On Saturday, Sept. 9, nearly 140 Daughters of the King from all over the Diocese of Central Florida gathered for Fall Assembly — a meaningful day of worship, prayer and fellowship — at Canterbury Conference Center in Oviedo.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb celebrated the Eucharist and commended the Daughters for their love for Christ, commitment to prayer and evangelism, and faithful service to the diocese. The Rev. Terry Highland, a retired priest now serving as priest associate at St. John’s, Melbourne, was installed as the Daughters’ new diocesan chaplain. During the service, Daughters who died in 2022 were remembered in a simple ceremony.
Bishop Justin Holcomb and new DOK Chaplain Terry Highland with previous/current recipients of the Bishop’s Cross (Stephanie Whitman, L, and Nancy Kelly, R) | Photo Credit: Sue McIlrath
In the morning session, Devotions Chair Donna Burns of Christ the King, Orlando, urged women to reflect the light of Christ and shine so brightly that they draw those lost in darkness to him. Later in the day, the 2022 recipient of the Bishop’s Cross, Stephanie Whitman of Grace, Port Orange, and Agnes Wichman (former diocesan president and current chapter president at Holy Apostles, Satellite Beach), both shared powerful and deeply moving testimonies of God’s faithfulness in their lives.
From a list of nominees, Holcomb drew the name of the next recipient of the Bishop’s Cross: Diocesan First Vice President Nancy Kelly of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Vero Beach. Each recipient wears the cross for a period of one year “in humility and thankfulness that God is doing great work in her life as well as in her chapter and parish” and as a reminder to “grow daily in her dependence on His Spirit, keeping her eyes on Him and on His work.”
At lunchtime, the Daughters surprised Holcomb — who turns 50 this week — by singing “Happy Birthday,” presenting him with a special gift and a cake.
The Daughters also celebrated raising more than $12,000 for their 2022-2023 outreach program, Feed the Lambs, and introduced the new program they will support in 2023-2024: Family Renew.
Presentation of check to John May and family (Feed the Lambs) | Photo Credit: Christin Ditchfield Lazo
President Nadine Craig of St. Mary’s, Daytona Beach, announced the creation of a training program created to help chapters with intergenerational communication. She encouraged Daughters to learn what the bishop has shared recently about the dechurched, explore new opportunities for evangelism and outreach, and consider the roles their chapters might play.
As the Order’s motto reads,
For His Sake
I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God, I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Daughters from chapters all over the diocese shared some of the many different ways they are growing their membership, supporting their parishes and serving their communities. As the day came to a close, attendees left challenged and inspired to live their vows of “Prayer, Service, and Evangelism.”
For more information on the Order of the Daughters of the King, Diocesan Assembly of Central Florida, visit the website or contact diocesan President Nadine Craig.