Last June 8th, the brethren of John Jay Lodge no. 653 held its public installation of officers during its three hundred fifty-fifth Stated Communication.
The festivities of the evening started at 6:30 PM with a lavish dinner consisting of filet mignon, roasted potatoes and a variety of side dishes catered by The Iron Tomato, a local favorite in the White Plains area.
After dinner, the formal installation ceremony was then initiated by R∴W∴ Kenneth May who served as the evening’s Installing Officer. Alongside him were R∴W∴ James Glover serving as Installing Marshal and W∴ Anthony Pilla as Installing Chaplain.
The ceremony attendees saw W∴ Jay Werner installed as the lodge’s Worshipful Master for 2022-2023. A high school teacher in the Bronx area by profession, his ascent into the Oriental Chair will mark his first time serving as Worshipful Master of John Jay Lodge.
In addition to the installation of its new master, the lodge also installed the following brothers in their respective offices:
- Senior Warden: W∴ Stephen Lipken
- Junior Warden: W∴ Brian Reklatis
- Treasurer: R∴W∴ James Glover
- Secretary: R∴W∴ Kenneth May
- Chaplain: W∴ Matthew Wynn
- Senior Deacon: Bro. William Stapleton
- Junior Deacon: Bro. Daniel Griffin
- Senior Master of Ceremony: Bro. Matthew McCarrick
- Junior Master of Ceremony: Bro. Paul Bobson
- Marshal: W∴ Jack Gingold
- Tiler: W∴ Melvin Lipetz
W∴ Matt Wynn receiving his Past Master’s Apron
As the lodge’s leader for this year, W∴ Werner received the lodge’s gavel—Freemasonry’s traditional symbol of responsibility and authority—along with his traveling apron.
W∴ Werner succeeds W∴ Matt Wynn who served as the lodge’s Worshipful Master since 2019. As part of the evening’s presentations, W∴ Wynn received his Past Master’s Certificate in addition to his Past Master’s Apron from the brethren.
The lodge now looks forward to attending the installation ceremonies of White Plains Lodge no. 473 on June 15th.