"DAUGHTERS OF THE KING" REPRESENT ST. GREGORY'S AT DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY BY MARIA PROVOST WITH REV. ROBYN NEVILLE

On Saturday, November 1, the St. Brigid of Kildare Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King (St. Gregory’s own chapter of this international women’s organization) attended the Fifty-sixth Annual Diocesan Assembly of The Order of the Daughters of the King at Christ Episcopal Church, Coconut Grove, in Miami, Florida. The event featured a worship service of Holy Eucharist, the annual business meeting, and a wonderful lunch full of fellowship and celebration. 

In attendance from St. Gregory’s were Paula Behul, Christel Bruno, Pancy Gabriel, Patricia Lusk, Jean McDonald, and Maria Provost. The Rev. Robyn Neville attended in her new role as Chaplain to our Daughters of the King (DoK) chapter at St. Gregory’s. 

The theme of the day was, “Building a Community in Unity”. 



Maria, Paula, and Pancy arrived first and placed the blue banner for the St. Brigid of Kildare Chapter at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in the Sanctuary of Christ Episcopal Church. Then they proceeded to the registration table, where they picked up their blue bags containing name badges, agenda/program booklets, ballots for voting delegates (Maria Provost and Patricia Lusk), and a nice SE Florida DOK refrigerator magnet. They introduced themselves to other women at the registration table and took photos with Michele and Fay Kelly, DoK members from the Palm Beach County Deanery. Then Jean McDonald, Rev. Robyn Neville, and Christele Bruno arrived and got their name badges and packets. 

Then the diocesan president of the Daughters of the King, Avonelle Forbes, welcomed everyone in attendance. Bishop Peter Eaton spoke to the Assembly via a pre-recorded message. Then each chapter of the Daughters of the King processed into the church during the opening processional for the Holy Eucharist. We saw women from all over our diocese in attendance! 

After a stirring worship service, where diocesan DoK chaplain Rev. D. J. Griffin gave a homily and the Rev. Canon Licia Affer was the celebrant for the Eucharist, the annual DoK Business Meeting took place. This included the keynote address by the Rev. Canon Terrance Alexander Lee. After the Business Meeting, lunch was served. Delightful conversations took place, and relationships with new friends in Christ were formed. By the late afternoon, members of our chapter and Rev. Robyn made the long drive home to St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church. It was a wonderful day! 

Founded in 1885, The Order of the Daughters of the King® is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the historic episcopate but not in communion with it. Our membership currently includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA), and Roman Catholic churches. Reaffirming the promises made at Baptism and Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism. She receives support in this commitment from a worldwide community of like-minded women. The Mission of The Order is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism. 

 

In solidarity with one another, all Daughters everywhere make the same promises upon their admission to The Order: 

  • To obey the two Rules of The Order: the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service; 

  • To offer at all times loyal aid to our clergy and parish to spread Christ’s kingdom; 

  • To wear faithfully the cross of The Order; and 

  • To work for the purposes of The Order as God may give us the opportunity. 

Our chapter at St. Gregory’s is named for St. Brigid of Kildare, an Irish saint known for her generosity, wisdom, service to others, and devout life of prayer and faithfulness to God. 

For more information on the Order of the Daughters of the King, and especially on the St. Brigid of Kildare chapter at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, please contact chapter president Maria Provost at: mprovost@fau.edu 

Dawn Rahicki