What is an "Order" in the Church

The last post was about the Daughters of the King, an ORDER in the church. Just what exactly IS an Order? I think we often think of monks and nuns as belonging to a religious order-say the Benedictines or the Franciscans or Jesuits. Often we don't think of monks and nuns in relation to the Episcopal Church at all.
There are indeed monks and nuns in the Episcopal Church and there are lay orders for men and for women. Members of any Order have a Rule of Life that they follow. Often this is imposed on them by the Order itself, but members also write their own personal Rule of Life to outline how they will live out the Rule of the Order.
A list of Orders, both lay and monastic can be found on the National Episcopal Church website. "The Episcopal Church canonically recognizes 16 traditional orders and 11 Christian communities for men, women, or both. Religious Orders and Communities serve the greater church in several ways. Many offer retreat houses and individual spiritual direction. Each community has a rule of life and is committed to prayer, life in community, and hospitality."
A definition of an Order is: "a community under a religious rule; especially one requiring members to take solemn vows. People don’t just enroll as members and attend meetings; they take life-long vows to follow the Rule of the Order."
Some Orders that women (and men) in the Episcopal Church and in the Diocese of the Rio Grande participate in are: The Third Order of St. Francis, (works for social justice, among other things-see below) the Daughters of the King, (follow the Rule of Prayer and Service) Order of St. Luke, (focuses on the healing ministry) Brotherhood of St. Andrew (for men only). The Guild of St. Benedict is not technically an Order, but members do follow part of the Benedictine rule of life by saying Morning and/or Evening Prayer every day. I am sure that there are other women around the Diocese who participate in other orders and I'd be delighted to hear about them.

The Third Order of St. Francis follows the Franciscan rule of life in their everyday life. Tertiaries write their own Rule, which is reviewed annually and rededicate themselves once a year also. Monthly meetings are held to build community.
There are estimated to be over a half-million Franciscans worldwide in the various denominations of the Christian family. Anglican Franciscans are divided among five provinces worldwide. The Province of the Americas stretches from Canada to Chile to the Caribbean. It currently includes the First Order Brothers and Sisters - who live a celibate life in their respective communities - and the Third Order. The Third Order consists of men and women, single or in committed relationships, who, though following ordinary professions, are called to a dedicated life of service to our Lord through prayer, study, and work. Like the First Order, Tertiaries make a lifetime commitment to live a Rule of Life in company with the sisters and brothers in their Order.
If you are a member of an order or other community, please be in touch, so we can highlight your ministry and calling and inform other women around the Diocese of the opportunity.