Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire
E. Comp. John M Phenix
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent

Companions,

I am taking this opportunity to write to you directly in order to provide every companion in the Province with some important updates.
My first priority has always been your health and wellbeing and that remains the case. The last seven months have placed a huge strain on everyone, increasing the likelihood of issues with both physical and mental health. I urge you all to think carefully about the Companions in your Chapter and offer support where possible. A simple phone call can make the world of difference to someone feeling isolated and alone.
Communication during these times is vital and my thanks go to Ian Fothergill who has continued to produced not only the excellent Second Risings but also The Vault – a new publication which is distributed following our regular update sessions with Chapter Scribes E. I hope you have found both of these useful and informative.
Regrettably Provincial visits to Installations and other events will not be possible whilst the current “Rule of 6” remains in place. I will review this again in January 2021. This is a great disappointment to us all as our visits to the Chapters are always well received and provide an opportunity to renew old friendships and to create new ones.
With these further restrictions to our activities, including the recently announced suspension of meetings at Kings Heath and Northfield, I feel we need to provide more support, encouragement and that sense of companionship on a regular basis. To this end I am introducing a series of Chapter Chat sessions, via ZOOM, which are open to all companions. These sessions will last no more than one hour and will provide a regular opportunity for a general catch-up, ask any questions (to the Rulers or each other!) plus a talk or presentation on a subject of YOUR choosing! Can I ask that any companion who has a talk available, which can be on any subject not necessarily to do with Royal Arch or Freemasonry, makes contact with me directly so we can agree a suitable date. This is an opportunity to share your interests with companions from across the Province and could be delivered with slides or just verbally – your choice! If we can work to a rough timescale of 10 minutes per topic then we may get two talks in each Chapter Chat. The first three Chat dates are:

Friday 6th November, Friday 27th November and Friday 18th December – all commencing at 8.00pm.
The ZOOM link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5941891814?

pwd=enc4dDM4b3ZEZHVqcEJVK1lCdFZidz09
Meeting ID: 594 189 1814 Passcode: RoyalArch

Whilst I appreciate that ZOOM is not to everyone’s taste, it has been an essential tool for keeping in touch and I do hope that you will join us on one or more of these evenings.
It is also my intention to invite other specific groups of companions to meet up, again via ZOOM. This will include Acting Officers appointed in April 2020, Exaltees from 2018 onwards and Brethren awaiting Exaltation along with their Proposer or Seconder. Invitations to these sessions will be sent out in the next few weeks.
Finally I am pleased to confirm that the Provincial Grand Master and I have agreed to jointly host a Festive Social in December, the details of which are still being worked on so please look out for a further announcement. This promises to be a special occasion for us all to enjoy at the end of a challenging year.
Companions, I hold each and every one of you close to my heart and I wish you and your loved ones well for the future. We will get through this companions!
Stay safe, take care and May the True and Living God Most High protect you now and always.
John
E.Comp. John M Phenix
M.E. Grand Superintendent
9 Weston Close
Heath Hayes, Cannock
Staffordshire, WS11 7YX

Email: john.phenix@btopenworld.com

Tel: 01543 278516 (Home) or 07533 001495 (Mobile)