from candidacy. Secretary, GIG James Lanier, followed due to health concerns. Elections revealed SGIG John L. Richardson, President; GIG Aubrey Barlow, Vice-President; GIG Darryl White, Secretary; and GIG Andrew M. Griffin III, Treasurer. SGIG Frierson, then, conducted a Pinning Ceremony for the newly elected 33° members and congratulated the new officers. On Saturday morning, October 21, 2023, the 106th Annual Session of the Illinois Council of Deliberation commenced under the lights of Western Consistory #28’s. MICIC Melvin Frierson was received, given honors and escorted to the East by GIG Armand Harris, Grand Master of Ceremony. After prayer, he officially opened the 106th Annual Session. The Proclamation was read by the Secretary, SGIG James A. Mitchell and, after the roll call of officers and Consistories, the Sovereigns of Illinois were given honors and escorted to the East. MICIC Frierson received visiting dignitaries including SGIG Charles Bush, Deputy for the Far East; SGIG Marshall Tharpe, Deputy of Wisconsin; SGIG Micah Tharpe of Wisconsin; SGIG Gregory Clark, Deputy for Illinois NMJ; Past Deputy Bennie Grisham, NMJ; and SGIG Robert Meekins, Dean of Instructions for the United Supreme Council. Representing the York Rite bodies of Illinois were SP Joseph Williams, Most Eminent Grand Commander, Prince Hall Grand Commandery Knights Templar and SP Phillip Patton, Grand King Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons. Representing Sovereign Grand Commander, Dr. Melvin J. Bazemore, of the United Supreme Council was SGIG Daniel Poole who was given honors and escorted to the East. MICIC Frierson received Most Worshipful Brother Roland Simon, Grand Master of Illinois Prince Hall Masons. After the greetings and salutations, MICIC gave a brilliant Allocution. He then called for the minutes from the previous Session (2022). After the minutes, the Committee on Scholarship/ Education Assistance reported one graduate and nine (9) awardees for Educational Assistance, namely Dorian Andrews, Arianna Bailey, Mitchell Cook, Charles Hendon, Christopher Hobson, Ilesha Nicholas, Quentae Paxton, Imoni Sharp, and
Renaya Woods. The aforementioned students received $1,200 of which the MWPHGL matched the $600. The Committee thanked the United Supreme Council for its donation of $ 1,000 to the ICOD Scholarship/Education Assistance Program and the MWPHGL for the matching funds ($5.400). The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s financial reports followed. The Auditor, GIG Ayton Taylor, found no discrepancies were found. MICIC congratulated the sixty one (61) Sublime Princes who received the 31st and 32nd degrees. After entertaining remarks, he led the entourage of Sovereigns to visit the State Grand Assembly of the Golden Circle and turned the Gavel of Authority over to the Grand Master. The State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler, LL Joi H. Epps received the MICIC and the entourage. After the visit with the State Grand Assembly, the MICIC and entourage returned to the Chambers to receive the State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler and the Loyal Ladies of the Golden Circle for a “Joint” Memorial Service”. The afternoon session covered reports by the Consistories and on the various activities and organizations the Orient is involved with. The day ended with an elegant Banquet which highlights MSA Awards, Fifty Year Membership Awards, Loyal Ladies Special Service Awards, In-House Raffle, and Special Presentation(s). On Sunday morning, October 22, 2023, a grand breakfast with the Deputy was held. The Council held its Annual Devotion Service led by GIG Damon P. Anderson and others followed by the reconvening of the Annual Session. After reports from the Convention Committee, Registration Committee and Alms Club, the names of the Class of 2025 were read. They included SPs Robert Chapman, Yaakov Curry, Eddie G. Frazer, Lathaniel Hood, Jr., Jason M. Jackson, Mariano Lopez, Michael Owens, Vondell Patton, Arnold Ross, Anthony Scott, William Wheatley, Arthur Williams, John H. Williams, and Joseph Williams. The MICIC congratulated the candidates. MICIC Frierson thanked the members for attending the 106th Annual Session. After remarks, he called for the “Chain of Union” to be formed. After the closing prayer, the ICOD 106th Annual Session was closed at 12:32PM CST.
T HE S PRING B ULLETIN
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