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THE UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A |
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United Supreme Council
The 121st Annual Session of The United Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction USA was held in Jacksonville, Florida, from October 6th to though 9th, hosted by the Orient of Florida. On Saturday, at the annual Charitable Foundation meeting hosted by the Charitable Foundation President, Illustrious Allen Stewart, 33, we heard of the introduction of donations and grants presented. And the Charitable Foundation Advisory Board approved grants totaling more than $135,000.00 this year. In the Executive session on Saturday morning, the reports of the Illustrious Grand Deputies for the United Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction USA of the different states composing of the Southern jurisdiction, together with the annual returns from consistories, showed a very marked increase in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry membership and attested the general prosperity of the order. In addition two hundred and fifty-four nominations were elected to receive the last degree in Freemasonry, the thirty-third degree.
The Education Symposium was hosted by Illustrious A.K. Wilkins, 33, Deputy for United Supreme Council, for Korea with presenters Illustrious Michael A. Delgado, 33 from Augusta, Georgia and Illustrious Luscious Turner, 33 from Mississippi. The symposium is defined as a learning opportunity organized for the purpose of providing a forum for discussion of a well-defined topic. The symposium provided an environment for the free exchange of ideas that goes beyond the normal Question and Answer session after a presentation. The symposium consisted of a series of presentations contributed by experts in the defined subject area of the symposium topic, followed by an interchange of opinions among symposium participants. The memorial service was conducted by the LT Grand Commander, Illustrious William O. Jones, 33 and the degree team. The sermon was delivered by the Deputy Grand Prior, Illustrious Reverend Melvin Smotherson, 33.
On Monday, the Thirty-third Degree men are to be found here in force, men who have from early years zealously followed the traditions and given themselves freely to the service of Freemasonry.
The United Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction USA was formally opened and with full ceremonial promptly at 9 o’clock. Illustrious Deary Vaughn, 33, Sovereign Grand Commander of the United Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction USA, officiated at the inaugurations of the Council. The prayer for guidance in the deliberations of the body was offered by the Grand Prior, the Illustrious Reverend. Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, 33 of Memphis Tennessee.
According to the program mapped out the working of the Thirty-third Degree had been expected. The United Supreme Council was good-natured and listened to the requests of numerous Thirty-second Degree men for admission to the convocation. The Thirty-third Degree was suspended and the chamber was opened to the lower degree men.
In the General Sessions, in addition to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Reverend Dr. Michael Moore of Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge, Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity, Free and Accepted Masons PHA, Florida, & Belize, Central America and U.S. Virgin island, Inc., and other Grand Masters from the Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdictions we were honored to receive the visiting Sovereign Grand Commander from the United Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Northern Jurisdiction U.S.A., Illustrious Solomon Wallace, 33 and Dr. Ralph Slaughter, Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine who were introduced, along with representatives from concordant bodies, and who brought greetings from their various jurisdictions.
Sovereign Grand Commander Illustrious Deary Vaughn, 33 gave a summary of his allocution, this is available in written form to all Orients. He delivered an admirable address on matters relating to the welfare of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The progress made during the year was fully set forth and proposed innovations upon the jurisdiction of the Southern Consistories and other bodies were dwelt upon. Perhaps the most touching portion of our Sovereign Grand Commander’s address was that in which tributes were paid to the worth of members of the United Supreme Council who had passed away during the year. At the conclusion of the address the United Supreme Council “closed” to the Thirty-second Degree members. And was called back on to the Thirty-third Degree for the purpose of conferring the degree. The Thirty-third and Last Degree was conferred in full form and ritual. A collaboration and luncheon followed.
On Monday evening, as is customary at the annual banquet, donations to the Charitable Foundation from various classes and activities across the country were received. The Charitable Foundation President reported that over $25,400.00 had been donated.
On Tuesday, minutes and committee reports were approved, accepted and adopted by the voting members. The United Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction USA was adjourned by the Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious Deary Vaughn, 33.
The foregoing is a brief, and by no means complete, summary of the events of a busy and successful 121st Annual Session, hosted so well by the members of the Orient of Florida, who certainly delivered on their various assignments!
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