_____________________________

Council of Deliberation and Council of Assemblies Convene In Richmond

     The 83rd Annual Session of the Virginia Council of Deliberation of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasonry, southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliation and the 38th Annual Session of Virginia State Council of Assemblies Order of the Golden Circle convened March 14-16 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Richmond, VA. The host was Richmond Consistory #22 led by GIG Garland Jones and Richmond Assembly #21 under the auspices of Ms. Jacqueline Ashford.
   Representing the Assemblies were the following Loyal Lady Rulers and their chapters: Phyllis Goode, J.W. Barnes #8 of Norfolk; Juneifure Vaughan, Naomi #16, Hampton; Jacqueline Ashford Richmond #21; Lourice Taylor, Acorn #103, Roanoke; Deborah Ware, Constantine # 105, Lynchburg; Artie Sizemore, Petersburg #144; Gloria Gordon, Shadrack Jackson #156, Alexandria. Over 55 members of the Assemblies were in
attendance as delegates.
    The Sovereign Grand Inspector General (SGIG) George M. Ellis, Jr., Deputy of the Orient of Virginia, Past Loyal Lady Ruler (PLLR) Marion Keesee, the State Grand LLR, and the Honorable Deary Vaughan, Sovereign Grand Commander, Southern Jurisdiction, presided over the sessions.
   The Friday evening public program signaled the opening and featured music by Treads of Gold, the Council of Assemblies official choir led by PLLR Ruth Perry, mime performances, skits and monologues. Sublime Priest (SP) Rev. John Vaughan gave a rendition of The Creation, and SP Willis Barnett performed with the trio WR&B. Ms. Rebecca Graves served as mistress of ceremonies.
 

Posted April 16, 2008

  Opening sessions on Saturday began with host Consistory and Assemblies holding their devotional periods and business sessions. Visitation to the Council of Assemblies was led by Deputy Ellis, Right Worshipful Grand Master Larry Christian, SC Vaughan and a delegation of Deputies and other leaders. Deputy Ellis conducted the election of officers.
    Among the top officers elected were Grand Past Loyal Lady Marion T. Keesee and PLL Louise Bland, SGLLAR; PLL Ruth Horn, LL Priestess; Elaine Harrison, SGLL Treasurer; and PLLR Madeline Barnes, SGLL Secretary. Past Senior Grand Loyal Lady Ruler Malissa C. Austin is Coordinator for the Council of Assemblies and Liaison to Deputy of the Orient.
    Senior Grand Inspector General Michael Parris served as master of ceremony in the closing day with a joint fellowship banquet. During that time, the Assembly Queen for the year, LLR Gloria L. Gordon was crowned; the Junior Past State Grand Loyal Lady, Ethel G. Johnson was honored and the Past CIC George Hundley was selected as the Outstanding Commander-in Chief. of the year. Other honored included GIG’s Donald Livingstone, Treasurer of the Year; Alvoston Taylor, Past keeper of Seals and Archives Elton Smith Past Treasurer end Norman Morton, Past Keeper of Seats and Archives.
    The Sunday worship leader was SGLLR Ruby J. Wilson and Rev. Paul E. Carter, II, Associate Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Warsaw, VA. Acorn Consistory and Assembly, Roanoke, VA will host the 2009, March 13-15. (Thanks to LLR Ellen Stewart of Hampton for this story.)

Click Here to Subscribe to the New Journal and Guide.