Brethren,

The concept of time is difficult to comprehend, if not impossible, therefore when our Provincial  Grand Chaplain mentions that it's some 24 weeks since the Province of Glasgow launched its first Flourishing Thoughts during the crisis, giving pastoral comfort to the members of the Province and beyond, one has got to ask where has the time gone?    
Brother Rev. Craig has been a rock to us during these many stressful weeks and my heartfelt thanks go to him for his wonderful support.
That assistance continues unabated as Flourishing Thoughts now morphs into a monthly edition.

Brother Andrew Mushet,
Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow.

Greetings Brethren,

A season of change is upon us.  I’ve been writing these reflections every week since the pandemic led to lockdown and our lives were changed.  I don’t think anyone foresaw the duration of this but here we are at 24 weeks.  It began in a conversation with the PGM and recently there’s been another – not marking an end but a new beginning.  Flourishing thoughts has offered me an incredible opportunity to reflect on life, emotions and reactions during lockdown and then to share them with you – this has been my priviledge as Chaplain and I’m thankful for it.  My hope would be that it’s made a difference in some small way.  I also know that I’m not the only mason who’s tried to make a lockdown difference; that many of you will have too and for that I’m also thankful.  I have been uplifted by the stories I’ve heard of brethren, lodges and higher bodies within the craft doing just that, trying to make a difference.  At this time society is struggling to open its doors again and we at least have some clarity as to when we may tyle in our lodges once more next year.  Maybe not the timescale we wanted to hear but certainly the responsible road to travel.  We shouldn’t be disheartened by this for we are masons and masons are doers and joiners – in the coming months there will be new opportunities to serve, help and support all across society for us all.  That’s the masonic way.  This brings me back to my change.  This will be the last weekly Flourishing Thoughts – these were for a time of crisis and I hope they’ve served that crisis well.  We’re now moving towards a different model, a monthly FT that will emerge on the second weekend of the month.  This will focus more on life and the craft generally rather than the crisis events of the last few months and will continue indefinitely. Brethren, I don’t know if that’s good news or not – only time will tell.  I think I want to close this chapter with the words of Vinnie Jones in the movie “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” – “It’s been emotional”.  Take care!!

Fraternal Blessings,
Brother Rev. Robert Craig,
Provincial Grand Chaplain of Glasgow