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In Memoriam
Supreme Council Surpas Milestones, Welcomes 4 As if coming out of hibernation after a challenging 2021, Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction’s membership year emerged anew and kicked into high gear, with new programming, fresh ideas, and revived in-person connections.
Ill. Samuel C. Williamson, 33°
1926-2022
Ill. Samuel C. Williamson, 33°, laid down his working tools on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Raised a Master Mason in Tyrian Lodge No. 612 of Level Green, PA. Completed the degrees of the Scottish Rite in 1952. Coroneted a 33° Mason and Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in 1977. He served as the Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania in 1982 and 1983. It was at that time he led the Grand Lodge to establish the Pennsylvania Youth Foundation, a charitable outreach of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to promote leadership training for youth and to support Masonic-related youth groups such as DeMolay, Rainbow Girls and Job’s Daughters. He served on its Board of Directors as an officer of the corporation from its inception until retiring in 2020. One of his most satisfying accomplishments was the conversion of the Patton Masonic School at Elizabethtown, PA, into a Masonic Conference Center for youth. Another was bringing the Order of DeMolay and the Knights of Pythagoras together for annual Brotherhood Retreats and establishing, through the youth, an informal dialogue with Prince Hall Freemasonry. Sam received many Fraternal honors. He was invested with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania’s Benjamin Franklin Medal in 1984 for outstanding service. A similar recognition, the Daniel Coxe Medal, was awarded to him in 2005 by the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. In 2006, he was honored with the DeMolay Grand Cross. In 2013, he was given Honorary Membership in the Prince Hall Scottish Rite Council of Deliberation. In 2016, was inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame, and in 2019, he became only the 46th recipient of the Scottish Rite Supreme Council Medal of Honor. 22
ScottishRiteNMJ.org
This membership year (June 16, 2021 - June 15, 2022), 2,184 new initiates joined our ranks, an increase over the number of new members we welcomed last year. Among our 97 Valleys, 59 of those Valleys also brought in more new members this year than they did the previous year. Online and In-Person Joining Opportunities Membership growth can be attributed to a combination of Valleys having the ability to reopen and host events with fewer restrictions associated with the pandemic, as well as hosting new Brothers online at our “Join the Rite Night.” Join the Rite Nights took place just before each Thursday Night at the Rite, and allowed new members to witness the 4th degree, followed by the featured degree and discussion. Brother Michael Seevers, who is a long-haul truck driver, said being able to connect through Join the Rite Night/ Thursday Night at the Rite was such a blessing. “I really enjoy it and really appreciate it. It’s a great way out here to connect while being on the road. It really connects the whole Jurisdiction,” he said. Read more about Brother Seevers’ Scottish Rite journey on page 15.
Members Restoration and Engagement In February 2022, Supreme Council launched a newly branded website and marketing campaign known as “Journey On,” in addition to accompanying digital assets and resources. Then, leveraging a combination of technology and direct mail, Supreme Council launched The Northern Light
