Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 PM  (we eat at 5:30 PM)

The Rebekahs are traditionally the ladies of the Odd Fellows.  However, Odd Fellow members are welcome to join as well.  The Rebekahs have a very proud heritage and traditions dating back almost as long as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.    The qualifications for becoming a Rebekah are virtually identical to those of the Odd Fellows.  A man or woman of good character, who is loyal to his or her country and believes in a Supreme Being, the creator and preserver of the Universe, is eligible for membership. Odd Fellowship strictly forbids any interference with one's religious beliefs or political opinions. Most jurisdictions require candidates for the adult lodges to be 16 years old.  The Rebekahs have a very rich history.

Schuyler Colfax, whom we revere as the author of the Rebekah Degree, was a lecturer, editor, Statesman, Vice President of the United States and most of all a true Odd Fellow.  The Rebekah Degree was authorized on September 20, 1851. The degree was originally written for Odd Fellow brothers to confer on their wives and daughters and was considered an “Honorary Degree”. The degree could only be conferred at a special meeting and brothers could also receive the degree, much the same as today.

Later, the Rebekah sisters were allowed to confer the degree on other sisters, a ritual was adopted with the sisters taking the parts. Rebekah Lodges were instituted and have continued to flourish. This ritual has changed very little since 1851.

The following image depicts the Rebekah Creed.

Picture
The Rebekah Creed ... Design by John Beaber
We use the above emblems in teaching the lessons that are invaluable to be a Rebekah.
The beehive ....    representing associated industry and the result of united effort.
The moon and seven stars,  teaches us the value of regularity in all our work.
The dove....     the beautiful emblem of peace.
The white lily..   a symbol of purity.

The general duties of the members of this unit are,  To live peaceably, do good unto all, as we have opportunity and especially to obey the Golden Rule, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.” At the very threshold of the Lodge Room the candidates for this degree are required to affirm their belief in a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe. The meetings of the Rebekah Degree are always opened and closed with prayer, an open Bible is always present and an important officer is the Chaplain.

The Rebekah Degree is designed for women, and therefore its ritual and lectures are based upon the characters of notable women whose names have been immortalized in Biblical history. First is Rebekah, whose kindness and hospitality to a humble and unknown stranger portrayed the nobility and grandeur of her character. Other notable women of Biblical history whose characters and virtues form the basis for the Rebekah Degree are Sarah, the wife of Abraham; Miriam, the sister of Moses; The mother of Samson whose name is unknown; Deborah, a prophetess, poet, and judge in Israel; Hanna, the mother of Samuel; Ruth, the Moabite maiden who became a devout Israelite; and Esther, the lovely Jewish maiden who became the wife of a Persian King. They were famous for their loyalty to truth, for their patriotism, for civic and national services, for humanitarianism, and for devotion to God and the cause of righteousness among men.