Communications

Point of Information

The National Council of the Order of the Daughters of the King wishes to assure our members and their clergy that there has been no change in our bylaws regarding who may have seat, voice and vote. According to the vote at Triennial 2006 and reaffirmed at the 2009 Triennial, delegates from all chapters may have seat, voice and vote at the business meeting of the convention (Bylaws, Article VII, Section 2.B).

Although we live with uncertainty, we look forward to our future together, For His Sake.

— The National Council of the Order of the Daughters of the King

December 1, 2009

Dear Daughters,

As the Advent season begins, I am announcing the birth of a new chapter — the Celebration Chapter! Its members were installed in July at Triennial as the 2009-2012 Council of the Order of the Daughters of the King. In many ways this Council has been endeavoring to function like a chapter, especially at our first full-scale meeting in Georgia, November 18-22.

We studied a book before the meeting (Grounded in God: Listening Hearts Discernment for Group Deliberations), and agreed to devote special attention this year to listening to members across the country. We updated our monthly prayer list and shared stories of our spiritual pilgrimage. We prayed with and for one another. We identified a service project, made a donation towards it, and had such a satisfying time serving together that we intend to stay in touch with the group we served. We installed a Junior Daughters chaplain — the Rev. Susan Claytor, the first to take on this role as a national chaplain. With delight, we discovered more of the gifts and talents that members of this Council are sharing for the good of the Order.

Of course the chief task to which we as a Council are called is service to all the rest of the members – to be servant leaders who tend and nurture what those before us have planted, and go forth with precious seed to plant anew where opportunities are presented to the Order. The Membership Chair, the Province Presidents, and the data from the National Office all indicated that although some disaffected members have left the Order this year, so far the numbers are relatively few, new members are replacing them, and longtime members are moving forward with hope and perseverance. The Council is united in urging all our members to keep their vows: we are called to prayer, service, and evangelism, first and foremost. While we live with uncertainties, it is all the more important that we manifest the fruit of the Spirit, especially patience and kindness to one another. In troubled times, our congregations and our clergy need more prayer, service, and outreach from the Daughters of the King, not less.

It was clear from the report of the International Chair, Pam Runyon, that there are many opportunities to plant new chapters overseas; during 2010 we expect the formation of the first chapter in India, the first chapter in Israel, and a retreat for women from European Union countries who are interested in Daughters. Please pray for wisdom and resources to respond as we should. In at least two countries chapters may organize assemblies in the coming year. Grace Sears shared President Alice Mtenje’s report from Malawi’s second Triennial on the theme of giving. Five new chapters were reported in that country, and new chapters have formed recently in Brazil, Haiti, and Honduras.

To meet the demand for translation of our basic materials – including requests from Spanish speaking congregations in this country – Pam will purchase translation software that can produce a rough translation into many languages. The computer product can then be submitted to native speakers for review; the result will be idiomatic translations of up-to-date materials. (Our thanks goes to Mary Dawson, translation coordinator, for proposing this strategy.)

The Council chose to call themselves the Celebration Chapter for three reasons. To begin with, we are seeking ways to celebrate the 125th birthday of the Order! Margaret Franklin’s Bible class became the Alpha chapter in April of 1885, 125 years ago. That’s a wonderful heritage, and we want to celebrate it! Nancy Sheffield’s Strategic Planning Committee is working on some exciting ideas for a year of celebration.

Secondly, one evening we reflected on a story in II Chronicles 20 that Joy Dyer had brought to my attention. The king of Judah has heard that three armies plan to attack his people. The king and his people go to the temple and pray. A prophecy is given: Judah will not have to fight. The king should march his soldiers down to the south, but God will take care of the attackers. The king responds in faith by putting the temple choir and musicians out in front of the army as they march down the road, singing psalms and praising God. Once they get to the battlefield, they find the allied armies have turned on each other and fled, leaving behind their goods. The soldiers can all go home without fighting. Mother Susan Claytor, the new Junior Daughters Chaplain, suggested that this new Council think of itself as a praise band – leading the Order in praise to God, trusting that God will open the way before us.

And finally, “Celebration Chapter” seemed right to us because by the end of the meeting we were in fact celebrating work accomplished, exciting opportunities, and excellent ideas that had been brought forward during our time together – but still more that in all the discussion, in our bonding together, we sensed the Spirit of God at work in us and in the Order. Alleluia!

For His Sake,

Grace
Grace Sears, President, The Order of the Daughters of the King

P.S.: Of course if I described all the business we discussed it would take several pages! One piece of information you will want to know: a double issue of the redesigned Royal Cross will reach you sometime this month.

A Summary of the Business Transacted during The Triennial 2009 Convention of the Order of the Daughters of the King, July 2-5, Anaheim, California has been added to the Triennial page.