Pittsburgh will be the site of this year’s annual meeting of The Scottish Rite Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. More than 2,500 Thirty-Third Degree Masons and their ladies from 15 northeastern states are expected at the meeting September 24 through 27. The Supreme Council last met in Pittsburgh in 1989.

The 2000 Session will be highlighted by the conferral of the organization’s Thirty-Third Degree upon 318 Scottish Rite Masons who were elected for this high honor at last year’s meeting in Atlantic City. This year’s millennium class will be the largest in recent years. The Thirty-Third Degree is awarded for outstanding achievement in the fraternity or for significant contributions to others, reflecting credit on Freemasonry. The impressive ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 26, in the Pittsburgh Convention Center.

Valley of Cleveland members who will be receiving the Thirty-Third Degree are Jeffrey J. Black of North Royalton, Charles E. Hawley of Valley City, Warren S. Johnson of Lakewood, Oliver A. Murphy of Chagrin Falls, Morton S. Negin of Mentor, Robert W. Thomas, and Russell J. Warren of Lyndhurst.

Introductory luncheons honoring the Thirty-Third Degree candidates and their ladies will be on the schedule for Sunday noon.

The larger scale events will begin on Sunday afternoon, September 24 when the Pittsburgh Convention Center will be the scene for the traditional Vesper Service.

The Rev. Dale R. Smith, 32° , will deliver the Vesper message. He is the past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and Past District Superintendent of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Assisting will be Sovereign Grand Commander Robert O. Ralston, 33°, Grand Prior Kenneth V. Kettlewell,33°, of Cambridge, Ohio, and Rev. Richard G. Morledge, 32°, of Bakerstown, Pennsylvania.

Grand Commander Ralston will preside over the General Sessions of the Supreme Council on Monday, September 25.

A number of other events have been scheduled, including a Monday luncheon for all ladies attending the meeting. Mrs. Susann Ralston, wife of the Grand Commander, will preside over the luncheon and program. At the same time, another luncheon will be served for all Supreme Council members, distinguished guests, and members of the millennium class.

That evening, the Pittsburgh Pops Orchestra will present a concert in Heinz Hall. During the week, special sightseeing tours will be available.

Throughout the week, there will be many smaller social functions occurring under the auspices of the 15 participating states and the 108 Valleys comprising the Northern Jurisdiction.

The 2000 meeting will conclude with the announcement of the names of those elected to receive the Thirty-Third Degree in Indianapolis, Indiana, in September 2001.