Some of us support CPC
and some UTO. That’s like, as Connie Osbourn said, “building the shelves and
putting books on them.” There are many who serve at the altar as members of
their parish Altar Guild and others who have women’s meetings based on the ECW
or Women’s Auxiliary model. Many are involved in study groups and liturgical
work, which we will explore in future weeks. Still others of us are members of
the Daughters of the King (DOK).
In one sense the Daughters are
entirely different from other women’s groups, because the DOK is an ‘order’,
not just a group that gets together for a purpose or meeting. Many people are
confused about what exactly and ‘order’ is. The first thing that comes to mind
is, of course, nuns and monks. Even looking up the definition of a ‘religious
order’ doesn’t help much.
Wikipedia says, “A religious order is a lineage of
communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from
society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually
characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice.” Clear as
mud, right?
The Daughters of the King are
women who vow to live by a Rule of Life of Prayer and Service. Interested women
undertake a period of discernment and study about the Daughters to determine if
they are called to join. “By reaffirmation of the promises made at Baptism and
Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer,
service and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ’s Kingdom and the
strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish.”
The Order of the Daughters of the King® was founded in 1885 by Margaret J. Franklin at the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher in New York City. It was
an outgrowth of the Bible study she was leading when some of the women
expressed an interest in a deeper relationship with Jesus. “It was purposely
organized as a semi-religious Order. The Order started at once upon the highest
plane. Magnanimiter Crucem Sustine, “Bear forward, almost aggressively, with
lofty minds uphold the cross” became the watchword, and For His Sake its
motto.”
From the beginning, DOK has been
“allied to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew” in order to move with “apostolic
simplicity to spread the Kingdom of Christ
among young women.” The women in that first Daughters chapter “resolved that
there would be prayer to God every day of their lives and that He would empower
them for His work. Prayer was old to them, but the power of prayer and its
reality came to these women afresh.” This has continued to be the aim of DOK
around the world.
In the DRG, probably the
earliest Chapter was at St. John’s,
Albuquerque in 1889. The parish
itself was only 7 years old. Minutes from the old records indicate that DOK
women at St. John’s were the altar
guild and comprised the first Women’s Auxiliary.
Throughout the ebb and flow of
growth and change in the Diocese, women in the DOK have played an important
role of leadership in their congregations. Nearly all women who belong to the
Order of the Daughters of the King® are also active in other ministries like
Altar Guild, Thrift Shops, and the liturgical life of the church. Daughters
lead retreats and organize Bible study groups. They find ways to help the needy
and support their priest’s work. In this way they are like all other active
women in the DRG who want to use their gifts to further the Kingdom
of God.
Like other organizations,
Daughters support work in the broader church and world through funds. There are
four funds of the DOK: the Alpha Fund for Jr. Daughters and the Self Denial
fund for “modest grants to support specific mission projects, often projects
that involve Daughters, both in the US
and in other countries.” There is also the Endowment Fund (to further the work
of the Order itself) and Master’s Fund, used to “help women prepare for service
in church related work with Provincial Grants, Continuing Education Grants, and
Master’s Fund Scholarships.”
There are now 18 Chapters in the
Diocese and one Jr. Chapter (for girls 7-21). If there is one at your church,
talk to the President of the Chapter about what the Daughters are and do in
your parish. If there isn’t one, contact me or Sandy Martin, (DOK Diocesan
President) for information on starting one. Your life and the life of your
parish will be enriched by a cadre of praying and prayerful women.
Prayer of the Order of the Daughters of the KingO Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your heavenly Kingdom. Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world. Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross through the battles of our earthly life. Give us strength to overcome temptation and the grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always remember it is your work we are called to do, that all we think, do or say may be pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen