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
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
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∴ Gary L. Burke, 33°
Active Emeritus Members for New York
Ill∴ Richard H. Welkley, 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
33° Candidates
It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that, at the Annual Supreme Council, AASR, NMJ meeting last week in Lexington, MA, six (6) New York Scottish Rite Masons were elected to be coroneted as 33° Masons, Honorary Members of the Supreme Council, AASR, NMJ at the...
Congratulations to New Grand Lodge of NY Officers
Congratulations to the newly elected/appointed and installed Officers for the Grand Lodge of New York! All of the Elected Grand Lodge Officers are 33° Scottish Rite Brothers:Grand Master - MW & Ill Robert L. Hogan, Jr., 33°Deputy Grand Master - RW & Ill E....
XLCR32 Podcast February 2026
Happy New Year! Took a break in January, endured the snow storms and the XLCR32 Podcast is back!Present are Rick Powell, Bob Siebold Cliff Jacobs, Peter Flihan and Ill. G. Michael Morris, Deputy for the State of New York. Topics:Burns Suppers Pathfinder 5 Questions...
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.
