Sovereign Grand Commander Nearly 240 years ago, a Masonic charter was issued by the Premier Grand Lodge of England warranting the formation of the African Lodge in America. The charter represents a documented legacy of legitimacy to which all Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges can trace their foundation and is a prime factor for recognition between them. With exclusive territorial jurisdiction defined, they operate in harmony and work together to promote the growth of Freemasonry at large. As the Scottish Rite is built upon the superstructure of Freemasonry, it is critical that legitimate Scottish Rite Bodies continue to recognize one another in the same manner so that the Scottish Rite can operate in harmony in the respective boundaries and her mission be promoted consistently upon the same ideals.
Today, the Scottish Rite continues to prove that it is alive and well as the fraternal bonds
between legitimate bodies continue to extend. Most recently, the Colombian Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite extended the hand of friendship to our United Supreme Council (left). In doing so, our United Supreme Council has recognition on nearly all continents around the globe. As we prepare for our 143r d annual session in the Orient of Wisconsin, a focus on growth and progress remains our highest priority. For it was by this mindset that Prince Hall Freemasonry has remained strong for 240 years. Maintaining this focus, will ensure that we achieve the same target 97 years from now.
Yours in the Rite, Dr. Melvin J. Bazemore,33 o Sovereign Grand Commander
E DMUND P ETTUS B RIDGE C ROSSING 2024
14
U NITED S UPREME C OUNCIL C ONSTITUTION Q UIZ
61
S OCIAL J USTICE AND C IVIC E NGAGEMENT 16 C IVIC S POTLIGHT : Chicago Board of Elections Exec. Director 17 C RADLE TO C OLLEGE U PDATES 18 F OLLOWING THE F OOTSTEPS OF O NE S HOT D OC 20 V ETERANS R ESOURCE C OMMITTEE 30 T HE S OVEREIGN G RAND C OMMANDERS : Illustrious Dr. Russell S. Gideon 40 M EMBERSHIP R ECLAMATION & M OVING C AMP P ODCASTS 45 USC B ENEVOLENT F UND D ONORS : 2022 - 2023 50 M ORE L IGHT IN THE R ITE 60
S ECURITY C ORNER : Cyber-Security
70
U NITED S UPREME C OUNCIL B OOKSTORE 78 143 RD A NNUAL S ESSION OF THE U NITED S UPREME C OUNCIL 80
N EWS FROM THE O RIENTS : Pennsylvania 24 Michigan
26 29
Bahamas 27
Minnesota
28
Nebraska
Illinois
32
Connecticut 36
Wash-Oregon 39 New Jersey 52
Wisconsin 46 New York 56
Iowa
48 62 72
Indiana Far East
Delaware
64 74
Europe
67
Ohio
3
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator