BELFAST RB BOOKLET 2020 - Flipbook - Page 10
Ci t y of Belf ast Grand Bl ack Chapt er - Dem onst rat i on Bookl et 2020
Our City Grand Master’s Annual
Message for 2020 .. Fraternal greetings to all my
fellow Belfast Sir Knights, visiting Sir Knights, Band Members,
friends and supporters; and as City Grand Master it is my pleasure
to convey to you all this annual message through the medium of the
combined Annual Divine Service and Last Saturday in August
Demonstration Booklet of the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter.
Initially last year, with Sir Knight Ed Spence
The Annual Divine Service
intimating his retirement as our Booklet will be held (DV) on Sunday 23rd August in St.
Convenor, the City Grand Chapter was Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Donegall
appreciative of a younger Sir Knight taking on Pass. This will be the first occasion the City
the role. Unfortunately due to personal and Grand Chapter will have visited the Church for
academic considerations, resulted in him our own annual service although it has had a
having to relinquish the role, so we are again long association in hosting various Loyal Order
seeking a new Convenor to take on the mantle Services; certainly for over a hundred years
for the important 2021 Centennial Anniversary with both Saint Mary Magdalene Church
Year of Northern Ireland.
Defenders L.O.L No 615 and R.B.P. No 1076
However having researched, compiled, being active members respectively of Sandy
edited and prepared what will be another Row No. 5 District Lodge and No. 3 District
excellent publication; and confident it will Chapter for many years before the individual
be well received by our readership I would warrants became dormant in later years.
The Church itself was built in Belfast as a
record my grateful thanks to Sir Knights
direct
impact of the Gospel Revival in 1859,
William Craig and Ed Spence for their
that
witnessed
thousands of men, women
continuance with this year's publication.
and
children
converting
a New Life to
Remember Sir Knights we all have our part
to play, so if any District Chapter, Preceptory Jesus Christ as Their Lord and Saviour,
or Sir Knight will be celebrating an important and in turn transformed the industrial,
anniversary, hosting a Church Service, annual moral and ethical standards which
Parade or any special event, then why not continues to this very day.
Saint Mary Magdalene's was also the
send Sir Knight Billy a report, and photographs
birthplace
of the Boys Brigade in
for inclusion in future publications.
Ireland during 1888 and as the organisation
No 3 RBDC is the leading host District
and our City Grand Chapter grew in strength
for our Annual Church Service and
and number many Sir Knights remember with
Demonstration in 2020; encamped in
thankfulness their association with the BB and
Sandy Row Orange Hall, the south
how those earlier days helped influence their
Belfast District Chapter will celebrate
membership of the Royal Black Institution.
its 135th Anniversary since it was
This year's Demonstration will be held
instituted in 1885 and we congratulate
(DV) on the 'last Saturday': August
those Sir Knights on attaining this
29th in Dromore, again another first
important milestone in their long and
visit for the City of Belfast Grand Black
glorious history of upholding the City
Chapter; but I know full well, that we
Grand Black Chapter and the Royal
will receive a very warm welcome
Black Institution in that most loyal of
throughout our visit to this most Loyal
of towns in the heart of County Down.
areas within our Capital City.
IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN - 8 - AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING