Our Next Reunion

Brethren, Friends and Visitors: Please read the following statement from our Commander in Chief, Ill. Gerard R. Sealy, 33 °, regarding our 2020 Fall Reunion:

To the Members and Candidates of the Valley of Philadelphia:

I hope that you and your families are healthy. I know that the COVID-19 crisis has challenged everyone, and my prayers are with you all. 

As you know, we had to cancel the Valley of Philadelphia's Spring 2020 Reunions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was an extremely hard decision considering the effort that had been put into the preparation to present degrees by all of our officers and members, along with postponing the opportunity to welcome our candidates as new members of the Valley. 

Our plan was to conduct a Saturday Reunion in October 2020 to confer at least four (4) degrees for the new candidates. Because of the current continued COVID-19 restrictions and the uncertainty that we can safely gather to confer degrees, it has been decided to cancel the October Reunion. The plan, at this time, is to conduct a Reunion in November to confer the 32nd degree. We will continue to monitor the situation and make a determination regarding the November Reunion at a later date. 

THIS DECISION DOES NOT PREVENT THE CANDIDATES FROM STARTING THEIR JOURNEY IN SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY, OR FROM MEMBERS SEEING DEGREES THIS FALL!

Last month, the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction announced that it would hold three (3) "Virtual Reunions" this fall. The Reunions will include the 4° and three additional degrees. The events will take place from 9 a.m. to noon EST on each of the following Saturdays:

• October 3, 2020
• October 24, 2020
• November 14, 2020

The Virtual Reunions will go beyond simply broadcasting degrees. They will be singular experiences that welcome candidates into the Scottish Rite and bring current new members together from across our jurisdiction. 

The 32nd Degree will not be conferred during the Virtual Reunions. The Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction has directed each Valley to confer the 32nd degree as local conditions permit. Therefore, the Valley of Philadelphia will plan to confer the 32nd degree on Saturday, November 21, 2020 or (as a contingency)December 19, 2020. Please save both dates on your calendars.

I hope that you (the candidates) will take the opportunity to begin your journeyby attending one of the Virtual Reunion events, and then join us for your 32nd degree later.  The Supreme Council will be reaching out to all the current candidates to facilitate their registration and attendance. If you decide not to attend one of the Virtual Reunions, we will be happy to welcome you to the degree conferrals  planned for the Spring of 2021. 

The Valley of Philadelphia is also evaluating the possibility of holding gatherings at local venues for safety-sized groups of candidates and some presiding officers to view the Virtual Reunions together. This would be an opportunity to learn more about the Valley and your officers on breaks between degrees. If you are a candidate and would be interested in attending one of these events, please email the Valley Secretary at valleyofphiladelphia@outlook.com .

In addition to the above plan for the Fall Reunions, there are other great activities planned for the Valley of Philadelphia:

• For the last two years we held our "Day of Light" in early October. This year, we will be holding a "VIRTUAL EVENT OF LIGHT" on the morning of Saturday, November 7, 2020.  This event will be open to members, candidates and all Freemasons. More information will follow in the next month - but save the date. 
• The Valley of Philadelphia Holiday Party for members is currently scheduled for Saturday evening. December 5 , 2020. I truly hope that we will be able to hold this event as planned at the Springfield Country Club. Please save the date, as this was a great event last year!

A reminder to our current members - there is still time to encourage other Brothers at your Lodges to join our Valley

If you do not have an opportunity to have them complete the physical petition process, they quickly and easily can join using the website at scottishritenmj.org/join . I highly encourage the use of the Supreme Council's website, and remind all of you to  visit it today and update our profile to ensure we have accurate information to effectively keep you informed. 

I truly hope to see all of you at the conferral of the 32nd Degree in November and the Valley's Holiday Party. It has been too long that we have not gathered in the spirit of Brotherhood and Fellowship, but it more important that you are all safe and healthy. 

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Ill. Gerard R. Sealy, 33°

Commander-In-Chief

Valley of Philadelphia, A.A.S.R.

Please call 215-563-1814 for more information