Calendar
April 2023
Apr 03 Monday Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Live Meeting at the Masonic Center
Apr 10 Lodge Ambassador Event 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow
April 17 161st Annual Reunion
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Apr 24 Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. Live meeting / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Live Meeting
May 2023
May 08 Guard’s Club Dinner & Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Four Bodies Annual Meeting & Officer’s
Election 7:30 p.m.
May 15 Officer’s Public Installation
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Meeting 7:30 p.m.
May 22 Trustees Live Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Live Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
These are the last meetings for the 2022 - 2023 Scottish Rite Business year.
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, it is hard to believe that only two months remain in this Masonic year. Here at the Valley great strides have been made, hurdles overcome, and goals achieved. Officially, once again, for the second year, the Valley of Syracuse has reached and exceeded the rigorous requirements set forth by the Supreme Council NMJ and has qualified for the prestigious Valley of Excellence Award. There are a minimum of 90 points required in four areas- Membership; Service and Philanthropy; Leadership and Development and Operations. As of this writing 95.16 points have been earned and more to be added with planned upcoming events. Congratulations to all! We all can be proud. This accomplishment was only made possible through Teamwork and Brothers working in Harmony.
The April activities begin with one of the most solemn and beautiful ceremonial presentations in Scottish Rite. The Feast of the Paschal Lamb will be presented by the Body of Rose Croix in memory of our dearly departed Brothers who have laid down their working tools over the past year. If you have never attended this moving Ceremony, please consider joining us.
During April there will be two [Live] Executive Committee Meetings due to the Grand Lodge Annual Communication being held the first week in May. The first on 4/1 at 7:00 P.M. and the second on 4/24 beginning with the Trustee Meeting at 6:15 P.M. and the Executive Meeting at 7:00 P.M. You do not have to be a member of the Executive Committee to attend, all Valley members are invited. On April 17th the Consistory will be hosting the V.O.S. 161st Annual Reunion. This will be an open meeting with Ladies invited. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Brother Toby J. Shelley, Onondaga County Sheriff.
On April 10th the Valley will be hosting a Lodge Ambassador Event at 7:30 with refreshments to follow. Reminder- April 13th at 8:00 P.M. will be Episode 7, the final “Thursday Night at the Rite” for the season. This evening’s presentation will be the 21st Degree “Patriarch Noachite”.
My Lady Marilyn and I wish you and your family a Happy and Holy Easter Season!
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings Knights, on April 1, 2023 we will celebrate the Feast of the Paschal Lamb. A luncheon will be served following this event.
I thought I would explore some of the things that happen during the feast. The Officers robes are a combination of the colors red and white. This makes the feast a more expressive event. Then 2 columns of men enter the lodge in a certain order as music is played. The columns split and go on each side of the Passion Cross shaped table to their seats. There is a single large candle on a pedestal directly behind the Most Wise Master. This to honor those Knights who have passed during the year.
The Secretary then reads the names of Knights who have passed. There are many other things which happen. I will not get into these as it will deny you the pleasure of the ceremony.
Please come and enjoy this beautiful ceremony.
Richard E. Barrett, 32°
Most Wise Master.
Council
Valiant Princes, As we enter the month of April in the Upstate NY life starts to thaw out. We look forward to becoming increasingly active for spring. I hope all our Valley members are in good health and spirits and I send a prayer for those of you in need.
If you are not a Scottish Rite member, joining the Scottish Rite is a good step for any looking for further light in Masonry. Furthermore, now is especially a good time to join as the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction is offering several programs to enrich your experience in the form of the Excelsior, Pathfinder and the Hauts Grade Academy programs.
For those that enjoy reading about Scottish Rite Masonry, I recommend the great books available through the NMJ Masonic Marketplace: https://themasonicmarketplace.merchorders.com/retail__books The most recent book published of note is Illustrious Brother Kamel Oussayef’s groundbreaking work Freemasonry by Questions and Answers. This work is an annotated translation of a French ritual manuscript dated to 1761, the formative years of what we now know as the Antient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
Inclosing and to help you enjoy your Masonic Journey, I want to share an approach that is specifically useful to Freemasons seeking and sharing further light. It is an approach that fosters and requires teamwork, intergenerational wisdom, respect and deeper fraternal bonds.
The approach is known by Biblical Scholars and Academics who study and converse about sacred texts. The approach is called Hermeneutics. Why is it helpful? Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpretation, translation or analysis commonly used to study sacred texts and in our case the writings of Freemasonry. At first it seems intimidating, but I wish for you all to know that it is something many Freemasons engage in whether we know it, define it or not. Indeed, the true merit of studying our peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols is found amongst our brethren applying their Masonry. Yet at the same time there is the integral sharing of knowledge; conversing, performing, reading or writing about our allegories, ritual, history and philosophy all embodied by the Scottish Rite.
I wish you all a pleasant April. Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. continue to grant peace and blessings to you, the NMJ, America and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
No News Received
Fraternally,
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, and Sisters. Under sickness and distress, please keep the following list of people, and or their families in our thoughts and prayers. Peter Klien, Gil Walter, Harvey Eysman, Herb Gerhardt Jr. and The Cobb family.
The Snowbird Brothers down south will be packing up soon and preparing for the spring migration back home. It is always a pleasure to see their tanned faces setting on the sidelines again. Most of them affiliate with a Masonic Lodge down south and will have an interesting story or experience to share with us.
Good news, I drove to Lodge this week and it was still daylight! The older I get the more I look forward to spring time and setting the clocks ahead. I am sure many of you share my feelings.
Covid is still active among the Valley members. Please be diligent when out and about, and keep the mask and hand sanitizer handy when you find yourself in a crowded area. Please keep the Valley informed if you become infected.
If anyone is experiencing a personal hardship, please feel free to contact Robert Tyrrell, myself, or the Office, in strict confidence, we may be able to help in some way.
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
[email protected]
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
As you read this we will be just going to or coming back from our Spring Break time. For those of you that were able to attend the GALA, you know what a great time we all had and how wonderful all of the Baskets (40+) for the raffle were. You never disappoint with the support and involvement in our Fund Raiser’s and this is one of our biggest. Every Year seems to get bigger and better- can’t wait for next year. I appreciate that the Board (and wives) were willing to take over this event.
We are preparing for our new training classes. We will be doing both Practitioner 1 and 2 this coming year so, as always, The Center will be a very busy place. Alyssa, Marianne and I have all successfully completed (and very happily so) our Therapy Course which is opportune as we move into End-Of-Year activities.
Another new project at the Center is the implementation of a new DataBase System being used at headquarters and therefore, by us- Getting used to a new system after 15 plus years of the old one may be a bit of a challenge, though they assure us that no manual will be needed (which is a good thing as there is no manual available).
Next month I plan to bring you information on a new summer fundraiser for July and remind you again of the Golf Tourney in August- lots of fun things coming our way.
Blessings for the Pastoral Season and hoping to see you all in the near future. Thank you again for helping us be here for the last 19 years.
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- [email protected]
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
161st Annual Reunion Banquet
The Valley of Syracuse has enjoyed an excellent year of Scottish Rite Stated Valley Meetings, degrees conferrals, member’s information sessions, and social events during the 2022-2023 Scottish Rite Masonic Year. The Valley leadership team led by body heads D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA, Thrice Potent Master Central City Lodge of Perfection, D.B. Caleb Haines, 32° MSA HGA, Sovereign Prince Central City Council Princes of Jerusalem, Ded. B. Richard Barrett, 32° DSA, Most Wise Master, Central City Chapter of Rose Croix, and D. B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA, Commander-In-Chief, Central City Consistory.
The time has come for our members to formally say CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU to these leaders and their officers’ teams for their extraordinary efforts and accomplishments has resulted in the Valley of Syracuse achieving “Valley of Excellence” status for 2022-2023; two years in a row. Times and definitions are changing. For years in Scottish Rite Masonry; A “REUNION” was the year end gathering to honor the Valley officers and the Class sponsor. Today a “Reunion” is any degrees conferral meeting conducted during the year.
Our year end “161st Annual Reunion banquet” is Monday evening April 17, 2023. Everyone is encouraged to attend this festive event. Social time is 6:00 p.m.; Dinner 6:30 p.m. and a program in the Lodge Room follows dinner. Tobias “Toby” Shelley, Onondaga County Sheriff is the guest speaker for this year’s event. The menu is Roast Beef and the dinner cost is $20.00 per person. Reservations are required. Contact the office 315-452-7976
Announcing 2023 Summer Time Family Life Events
Save the Valley of Syracuse “Family Life” events on you calendar:
Friday July 21, 2023- It is “Take me out to the Ball game” night. Syracuse Mets take on the Buffalo Bisons at NBT Stadium. Additional details coming.
Saturday July 29, 2023 “Family Life Picnic” at the Cicero American Legion. Additional details coming.
Friday August 4, 2023 Children’s Dyslexia Center “Teddy Bear Golf Outing” at Vesper Hills Golf Club. Additional details coming
2023 Annual Membership Dues
Thank you to those who have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues. A reminder that the 2023 Members Dues payments are past due.
If your Member’s Dues for 2022 and earlier years were not paid by January 31, 2023 your membership in the Valley of Syracuse could be suspended by Supreme Council for non-payment of your Member’s dues.
A new 2023 Scottish Rite Member’s Dues Card was included with your invoice for your 2023 Member’s dues. If you have misplaced it or did not receive the 2023 Annual Member’s Dues card please notify the office and a replacement card will be requested for you.
If your 2023 Member’s Dues were not received by the Valley of Syracuse office or Supreme Council by January 31, 2023 you will receive another follow up notice from Supreme Council in your mail in February. Please respond to that request.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your payment of your 2023 Member’s Dues please contact the Valley office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected] .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
April 2023
Apr 03 Monday Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Live Meeting at the Masonic Center
Apr 10 Lodge Ambassador Event 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow
April 17 161st Annual Reunion
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Apr 24 Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. Live meeting / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Live Meeting
May 2023
May 08 Guard’s Club Dinner & Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Four Bodies Annual Meeting & Officer’s
Election 7:30 p.m.
May 15 Officer’s Public Installation
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Meeting 7:30 p.m.
May 22 Trustees Live Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Live Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
These are the last meetings for the 2022 - 2023 Scottish Rite Business year.
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, it is hard to believe that only two months remain in this Masonic year. Here at the Valley great strides have been made, hurdles overcome, and goals achieved. Officially, once again, for the second year, the Valley of Syracuse has reached and exceeded the rigorous requirements set forth by the Supreme Council NMJ and has qualified for the prestigious Valley of Excellence Award. There are a minimum of 90 points required in four areas- Membership; Service and Philanthropy; Leadership and Development and Operations. As of this writing 95.16 points have been earned and more to be added with planned upcoming events. Congratulations to all! We all can be proud. This accomplishment was only made possible through Teamwork and Brothers working in Harmony.
The April activities begin with one of the most solemn and beautiful ceremonial presentations in Scottish Rite. The Feast of the Paschal Lamb will be presented by the Body of Rose Croix in memory of our dearly departed Brothers who have laid down their working tools over the past year. If you have never attended this moving Ceremony, please consider joining us.
During April there will be two [Live] Executive Committee Meetings due to the Grand Lodge Annual Communication being held the first week in May. The first on 4/1 at 7:00 P.M. and the second on 4/24 beginning with the Trustee Meeting at 6:15 P.M. and the Executive Meeting at 7:00 P.M. You do not have to be a member of the Executive Committee to attend, all Valley members are invited. On April 17th the Consistory will be hosting the V.O.S. 161st Annual Reunion. This will be an open meeting with Ladies invited. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Brother Toby J. Shelley, Onondaga County Sheriff.
On April 10th the Valley will be hosting a Lodge Ambassador Event at 7:30 with refreshments to follow. Reminder- April 13th at 8:00 P.M. will be Episode 7, the final “Thursday Night at the Rite” for the season. This evening’s presentation will be the 21st Degree “Patriarch Noachite”.
My Lady Marilyn and I wish you and your family a Happy and Holy Easter Season!
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings Knights, on April 1, 2023 we will celebrate the Feast of the Paschal Lamb. A luncheon will be served following this event.
I thought I would explore some of the things that happen during the feast. The Officers robes are a combination of the colors red and white. This makes the feast a more expressive event. Then 2 columns of men enter the lodge in a certain order as music is played. The columns split and go on each side of the Passion Cross shaped table to their seats. There is a single large candle on a pedestal directly behind the Most Wise Master. This to honor those Knights who have passed during the year.
The Secretary then reads the names of Knights who have passed. There are many other things which happen. I will not get into these as it will deny you the pleasure of the ceremony.
Please come and enjoy this beautiful ceremony.
Richard E. Barrett, 32°
Most Wise Master.
Council
Valiant Princes, As we enter the month of April in the Upstate NY life starts to thaw out. We look forward to becoming increasingly active for spring. I hope all our Valley members are in good health and spirits and I send a prayer for those of you in need.
If you are not a Scottish Rite member, joining the Scottish Rite is a good step for any looking for further light in Masonry. Furthermore, now is especially a good time to join as the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction is offering several programs to enrich your experience in the form of the Excelsior, Pathfinder and the Hauts Grade Academy programs.
For those that enjoy reading about Scottish Rite Masonry, I recommend the great books available through the NMJ Masonic Marketplace: https://themasonicmarketplace.merchorders.com/retail__books The most recent book published of note is Illustrious Brother Kamel Oussayef’s groundbreaking work Freemasonry by Questions and Answers. This work is an annotated translation of a French ritual manuscript dated to 1761, the formative years of what we now know as the Antient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
Inclosing and to help you enjoy your Masonic Journey, I want to share an approach that is specifically useful to Freemasons seeking and sharing further light. It is an approach that fosters and requires teamwork, intergenerational wisdom, respect and deeper fraternal bonds.
The approach is known by Biblical Scholars and Academics who study and converse about sacred texts. The approach is called Hermeneutics. Why is it helpful? Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpretation, translation or analysis commonly used to study sacred texts and in our case the writings of Freemasonry. At first it seems intimidating, but I wish for you all to know that it is something many Freemasons engage in whether we know it, define it or not. Indeed, the true merit of studying our peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols is found amongst our brethren applying their Masonry. Yet at the same time there is the integral sharing of knowledge; conversing, performing, reading or writing about our allegories, ritual, history and philosophy all embodied by the Scottish Rite.
I wish you all a pleasant April. Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. continue to grant peace and blessings to you, the NMJ, America and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
No News Received
Fraternally,
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, and Sisters. Under sickness and distress, please keep the following list of people, and or their families in our thoughts and prayers. Peter Klien, Gil Walter, Harvey Eysman, Herb Gerhardt Jr. and The Cobb family.
The Snowbird Brothers down south will be packing up soon and preparing for the spring migration back home. It is always a pleasure to see their tanned faces setting on the sidelines again. Most of them affiliate with a Masonic Lodge down south and will have an interesting story or experience to share with us.
Good news, I drove to Lodge this week and it was still daylight! The older I get the more I look forward to spring time and setting the clocks ahead. I am sure many of you share my feelings.
Covid is still active among the Valley members. Please be diligent when out and about, and keep the mask and hand sanitizer handy when you find yourself in a crowded area. Please keep the Valley informed if you become infected.
If anyone is experiencing a personal hardship, please feel free to contact Robert Tyrrell, myself, or the Office, in strict confidence, we may be able to help in some way.
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
[email protected]
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
As you read this we will be just going to or coming back from our Spring Break time. For those of you that were able to attend the GALA, you know what a great time we all had and how wonderful all of the Baskets (40+) for the raffle were. You never disappoint with the support and involvement in our Fund Raiser’s and this is one of our biggest. Every Year seems to get bigger and better- can’t wait for next year. I appreciate that the Board (and wives) were willing to take over this event.
We are preparing for our new training classes. We will be doing both Practitioner 1 and 2 this coming year so, as always, The Center will be a very busy place. Alyssa, Marianne and I have all successfully completed (and very happily so) our Therapy Course which is opportune as we move into End-Of-Year activities.
Another new project at the Center is the implementation of a new DataBase System being used at headquarters and therefore, by us- Getting used to a new system after 15 plus years of the old one may be a bit of a challenge, though they assure us that no manual will be needed (which is a good thing as there is no manual available).
Next month I plan to bring you information on a new summer fundraiser for July and remind you again of the Golf Tourney in August- lots of fun things coming our way.
Blessings for the Pastoral Season and hoping to see you all in the near future. Thank you again for helping us be here for the last 19 years.
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- [email protected]
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
161st Annual Reunion Banquet
The Valley of Syracuse has enjoyed an excellent year of Scottish Rite Stated Valley Meetings, degrees conferrals, member’s information sessions, and social events during the 2022-2023 Scottish Rite Masonic Year. The Valley leadership team led by body heads D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA, Thrice Potent Master Central City Lodge of Perfection, D.B. Caleb Haines, 32° MSA HGA, Sovereign Prince Central City Council Princes of Jerusalem, Ded. B. Richard Barrett, 32° DSA, Most Wise Master, Central City Chapter of Rose Croix, and D. B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA, Commander-In-Chief, Central City Consistory.
The time has come for our members to formally say CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU to these leaders and their officers’ teams for their extraordinary efforts and accomplishments has resulted in the Valley of Syracuse achieving “Valley of Excellence” status for 2022-2023; two years in a row. Times and definitions are changing. For years in Scottish Rite Masonry; A “REUNION” was the year end gathering to honor the Valley officers and the Class sponsor. Today a “Reunion” is any degrees conferral meeting conducted during the year.
Our year end “161st Annual Reunion banquet” is Monday evening April 17, 2023. Everyone is encouraged to attend this festive event. Social time is 6:00 p.m.; Dinner 6:30 p.m. and a program in the Lodge Room follows dinner. Tobias “Toby” Shelley, Onondaga County Sheriff is the guest speaker for this year’s event. The menu is Roast Beef and the dinner cost is $20.00 per person. Reservations are required. Contact the office 315-452-7976
Announcing 2023 Summer Time Family Life Events
Save the Valley of Syracuse “Family Life” events on you calendar:
Friday July 21, 2023- It is “Take me out to the Ball game” night. Syracuse Mets take on the Buffalo Bisons at NBT Stadium. Additional details coming.
Saturday July 29, 2023 “Family Life Picnic” at the Cicero American Legion. Additional details coming.
Friday August 4, 2023 Children’s Dyslexia Center “Teddy Bear Golf Outing” at Vesper Hills Golf Club. Additional details coming
2023 Annual Membership Dues
Thank you to those who have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues. A reminder that the 2023 Members Dues payments are past due.
If your Member’s Dues for 2022 and earlier years were not paid by January 31, 2023 your membership in the Valley of Syracuse could be suspended by Supreme Council for non-payment of your Member’s dues.
A new 2023 Scottish Rite Member’s Dues Card was included with your invoice for your 2023 Member’s dues. If you have misplaced it or did not receive the 2023 Annual Member’s Dues card please notify the office and a replacement card will be requested for you.
If your 2023 Member’s Dues were not received by the Valley of Syracuse office or Supreme Council by January 31, 2023 you will receive another follow up notice from Supreme Council in your mail in February. Please respond to that request.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your payment of your 2023 Member’s Dues please contact the Valley office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected] .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary