The Flame
A Publication of the Order of the Daughters of the King
Diocesan Assembly of Central Florida
WINTER 2024
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President's Message
Hello Dear Sisters in Christ,
I pray you are all having a great start to 2024! I look forward to seeing you at upcoming meetings that we have planned. One of the upcoming meetings is Triennial which will be held June 26-29, 2024, in Louisville, KY. There will be an important vote taking place on changes to our Bylaws. In the recent issue of Cross+Links, there was information on this. I would like to encourage everyone to go to the DOK National website and review the proposed bylaw changes which you can find under the Community Forum. Whether you are attending this meeting or not, please take time to review these documents. We welcome your questions, opinions, and feedback. Share your thoughts with your Chapter Presidents, Deanery Reps, Executive Board members or to me directly. Thank you in advance!!!
We have had a very busy time in our Diocese recently. We had a display table at the 55th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Central FL; and, we had volunteers pray throughout the day which our clergy appreciated. We had 10 Rectors stop at our display table asking for help with getting DOK Chapters started in their churches or help with reigniting Chapters. We are so Blessed to have this support from our clergy! What an opportunity for us to continue to grow!! We presented a Courtesy Resolution in honor of Krisita Jackson’s contribution during her life to her church, our Diocese and The Order of The Daughters of the King. The Resolution passed unanimously and with a standing ovation from the hundreds of attendees in the room.
Krisita touched many of us with her quiet encouragement. She truly lived her life asking, “Lord, what will you have me do?” And she bravely answered God’s call throughout her life. I wanted to share a few “gems” from Krisita that she shared as our guest speaker at Spring Retreat in March 2022. She talked about what it meant for her to be a Daughter. She said it formed her spiritually. Allowing the Holy Spirit into your heart transforms you. Krisita shared the gifts from God that she felt were evidence of being led by the Holy Spirit:
- Change in your outlook.
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Greater desire to live for God’s glory.
- Greater desire for knowledge of God – study the Bible.
- Greater desire to read spiritual books.
- Longing for Christ.
- Increased awareness of sin leading to confession and repentance.
- Hunger and thirst for righteousness.
- Increasingly manifest the fruits of the Spirit – display God’s goodness.
What a wonderful legacy she left for us all. May Krisita Rest In Peace. And let us all embrace her way of life asking daily, “Lord, what will you have me do?”
FHS & Love,
Nadine
nadinekcraig@outlook.com
770-597-7454 call or text
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Membership Report
Senior Daughters 1,030
Daughters at Large 29
Junior Daughters 58
TOTAL 1,117 (+47 since 6/2023)
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Prayer Room at 2024 Diocesan Convention
Daughters of the King staffed the Prayer Room at the Diocesan Convention for use by all attendees.
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Lent
Lent is the season of spiritual preparation before Easter. In Western churches, it begins on Ash Wednesday. During Lent, many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial, and spiritual discipline. The purpose of the Lenten season is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - to consider his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection.
During the six weeks of self-examination and reflection, many typically make a commitment to fast, or to give up something—a habit, like smoking, watching TV, swearing, or a food or drink, such as sweets, chocolate, or coffee. Some also take on a Lenten discipline, like reading the Bible and spending more time in prayer to draw nearer to God.
Strict observers of Lent do not eat meat on Fridays, often opting for fish instead. The goal of these spiritual disciplines is to strengthen the faith of the observer and develop a closer relationship with God.
Some Short Prayers for Lent
- “God may Your light guide my day, and your spirit bring me peace. Amen.”
- “God may my sacrifice of today of (state your Lenten sacrifice) remind me of my dependence on You for all the blessings I enjoy. Amen.”
- “May I stand in solidarity today with all my brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering. May we be united in your love, and may I work to build your kingdom here on earth.”
- “Heavenly Father, I’m truly sorry for the moments today where I missed the mark. I ask for your forgiveness and the strength to better follow Your call tomorrow. Amen.”
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“God, I lift up (name of the person you’d like to pray for) today. I ask that you bless them abundantly today and throughout Lent. Amen.”
- “Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Amen.”
From the Hallow
Palm Sunday
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Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday is referred to in some Christian churches, is the sixth Sunday of Lent and the final Sunday before Easter. Worshipers commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and also remember Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, praise God for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to the Lord's second coming.
Many churches distribute palm branches to the congregation on Palm Sunday for the customary observances. These observances include a reading of the account of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, the carrying and waving of palm branches in processional, the blessing of palms, the singing of traditional hymns, and the making of small crosses with palm fronds.
Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of Holy Week, a solemn week focusing on the final days of Jesus' life. Holy Week culminates on Easter Sunday, the most important holiday in Christianity.
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Easter
Easter Week is something we can prepare our hearts to enter into with an expectation of something beautiful and grand that God seeks to do within us. We can also invite others into it that they too may come to know how much the Lord loves them. Let this time be something that you carry out into your daily life, not just for one day of the year, and sit with wide-eyed expectation that God has something completely beautiful to show you.
Prayer for Holy Week
Almighty God,
Holy Week is in itself a place of coming into preparation for the glorious day of Easter Sunday. Guide us in our study of the Word, what each day holds, and what each day represents in the significance of Holy Week. Cultivate a hunger within us to understand why You chose Passover Week to be the week in which Easter would occur. Stir a curiosity in us of what the Last Supper meant not only in the Jewish tradition, but the grand story You were writing all along in sending Jesus to earth. Reveal to our minds and spirits how the weight of Good Friday was in truth good despite such a dark moment, and why even more Easter Sunday is the day of Light and fulfilled promise. We want to come into a place of understanding so that we can even begin to grasp how You are a good God who has purpose in every single moment.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Prayer for Living Out the Goodness of Easter
Almighty God,
We pray that we may be inspired to live out the glory of Easter every single day, not just a single day in Spring. As believers, Easter holds the significant meaning that we have access to come before You, Father, through Christ in an intimate and close relationship. Jesus tore the veil between You and man, Father, and that is something we ought not to take lightly or for granted. We remember Matthew 27:51, "When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split." Help us live our lives in a way that we are not confused by the things of this earth, but rather are consumed with the truth of Who Christ is and what it means to be a child of You. Teach our hearts to live life abundantly, wearing the truth daily that we are so profoundly cherished that we were worth dying for.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
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Christmas Meeting at Trinity, Vero Beach
Holy Trinity Chapter, Trinity, Vero Beach held their Christmas meeting on December 16th at the home of Daughter Janet Barkett. It was well attended, everyone brought food for the festive occasion and a daughter of one of the DOK members shared compelling testimony on the impact of Jesus Christ on her family’s life. Rector and Chaplain Fr. Christopher Rodriguez was also in attendance.
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Epiphany at St. Paul's, New Smyrna Beach
On January 6th the Hearts and Hands Chapter of St. Paul’s, New Smyrna Beach, sponsored a wonderful Epiphany celebration. The evening began with Evensong, with preaching by Fr. Dallman, followed by a scrumptious soup and sandwich supper. Participants were fortified with delightful warm beverages at the hot chocolate bar and homemade wassail as they ventured outside to light a traditional bonfire. Christmas trees and the church greenery were set aflame, reminding them of the Light of Christ coming into the world. Singing hymns, they cheered for each flame as it towered for an exciting moment or two.
As the bonfire burned, a customary galette des rois (King cake) was shared. Donna A. found the wee baby Jesus figurine in her piece, dubbing her queen for the evening. The kids laughed and made merry in the dark, occasionally popping in to help the big guys add greens to the flames. May the warmth of the fire and fellowship help keep them ablaze in their faith for another year.
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Diocesan Assembly Meeting at St. Francis of Assisi, Lake Placid
"Begin Anew: "For His Sake"
| January 13th was the Diocesan Assembly meeting held at St. Francis of Assisi, Lake Placid. President Nadine Craig was sick, so First Vice President Nancy Kelly chaired the meeting. | |
The Rev. Marcia Allison, Deacon and DOK member from St. James, Ormond Beach was the Guest Speaker. Marcia conducted a workshop on Praying with Icons. Attendees got information and a hands-on opportunity to create an icon for prayer.
The Diocesan Outreach Project, Family Renew was present with a truck and attendees brought items to “stuff the truck.”
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Much Discernment Underway at St. James, Ormond Beach
| St. James Episcopal Church, Ormond Beach has nine young women who are in their third preparation class for a new Jr. Daughters Chapter. They have selected the name of St. Phoebe for their chapter. Creation of the chapter and admission of its new members is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Sunday, March 17th. All are welcome to come and support this event. A new member will also be admitted on that date to the Senior DOK chapter, St. Martha and Mary. |
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Southeast Deanery Meeting held at Holy Faith, Port St. Lucie | |
The parish hall was decked out in blue and white as if for a wedding reception when the Southeast Deanery meeting took place February 17th at Holy Faith, Port St. Lucie.
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Vesta Stephenson welcomed all attendees, and the Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Rob Goodridge and Fr. Bill Smiith who delivered the sermon. Guest speaker, Nancy Kelly, Second Vice President presented a program on Humility complete with handouts for everyone. President Nadine Craig shared a power point presentation on Understanding and Improving Communication Between Generations: Growing the Order with Women of All Ages which will also be a workshop for Triennial in June. Rhona Malcom announced that the Lighthouse DOK Chapter was going hand out flowers to church members who were supportive of their efforts including Paula Smith, and Karen Adderly Clark was asked to present a plaque to Father Bill on their behalf. In all it was a fun and prayerful event.
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Northeast Deanery Meeting held at Grace Church, Port Orange
The Northeast Deanery meeting was held on February 24th at Grace Church in Port Orange. It was a joyful day praying together with 32 Daughters in attendance.
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Updated Documents
Calendar for 2024
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Contact Information for Officers and Appointed Board Members | |
INFORMATION for THE FLAME
Please send all DOK information and photos for future issues of THE FLAME to:
LINDA ANSELMINI
lanselmini@gmail.com
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