Pennsylvania Scottish Rite

The Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation

The Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation is the authority for Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and works under the governance of the Supreme Council, 33° for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. It is the largest in total membership in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

The Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation possesses the legislative and judicial powers not reserved to the Supreme Council and not inconsistent with the Constitution and Regulations. It is composed of the active and honorary members of the Supreme Council resident in the Commonwealth, the Past Commanders-in-Chief of the Consistories, the Past Presiding Officers of each Coordinate Body, the first three Officers of the Consistories and Chapters of Rose Croix, the first four Officers of the Councils of Princes of Jerusalem and the Lodges of Perfection.

The Deputy is the ex-officio Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation is Ill. Keith E. Parkinson, 33°, Deputy for Pennsylvania and Active Member of the Supreme Council.

What is the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite?

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is one of three branches in Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three Degrees of the Symbolic or 'Blue' Lodge Masonry.

The other branches are known as the York Rite and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners).

Scottish Rite Bodies are grouped in what is known as a 'Valley.' A Valley usually consists of four Bodies; a Lodge of Perfection (4° -14°), a Council of Princes of Jerusalem (15° & 16°), a Chapter of Rose Croix (17° & 18°) and a Consistory (19° - 32°). Each of the Bodies within a Valley is an independent organization within itself. Each is separately officered and has full control of the Degrees in its structure.

Pennsylvania Scottish Rite

Dear Brethren,

The Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation wishes to say THANK YOU to each and every member. Without your support we cannot go forward. Everyone makes a contribution even when we feel that we do nothing. By supporting your valley you are supporting the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation. Have you attended a meeting, attended an event, have you been to a reunion, have you made a donation to the BLUE ENEVOPE CAMPAIGN, have you paid your dues? These are all ways to support the PA COD and your valley.

If we want our valleys to continue to be viable and do the work of the Scottish Rite we must all do our part. This means we all need to be looking to increase our membership through retention, restoration, and recruitment.

Scottish Rite is family friendly, so take your family to an event, make new friends, and become involved with your valley. Your family will Thank You and so will your valley.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and Be Proud To Be A Mason.

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Keith E. Parkinson, 33⁰

Deputy for Pennsylvania

PS: TAKE TIME TO THANK A VETERAN

We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members.

Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

Our Core Values, Mission and Vision

Core Values

As Scottish Rite Masons we recognize our core values to be; Reverence for God, Justice, Toleration, Devotion to Country, Service to Humanity and Integrity

Vision Statement

We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic Obligation to care for our members.

Mission Statement- I.C.E.

Provide Inspiration for our members through meaningful programs and degrees.

Provide Convenient opportunities for our members to enhance their lives.

Provide Enjoyable programs and fellowship for our members

Allegiance

Pennsylvania Scottish Rite and its affiliated Valleys acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, Thirty-third Degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite 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. Richard W. Elliott, 33°, Grand Minister of State

Ill. Douglas R. Policastro, 33° Grand Secretary General

Ill. G. Michael Morris, 33°, Grand Treasurer General

Ill. Keith E. Parkinson, 33°, Deputy for Pennsylvania

Ill. Thomas R. Labagh, 33°, Active Member for Pennsylvania

Ill. Paul J. Roup, 33°, Active Member for Pennsylvania

Ill. Stephen Gardner, 33°, RWPGM, Active Member for Pennsylvania

Ill. Mark A. Haines, 33° Active Member for Pennsylvania

Ill. C. DeForrest Trexler, 33°, Active Emeritus

Ill. William L. McCarrier, 33°, Active Emeritus

Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33°, RWPGM, Active Emeritus

Ill. Russell W. Baker, 33°, Active Emeritus

Ill. George Nakonetschny, 33°, Active Emeritus

Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33°, RWPGM, Active Emeritus

The Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and Last Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States is the governing body of the Rite. It is founded upon and governed by the Regulations of 1762, the Constitution of 1786 as modified, and the unwritten principles of Freemasonry. The Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree consists of not exceeding sixty-six active members; also Emeritus, Past Active and Honorary Members. Each state in the Jurisdiction is entitled to at least one Active Member. The authority of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction extends over the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

www.scottishritenmj.org

Becoming A Scottish Rite Mason

The 16 Valley's in the State of Pennsylvania welcome our Symbolic Lodge Brethren seeking further light in the Fraternity to consider the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

Our 29 Degrees teach moral lessons and express our identified core values through a beautiful system of dramatic allegories.

To find the Valley nearest your home or Lodge, please visit our 'Valley's in Pennsylvania' page.

Once you've made the decision to seek membership in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and have identified the Valley most convenient for you, please visit https://scottishritenmj.org/join to complete an online petition.