For our Sisters

Rebekah Ode

"Brothers of our mystic union-

Sisters of our social band-

Here in peaceful, pure communion'

We at friendship's altar stand.

Love unfurls her banner o'er us-

Truth will guide us on our way-

Faith illume the path before us-

Hope a future bright display.

Charity that faileth never,

Calls to worship at her shrine,

Here we bow and pledge forever,

Labor in her cause divine.

When the clouds of sin and sadness,

Shroud in gloom the weary head,

Then in peace, and joy, and gladness,

Shall the light of love be shed

On September 20, 1851 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows voted in the Rebekah degree. The person credited with adopting the Rebekah degree under the banner of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax. For the first few years this degree was bestowed only on the wives and daughters of Odd Fellows, and had no Lodge system of their own. But on September 25, 1868 The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows voted to establish a Rebekah lodges system for the working of the Rebekah degrees.Based on women of biblical renown, the Rebekahs remain an Order designed for women, although men may join.

 I am a Rebekah:

I believe in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man, and the Sisterhood of woman.

I believe in the watch-words of our Order-Friendship, Love and Truth.

Friendship-is like a golden chain that ties our hearts together.

Love-is one of our most precious gifts, the more you give, the more you receive.

Truth-is the standard by which we value people. It is the foundation of our society.

I believe that my main concern should be my God, my family and my friends.

Then I should reach out to my community and the world,

For in God's eyes we are all brothers and sisters.

I am a Rebekah!