My Dear Brethren,
I hope that you all are keeping safe and well in these most difficult times. We can certainly say that we have heard an unprecedented use of the word unprecedented in the last few weeks.
I am grateful to the Provincial Grand Master, well supported by the Executive, for all the encouragement, support, guidance and assistance that the Brethren of the Province are receiving and will continue to receive. The Provincial Grand Almoner is also being meticulous in the discharge of his duties and I am sure we are most grateful for all that.
It must be acknowledged that this is a time of distress for everyone, life as we know it has been severely disrupted. The best case is that we might feel greatly inconvenienced and a little lonely, the worst case is that our very lives and the lives of those we love are in danger. It is a time where we have to acknowledge our own needs and the needs of others. It is also a time when we need to heed messages about staying home and staying safe.
I am sure that for many of you one day may seem very like another, you may be very concerned about family and friends who work on the front line. You may feel the effect of losing the freedom to socialise and mix with others that we all until this time took so much for granted. For Christians this is the most sacred week of the year. We celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. The wonderful thing about this story of salvation is that it shows that through sacrifice, loss and pain that ultimately victory and new life can come. The resurrection of Jesus and its celebration is a timely reminder to all of us that good things do happen even in the most terrible of circumstances. Through this time of difficultly we should turn our attention to God from whom all good things come. We do well to pray for all those who work on the front line for their work is the work at the moment that turns Good Friday, the darkest of times into Easter Day that glorious celebration of life in all its fullness.
When we meet each Lodge meeting begins and ends in prayer. It does none of us any harm at times like this to begin and end our days in prayer to commend to the Great Architect those who we know and love. For Christians this is Holy Week, a week where we learn about lessons of transformation and change, see loss transformed into joy. Nothing in the Divine Economy of God is wasted so I hope that we can all look at our lives during this time of crisis and be thankful for the many gifts that God bestows on us.
Remember that Lodge Chaplains are there to support your spiritual care of yourselves. I am also contactable on the details shown below for any Chaplain or brother who wishes to contact me directly.
I pray God’s blessing on you and your family and friends. Be assured of my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May you and you loved ones be very conscious that you are held and supported by God’s love.
Sincerely and fraternally
Edward
W Bro Rev’d Edward Dowland-Owen Provincial Grand Chaplain
Margam Vicarage, 3 Llys Y Ddraenog, Coed Hirwaun, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2TQ
Telephone 01656 749139 Email vicar@nullparishofmargam.org.uk