The Grand Charity in Action – Life’s a funny thing!

Peter Olko – Introduction. About 3 months ago, I posted a note on www.nottinghamshiremason.com about helpers being required to assist in either submitting articles for the Nottinghamshire Mason Magazine (hopefully one at each Hall site) or assisting in placing articles on the Nottinghamshire Mason website, which is very easily done from home. Following this, Michael Shimmin, contacted me and offered to help once he had got himself sorted out !!!! Being of an enquiring mind, I asked Mike what he was attempting to sort out and after listening to his tale, I stated to Mike – “No Problem” but it would be interesting if you could pen something together because I’m sure that many people would benefit from knowing how the Grand Charity works and how local Brethren have supported you. This is Mike’s much awaited response, which I place in its entirety.

"Life's a funny thing, one day you’re on top of the world and next in a hard and dark place. In a recent TV interview South African Archbishop Desmond Tu Tu, who was instrumental in opposing apartheid, oblivious to his personal danger, was asked if he feared for his life. "No, I told God that if I'm doing his work he better watch out for me" and then chuckled. When asked if he expected to meet the Almighty and if so, what he would say."Emphatically Yes" and then "I know that you put us through a crucible of suffering to prove our faith stronger, but isn't there another way?" followed by another chuckle. I myself am not overtly religious apart from my unshakable belief in Good and the Great Architect but this is a man whose spirit I admire.

At our meetings we constantly hear of the need to support the Grand Charity and listen to the exhortations of the Almoner and Charity Steward and I often think what a thankless Herculean task they have and we never see the results of our donations.

Well, I had just relinquished the IPM's chair and become Chaplain in my mother Lodge within Surrey Province, installed my successor in the Chair of King Solomon in Ribblesdale within Nottinghamshire, was progressing in the junior ranks in Mark Masters and had recently been perfected in Chapter. My new business was finally about to open, was teaching part-time at the local college and working directly for over 50 property developers in Cyprus. What could possibly go wrong?

But, it happens in seconds and lasts a lifetime, I fell backwards downstairs and broke & dislocated my neck and I'm still alive!

During my stay in hospital-some 8 months-my mortgage was paid for me, I received regular visits from lodge members including our Almoner who put together a petition to Provincial Charity committee chaired by John Hastie.

I have since been given a “stand-up wheel chair”, all paid for and initiated by Lodge Brethren sourcing the Grand Charity, donated by you my Brethren for which I will always be eternally grateful. Some adaptations had to be effected to this specialised chair and these were organised by the PGM of the Mark degree no less following a petition from the Lodge.

My once active life was turned upside down, the new business declared insolvent, the sale of the family home and divorce followed. Without any shadow of a doubt, without the help of Brethren and the Grand Charity I may well not be here or certainly in a far worse situation.

The Masonic world has embraced me in my greatest time of need-cast on the lowest rung of life's fortunes- and I am proud and humbled to be Chaplain of my lodge and progressing towards the “Chair” in Mark Masters, so obviously some Brethren have considerable faith in me when I simply thought that I would be sidelined or occluded.

How wrong I was to not count on brotherly love, relief and truth to my own great shame! My heartfelt thanks to you all!

Mike – I feel privileged to have received the above and glad to be able to pass this onto all brothers within the Province. You have shown that when all seems dark, light and hope can be provided by our humble offerings towards Charity. May I wish you and all Mankind a pleasant and Joyous Christmas. I look forward to meeting with you in the future.