If you have Microsoft Publisher 2000 you can download the
files directly and save them in Publisher 2003:
Candy Wrapper: RebCandywrap.pub
Rebekah Fold-Out Small: Rebekah
Fold Out.pub
Rebekah Creed & Songs Card: Rebekah
Creed.pub
Rebekah Minute-Form: Rebekah
Minute Form.pub
Rebekah Line up: Reblineup.pub
Rebekah Tri-Fold Brochure for hand out: tri-fold
Brochure.pub
A Fraternal Experience:
..\..\MSPubData\Mary Lou Brochures - A Frateral Experience.pub
Religious Views:
..\..\MSPubData\Mary Lou Brochures - Religious Views.pub
Rebekah Candy Wrapper:
You can get 12 on one page. Cut them out and use for table favors.
Wrap them around Hursey miniatures and use a rub on glue to hold.
Rebekah Creed Cards:
Front of Card:
REBEKAH DEGREE
Opening 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 illumine 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,
There in peace, and joy,
and gladness
Shall the light of Love be shed.
Closing Ode
Good night! a truthful, kind
adieu;
May joy be with you all,
Who here the social bond renew
And love our sacred hall.
Good night!
Our Order’s triple chain
Keep ever strong and bright,
Each evil act and thought
restrain,
Adieu! Good night! Good Night!
Back of Card:
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.
A Membership Banner:
A Rebekah TRI-FOLD Hand Out:
FRONT PAGE
BACK PAGE
A Rebekah FOUR-FOLD Hand Out (use pink paper):
USE A STANDARD SHEET OF PAPER (8 1/2 X 11 )
LANDSCAPE. PUT PAGE 1 AND 2 BACK TO BACK.
CUT IN HALF THE LONG WAY AND FOLD THE IN HALF AND
HALF AGAIN, MAKING A 4 FOLD SMALL PAMPHLET.
FRONT PAGE
BACK PAGE
The
Three
Link
Fraternity
A
Fraternal
Experience
Independent
Order
of
Odd Fellows
of
California
The Three Link
Fraternity
Striving to make this world
a
better place in which to live.
Motto
“Friendship, Love and Truth”
Objective
“To Improve and Elevate
the Character
of Man through the Promotion of
Universal Brotherhood”
History of Odd Fellowship
In 17th century
England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to
those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who
belonged to such an organization were called “Odd Fellows”.
The Independent
Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American continent in Baltimore,
Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order
from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. This lodge received its charter
from the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England.
Odd Fellowship
became the first national fraternity to include both men and women when it
adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851. This Degree is based
on teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was written by the Honorable Schuyler
Colfax who was Vice President of the United States, 1868 to 1873.
Who May Become a Member?
A man or woman of good
character, whose life and acts have been worthy and honorable, is eligible for
membership. It is required that a member, in good standing, recommend the
candidate as worthy of sharing the duties and enjoying the privileges of Odd
Fellowship.
Odd Fellowship strictly
forbids any interference with one’s religious beliefs or political opinions,
either directly or indirectly. It requires acknowledgment of God and complete
obedience of civil laws.
What is Odd Fellowship?
A simple
explanation would be: Odd Fellowship is a world wide Fraternal Organization,
based on a belief in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. Through
its teachings and ceremonies, it seeks to elevate the character of man, and
thereby make this world a better place in which to live. It exemplifies this
belief through active involvement in charitable work on various projects in our
communities, states and nation. It must be emphasized that Odd Fellowship is not
a religion. Odd Fellowship does, however, require that you are 18 years or
older, must believe in a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the
Universe, be of good moral character, and be loyal to their country.
A Family Fraternity
We in Odd
Fellowship encompass the whole family. We all believe in the same principles,
but separate our members for meetings. Odd Fellow Lodges use to be for the men
and Rebekah Lodges for the women, but now both can join either lodge. The
Rebekahs and Odd Fellows work together on many projects. A very important part
of Odd Fellowship is the Junior Lodge (for boys 8-21) and Theta Rho Clubs (for
girls 8-21). Our young members are offered interesting, enjoyable and
educational opportunities that will assist them during this important phase of
their lives. We feel Odd Fellowship is truly a family oriented Fraternity,
finding an interest for all members of the family.
Homes
-
Camps
-
Parks
California Odd Fellowship has assumed an obligation to care for the aged, widows
and children. The Odd Fellows Home at Saratoga, which replaced the one
established in 1895 near Oroville, has provided a home for nearly 4,000 Odd
Fellows, their wives or widows and Rebekahs since its founding in 1912. The home
is now open to the public. Construction of phase II was completed in 2005, with
two apartment buildings, new cottages and retrofitting of the old building. It
became a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), with independent living,
assisted living and a skilled nursing facility. It is now one of the most
beautiful retirement communities in the state.
In 1992
California Odd Fellowship purchased the four year old multi-million dollar
“Meadows of Napa Valley”, senior living facility in Napa, which has been
expanded to provide for independent living, assisted living and a 69 bed skilled
nursing facility. More than 300 residents call The Meadows home. The 100%
occupancy rate at The Meadows is a good indication of the quality of service and
accommodations.
Fellowship Plaza, also
located in Saratoga, was built in 1979, and has 150 independent living
apartments for seniors on limited incomes. It maintains a waiting list for
future admissions.
For nearly 100
years the Odd Fellow Rebekah Children’s Home of California, located at Gilroy,
has been serving the needs of children unable to remain in their own homes.
Originally an orphanage for children related to Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, the
core of the Home’s current services are residential treatment, wrap around and
foster care for seriously abused children.
The Three Link
Camp in Tuolumne County was founded in 1958, and provides a summer camping
program for children and families, camping and RV facilities, and year around
recreation facilities. Other Odd Fellow recreation areas include Odd Fellows
Sierra Park, Odd Fellows Russian River Park and Redding Odd Fellows Camp in
Shasta County.
Fraternal Visitation
Being an Odd
Fellow or Rebekah entitles you to visit any lodge in any city or community in
the United States, Canada or the twenty five other nations where lodges meet.
The influence of Odd Fellowship is spreading throughout the world as new lodges
are established.
California Odd Fellowship
The
“Three Link Fraternity” was officially established in California on September 9,
1849, with the institution of California Lodge No. 1 in San Francisco. This was
one year before California was admitted to the Union. From this modest beginning
soon many Lodges were established throughout California.
Coping with ever changing conditions throughout our universe, maintaining a
viable service driven organization, dealing with important environmental, social
and community service issues, and charting a future course for growth and
prosperity are among the many goals of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs throughout
California and the world.
In addition to
local community service, California Odd Fellowship is involved with medical
support and research into arthritis, diseases of the eye and heart disease;
education, through scholarships and student loan programs; drug abuse
prevention; and numerous other service and education related programs.
THE THREE LINK FRATERNITY
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Grand Lodge of California
14500 Fruitvale Avenue
P.O.
Box 2669
Saratoga, California 95070
(408) 947-9977 Phone
(408) 947-9988 Fax
E-mail grandlodge-ca@sbcglobal.net
OUR BASIC CREED
Genuine
Friendship,
which hears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things, is the first step toward progress and personal enrichment, and the
teachings of Temperance, Prudence and Justice.
Love
is the basis for all life’s ambitions, service to humanity and more family
oriented.
Truth, the
imperial virtue, promotes economic stability, equality under law, freedom of
enterprise, the highest of ethical standards and lasting peace, the ultimate
goal of fraternity.
Universal
Brotherhood of Man
under the
Fatherhood of God
is imperative to the
survival of the world, and can be accomplished only through the practice of
fellowship and understanding among all peoples and nations.
VALEDICTION
I AM AN ODD FELLOW
I
believe in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man;
I believe in
Friendship, Love and Truth as basic guides to the ultimate destiny of all
mankind:
I believe my
home, my church or temple, my lodge and my community deserve my best work, my
modest pride, my earnest faith and my deepest loyalty, as I perform my duty “to
visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan”
and as I work with others to build a better world because, in spirit and in
truth, I am and always must be grateful to my Creator, faithful to my Country
and fraternal to my fellow man:
I AM AN ODD FELLOW!
Website www.caioof.org
Additional Information
Additional
Information about Odd Fellows, Rebekahs and other units of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows may be obtained by contacting:
Religious Views
The
Three Link
Fraternity
Independent
Order of Odd Fellows
Odd Fellowship & Religion
Odd Fellowship respects all recognized religions,
and we encourage our members to faithfully support the religion of their choice.
To become an Odd Fellow or Rebekah you must be grateful to your Creator,
faithful to your country, and fraternal to your fellow-man. In our lodge rooms
we meet for mutual counsel, the relief of distress, and the elevation of human
character.
Baptist
Rev.
Dr. M. D. Hart
Southern Baptist Church
West Jefferson,
North Carolina
“For 47 years I have served Southern Baptist Churches in five states, led
church-building programs, and organized three Baptist churches. I have been an
Odd Fellow for 36 years, and I find great fellowship in our meetings. As a
Baptist Pastor I am proud to be a part of what Odd Fellowship is doing all
around the world.”
Catholic Church
Rev.
Mons. Titian Miani
St.
Luke’s Church
Stockton, California
“Centuries ago a wise old monk remarked that if people realized the peace and
tranquility that could be found in his monastery, they would come flocking to
enter it. I would like to add to that bit of wisdom. If you knew the sense of
fulfillment and warm brotherhood that could be found among our lodge brothers,
our Order would be besieged with applicants. The Independent Order of Odd
Fellows supports and encourages the good work of the church.”
Noble Grand
Scio Lodge #102
Linden, California
Chaplain
Jefferson Lodge #38
West Jefferson, North Carolina
Christian
Rev.
Cela Fugate
First Christian Church
Kellerton, Iowa
“As an ordained minister of the Christian Church, I have always worked and
enjoyed my Rebekah Lodge and the beautiful degree work taken from the Holy
Bible. I have learned nearly all charges in the Rebekah Degree, and on many
occasions I have served as both a minister and a Rebekah at funerals and on
other occasions.”
Past Noble Grand
Valentine Rebekah Lodge #528
Kellerton, Iowa
Episcopal
Rt.
Rev. Charles Worrell
Bishop, Southern
Episcopal Church
Nashville, Tennessee
“Odd Fellowship encompasses those high and noble teachings which make us better
men. As a Clergyman I find great personal satisfaction in my membership in an
organization which supports the teachings of my faith. While not a religious
organization, a respect for everyone’s religion proves it to be composed of
individuals of a faith. This association is second only to my allegiance to the
Church. Odd Fellowship truly is good fellowship!”
Grand Secretary of Tennessee
Tennessee Lodge #1
Nashville, Tennessee
Jewish
Rabbi David Schnitzler
Rego Park Jewish Center
Rego Park, New York
“Joining and actively participating in the many faceted activities of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows gave me a feeling of accomplishment,
complementing my functions at the synagogue. While not a religious order, our
fraternity encompasses the noble ideals set forth in the Holy Bible and are
harmonious with the Jewish religion.”
Past
District Deputy Grand Master
Grand Lodge of New York
Latter Day Saints
Jim
Kotyk, Elder
Church of Jesus Ch,ist
of Latter Day Saints
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“I have enjoyed my 35 years of membership in the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. The teachings of the Order which come from the Bible encourage the
members to live according to the Golden Rule. I have experienced great growth
from my participation in the Order and have learned to appreciate the many noble
men and women in the Fraternity who have set great examples in their quest to
make this world a better place in which to live.”
Past Grand
Hillhurst Lodge #46
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
United Church
of Canada
Pastor Steve Wilson
Kenton-Shiloh
Pastoral Charge
United Church of Canada
Kenton, Manitoba, Canada
“All
people are called equally to faithfully respond and share in the responsibility,
duty, and freedom of the endeavor in seeking wholeness in their relationship,
with God and neighbor. Odd Fellowship’s aim of universal equality of humankind
supports, uplifts and empowers that faithful response. Equality, worthiness and
acceptance of all people are lofty and noble aspirations. My Christian faith and
fraternal obligations are Inseparable in the acceptance of the teaching “that
all may be one”.
Grand Master of Manitoba
Rapid City Lodge #18 and Advisor
Valleyview Junior Lodge #2 Rapid City, Manitoba, Canada
United Methodist
Rev.
Daniel E. Bannan, Jr.
Union United
Methodist Church
No.
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
“My
experience with Odd Fellowship, has led me to discover an increasing depth of
witness to the faith of the members. Already, leaders in their religious
communities, they are strengthened by the Biblically-based degrees to greater
faith and action. From the Initiation through to the funeral ritual, God is kept
at the center of the member’s life, and provides the impetus for fellowship and
benevolent action which is so needed in our age of selfishness.”
Noble Grand
Union Odd Fellows Lodge #331
No. Wilkesboro, NC
Catholic
Rev.
Leo D. Bums, C.S.B.
Basilian Fathers of Etobicoke
Chaplain - Cathedral
Boys High School
Hamilton, Ontario
“The beautiful thing about Odd Fellowship for me is that each Brother and Sister
respects the personal beliefs of each other and yet the three links of Odd
Fellowship binds us together into a close-knit family despite our varying
backgrounds, as the practice of Friendship, Love, and Truth is the aim and goal
of every religion.”
Grand
Warden of Ontario
Sudbury Lodge #282
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Odd Fellowship & Religion
We are taught on the threshold of Odd Fellowship to have reverence for God, to
be industrious, and to act upon the Golden Rule, which requires us to do unto
others as we would that they should do unto us. It should be made clear that Odd
Fellowship is
NOT
a religion.
We are eager to welcome all honorable men and women of high
moral character as members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but we want
our members to continue their dedication to their church or temple.
For additional Information contact:
The
Sovereign Grand Lodge, IOOF
422 Trade Street • Phone (336) 725-5955
Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2830
Website
www.ioof.org
