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
Supreme Council
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
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 Nielson, 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
Excelsior Leadership: Living Our Scottish Rite Values by applying the Maxwell Leadership Method (12/14/2023)
The Scottish Rite is called the College of Freemasonry as its primary goal is to promote learning and self-improvement. The 29 Scottish Rite degrees of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction instruct us about the importance of six core values. By watching or participating...
Photos: Supreme Council 2023 Louisville, KY
To see photos taken at the 2023 Supreme Council Session held in August in Louisville, KY, click on this LINK. Photos are compliments of Ill. Frank Gaskill, 33° from the Valley of Buffalo. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fcd1QwwAAceT7xCFA
Excelsior Lecture: The Osage Indian Murders, the Founding of the FBI and the Masons Involved (10/18/2023)
The New York Council of Deliberation's Excelsior Initiative is pleased to welcome Ill. Mark A. Wright, 33° at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 with a presentation on the Osage Indian Murders, the Founding of the FBI and the Masons Involved.Killers of the Flower...
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.
