The Flame

A Publication of the Order of the Daughters of the King

Diocesan Assembly of Central Florida

First Quarter 2026

President's Message

We are off to a great start in 2026! We just had our New Year Meeting at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke’s in Orlando. It was a wonderful day together! We were “spiritually uplifted” with Fr. Rob Strenth’s sermon and Deacon Julie Altenbach’s message in her presentation. We are Blessed!!!!

At the start to a new year, it is a time to reflect on this question: “How will I serve God this year?” Let us remember that we do not need to prove our worth to answer this question. What consumes our hearts can take on our identity in our minds. We may fall into feeling as though we are not enough. This can lead to self-doubt. And then, when we receive a call from God to serve, we may resist this call thinking that we are “too old,” too sick, too tired, too inexperienced, too busy; and the list can go on and on…… When this happens, let us take time to pray for God’s kingdom to be established in our minds. Pray The Lord’s Prayer over and over and let the words saturate your heart and your mind. Let us joyfully embrace what God calls us to do together this year remembering that we are His and He has equipped us with Spiritual Gifts to use in serving Him. And may we boldly ask and answer, “Lord, what will you have me do?”

Together, with God’s help, we can do more than we ever imagined!!

Faithful Daughters Growing in His Light

“The Lord will be your everlasting light and your God will be your Glory.”

Isaiah 60:19

FHS & Love,

Nadine

nadinekcraig@outlook.com

770-597-7454 call or text

LENT BEGINS, ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th

Ash Wednesday Prayer, Book of Common Prayer

The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and

meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance.

Scripture and Prayers for Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-13

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.”

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday Reflection

Dear God, as I begin this sacred season of Lent, I come to You with a heart open to reflection and repentance. Help me to examine my life honestly, to recognize my shortcomings, and to turn back to You with a contrite spirit. Guide me in this time of self-examination and grant me the grace to grow closer to You. Amen.

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Prayer for Forgiveness

Lord, I confess my sins to You and ask for Your mercy. Help me to turn away from my sinful ways and to embrace the life You have called me to live. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may have the strength to resist temptation and to follow You faithfully. Thank you for your boundless love and forgiveness. Amen.

James 4:10

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Prayer for a Humble Heart

Lord, I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging my need for You. Please help me to live in humility, recognizing that all I have comes from You. Teach me to serve others with love and to put their needs before my own. May my life reflect Your humility and grace, and may I bring glory to Your name in all that I do. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer for a Grateful Heart

Lord, I thank You for the many blessings You have given me. Please help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude, even in difficult times. Teach me to give thanks in all circumstances and to recognize Your hand at work in my life. May my gratitude be a reflection of Your love and grace, and may it bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Colossians 3:13

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

A Prayer for Forgiveness of Others

Lord, I ask for Your help in forgiving those who have hurt me. Please remove any bitterness or resentment from my heart and fill me with Your love and mercy. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me and to show Your love to others. May this Lenten season be a time of healing and reconciliation as I seek to follow Your example of forgiveness. Amen.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY, TUESDAY, MARCH 17th

The Irish credit St. Patrick with bringing Christianity to Ireland. We celebrate St. Patrick’s story which encourages faith, perseverance, and following one's calling. The celebrations should be about being thankful for him and thankful that his missions helped bring about the message of the Good News. Moreover, it is being thankful that God gave His only Son to die for us so that we could live.

Born as Maewyn Succat in Roman Britain (385), he was enslaved at 14, later became a bishop, and spread Christianity in Ireland.

St. Patrick is most known for illustrating the meaning of the Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - by sharing with the masses that the shamrock is one leaf with three parts, just as God is one entity with three persons.

Aside from this, St. Patrick's legacy is sustained by his famous prayer of protection or breastplate prayer. The prayer is long, but the encouragement still speaks the same message to this day. Here is a small excerpt of the prayer:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. To read the entire prayer, click on the link below.

St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer | Traditional Catholic Prayers

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 29th

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Matthew 21: 1-11

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ”Hosanna, in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

PRAYERS for PALM SUNDAY

Prayer for Humility and Praise

"Lord Jesus Christ, on this Palm Sunday, as we remember Your triumphant entry into Jerusalem, let us also remember the path that lay before You. Fill our hearts with the humility and faithfulness that You displayed. Teach us to follow Your example of selfless love, to praise You in our hearts and with our lives, as we carry our crosses daily. Hosanna in the Highest!"

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Jesus's Sacrifice

"Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came not as a conquering king but as a humble servant. On this Palm Sunday, we celebrate His victory over sin and death, paving the way for our salvation. Help us to live in gratitude for His sacrifice, reflecting His love and grace in all that we do. Amen."

Prayer for Spiritual Renewal

"O God, as we enter this Holy Week, renew our minds and spirits. Let the story of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem inspire us to welcome Him into our hearts anew. May the palms we wave symbolize our commitment to follow Him more closely, to live lives of service and compassion, just as He taught us. Guide us through this week to the joy of Easter morning. Amen."

Prayer for Peace and Justice

"Lord of Peace, on this Palm Sunday, as we remember Jesus's peaceful entry, we pray for peace in our hearts, homes, and world. Inspire us to carry forward the message of justice and peace that Jesus brought to Jerusalem. Empower us to be instruments of Your peace, advocating for the marginalized and working towards justice for all of Your creation. Hosanna in the Highest!"

Prayer for the Journey of Faith

"Merciful God, as we journey through Holy Week, help us to walk closely with Jesus. From the joyous procession of Palm Sunday to the sorrow of Good Friday and the ultimate triumph of Easter, remind us of the profound love You have for us, a love that endures all trials and triumphs over all adversity. Strengthen our faith and keep us faithful to You. Amen."

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5th

The Lord is Risen Indeed!

"Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate

Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen

Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing

Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty

Christ is Risen indeed from the dead,

the first of the sleepers,

Glory and power are his forever and ever."

~St. Hippolytus of Rome ~

Membership Report

AS OF 2.7.2026

Senior Daughters (Chapter Affiliated) 892

Senior Daughters at Large 57

Junior Daughters 23

TOTAL 972

DIOCESAN NEW YEAR MEETING

The New Year Diocesan Assembly meeting was held on Saturday, January 31st at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando. The Venerable Archdeacon Julie Altenbach was the Keynote Speaker about the words in the hymn, Crown Him with Many Crowns. Rev. Rob Strenth, Rector of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Orlando and Diocesan Assembly Chaplain delivered the sermon at the Holy Eucharist.

2026 New Year Meeting Attendees

AROUND THE DIOCESE

REDEDICATION & READMISSION AT ST. PAUL CHAPTER, ST. PAUL'S, WINTER HAVEN

The St. Paul Chapter of DOK held a service of rededication and readmission on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winter Haven. Pictured are nine of the 12 members. Kathy Leigh Berkowitz (center of the photo) was also reinstated after a brief absence from the chapter.

SERVICE OF ADMISSION HELD AT ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL, LEESBURG

The Martha and Mary Chapter of St. James Episcopal in Leesburg, held a Service of Admission for three new Daughters on Christ the King Sunday, November 23, 2025. Graciously received and enthusiastically welcomed were Elizabeth Lindberger, Tara Meyer and Kimberly Wicklund. Heather Herrington, representing the Diocese of Central Florida, presented each new

Daughters with their cross.

ST. PAUL CHAPTER, ST. PAUL'S, WINTER HAVEN HOLD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

The St. Paul chapter of DOK in Winter Haven held its annual Christmas luncheon in early January 2026. The luncheon featured an anonymous Christmas ornament exchange, as well as fellowship, faith and fun. The chapter has 13 members and is very active in the life of St. Paul's with a prayer ministry, gift bag ministry for visitors to the church, monthly meetings and study, and participation in DOK events in the Central Florida Diocese.