By Karen Kennedy-Hall
DOK Esther Chapter Vice President
It was a sea of royal blue and white on Sunday, June 14 at the 10:30 a.m. service as three prospective and all members of the Shepherd of the Hills Esther Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King congregated to the front of the church for the Service of Admission and Re-dedication. The service was officiated by The Rev. George Conger, Rector of Shepherd of the Hills.
New members June Hombergen, Susan Conger and Kim Jones committed to the vows of the Order and promised to obey the two Rules of the Order ─ the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service.
The unique Crosses of the international Order were blessed by Father Conger and presented to each new members by Barbara Spencer, 1st vice-president of the Diocese of Central Florida Order of the Daughters of the King. Daughters wear the Crosses of the Order daily.
Following the Admission Service, all Esther Chapter members gathered at the altar to re-dedicate their lives to the Order. As Father Conger asked if they were ready to “observe a rule of daily prayer, always praying for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom and making an earnest effort to lead others nearer to Christ through His church,” all answered, “I am, with God’s help.”
After the two observances, DOK choir members Sylvia Myer, Stephanie Hopper, Mary Gooden, Patti James and Hazel Herbert sang a beautiful rendition of “For His Sake,” the DOK Motto, and the congregation sang together the hymn of the Order, “Lift High the Cross.”
A luncheon, prepared by DOK members, followed the service.
The three Daughters began their Preparation for Admission to the Order by completing the National Study Guide, a 12-week official course for prospective members. The purpose of the study, according to information published in the Guide, is to introduce prospective members to the Order, establish an understanding of the Order and after admission to serve as a review and source of information. During the preparation, the women decide if they wish to be admitted into the Order.
Hombergen, Conger and Jones met weekly for study sessions with Chapter President Cathy Allen and Secretary Stephanie Hopper to complete the 12 chapters. Each prospective member was required to read the chapters and complete a list of questions before each study session.
In addition, during the past six months, all members of the Esther Chapter also took the National Study Guide course at home and discussions were held during the monthly meetings.
“I am so proud and honored to be a part of the Esther Chapter and the desire and motivation exhibited by our members,” said Chapter president Cathy Allen. “We are inspired by love for our Lord Jesus Christ and are together in community with our faith, our church and each other.
“We are women of faith and look to foster our faith and devotion to all who open their hearts and minds to the love of Jesus Christ.”
The Order of the Daughters of the King has members in chapters all over the U.S. and 21 countries around the world. The ages of the Daughters of the King range from 7 to over 100 in junior (ages 7 to 21) and senior chapters within Episcopal, Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches. Daughters-At-Large are members not associated with a church because of specific reasons.
As stated in the handbook, the mission of the Daughters is “the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism.” And the vision for members is: “Empowered by the Holy Spirit, our vision as Daughters of the King is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.”
All Daughters around the world no matter where ─ at home, shopping or traveling ─ have a bond and are joined together by the wearing of our Order’s Cross.
A heads up: The DOK Esther Chapter at Shepherd of the Hills delivered on Friday, July 10, 70 boxes of donated goods to the DOK Jamaica Medial Mission. There were originally six pallets and DOK members and friends sorted all the supplies.