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A message from the Provincial Prior
At this time of celebration of the birth of the Great Captain of our Salvation, let us pause to reflect on that path we all tread as we pass through this troubled life.
During 2009 we celebrated the birth of No 677 - another dawning of a new era for us in our Province. A joyous occasion for all present.
Sadly, and so soon after such a happy occasion, there came the loss of my dearest friend, my beloved Wife Margaret.
Her unfailing love and support carried us both forward for 46 years, wherever I was, she was always by my side.
That support continues, as evinced by the many messages received by the family - not just my close family but also by the wider family of Knights Templar - every member of every Preceptory throughout the Province.
"Thank you" does seem on occasions to be insufficient, but on this occasion it conveys so much more from my girls and their families. Naming names is always a hazard, so often causing considerable hurt through that most human of all traits - forgetfulness!
My personal and very greatest thanks go to those whose unselfish and unsolicited acts of selfless kindness and support have proved so uplifting to me over these past few months
We need, in fact, we must consider the future, not just our own but that of this great Province.
During the next few years we have much to celebrate - the bi-centenary of our oldest Preceptory - Prudence No 16; the "Diamond" anniversaries of Lynn Regis No 330 and St. John No 418 (quite a long period between 200 and 60!!), and filling in the spaces between there is the sesquicentenary (150) of Cabbell No 69 and Royal Plantagenet No 80 - all destined to be marked in some way by their members, as well as the rest of the Province with them.
One thing however remains constant - the burning necessity for each and every one of us to be proud of our faith, to practice and demonstrate to all we come in contact with, that we are Christians and proud to be so.
Every day we are reminded that we do "wrestle against flesh and blood" as well as "spiritual wickedness in high places" - a sad indictment of Great Britain, sadly no longer united.
The Christmas Day Observance is even more poignant when we think not only of our Fellow Soldiers of the Cross, but also those soldiers who serve under the Union Flag, we do not know how many - if any - are fellow soldiers of the Cross, but they have and are fighting the good fight.
We salute them all at 17:00 GMT on the 25th of December
As always my grateful thanks to you one and all, and wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
See you all in the near future.
Geoffrey Hewitt
R.Em. Provincial Prior
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