Dear Brethren:
In Memory of Most Worshipful Brother G. Ray Marsh, PGM, Grand Secretary Emeritus, our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Walter C. Disher, II has ordered that every Lodge’s Charter and Altar be draped for the period from the Lodge’s next Regular Communication until the following Regular Communication. The following are the Funeral arrangements for Most Worshipful Brother Ray:
Saturday, August 24, 2019
11:00 am Grand Master Disher with the assistance of the Grand Lodge Officers will open the Grand Lodge, Hiram Lodge No. 68, and Boyleston Lodge No. 123 on the Third Degree in the Hall of Hiram Lodge No 68 located at 118 E. Benson Street, Anderson, SC 29624.
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Visitation will be in the McDougald Funeral Home Chapel located at 2211 N. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29621.
3:00 pm The Funeral Service will be also be held in the McDougald Funeral Chapel located at
2211 N. Main Street, SC 29621. Following the Funeral Service, the Masonic Funeral
Service and Entombment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 2609 U.S Highway 29 North, Anderson, SC 29621.
The Grand Master has asked that all Elected Grand Lodge Officers and Past Grand Masters wear Black Tails, with Black Vest and Black Bow Tie with white gloves and their apron and Jewels. District Deputy Grand Masters and Subordinate Officers are asked to wear Black Tuxedo with Black Vest or Cummerbund, and Black Bow Tie with white gloves, and apron and jewels.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Grand Lodge Building Fund, P.O. Box 2185, Lexington, SC 29071 or Washington Street United Methodist Church, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Tomorrow, if you are planning to attend Most Worshipful Brother G. Ray Marsh's Funeral at the McDougald Funeral Chapel, there will be a separate stand with a sign in registry for Brother Masons. Be sure to sign the Registry designated for Brother Masons.

​Brethren,
It is with the deepest and profound sadness with which I report that our Beloved Brother G. Ray Marsh, Past Grand Master, Grand Secretary Emeritus passed away a few moments ago.  He was one of the Great Pillars and Support of our Grand Jurisdiction and our Fraternity.  He will be greatly missed by Brethren from around the World.  Please uplift Mrs. Mary Ann in your prayers.  More information concerning arrangements will be provided when they become available.
Fraternally.  
Jerry Carver, PGM, Grand Secretary

​GRAND LODGE ANNUAL COMMUNICATION
The 282nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina will be held on April 25th & 26th, at the Marriott Hotel located at 299 N. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29606. Those desiring to stay at the Marriott Hotel, which is the Headquarters Hotel, are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible since there is a limited number of rooms available. Elected Grand Lodge Officers, Appointed Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters,
and Committeemen are requested to stay at the Headquarters Hotel and to make their reservations promptly. Each person including Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, and Committeemen are responsible for making their own reservations. Reservations may be made by calling the Marriott Hotel at 864-596-1211. When calling, you must ask for group reservations and identify yourself as being with The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina (Code: LCGLC A for King Bed and GLCGLC B for Double Queen Bed) in order to obtain the special room rate of $159.00 plus tax per night. This will include Breakfast Tickets per person (up to two tickets per
room) for each night reserved. The Religious Service will commence on Thursday, April 25th at 9:00 AM and will be conducted by Reverend and Right Worshipful A. Robert Nix, Grand Chaplain. Following the Religious Service, the Grand Lodge will be officially opened at 10:00 AM by Most Worshipful Michael D. Smith, Sr., Grand Master with the assistance of the Grand Lodge Officers and Brethren. The Annual Banquet will be held on Thursday, April 25th at 7:00 PM in the Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel.

​Grand Masters Decision September 10, 2018
To the Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Brethren
Brethren all,
It is now apparent from all forecast models that Hurricane Florence will impact South Carolina with high winds and rain beginning Thursday, September 13th through Monday September 17th.
All prediction models from this afternoon indicate that the northeastern shore of South Carolina will have an major impact with devastating rainfall and flooding for several days.
While it has yet to be determined where the eyewall will impact the east coast, this is going to be a major category 4 storm strength and rainfall amounts up to 20 inches which will impact on our Great State.
Safety is of the utmost importance for all citizens and for all of our members in this Grand Jurisdiction.
I am encouraging all Worshipful Masters to act in the best interest of your members and Lodges.
It is my decision as Grand Master of Masons to allow the Worshipful Master or Wardens to postponed the September Regular Communications as deemed necessary for the following reasons without need for Special Dispensation from the Grand Lodge and Grand Master for the Week of September 10th in preparation.
The following conditions are permissible reasons to postpone the Regular Communications under this Decision
Regular meetings scheduled during the storm the week of September 10th.
In the aftermath of the storm, if the Lodge has no power, no potable water (drinking water), or if the Lodge is unsafe from storm damage or otherwise.
In preparation for the storm, please encourage all your members to take the proper precautions by planning ahead and seeking the safest options for their families.
Check on your elderly members and make certain to follow up after the storm as well on their safety and well-being. This is what true Freemasons do for one another.
If possible, the Lodge should also prepare as best as possible in the primary impact zones to prevent and much damage as possible.
Sand Bags at the exterior wall to prevent water from entering under doorways in low areas.
Taping or securing windows and doors if necessary to prevent wind and water damage.
Unplugging or de-energizing appliance and unnecessary sources to protect against power surges that could cause fire.
Obtain some drinking water and necessary supplies if your lodge could possibly serve your members or community as a temporary shelter if necessary.
Plan where possible to be able to prepare a meal for displaced members, families if necessary. Grills may be very useful in the coming days.
It is indeed my prayer Brethren, for the safety and well-being of all of our members and communities.
May the God of Lovingkindness, Mercy and Grace be with us. Remember we make a difference every day as Freemasons, no matter what the day may bring!
Stand tall and remember that God is with us always.
Plan to resume Regular Communication as quickly as safety permits and to let your DDGM, the Grand Lodge and Grand Master of status of your Lodge as soon as possible.
If your Lodge has any other reason for delay Regular Communication, that would require Special Dispensation using the normal protocol.
Fraternally
Michael Smith
Grand Master

​Ruby Lodge No. 314 is now in possession of the State Gavel. They welcome any lodge to come and get it and keep it traveling. It was retrieved from Batesburg Leesville Lodge No. 138 on June the 12th.

​SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017, ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA
​Our Grand Master with the assistance of RW Atkins has set a date for us to travel to the Richard Campbell Veterans Center to visit and present the supplies on Friday, November 24,  at 2:00pm.
4605 Belton Hwy, Anderson, SC 29621
 
We will be taking the supplies that were donated  and present these to the Veterans. Our plan is to put together 225 care bags or gift bags and box the remainder of supplies for storage at the center.
We plan on meeting at the Greenville Scottish Rite Center on Monday, November 20, at 5:00pm - until.
817 Cleveland St, Greenville, SC 29601 to put these together.

Masonic Mural painted by Costal Carolina Students on the outside wall of Grand Strand Lodge No. 392.

​Congratulations to Ms. Debbie at our Grand Lodge. She is celebrating her 47th year of service today June 22nd. Thank you so much for all that you do for each and every one of us. It is truly appreciated!

​RWB David Dawson, PDDGM of the Fifth Masonic District was honored for his long and faithful Masonic Service
to the Brothers of Georgia and South Carolina. He is a dual member of Allendale Lodge No. 109 of Allendale, South Carolina AFM and Martinez Lodge No. 710 of Martinez, Georgia F&AM. He was presented several items of appreciation
by the Brothers of Martinez Lodge No. 710. Included were a white Sixty Year Apron, Grand Master of Georgia Coin, Martinez Lodge No. 710 Coin, Sixty Year Certificate and a Martinez Lodge No. 710 Member Emeritus Dues Card. The ceremony was held in the Chapel of the Veterans Victory House, Walterboro, SC on Saturday, March 5, 2017.

http://www.seventhmasonicdistrictsquareandcompassclub.org/rwb-dawson-honored.html

​The 280th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient
Free Masons of South Carolina will be held on April 27th and 28th, at the
Embassy Suites, Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center located at
670 Verdae Blvd, Greenville, SC 29607.
The Religious Service will commence on Thursday, April 27th at 9:00
AM and will be conducted by Reverend and Right Worshipful A. Robert
Nix, Grand Chaplain. Following the Religious Service, the Grand Lodge
will be officially opened at 10:00 AM by Most Worshipful William B.
Rogers, Grand Master with the assistance of the Grand Lodge Officers
and Brethren. The Annual Banquet will be held on Thursday, April 27th at
7:00 PM in the Ball Room of the Embassy Suites, Greenville.
The Embassy Suites, Greenville will be the Headquarters Hotel. Those
desiring to stay at the Headquarters Hotel are encouraged to make reservations
as soon as possible since there is a limited number of rooms
available. Elected Grand Lodge Officers, Appointed Grand Lodge Officers,
Past Grand Masters, and Committeemen are requested to stay at the
Headquarters hotel and to make their reservations promptly. Each person
including Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, and Committeemen
are responsible for making their own reservations.
Reservations may be made by calling the Embassy Suites, Greenville at
1-864-676-9090. When calling, you must ask for group reservations and
identify yourself as being with The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons
of South Carolina (code GRA) in order to obtain the special room rate of
$143.00 plus tax per night. Since the Headquarters Hotel will be unable
to accommodate everyone attending the Annual Communication of the
Grand Lodge, the following is a list of nearby hotels for your convenience:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
1036 Woodruff Road
Greenville, SC 29607
864-678-5555
La Quinta Inn & Suites
31 Old Country Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607
864-297-3500
Microtel Inn & Suites
1024 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607
864-297-3811
Comfort Inn Millennium
2756 Laurens Rd
Greenville, SC 29607
864-288-6900