Diocesan Meeting:  March 7, 2020

 

Held at St. Luke, Newberry, SC

The Rev. Mia McDowell

DOK Chapter:  St. Monica

 

Opening Worship was led by Ellen Sandberg.

From Psalm 55

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

 

A Reading from John 4

The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

 

A short comment on the Gospel.

 

Canticle 15, The Song of Mary, Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for h4e has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

 

Prayers

O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty; Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may lkearn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dearest Father, Holy Jesus, Heavenly Spirit, be with us today as we meet together as kindred sisters. Let this day enrich us, renew us and encourage us as active Daughters. Be with us Lord God, to make this day be successful and fruitful. Give us cheerful and willing hearts and let our time together reflect our joy to be y9our servants. In Christ Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Order

Motto of the Order

 

The Collect

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity, and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Introductions of all Present

 

Comments from Pat Batten, President

April 11 is the 135th Birthday of The Order of the Daughters of the King

 

Topic for Discussion:  Strategic Goal #3 – Nurture and Grow Members

 

• How do we interest new daughters – see a daughter, get a daughter?

• Pick a person and personally approach

• Get up in church the week before the meeting date and invite all women to the next meeting – daughters taking turns doing the invitations during the church service

• There is a Chapter in Chapin of Daughters-at-Large (daughters not attached to a chapter in a specific church)

• Pay for the cost of annual dues, cross, and for the study to be a daughter

• Part of national dues comes back to the Diocese

• Scholarship dues for those who cannot pay

• Find out why daughters drop out – money, no longer called

• Junior Daughters in Greer started slowly with four middle school girls – Senior Daughters took it on and now need some help

• Build the Senior group first

 

The Rev. Mia McDowell will provide quiet days if asked as will The Order of Saint Helena.  Also, contact Mother Mia is there is a rub between the priest in a parish and the chapter.

 

One of our jobs as Daughters is to support the priest in the parish through prayer. Ask the priest what help they need and invite them to DOK meetings.

 

Chapter Sharing

 

Church of the Resurrection in Greenwood stated that their priest includes DOK in pastoral care. Include the priest on all emails from the Daughters so that he/she may be in the loop of what is going on.

 

In Aiken:  the chapter used the study guide as a refresher for its current members; they also have looked into how to build up their membership; prayers go out as they come in; have used “A closer walk with God” on You Tube to talk with new members.

 

Chapters present were asked when they meet:

Some meet on Saturday morning, some Saturday afternoon

Some meet between services on Sunday or after services

Some meet on Tuesday night

Some meet on Monday night

 

Chapters present were asked what they did at meetings:

Fifteen minutes for food and fellowship

Book Study or a study of the weekly Gospel

Members are assigned monthly to bring refreshments and devotional

Some use a moment of silence

Some have done a study of different kinds of prayers, written their own prayers of the people which are now being used in the service during Lent

Some have written a letter to God

 

Prayer lists are sent out; some use Google docs so all can have access and are able to add additional prayers as they happen throughout the month.

 

Grace Church, Greer:  Mary & Martha Chapter, wrote Lenten booklets this year. It is a reflection booklet written by church members and printed by UPS. It is either a daily reflection or a drawing based on the daily reading. Make sure that you are using the correct Lectionary for the year. They recommend that a chapter start with an Advent booklet since it is a shorter time. It was edited to fit a specific format. Anyone wanting more information should contact Anne Potter at potter.anne@gmail.com.

 

Church of the Redeemer:  The Junior Daughters(St. Agnes Chapter) at Redeemer entered a national t-shirt design contest through the Royal Cross and won. Their t-shirt should be in the next issue of the Royal Cross.

 

The Rev. Mia McDowell delivered the closing.

 

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

​

From Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me and known me,

You know when I sir down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

A Reading from 1 Corinthians:

Therefore, do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

 

I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, “Nothing beyond what is written,” so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?

 

The Song of Simeon, Nunc Dimittis, Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see;

A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.

 

Prayers

O Lord Jesus, who in your tender and great humility came down from heaven to be born of a woman, help the Daughters of the King to follow the example of your blessed mother. Help us to be strong in spirit, modest and gentle in conduct, truthful, unselfish and obedient to your Holy will, that, radiant with your love, we may win many to you and be blessed by you, to whom with the Father and Holy Spirit be praise and glory forever. Amen.

 

O 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, 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.

 

The Collect:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you: “Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit ypu live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Let us go in peace to serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Kear

Secretary