Some of you may already know what The Fellowship of the Rose is all about and some of you may not, so please let me explain. In today’s world, social media can assist us to stay in touch with each other and keep us informed on what’s going on such as local news and forthcoming events. One of the many platforms we can use is “WhatsApp”. The functionality is via a desktop or mobile App and is really easy to use, especially for instant messaging.
With all of this in mind III. Bro Robert Humphrey 30° from Swale Rose Croix Chapter No 657 decided it would be a good idea to set up a “WhatsApp” platform to not only communicate with other members within his Chapter but to put this out to all members in the District of East Kent. When speaking with III. Bro Robert he said that the main purpose he had in mind for the new platform was to promote the visiting to other Chapters and encourage fellowship in a happy and harmonious environment.. The WhatsApp site is aptly named the “Fellowship of the Rose”.
III. Bro Robert wanted me to say “a very big thank you” from him to all those brethren who helped him to develop and produce the new site, which started life on the 1st December 2025. In the 9 months since it now has 141 members!
In my role as “Newshound” it is inevitable that I will meet many new and familiar faces. One that I seemed to see wherever I visited was that of III. Bro Paul Buckingham 30°. I was obviously curious and we got chatting and I soon discovered that he was using “The Fellowship of the Rose” to identify when and where each Chapter was meeting, with an aim of visiting each and every one of them in East Kent. We soon agreed that visiting is so rewarding in many ways to both oneself and the Chapter you are visiting.
I promised Ill. Bro Paul that I would not spoil the article he is planning to do for the website in November when he completes his mission, which I am sure will be an amazing read after such an incredible and rewarding journey.
If you are not a member of the Fellowship of the Rose App and you would like to join it, all you have to do is ask your Chapter Recorder who will furnish our District Recorder III. Bro Trevor Youens 32° with your details. Once you are a member you will be able to view upcoming Rose Croix Chapter meetings via the Chapter summons which III. Bro Trevor will submit to the site. You will be informed of upcoming events and you will be able to view past meetings and events. This is what I would call “amazing!”.