New York Scottish Rite - The Fraternity of Choice

Welcome to the New York Council of Deliberation

Our Vision

“We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members.”

New York Scottish Rite Upcoming Events

Excelsior Initiative Sessions coming soon. Watch News for more information.

About The Scottish Rite

32° Scottish Rite Masonry expands upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, exploring Masonic teachings more deeply. Building upon the ethical and philosophical teachings of the blue lodge, 32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry reveals a wealth of knowledge about Masonry not found in the other degrees. It seeks to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge in order to help good men become even better.

A member of 32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry seeks to:

  • Aid mankind’s search for identity and destiny in God’s universe
  • Produce wiser men in a wiser world, happier men in a happier world, and therefore better men in a better world
  • Promote the dignity of every person and the humanity in all activities

The Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry.

In the United States the Scottish Rite is officially recognized by Grand Lodges as an extension of the degrees of Freemasonry.

The Scottish Rite builds upon the ethical teachings and philosophy offered in the craft lodge, or blue lodge, through dramatic presentation of the individual degrees.

Our core values are:

Reverence for God
Devotion to Country
Integrity
Justice
Tolerance
Service to Humanity

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Supreme Council

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in each country is governed by a Supreme Council. There is no international governing body — each Supreme Council in each country is sovereign unto itself.

In the U.S. there are two Supreme Councils. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (NMJ) is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, and the Southern Jurisdiction (SJ) in Washington, DC.

The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction refers to state organizations as Councils ofDeliberation and the local bodies are organized into Valleys.

The System of Degrees

Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the Northern Masonic Jurusdiction, the bodies are the:

Lodge of Perfection

(4°–14°)

Council of Princes of Jerusalem

(15°–16°)

Chapter of Rose Croix

(17°–18°)

Consistory

(19°–32°)

Allegiance

The New York Council of Deliberation acknowledges and yields allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts and whose officers are:

Ill∴ Walter F. Wheeler, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander

Ill∴ Steven E. Smith, 33°
Grand Lieutenant Commander

Ill∴ Laurel “Arby” Humphrey, 33°
Grand Minister of State

Ill∴ G. Michael Morris, 33°
Deputy for New York State

Active Members for New York

Ill∴ Steven C. Stefanakos, 33°
Ill∴ David E. Barnes, 33°
Ill∴ Richard J Powell, 33°
Ill∴ John R. Patterson, Jr., 33°

Active Emeritus Members for New York

Ill∴ Richard H. Welkley, 33°
Ill∴ Gary A. Henningsen, 33°
Ill∴ Frederick D. Greene, 33°
Ill∴ Edward R. Trosin, 33°
Ill∴ Harold L. Aldrich, 33°                                  – Past Grand Minister of State              – Past Deputy for New York      Ill∴ P. Michael Nielsen, 33°
Ill∴ David P. Spencer, 33°                                   – Past Deputy for New York

At Large

Ill∴ Peter J. Samiec, 33°
​Past Sovereign Grand Commander

Our Mission

To Provide:

Inspiration for our members through meaningful programs and degrees.

Convenient opportunities for our members to enhance their lives.

Enjoyable programs and fellowship activities for our members.

​Latest News

Masonic Leadership Initiative (MLI)

The Masonic Leadership Initiative (MLI) is an electrifying initiative for all New York State Masons eager to unlock their potential and master the art of leadership both inside and outside the Lodge. The MLI is a new training program offered by the Grand Lodge of New...

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​Masonic Youth Lodge/Chapter Initiation Reimbursement

​The New York State Council of Deliberation has a trust fund which was established to reimburse the initiation fee of Masonic Youth Group members who join a Masonic Lodge or a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The application form, which can be downloaded below, should be made available to members of your groups who join the adult Masonic groups after August 1, 2019.

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