Daughters of the King Fall Assembly Celebrates God’s Power

Praying. Seeking God. Witnessing through both words and acts of service. Much of the work of the Order of the Daughters of the King is done in simple yet powerful ways, many unseen. Yet at times – such as the annual Fall Assembly of the Daughters of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, held on Saturday, Nov. 1 – that work is celebrated as a testimony to the power of God. More than 170 Daughters from across the diocese gathered at Holy Trinity, Melbourne, for this year’s assembly.

All Saints’ Day and Chapters’ History Celebrated

“Our Fall Assembly is always a special time because we have several things that happen at this meeting that don’t happen at any of our others,” said President Nadine Craig of St. Mary’s, Daytona Beach, who now also serves as membership chair for the national Order. “This one was special because All Saints’ Day is a special day for Daughters all over the world. It’s our Rededication Day and our Corporate Communion Day. Having our meeting scheduled right at this time meant so much more to us.”

In a simple ceremony in which names of those who died during the past year were read as flowers were added to a vase, Daughters honored their departed members. The opportunity to schedule this year’s gathering on All Saints’ Day only occurred because of last year’s amendment to the diocesan Daughters’ bylaws, which previously stated that the Fall Assembly would be held in September.  “We wanted to change our bylaws to be able to accommodate the bishop’s schedule because we love having him with us,” Craig explained. “Now we can hold it anytime in the fall.”

Chapter Historian Keneta Gaillardet, Daughter at St. James, Leesburg, had a special table at the assembly featuring historical information on the various chapters. The chapter at St. Mary’s, Daytona, begun in 1903, is the oldest in the diocese.

Bishop Holcomb, Daughters’ Province IV President Speak

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb preached what Craig described as a “powerful” sermon on finding identity as the body of Christ. “In Christ, we discover not only who God is but who we are – loved, redeemed and made whole,” he said. “We are no longer defined by our failures or successes but by the grace and righteousness of Christ. … When you trust in Christ, your identity is no longer dictated by culture pressure, graceless religion or unaccepting relationships. Your identity is in Christ.”

From a pool of nominees submitted by the various chapters Bishop Holcomb also drew the name of this year’s recipient of the Bishop’s Cross: Ms. Sally Harter of Grace, Port Orange. Ms. Laura Buchner of Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden, who received the cross last year, spoke of how wearing the cross was “life-changing” in the way it kept her awareness of serving Christ before her every day.

The Order is divided into the same provinces as The Episcopal Church, and Province IV President Ruth Foss spoke at this year’s Fall Assembly. She delivered an inspiring keynote address, “The Light of Christ Shining Through Us,” which Craig said, “supports our vision statement, ‘to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.’”

New Chaplain Installed

Yet another integral element of this year’s Fall Assembly was the installation of the Rev. Dr. Rob Strenth, rector of St. Matthew’s, Orlando, as chaplain.

“This is a really important position, because our chaplain is our spiritual guide, so he is part of our Executive Committee and has a voice in all our meetings,” Craig said. “He does not have a vote, but he is there to offer guidance to us, and Father Rob is just outstanding.”

Strenth is equally delighted to serve The Order. “For years, I have witnessed the remarkable ministry of the Daughters of the King, and to be entrusted with the privilege of serving as their chaplain is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” he said. “I see my role as chaplain as holding the Daughters in daily prayer, supporting rectors and the chapters at their parishes, celebrating the Eucharist at their deanery gatherings and being present with the Daughters as they continue their spiritual journeys.  I am excited about the work the Daughters will be doing in 2026, and I look forward to the establishment of a chapter at St. Matthew’s.”

Outreach Projects Chosen, Supported

Every Fall Assembly also includes the only business meeting held by The Order all year. The year’s budget is approved, and Daughters also choose an outreach project to support. The project for 2025 was the Good News Global jail ministry in Brevard, through which the Rev. Nancy Oliver, deacon at St. Mark’s, Cocoa, serves as a chaplain. Daughters presented her with a check for $15,000, which Oliver joyfully received.

“And God did something else,” Craig said. “After Deacon Nancy received our check, someone else found out about it and matched our donation.” The total gift of $30,000 will have a huge impact on Oliver’s ministry.

The Daughters also heard a presentation from Kim Koi, area director for Intervarsity Collegiate Ministries and a Daughter at St. James, Ormond Beach. The Daughters have chosen Intervarsity as their outreach project for the year ahead. They also heard from another special speaker, Mr. Bradford Allen, whose mother, Christine Allen, is a Daughter at St. Simon the Cyrenian, Fort Pierce. While in college, he came to Christ through the ministry of InterVarsity and now teaches at a Christian school. He told the Daughters about his experience and how the interaction with InterVarsity changed his life.

“Our offerings at the Eucharist went to support Intervarsity, and after Kim and Bradford spoke, Daughters went and added more money to the basket,” Craig said. “We collected $1,453 at this meeting alone!”

‘Quiet, Faithful Witness’

“It was a very spiritually powerful day,” Craig said. “We have a focus to not only grow our membership but to grow spiritually. In order to do that, we must have a strong spiritual content to our meetings. We want women to walk away saying, ‘Wow, this was so powerful; I could not have missed it.’”

The bishop agrees. “Our Daughters of the King is vibrant, and Nadine Craig is an amazing leader – inspiring, humble, but clear on what she wants to do and accomplish,” he said.

“I see the ministry of the Daughters of the King as a true gift to the Church,” Strenth said. “Their lives of prayer, service and commitment to Christ are truly inspiring. The way they faithfully lift others in prayer is a beautiful example of discipleship for the whole Church. The Daughters’ ministries are grounded in caring for community both in and outside of their churches through service and prayer. The Daughters reminds us that quiet, faithful witness, lived with humility and love, has the power to draw us all closer to God as we follow Christ together.”