A full house of Freemasons gathered on Sunday 21st May at Rochester Cathedral with their wives, friends and families for a choral evensong. Led by our Provincial Grand Master along with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, and accompanied by members of the Provincial Executive, the Freemasons of East Kent were warmly welcomed by the Cathedral’s Dean the Very Reverend Adrian Newman.

The service opened with a procession of the choir and clergy and proceeded through a traditional evensong. The first lesson from the Song of Solomon (4:16 - 5:2, and 8: 6-7) was read by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VWBro Peter Brooshooft PGSwdB. The second lesson, read by the Provincial Grand Master RWBro Michael Bailey, was from the Gospel of St Luke (22: 24-30).
Prayers were led by WBro the Reverend Ronald Gamble, Provincial Grand Chaplain. The Cathedral Choir were in excellent voice throughout, and treated the congregation to a wonderful rendition of Psalm 84 to music by Johannes Brahms.

In his entertaining sermon the Dean made some serious points in referring to the Da Vinci Code book and film, and reflected upon the importance for both the Church and Freemasonry to continue to present a positive and true countenance to the world in the face of misguided and inaccurate criticism. Earlier, in the foreword to the programme, he had written “The Cathedral is privileged to host many groups and organisations woven into the tapestry of our community's life in Kent. Today we welcome the Freemasons of the Province of East Kent, long standing friends and benefactors of the Cathedral. Our prayer is that God will bless you, so that you may be a blessing to others”.

The collection was divided between the Provincial Grand Master’s Discretionary Fund and the Rochester Cathedral Campaign. The service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the Choir and Clergy processed out to a powerful organ voluntary. Many of the congregation afterwards enjoyed viewing the fresco, which was funded by the Freemasons of Kent.

From Ed44, P4