Despite the indifferent weather a large turn out of Brethren and wives attended the sixty sixth annual divine service of the Cary and Dunluce Masonic Charity Committee., which was held in Roseyards Presbyterian Church at 3.30pm today. On this occasion the service was hosted by the two Ballymoney Lodges 57 & 330.
We had a good turnout of senior Provincial & District Grand Lodge present including Rt Wor Bro John McLernon P.G.M., Rt Wor Bros George Graham, Sam Brennan, Paul Harvey, and Allen Mercer the four Assistant P.G.M’s. From the District Grand Chapter we had Most ex Comp Jon McA Pollock District Grand King, Rt Ex Companion Jim Lynch Deputy Grand King & Rt Ex Comp David Openshaw Assistant District Grand King. Very Wor Bro Alastair Thompson Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies for The Grand Lodge of Ireland and a member of Ballymoney Lodge no 57 was also in attendance.
We paraded across the road from the Church Hall to the Church in good time for the annual divine service and our service was conducted by Very Wor Bro the Rev Stephen Sherrin who presented an interesting and thoughtful sermon, based on the question if we would all pass muster with a spiritual M.O.T. Our Right Wor Provincial Grand Master, Rt Wor Bro John McLernon carried out the first scripture reading and he was followed by a joint reading by Wor Bro Alwyn McCollum WM of Lodge 57 and Wor Bro Alan Callaghan WM of Lodge 330. Music for the day was provided by the Roseyards organist Mr Stephen Scott.
Once the collection was lifted, the final hymn sung, the blessing given and then we concluded with the Masonic version of The National anthem. We then reformed our parade, and returned in the dry from the Church to the Hall. Here we enjoyed a cup of tea / coffee and a few biscuits and buns before we ;learned that the sum of £ 1,225.00 had been lifted in the Church collection. The P.G.M and Assistants would like to thank everyone who attended the service earlier today and especially thanked Lodges 57 and 330 for their organisation of same.
Robert Bashford