The 98th annual session of the New York State Council of Deliberation was held on October 21st, 2023, in Binghamton, N.Y., in person with the Illustrious N EW Y ORK Sovereign Grand Inspector General Rev. Hermon J. Simpson, 33°
the Leadership Academy, to be open this spring. We had close to 300 attendees at the N.Y. C.O.D. Our overall State membership increased by 85 with the initiation of 85 Sublime Princes. We were also able to reinstate approximately 15 members. Our motto is “Change the Mindset in Order to Change the Culture,” and in doing so, we honor our past as we boldly step into our future and a new era in our Orient. King David Consistory No. 3 of the Valley of New York and Orient of New York has had a very productive and successful year. Special thanks to the S.G.I.G Rev. Hermon J. Simpson, 33 ⁰ , the Illustrious Deputy for the Orient, for his guidance, support, and leadership and to the Commander in Chief, Hondri Spears, for his relentless commitment and dedication.
Deputy SGIG Rev. Hermon J. Simpson 33° presiding. He received the Grand Minister of State for the United Supreme Council A.A.S.R., PHA, S.G.I.G. Grady Edge 33°, who was representing the Sovereign Grand Commander SGIG Dr. Melvin J Bazemore 33°. The Honorable Most Worshipful Gregory Robinson Smith Jr., Grand Master of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of NY, was also received into the session.
It was a true pleasure and honor for me and for the Orient of New York to receive our former deputy, SGIG Grady Edge, Grand Minister of State to the United Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
of Freemasonry, PHA, NJ, U.S.A. Inc. The annual banquet of the New York State Council of Deliberation was renamed the Grady Edge Award banquet. A medal was created and named the Grady Edge Achievement Award, which was bestowed on selected members of the Orient who have exhibited outstanding service and dedication. A second award medal was created and named the Deputy’s Service Award, which was also bestowed upon various members of the Orient who have committed time and service to the Office of the Deputy. The initiatives which were stated in our last publication of the bulletin have been achieved. I am happy to say the first meeting of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s Counsel was held at the COD. A secondary meeting was held on January 21st via Zoom. Another initiative that was accomplished was the formation of the Past Commanders-in-Chief Council, which now serves as a mentor program for line officers in the consistories and will be functioning at the center of
On April 29, 2023, King David hosted the first Heritage Founders Day event. This momentous affair brought together the three oldest Consistories in the Prince Hall Affiliated Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (NJ), DeMolay No. 1, DeHugo No. 2, and King David No.3. In attendance that day was the Sovereign Grand Commander Dr. Melvin J. Bazemore 33°, The Secretary General of the Holy Empire SGIG Edward Brooks 33°, MW Gregory Roberson Smith Jr. 33° Grand Master - MWPHGLNY, MW Anthony Wiggins Grand Master - MWPHGMNJ, the ILL Deputy of the Orient of New York SGIG Hermon Simpson 33° and his counterparts from Pennsylvania SGIG Lenard Heard 33° And New Jersey SGIG Robert L. Oglesby 33°, SGIG John J Phillips 33°, Commander-In-Chief Lucius Newman DeMolay Consistory No.1 and Commander-In-Chief Darald Stancil De Hugo Consistory No.2. On July 22, 2023, King David hosted all three downstate Consistories to initiate and perform
T HE S PRING B ULLETIN
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