Calendar
January 2023
Jan 09 Executive Committee Zoom Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Jan 23 Spring Membership Night w/ Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Jan 28 KSA Burns Supper @ Coleman’s Restaurant 5:00 p.m.
Jan 30 15° (V) “Knight of the East” & 16° “Prince of Jerusalem” 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow
Febuary 2023
Feb 07 Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Feb 11 Crunch Hockey Night at the “Crunch” at Upstate Medical University Arena At the Onondaga War Memorial
Puck Drop at 7:00 p.m.
Feb 14 Caregivers Recognition at MMC With the Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, when you receive this issue of “the Word” a new year will be knocking at our door. Our fall season at the Valley of Syracuse has been busy, exciting and fruitful.
On November 28 th we conferred the 17 th and the 32 nd degree [video] with live Knighting Ceremony for the Ill. Robert W. Tyrrell, 33 Degree Class of 2022-23. This resulted in 15 new Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret for our Valley and one for the Valley of Jamestown. The evening was well attended with a total of 50 present. One of whom was a visitor that traveled here from the Valley of Vermont. Congratulations to our new 32 nd degree members and thank you to all for your support of our new Princes and the Valley. As of December 1 st there were 10 new members added to our Valley Roster. This leaves only a balance of 4 more needed to meet our requirements toward the 2022-23 “Valley of Excellence Award”. We are currently planning a Rite on the Road for the near future. The Lodge, date and time will be forthcoming.
January 19 th back by popular demand, the Supreme Council will begin the Thursday Night at Rite series with the 20 th degree. Mark your calendar for all of these excellent degree presentations which count toward filling your Passport Book.
January is a fun filled beginning to the Scottish Rite New Year. January 23 rd is “Spring Membership Night with Ladies and Guests”. The entertainment for the evening will be the introduction of a new group to our Valley- “The Baby Boomers Band”. They are a popular five piece local group who have played at many various venues including the Cicero Parks and Recreation Department’s summer concerts, weddings, private parties etc. This is sure to be a good time for all, especially for our potential new members.
Saturday January 28 th will be the Annual Robert Burns Supper at Coleman’s Irish Pub presented by Ill. Rick Powell and the Knights of St. Andrew. This is a fun filled evening of fellowship, great food, which includes a Piper, piping in the Haggis in true Scottish ceremonial form and a wee bit of Burns poetry. Wear your kilt if you have one!
These January evenings spent with the Valley of Syracuse A.A.S.R. are sure to warm up and brighten the cold dark nights of our first full month of winter. Come join us and feel the warmth of Scottish Rite Masonry!
From my family to yours, we wish each of you a very Happy, Healthy and a Prosperous New Year. As always keep those serving in our Armed Forces and our first responders in your thoughts and prayers and pray for peace throughout the world in this New Year.
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings, Princes. The cast for the Feast of the Paschal Lamb is almost complete. However, I would like to fill the 2 guard positions with new Scottish Rite Masons. It is good to get new people involved. If you are interested contact me at (315) 632- 1395.
Also have found that the 17th & 18th degrees are actually tied into the Feast. The 17 degree negative attitudes are reflected in all the statements given during the extinguishing of the lights. The 18 degree positive attitudes show up during the relighting of the lights. These lessons are what we experience during our everyday life.
I hope you all attend this ceremony. It is very entertaining and inspirational.
Richard E. Barrett
Most Wise Master.
Council
Valiant Knights,
I hope you are doing well and have/had an enjoyable Holiday season and a Happy New Year. If it has been a tough time please recall that in times of adversity that the Holidays are to be a reprieve from the mundane. They are days when we strengthen and adopt greater consistency in being contemplative, thankful, humble, graceful and of the less fortunate and impoverished.
During times of darkness, we as Knights of the East bear a special light. We are reminded and remind our brothers to be free from any oppressions of our human spirit as we rebuild the Temple of Liberty once again. We are reminded that if we fall to rise again. Allegorically, we are instructed to keep a positive attitude, use constructive criticism, work as a team and focus to build anew in our lives wherever applicable. We are admonished to adapt to change and defeat with fortitude and humility. For example, as our body is a Temple, exercising a healthy mind, body and spirit and defending that advancement so we do not regress is seen as being sound.
Therefore, ask yourself what does the allegory of laboring with a sword in one hand and trowel in the other mean to you?
Indeed, Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols… but did you know that Cyrus the Great as mentioned was a real Persian King? If you are interested in this rich history try researching the Cyrus Cylinder circa 539-538 B.C. and the Book of Ezra as they influenced the lessons in our CPJ degrees.
In closing, the 16th degree will be conferred after the 15th degree video on Jan 30 th of 2023. Upon reading this we will have had our annual Holiday celebration which I hope all have enjoyed and give thanks to all who assisted. Our final rehearsal for the 16th degree is scheduled for Dec. 19th of 2022. I wish to remind you again that this year the 16th degree will be conferred after the 15th degree video on Jan 30 th of 2023.
Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. continue to grant peace and blessings to you, our Sovereign Grand Commander, the NMJ, America and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Happy New Year Princes! How can it be that we re into a New Year? Jeanne and I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to an interesting and productive Scottish Rite year.
Perhaps one of the most exciting upcoming events is the Knights of St. Andrew Robert Burns Supper on January 28th. It is really exciting how the wearing of the Philabeg (little kilt) has grown among our members. That event is a great time to kilt up and join with fellow Scots and those who wish they were Scottish for a wonderful meal and great fellowship.
On another subject many of you are golfers. There is a very informative website that I would direct you to that tells the history of Masonry in Scotland as it relates to Scottish Masons forming some of the most important golf courses in the world. You can find it https://www.scottishgolfhistory.org. Informative reading through the cold and snowy days ahead!
The next event for the Lodge of Perfection will be the Spring membership night with the Ladies on January 23rd.
Finally we are anticipating a Rite on the Road event at Konosioni Lodge in the near future.
Fraternally,
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, Under sickness and distress, Brother George Laird is currently hospitalized. You can send him get well wishes on facebook.
Winter is officially here, and most of the Masonic snowbird Brothers have made a safe migration south where they will be attending Lodges and Valleys in southern states.
There is currently a Tri-demic of flu, covid, and SRV. SRV was primarily affecting children, but recent reports of adults are being infected as well. This is the season of parties and get togethers, so please use caution and keep your mask handy in crowded places.
I want to wish everyone all the best in 2023. Have a safe and happy New Year !!
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
[email protected]
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
Here we are in 2023- Wow. When I think back 18 years ago and we were still planning things to enter the Center in March of 2005. I remember how gracious Jeff French and the staff at the OES Home were to find places for me to tutor and do all the paperwork for the Center. As I recall the children and I spent time in four different places from July 2004 to March 2005. What a ‘wild ride’ that was.
The Board worked diligently to create the Center facility that we have now and are still working just as hard to keep things up to par. Over the Holiday break they contracted to replace the well-worn and fraying carpet in the reception area, hallways and main office with a luxury vinyl tile. The latter was recommended by headquarters after instances of fire and flooding in other Centers and the issues of clean- up and redoing due to those tragic circumstances. We are not planning on either happening here but another 18 plus years of minimal issues will be just fine. You should be proud to know that our Center visits from Lexington Personnel brought us ‘model center’ status and I am very appreciative of the Board’s efforts to keep things that way.
Next month I am in hopes of bringing you more information about the annual Gala but I can tell you to save the second Saturday in March (the 11th ) for a great evening at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. The committee is planning a wonderful evening of fun and entertainment and Gineal and I will be managing the Basket Raffle (we will gladly accept your unique basket donation if you have something in mind- we will put them on display at the Center and on-line from mid-February to the beginning of March. This has been our largest fund-raiser as well as a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship and we hope to see you there!
We wish all a very Happy New Year, with continued thanks for all of your caring support.
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- [email protected]
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
2023 Burns Supper
The Knights of St. Andrew will be holding their 2023 Burns Supper on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at Coleman's Irish Pub 100 South Lowell Avenue, Syracuse, NY. Social Time will begin at 5:00 PM. Dinner will be buffet style and cost will be $45.00 per person. Wives/significant others/guests are invited.
This event is open to all but seating is limited to 65 this year so make your reservations now! We will be downstairs behind the bar rather than upstairs. Make your check out to the Knights of St. Andrew and mail them to Richard Powell, 4717 Broad Road, Syracuse, NY 13215. Be sure to write "Burns Supper" in the memo area of your check. Final Cutoff is January 6th.
Blue Envelope Appeal
You recently received the annual “Blue Envelope Appeal” letter from Supreme Council requesting your annual contribution. I urge you to support this request. Any contribution you may make is significant. The number of members from a valley that contribute to the “Blue Envelope Appeal” directly impacts the dollar amounts allocated to the Valleys within each state for distribution to our scholars. The percentage of members from each Valley that contribute is key to distribution of the Abbott Scholarship Funds and to the Valley’s rankings in the Supreme Council “Valley of Excellence” ratings.
Abbott Scholarships funded by Supreme Council, NMJ or a New York State Educational Financial Assistance Grant funded by the New York State Scottish Rite Charities Corporation are assisting the children and grandchildren of our current and deceased members.
The Valley of Syracuse submitted financial aid requests for six students seeking financial aid to assist them pay for their education during the 2022-2023 year.
All six of the students related to our Valley’s members that requested financial assistance are currently receiving Scottish Rite funded financial aid for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. These young people are our future. We thank you for your support.
Jim Swan
Valley Secretary
Supreme Council Valley of Excellence
The 2021 – 2022 Valley of Excellence Award Trophy earned by the Valley of Syracuse is now displayed in the front foyer Trophy case. Check it out when you come to the Masonic Center for a meeting or event.
We are making excellent progress in our quest to earn the “Valley of Excellence” designation for 2022 – 2023. Congratulations! to all for earning this designation for our Valley. This is a combined effort by all Valley of Syracuse officers and members.
2023 Thursday Night at the Rite
Supreme Council Thursday Night at the Rite program with video degrees and other special events returns Thursday January 19, 2023. The 20° “Master ad Vitam” is featured. Continuing dates are February 2, and 16; March 2, 16, and 30 with the last event April 13, 2023.
E-mail notices will be coming out from the office.
If you have any questions regarding the planned schedule please contact the office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected] .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
2023 – 2024 Scholarship Applications Available
Applications to apply for 2023 – 2024 Academic Year Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are now available for online pick up at the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite Web Site. Go to the Valley of Syracuse Web site www.syr-aasr.org or the New York State Council of Deliberation Web site www.nyscottishritemasons.org for the links to obtain the information online. Applications received from a Scottish Rite Mason’s relatives are to be submitted thru the member’s Valley of membership.
Application titled “2023-Abbott-Application” is to be used.
To all applicants submitting your application thru the Valley of Syracuse: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse business office is Monday April 3, 2023. That means in the office by close of business Monday April 3, 2023. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2023 will not be considered.
New Applications must be used. The 2023 Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Application to be used.
Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year.
The members of our Masonic Youth Groups; Triangle, Rainbow, and DeMolay; are eligible to apply for financial assistance. A masonic relationship is not required.
Students who complete the program at the Children’s Dyslexia Centers in New York State may also apply. A masonic relationship is not required.
Six applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program for the 2022-2023 scholastic year. Congratulations and best wishes to them. Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 or [email protected] if you have any questions or require assistance and information.
2023 Member’s Dues
This is a reminder that Supreme Council changed the effective dates for Annual Member’s Dues notifications effective July 2020. We are now in the third year since this change was implemented. Most important impact of that change is the requirement to pay your 2023 Member’s dues prior to January 1, 2023 to be a current member. If your Member’s Dues for 2022 and earlier years are 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.
For those that have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues and are now current for 2023 the Valley Leadership Team, office staff, and I thank you. 256 Valley members have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues as of December 1, 2022.
If your 2023 Member’s Dues are 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] .
January 2023
Jan 09 Executive Committee Zoom Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Jan 23 Spring Membership Night w/ Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Jan 28 KSA Burns Supper @ Coleman’s Restaurant 5:00 p.m.
Jan 30 15° (V) “Knight of the East” & 16° “Prince of Jerusalem” 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow
Febuary 2023
Feb 07 Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Feb 11 Crunch Hockey Night at the “Crunch” at Upstate Medical University Arena At the Onondaga War Memorial
Puck Drop at 7:00 p.m.
Feb 14 Caregivers Recognition at MMC With the Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, when you receive this issue of “the Word” a new year will be knocking at our door. Our fall season at the Valley of Syracuse has been busy, exciting and fruitful.
On November 28 th we conferred the 17 th and the 32 nd degree [video] with live Knighting Ceremony for the Ill. Robert W. Tyrrell, 33 Degree Class of 2022-23. This resulted in 15 new Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret for our Valley and one for the Valley of Jamestown. The evening was well attended with a total of 50 present. One of whom was a visitor that traveled here from the Valley of Vermont. Congratulations to our new 32 nd degree members and thank you to all for your support of our new Princes and the Valley. As of December 1 st there were 10 new members added to our Valley Roster. This leaves only a balance of 4 more needed to meet our requirements toward the 2022-23 “Valley of Excellence Award”. We are currently planning a Rite on the Road for the near future. The Lodge, date and time will be forthcoming.
January 19 th back by popular demand, the Supreme Council will begin the Thursday Night at Rite series with the 20 th degree. Mark your calendar for all of these excellent degree presentations which count toward filling your Passport Book.
January is a fun filled beginning to the Scottish Rite New Year. January 23 rd is “Spring Membership Night with Ladies and Guests”. The entertainment for the evening will be the introduction of a new group to our Valley- “The Baby Boomers Band”. They are a popular five piece local group who have played at many various venues including the Cicero Parks and Recreation Department’s summer concerts, weddings, private parties etc. This is sure to be a good time for all, especially for our potential new members.
Saturday January 28 th will be the Annual Robert Burns Supper at Coleman’s Irish Pub presented by Ill. Rick Powell and the Knights of St. Andrew. This is a fun filled evening of fellowship, great food, which includes a Piper, piping in the Haggis in true Scottish ceremonial form and a wee bit of Burns poetry. Wear your kilt if you have one!
These January evenings spent with the Valley of Syracuse A.A.S.R. are sure to warm up and brighten the cold dark nights of our first full month of winter. Come join us and feel the warmth of Scottish Rite Masonry!
From my family to yours, we wish each of you a very Happy, Healthy and a Prosperous New Year. As always keep those serving in our Armed Forces and our first responders in your thoughts and prayers and pray for peace throughout the world in this New Year.
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings, Princes. The cast for the Feast of the Paschal Lamb is almost complete. However, I would like to fill the 2 guard positions with new Scottish Rite Masons. It is good to get new people involved. If you are interested contact me at (315) 632- 1395.
Also have found that the 17th & 18th degrees are actually tied into the Feast. The 17 degree negative attitudes are reflected in all the statements given during the extinguishing of the lights. The 18 degree positive attitudes show up during the relighting of the lights. These lessons are what we experience during our everyday life.
I hope you all attend this ceremony. It is very entertaining and inspirational.
Richard E. Barrett
Most Wise Master.
Council
Valiant Knights,
I hope you are doing well and have/had an enjoyable Holiday season and a Happy New Year. If it has been a tough time please recall that in times of adversity that the Holidays are to be a reprieve from the mundane. They are days when we strengthen and adopt greater consistency in being contemplative, thankful, humble, graceful and of the less fortunate and impoverished.
During times of darkness, we as Knights of the East bear a special light. We are reminded and remind our brothers to be free from any oppressions of our human spirit as we rebuild the Temple of Liberty once again. We are reminded that if we fall to rise again. Allegorically, we are instructed to keep a positive attitude, use constructive criticism, work as a team and focus to build anew in our lives wherever applicable. We are admonished to adapt to change and defeat with fortitude and humility. For example, as our body is a Temple, exercising a healthy mind, body and spirit and defending that advancement so we do not regress is seen as being sound.
Therefore, ask yourself what does the allegory of laboring with a sword in one hand and trowel in the other mean to you?
Indeed, Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols… but did you know that Cyrus the Great as mentioned was a real Persian King? If you are interested in this rich history try researching the Cyrus Cylinder circa 539-538 B.C. and the Book of Ezra as they influenced the lessons in our CPJ degrees.
In closing, the 16th degree will be conferred after the 15th degree video on Jan 30 th of 2023. Upon reading this we will have had our annual Holiday celebration which I hope all have enjoyed and give thanks to all who assisted. Our final rehearsal for the 16th degree is scheduled for Dec. 19th of 2022. I wish to remind you again that this year the 16th degree will be conferred after the 15th degree video on Jan 30 th of 2023.
Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. continue to grant peace and blessings to you, our Sovereign Grand Commander, the NMJ, America and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Happy New Year Princes! How can it be that we re into a New Year? Jeanne and I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to an interesting and productive Scottish Rite year.
Perhaps one of the most exciting upcoming events is the Knights of St. Andrew Robert Burns Supper on January 28th. It is really exciting how the wearing of the Philabeg (little kilt) has grown among our members. That event is a great time to kilt up and join with fellow Scots and those who wish they were Scottish for a wonderful meal and great fellowship.
On another subject many of you are golfers. There is a very informative website that I would direct you to that tells the history of Masonry in Scotland as it relates to Scottish Masons forming some of the most important golf courses in the world. You can find it https://www.scottishgolfhistory.org. Informative reading through the cold and snowy days ahead!
The next event for the Lodge of Perfection will be the Spring membership night with the Ladies on January 23rd.
Finally we are anticipating a Rite on the Road event at Konosioni Lodge in the near future.
Fraternally,
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, Under sickness and distress, Brother George Laird is currently hospitalized. You can send him get well wishes on facebook.
Winter is officially here, and most of the Masonic snowbird Brothers have made a safe migration south where they will be attending Lodges and Valleys in southern states.
There is currently a Tri-demic of flu, covid, and SRV. SRV was primarily affecting children, but recent reports of adults are being infected as well. This is the season of parties and get togethers, so please use caution and keep your mask handy in crowded places.
I want to wish everyone all the best in 2023. Have a safe and happy New Year !!
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
[email protected]
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
Here we are in 2023- Wow. When I think back 18 years ago and we were still planning things to enter the Center in March of 2005. I remember how gracious Jeff French and the staff at the OES Home were to find places for me to tutor and do all the paperwork for the Center. As I recall the children and I spent time in four different places from July 2004 to March 2005. What a ‘wild ride’ that was.
The Board worked diligently to create the Center facility that we have now and are still working just as hard to keep things up to par. Over the Holiday break they contracted to replace the well-worn and fraying carpet in the reception area, hallways and main office with a luxury vinyl tile. The latter was recommended by headquarters after instances of fire and flooding in other Centers and the issues of clean- up and redoing due to those tragic circumstances. We are not planning on either happening here but another 18 plus years of minimal issues will be just fine. You should be proud to know that our Center visits from Lexington Personnel brought us ‘model center’ status and I am very appreciative of the Board’s efforts to keep things that way.
Next month I am in hopes of bringing you more information about the annual Gala but I can tell you to save the second Saturday in March (the 11th ) for a great evening at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. The committee is planning a wonderful evening of fun and entertainment and Gineal and I will be managing the Basket Raffle (we will gladly accept your unique basket donation if you have something in mind- we will put them on display at the Center and on-line from mid-February to the beginning of March. This has been our largest fund-raiser as well as a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship and we hope to see you there!
We wish all a very Happy New Year, with continued thanks for all of your caring support.
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- [email protected]
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
2023 Burns Supper
The Knights of St. Andrew will be holding their 2023 Burns Supper on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at Coleman's Irish Pub 100 South Lowell Avenue, Syracuse, NY. Social Time will begin at 5:00 PM. Dinner will be buffet style and cost will be $45.00 per person. Wives/significant others/guests are invited.
This event is open to all but seating is limited to 65 this year so make your reservations now! We will be downstairs behind the bar rather than upstairs. Make your check out to the Knights of St. Andrew and mail them to Richard Powell, 4717 Broad Road, Syracuse, NY 13215. Be sure to write "Burns Supper" in the memo area of your check. Final Cutoff is January 6th.
Blue Envelope Appeal
You recently received the annual “Blue Envelope Appeal” letter from Supreme Council requesting your annual contribution. I urge you to support this request. Any contribution you may make is significant. The number of members from a valley that contribute to the “Blue Envelope Appeal” directly impacts the dollar amounts allocated to the Valleys within each state for distribution to our scholars. The percentage of members from each Valley that contribute is key to distribution of the Abbott Scholarship Funds and to the Valley’s rankings in the Supreme Council “Valley of Excellence” ratings.
Abbott Scholarships funded by Supreme Council, NMJ or a New York State Educational Financial Assistance Grant funded by the New York State Scottish Rite Charities Corporation are assisting the children and grandchildren of our current and deceased members.
The Valley of Syracuse submitted financial aid requests for six students seeking financial aid to assist them pay for their education during the 2022-2023 year.
All six of the students related to our Valley’s members that requested financial assistance are currently receiving Scottish Rite funded financial aid for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. These young people are our future. We thank you for your support.
Jim Swan
Valley Secretary
Supreme Council Valley of Excellence
The 2021 – 2022 Valley of Excellence Award Trophy earned by the Valley of Syracuse is now displayed in the front foyer Trophy case. Check it out when you come to the Masonic Center for a meeting or event.
We are making excellent progress in our quest to earn the “Valley of Excellence” designation for 2022 – 2023. Congratulations! to all for earning this designation for our Valley. This is a combined effort by all Valley of Syracuse officers and members.
2023 Thursday Night at the Rite
Supreme Council Thursday Night at the Rite program with video degrees and other special events returns Thursday January 19, 2023. The 20° “Master ad Vitam” is featured. Continuing dates are February 2, and 16; March 2, 16, and 30 with the last event April 13, 2023.
E-mail notices will be coming out from the office.
If you have any questions regarding the planned schedule please contact the office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected] .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
2023 – 2024 Scholarship Applications Available
Applications to apply for 2023 – 2024 Academic Year Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are now available for online pick up at the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite Web Site. Go to the Valley of Syracuse Web site www.syr-aasr.org or the New York State Council of Deliberation Web site www.nyscottishritemasons.org for the links to obtain the information online. Applications received from a Scottish Rite Mason’s relatives are to be submitted thru the member’s Valley of membership.
Application titled “2023-Abbott-Application” is to be used.
To all applicants submitting your application thru the Valley of Syracuse: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse business office is Monday April 3, 2023. That means in the office by close of business Monday April 3, 2023. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2023 will not be considered.
New Applications must be used. The 2023 Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Application to be used.
Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year.
The members of our Masonic Youth Groups; Triangle, Rainbow, and DeMolay; are eligible to apply for financial assistance. A masonic relationship is not required.
Students who complete the program at the Children’s Dyslexia Centers in New York State may also apply. A masonic relationship is not required.
Six applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program for the 2022-2023 scholastic year. Congratulations and best wishes to them. Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 or [email protected] if you have any questions or require assistance and information.
2023 Member’s Dues
This is a reminder that Supreme Council changed the effective dates for Annual Member’s Dues notifications effective July 2020. We are now in the third year since this change was implemented. Most important impact of that change is the requirement to pay your 2023 Member’s dues prior to January 1, 2023 to be a current member. If your Member’s Dues for 2022 and earlier years are 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.
For those that have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues and are now current for 2023 the Valley Leadership Team, office staff, and I thank you. 256 Valley members have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues as of December 1, 2022.
If your 2023 Member’s Dues are 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] .