W Bro Stan Marut’s wife is a resident at Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh Court RMBI Care Home at Sindlesham, Berkshire. A member of Temple of Athene Lodge No 9541 and Middlesex Masters Uxbridge Lodge No 9292, he visits almost every day and spends hours with his wife. They also do local trips by car for coffee and cake or ice cream. Each Sunday he attends with Sandra the Morning Service at the Home which every two weeks is celebrated by the Grand Chaplain, RW Bro Reverend Dr Simon Thorne, a Berkshire mason. On alternate Sundays Morning Prayers are offered by a lay preacher who is also a member of the Province of Berkshire. There is a small chapel and many of the congregation are either wives or widows of former freemasons together with some freemasons themselves. About 12 -15 people attend each Sunday.
It was Palm Sunday on the 29th March and the two regular celebrants were engaged elsewhere. W. Bro Stan was asked by the Grand Chaplain if he would step in to lead the service. Without hesitation he offered his assistance and with the aid of PowerPoint and a digital hymnal was able to provide the residents an opportunity to worship on what is an extremely important day.
Stan was assisted by W. Bro Glynn Jones SLGR, a member of Enoch Lodge No 11 which is a London Lodge. Glynn is a member of the Association of Friends of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh Court which over the years has financed several projects including a physiotherapy wing, an ornamental garden pond and purchased many forms of recreational equipment, together with vehicles including minibus ambulances. The Association organises fetes to raise money, for its members and the residents. It also provides certain facilities such as a non-profit shop for residents, shopping trips and coach outings, carpet bowls and theatre trips. A regular Newsletter keeps the members informed.
Most Middlesex Masons will not be aware that W. Bro Stan studied Theology and Philosophy at the University of London and matters of religion, liturgy and ceremony are not unfamiliar to him. Stan hopes that he might be able to assist in the future to ensure that residents of the RMBI Home are able to have an opportunity to worship together on the Sabbath.
See also: https://rmbi.org.uk/home/prince-philip-duke-of-edinburgh-court-berkshire/
https://berkspgl.org.uk/association-of-friends-of-prince-philip-duke-of-edinburgh-court/
