THE CHAPLAIN - posted May 2011

There was much disappointment at the news that we were likely to lose our Lodge Chaplain, following his resignation from the Church of England and his transfer to the Ordinariate established by the Roman Catholic Church. For the avoidance of rumour and misinformation, we can now confirm that Father Richard has resigned from the Ordinariate and his Church of England Bishop has accepted his withdrawal of his resignation from the Church of England. The happy consequence of this is that he will remain our Lodge Chaplain, which is a cause of much rejoicing.

OPERA EVENING - posted April 2011

Brothers Belton and Dean were the key organisers of the Lodge’s first musical extravaganza, which took place at the end of February. No fewer than 23 members and guests took part. A private reception had been arranged before the opera for members to gather and drink champagne. Then, once all were assembled, they made their way over to opera house for the evening’s performance of Die Zauberflote by our Brother Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The evening concluded in the Oxford and Cambridge Club, and was judged a great success.

INITIATION BY DISPENSATION - posted March 2011

The Lodge recently made a successful application for dispensation to initiate Mr Edward Dean, who was 18 at the time of application, and 19 at the time of his initiation. Edward was very keen to join our Order and was judged to have the potential to be a fine member of our Lodge, and so we were delighted to proceed with his initiation below the usual minimum age of 21 years. Edward has since been passed to the second degree.

ROYAL ARCH FOR RUSSIA - posted February 2011

Following the revival of Freemasonry in the states of the former Soviet Union, a series of national Grand Lodges has been formed (or re-formed) across eastern Europe. With the Craft degrees now firmly established, Royal Arch Chapters are now being exported to these countries, and Grand Chapters of the Royal Arch established. Members of the Lodge of Assistance have been proud to assist in this process, through our linked Chapter, the Royal Somerset House & Inverness Chapter No 4. In this Chapter, in September 2010, the Grand Master of Russia was exalted into the Royal Arch. Then in February 2011 the Russian Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Master of Serbia were exalted in a joint ceremony. This is to help facilitate the establishment of regular Royal Arch masonry in these countries, following the similar successful scheme to establish the Royal Arch, from England, in Bulgaria - which is already bearing fruit.

ORIENTAL CLUB - posted October 2009

Following the October meeting of the Lodge, members dined at the Oriental Club; despite the long tradition of frequenting many and varied dining locations, it is believed that this was the Lodge’s first ever visit to the Oriental. A splendid evening was had by all. Previously, in the Temple, a triple passing had been carried out; this is also believed to be a record, as the first ever triple ceremony in the Lodge. One of the candidates was our own Entered Apprentice, whilst the other two were Passed at the request of the Master & Wardens of the Lodge of Honor & Generosity No 165, to whom we were very happy to have been of assistance.

CHAPLAINCY TAKE-OVER - posted May 2009

The Lodge of Assistance appears to be taking over London’s masonic Chaplaincy! The Reverend Timothy L’Estrange (Lodge Secretary and Past Master), who is a Past Assistant Grand Chaplain, has been appointed as Metropolitan Deputy Grand Chaplain for London. Meanwhile the Reverend David Newman (Lodge Almoner and Past Master) has been re-appointed as Metropolitan Assistant Grand Chaplain for London. Having London’s Deputy and Assistant Chaplains might be a record in itself, but there is more. Each year two Assistant Grand Chaplains are appointed in the Grand Lodge, and one of those so appointed this year is the Reverend Richard Martin (Lodge Chaplain and Past Master)! As the Assistant Grand Chaplains traditionally assist with aspects of London Chaplaincy, we almost have the whole thing sewn up. It has been suggested that the Metropolitan Grand Chaplain for London, who is NOT a member of the Lodge of Assistance, jolly well ought to join us to complete the set!

AUTUMN ACTIVITY - posted November 2008

The return to masonic activity (after the summer break) was a mixed bag for the Lodge of Assistance. Our planned raising at the october meeting had to be cancelled at the last minute, but this did give us an opportunity to witness the recitation of parts of the Emulation first degree lecture. Additionally, the meeting was followed by a highly successful guest dinner at the Cavendish Hotel, where a number of guests (both male and female) were entertained to dinner. The action is set to continue at our November meeting when our candidate for initiation is a champion fencer - we may yet lend him the Tyler’s sword and put him through his paces! Another Cavendish dinner is set to follow.

MAMMOTH INSTALLATION MEETING - posted April 2008

The 2008 installation meeting has finally taken place and W Bro Bill Doughty is Master of the Lodge. With a joint meeting (with Stroud Green Lodge), two lodges open simultaneously in the same room, an official visit from the Metropolitan Grand Inspector, and a banquet at the Cavendish for 40 people, this was a milestone in the Lodge’s history. Full details may be read HERE.

BUMPER INSTALLATION EVENING AHEAD - posted March 2008

Preparations are well in hand for next month’s installation meeting of the Lodge, which is to be a major celebration. A lodge’s installation night is always a time of feasting, but the more so this time, for the following special reasons. Firstly, our Master-elect was recently installed into the Chair of his other Lodge, meaning that we will have (by dispensation) a double ruling Master in the Chair. Secondly, as our meeting clashes with a meeting of the Master-elect’s other Lodge (unbelievable, but actually true) they are moving (by dispensation) to hold their meeting with us at Duke Street, St James’s. Thirdly, this ‘other’ lodge, the Stroud Green Lodge, will be carrying out a double initiation. Fourthly, in addition to welcoming the Stroud Green Lodge members to our installation meeting and banquet, we are hoping to welcome also a group from our associated Royal Arch Chapter. Fifthly, we are to receive an official visitation from our Metropolitan Grand Inspector - his first visit to the lodge. All in all, it is set to be an evening never to be forgotten! (Look for the report, after the event, in the ‘Archive’.)

APPOINTMENT IN METROPOLITAN GRAND LODGE - posted February 2008
Congratulations to our Lodge Almoner, and Past Master, W Bro the Rev’d David Newman, who has been appointed to active rank in the London Metropolitan Area as the Assistant Metropolitan Grand Chaplain. The Chaplaincy team consists of three members - the Metropolitan Grand Chaplain plus one Deputy and one Assistant. The three-man team invested in February 2008 represents a broad range of ministerial background. The Metropolitan Grand Chaplain is a Lay Reader, his Deputy is a Rabbi, and David (the Assistant) is a rural Parish Priest. We wish David well in this new aspect of his masonic work.

MEETING OUTSIDE THE LODGE IN 2008 - posted January 2008
2008 is set to see more Lodge activity outside our Temple, than ever before in the Lodge’s history. We continue to be invited to attend meetings of the Western Circuit Lodge (details from the Secretary), and we have been invited to attend other special events including the Apollo Association Reception at Freemasons’ Hall in January, and the AMULL Festival in October (details in your Newsletter, edition 10). Members have also been invited to Stroud Green Lodge, with whom we will share a Master for most of 2008 and into early 2009, and we hope also to continue the recently established tradition of a summer social gathering.

FORTHCOMING REHEARSALS and INITIATIONS - posted Autumn 2007
There are to be two rehearsals of the Initiation Ceremony this Autumn. Firstly an informal rehearsal on Wednesday 19th September at 4pm at the home, in Greenwich, of our Junior Deacon. Officers are invited to attend - please contact the Worshipful Master in advance. A formal Lodge of Rehearsal will be held on Thursday 11th October at 4pm at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street. All are welcome to attend, and current officers are requested to do so if possible please. A light supper will follow. Initiations are planned for the October and January lodge meetings.

HENLEY - posted Summer 2007
The Lodge outing to Henley Royal Regatta over the summer was a great success. Members present were able to enjoy the day, including admission to the Stewards’ Enclosure and Leander Club, as well as meeting up with many fellow masons of other Lodges, who came to inspect the Lodge of Assistance party! It was a particular delight to see Bro & Mrs Bill Bryce, at this, our second Henley outing.

GUEST NIGHT - posted April 2007
A splendid evening was enjoyed by large numbers of brethren and guests in April 2007, for the annual Installation meeting, combined with a Lodge Guest Night. Guests included masons, ladies, and several young gentlemen with a possible interest in initiation into Freemasonry. There was a lecture in the Grand Temple at Duke Street (for members and guests) followed by dinner at the Carlton Club.

JOINT MEETING WITH ANCIENT RED APRON LODGE - posted January 2007
We enjoyed a splendid joint meeting with the ancient time immemorial red apron lodge, the Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No IV. Full details may be read HERE.

JOINT MEETING WITH LEADING LEGAL LODGE - posted December 2006
Thank you to all who supported our joint meeting with the Western Circuit Lodge, at which one of our candidates was passed by their officers. Full details may be read HERE.