ascending order, for from the U.K. for the past two years! their stations and duties within the Chapter. The Minutes Hospitals and their Supporting Lodges of the last Convocation would be read and confirmed Currently the General Hospitals in the District are and, if necessary, a ballot would take place for the Candidate for Exaltation. The Veils would be drawn and assisted by the following Lodges: the Janitor informed that all was ready. Paphos General: Agapinor and Dionysos For those Companions wishing to ‘delve’ further into the Limassol General: Apollo, St.Paul’s, Peace and Harmony history of the ‘Passing the Veils’, they would be advised Larnaca General: Lord Kitchener to read some of the older versions of Quatuor Paralimni General: Othello and Lakeside Coronatorum , particularly Volume 85 for the year 1972 Nicosia Children’s: Phoenix Lodge which provides an article on ‘Passing the Veils’ by Sir This shows that eleven of our sixteen Lodges are actively Ernest Henry Cook, Provincial Grand Superintendent of supporting the District TLC scheme.