THE ROSE CEREMONY

Instructions:

To be given after the meeting is closed.

This ceremony is to be given toward the end of the term (meeting prior to farewell). Make this a "special" night. Keep your meeting short and invite parents. If parents are not able to attend the meeting, invite them to arrive at a designated time, after the closing of the meeting.

The lecture is to be given by a girl wearing a formal and holding, in her arms, enough red roses for each girl receiving the lecture to have a rose plus additional roses to place on the altar.

Worthy Advisor:

SISTER OF FAITH, YOU WILL PRESENT THE FOLLOWING SISTERS TO RECEIVE THE ROSE CEREMONY: (give names)

Faith:

Presents the Sisters behind the Altar – entering the altar area from the South, by way of the marching lanes. Leaving enough space for Rose Lecturer to pass between girls and the Altar.

When the girls are in place, Rose Lecturer takes her place three feet East of the Altar, entering from the South, by way of the marching lanes. She stands in the center of the Altar, facing the girls (West).

Gives lecture as follows:

"My sisters, I now extend to you a hearty welcome into our Assembly. Rainbow teaches duty four-fold; duty to God, to country, to parents, and to each other. It also teaches harmony and friendship. The Rainbow grasp of friendship reaches beyond the door of this Assembly Room, across the vast lands of the United States, and then across the expanse of oceans to other girls in every other part of the world. You are now a link in this great undying chain of friendship. Ever remember: "A chain is as strong as its weakest link." And now I would like to give you a short verse entitled "My Hand in God’s".

Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God’s today."
I know He’ll walk close by my side,
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care,
When paths are dark and I despair.
No need for me to understand,
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His – no greater way
To go in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed.
Warmed by His love, and comforted.
And when at day’s end I seek my rest,
And realize how much I’m blest,
My thanks pour out to Him, and then
I place my hand in God’s again.

Tonight (or The night) you knelt at the White Altar of the Holy Promise, you pledged your life to Love and Service. You held the hand of God. So now each morning when you awake and look upon the pages of your open Bible, remember that you once held the hand of God. And then, place your hand in His and look forward to a new day with renewed courage and faith."

Rose Lecturer turns South, walks between the girls and Altar, gives each girl a red rose and returns to her position East of the Altar, leaving the Altar from the North.

"On this occasion I have placed in your hand a rose. This small red Rose of the Rainbow symbolizes a girl’s love and devotion to her mother who has made this day possible for her to enjoy, through sacrifices and prayer. So tonight, when you tell your mother, or someone who has taken her place, about this ceremony, give her your rose. And when you kiss her good night remind her that you love her."

As the Rose Lecturer places remaining roses on Altar:

"And now, in the memory of every girl’s mother, and those who have passed into the Golden City Beyond, I place these remaining roses upon the Altar, and bid you welcome into Rainbow, with the hope that the words Love and Service will lead you through a happy an successful life."

Faith seats Sisters in Assembly room, leaving the Altar from the North. Rose Lecturer returns to her seat, leaving Altar from the North.