Page 1 - Keystone Spring 2021 Issue 6

Issue 6 Spring 2021 www.somersetmarkMasons.co.uk

Coping in a Pandemic

Brethren, at this time last year, we were all looking forward to
spring and summer and were totally unaware of the impact
that the pandemic would have on all our lives. It has now
been over twelve months where we have had to live with the
watch words of mask wearing, social distancing and
lockdowns. Without doubt, the last twelve months have been
a challenge to us all.
Whilst we have not been able to meet physically as a
Province, we have had to adapt and reinvent how we can still
operate in this new world. Undoubtedly the zoom platform
has been a great help. I’m sure like many of you I thought a
zoom was a rocket shaped ice lolly but now we all know
differently!
The Provincial meeting as a virtual business meeting (VBM)
in September was very well attended and enabled the Province to carry out its business on
this platform. Now with a Provincial zoom account and the flexibility of Mark Grand Lodge we
have been able to assist Lodges in holding VBMs to deal with Lodge business.
I started the ‘Keeping in Touch’ program at the beginning of last summer with the Deputy
and myself calling the Lodge secretaries on a regular basis to check all is well. In addition,
we have our monthly ‘Open House’ and end of month Secretaries’ meetings on zoom. The
open house meetings have proved very popular with the Brethren and the secretarial
meetings enable us as a Province to deal with the current situation and plan for the future.
I do not need to remind you that charity is the cornerstone of Mark Masonry. This Province,
in conjunction with the Mark Benevolent Fund, made swift donations to food banks across
the Province, totalling £22,000. In addition to this we have been able to support my
nominated charities with funding of £4,900 along with £500 each to the Poppy Appeal and St
Johns Ambulance. At a time of great need, we should be proud of the support we have given
to our communities and it is with your great support of the 600 Club which has helped these
causes. A wonderful achievement by the Mark Brethren in this Province.

As you will know the Provincial meeting in May has been postponed and is now scheduled
for September 4th. We all hope that this will take place, where we can finally meet up and
invest those Brethren who have been promoted.
I do hope that the Provincial meeting will signal the restart of normal Lodge meetings and I
look forward to joining you in your Lodges to share in that great Mark friendship we are all
missing at this time.

Spring Issue 2021 Page1