GSE Bulletin No 33 1st December 2016
The USGC Office will close on Thursday 15th December 2016 and open on Tuesday 17th January 2017. I would like to extend to all Companions fraternal wishes for happiness and good health for the Festive Season and the New Year.
The First Grand Principal and Grand Master has charged the Ritual and Protocol Committee with a review of all USGC Rituals.
IN THIS REVIEW THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO CHARGES OR PERAMBULATIONS
Checks are being made in the areas of:
- Index page relating to correct pages in the booklet
- The rubric being corrected in some places
- On the advice of the Emeritus Grand Chaplain Peter Bertram DSA, PGH scripture is being changed to a modern version which is being used by most clerics in Australia
- Any previously advised changed Obligations printed in the books
The Cryptic series of Degrees has now been completed and is available from this Office. The Committee is now working on the Mark Degree and has been supplied Scripture for the Funeral Service. The USGC Royal Arch book is undergoing the final proof reading and will be released in the very near future
There are no changes at all planned for the Scottish or New South Wales Rituals.
The 2017-2022 USGC Strategic Plan has now been released and is attached to this Bulletin.
FROM THE GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES IN REFERENCE TO ALL MARK & ROYAL ARCH INSTALLATIONS WHERE THE SCOTTISH & NSW RITUALSARE USED
Attention is drawn to Regulation 6.29(g) set out below which was proposed by the Grand Registrar, Right Excellent Andrew Brown PGJ and subsequently passed at the March 2016 Convocation:
| 6.29 ANNUAL INSTALLATION MEETING | ||||||||||||
| (g) Every Chapter which uses either the ‘Scottish’ or ‘New South Wales’ (as opposed to the ‘USGC’) ritual at its installation meeting must, unless the Grand Director of Ceremonies has specifically stated that a Chapter need not do so, appoint two Companions (who must each be a Past First Principal) who are thoroughly conversant with the ritual to be used: | ||||||||||||
| (i) one as the ‘Installation Director of Ceremonies’ whose function it will be to discharge those duties otherwise reserved for an Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies or a Grand Chapter Officer acting as the Grand Director of Ceremonies (excepting during the Entry, the Retirement and all movements of the First Grand Principal and Grand Master or his representative around the Chapter Room); and | ||||||||||||
| (ii) the other as the Scripture Reader; | ||||||||||||
| (iii) and the name of the Companions so appointed are to be published in the Notice Paper for the installation meeting.” | ||||||||||||
It is the intention of the Grand Director of Ceremonies, that the appointed Grand Director will only carry out the Installation Duties associated with Grand Director of Ceremonies, e.g. the Entry, the Retirement and all movements of the First Grand Principal and Grand Master or his representative around the Chapter Room), at a “Scottish” or “New South Wales” Installation (Royal Arch and Mark Installation) when the First Grand Principal and Grand Master; Deputy First Grand Principal and Deputy Grand Master or the Representative of the First Grand Principal and Grand Master are in attendance.
At all other times, the Chapter working the “Scottish” or “New South Wales” Installation Rituals must appoint an Installation Director of Ceremonies to comply with Regulation 6.29(g).
Also, please note that if no Grand Steward if listed in the Engagement List the Chapter will appoint a Scripture Reader.
