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Historical Rebekahs

Women In Odd Fellowship

The Rebekah Creed

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

Who are the Rebekah’s

Odd Fellows, recognizing the need for woman’s touch and her helpfulness in carrying out the principles of Odd Fellowship, brought into being the Rebekah degree, founded upon the principles of faithfulness, hospitality, purity and dedication to the principles of the Order as portrayed by women characters of the Bible.

The degree of Rebekah was accepted in 1851 as written by Hon. Schuyler Colfax.

The degree was originally written for 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 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. It includes lessons from the biblical stories in the Old Testament of the women of the Bible.

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

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Excelsior ♦ Minnetonka #102

Organized January 1,1885

Meeting Information

Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursday
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM
Address: Church of Excelsior – 471 3rd St. Excelsior, MN 55331                                                                               PO Box 129
Excelsior, MN 55331

Contact Info

Rick Benesh, Secretary
17308 Candlewood Pkwy
Eden Prairie, MN. 55347
Phone: 952.649.0327

Excelsior, Minnesota ~ Minnetonka No.102

Past Grand Masters

  • Bernard Leach 1984-1985
  • Wesley Searles 1986-1987
  • Roland Schallberg 1999-2000
  • Allan P. Sauter 2003-2004
  • Bernard Leach 2005-2006
  • J. Douglas Plott 2008-2009
  • Rick Benesh 2015-2016
  • Wayne Rosengren 2017-2018
  • Robert Arthur, Jr. 2018-2019
  • Rick Benesh 2023-2024

Charter Members

  • W.H. Le Van
  • J.T. Rawlings
  • Wm. F. Darver
  • Lewis Hanson
  • Wallace W. Wait
  • Osby V.W. Digafoos
  • W.E. Rawlings

NOTE:
Any inquiries regarding genealogy questions should only be in regards to individuals that were a member of a Minnesota Lodge. All other inquiries for other states will be answered with a referral to your states Grand Secretaries contact information.

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