The Most Excellent Grand Superintendents Address

A strong message of support and thanks in recognising the hard work being undertaken by the Province 

Distinguished guests, Companions all,

Firstly, I would like to again welcome our honoured guests, from Supreme Grand Chapter and from many of the local Provinces. We are very happy to bring Essex to you today in London. Thank you again for coming.

My thanks go to the Scribe E Team and the Provincial DC Team for their hard work to bring this important meeting together.

It has been my pleasure to honour all those who have received promotions and appointments today, especially since we are back here again in this wonderful temple. Please remember, these honours are for what you will do is the future not, necessarily, for what you have done is the past.

We have had another strong year for the Royal Arch is Essex. 

We are working with Supreme Grand Chapter. Two of our Chapters are ready to move to Romania to provide the basis of a new Supreme Grand Chapter.

We have exalted almost 100 Romanian brethren to date and further ceremonies are planned. 

We have engaged with the community across the province once again. Local schools were provided with free school meals for children because of the generosity of Essex companions. We have match funded donations to the RNLI in Mersea and Burnham and match funded a donation for Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled in Chelmsford and many many more. My thanks for to you all for your generosity.

For the future, this Christmas we will support Haven House Children’s Hospice and Little Havens Children’s Hospice. Both organisations provide vital care and support to children with life-limiting conditions.

We will donate a minimum of £5,000 to each hospice. However, I trust that individual Chapters with contribute.

Funds will be directed towards improving outreach bereavement support, travel resources, private counselling spaces, family workshops and many more.

I hope that Companions will support the Hospices with volunteering time, get involved through individual fundraising events, raffles, sponsored activities, and awareness campaigns. but you will hear more of this soon.

Looking to the future, we have received strong leadership from Supreme Grand Chapter and UGLE with a clear focus on the fact than the craft and the Royal Arch are one organisation.

Harmonisation between the Craft and the Royal Arch marks an important step forward for Freemasonry in Essex. By bringing these two integral parts of the Order closer together, we will create a seamless journey for members, reinforcing the truth that they are not separate entities but complementary stages of “One Organisation”. This vision is supported in practice by Building Together, which brings Pathway and Archway together and provides Lodges and Chapters with the tools to ensure Craft and Royal Arch are aligned as part of one Masonic journey.

Looking to the future, we with provide guidance, friendship, and education for newly Exalted Companions, because we are launching the White Ribbons Club.

This will operate alongside Cornerstone Club and Light Blues Association. There will be automatic enrolment for new Companions, and you’ll be active until becoming a Chapter Principal. There are no fees or subscriptions.  There will be a WhatsApp & email group, three annual social events as well as others, and Welcome Seminars 

This will provide a vibrant, connected, and supported community for new Royal Arch Masons - strengthening engagement and continuity across Essex Masonry.

Therefore, I would like to see new Masons introduced to the Royal Arch as soon as possible. New Masons who join the Royal Arch tend to remain as members, they seem to get more enjoyment from their Freemasonry.

Make your meetings exciting. Ensure your RA Mentor is engaging all your members, make sure any Lodge RA rep is talking about the Royal Arch at every meeting and join the parliament of Essex Royal Arch Freemasonry – Essex First Principals.

Companions, it is my privilege to be your Grand Superintendent. It has been my honour to present you with your new collars to mark the further progress you have made in your different Masonic journeys – and I thank you for your continued support. May the True and Living God Most High keep you safe and well.