New Year Assembly Inspires Diocesan Daughters of the King

The Daughters of the King chapter of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, hosted the Diocesan New Year Assembly for the Central Florida Assembly of The Order of the Daughters of the King® on Jan. 31 at the Cathedral. It was the second such meeting for the diocesan chapter.

“We started our ‘New Year Assembly’ last year as we felt the need to get together to pray and share at the start of each new year,” explained Central Florida Assembly President Nadine Craig.

The theme for the day was “Faithful Daughters Growing in His Light.”

“More than 120 women from DOK chapters across the diocese and women from two churches starting up chapters gathered for a beautiful day of worship and fellowship,” Craig said. “Dean Reggie Kidd presided at the Eucharist; the Rev. Dr. Rob Strenth, diocesan chaplain, preached; and Archdeacon Julie Altenbach inspired attendees with a keynote address reflecting on the hymn ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns.’”

The purpose of the assembly was to welcome the new year and to review its focus. “The focus is tied to our strategic plan, and that is to grow the order, with each chapter having a discernment class and admission of new daughters,” Craig said. “Also, we wish to grow not only in membership but spiritually as we worship and listen to our speakers and are spiritually fed together.

“We also honor our founder, Margaret Franklin, who started The Order in 1885 with just seven women in a prayer group,” she continued. “We now have over 19,000 Daughters in the U.S. and over 10,000 in 22 countries around the world. Our diocesan assembly is the second largest in the U.S., with 1,000 members. January is a special month to honor Margaret Franklin, as she passed away on Jan. 19, 1931.”

Archdeacon’s Address

With the New Year Assembly’s theme in mind, Altenbach began praying about how she could share words of encouragement that reflected it.

“I attended a prayer service for a meeting of diocesan youth ministers, and we were singing the hymn ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns,’ she said. “It occurred to me that as Daughters, our vision is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.  By using this hymn, I tried to help those in attendance remember who Jesus Christ is to them and how to share that good news with others.”

“To fully engage in the work we are called to do, it’s so important to understand whom we call our Father, whom we serve,” Altenbach told the Daughters. “Christ is a King, and as a King, he is powerful and sovereign, but as our Father, he is so much more. We need to understand and remember the character of this King whom we call our Father. The song helps us do just that, and in such a poetic way.”

Going through each verse of “Crown Him With Many Crowns,” she reminded the Daughters of the attributes of Christ and how an understanding of those shapes their faith, prayers and service to the King. Her favorite part of the day took place immediately after her address, when Dr. Karen Adderly-Clark led the women in singing the hymn.

Chaplain’s Sermon

In his sermon, Strenth reminded the Daughters of the “why” behind their ministry, the many who have walked similar paths and what God does with their prayers.

“Much of what you do is hidden, offered not for recognition but out of love for Christ and for his Church,” he said, giving examples from scripture of others whose discipleship, like theirs, was faithful and unseen.

“You come from a long line of faithful women who trusted God in times of uncertainty,” Strenth told the Daughters. “You stand in the company of Sarah, who hoped beyond hope; of Mary, who said yes to God’s call; of the women who remained at the cross when others fled; of the saints who prayed in monasteries and kitchens, in cathedrals and cottages, in seasons of revival and seasons of decline.

“Through countless generations of faithful and prayerful women, that leads now to each of you,” he continued. “The Church has been sustained across centuries by people like you, ordinary believers doing extraordinary things through faithfulness.”

“Your Rule of Life calls you to prayer, service and evangelism,” he reminded the Daughters later in his sermon. “These are not separate tasks; they are one woven vocation. Prayer fuels service. Service embodies prayer. Evangelism flows from lives shaped by both.”

“And when you feel small in the face of great need, remember this: God delights to work through faithfulness, not fame,” Strenth also told the Daughters. “The kingdom often grows through mustard seeds. Your prayers ripple outward in ways you may never measure. Your perseverance strengthens the Church across time and space. Your quiet devotion participates in God’s great restoration of the world.” He encouraged them not to grow weary in their faithful service but to keep praying, serving, hoping and trusting – no matter what.

“This was truly one of those beautiful moments of ministry,” he said of the New Year Assembly. “Preaching to the Daughters at the Cathedral was an incredible honor, and I am grateful to Dean Kidd for the opportunity. It was humbling and energizing to be able to serve the Daughters in such a holy location.

“Archdeacon Julie did an amazing job with her teaching,” he continued. “She has great insight into the mission of the Daughters of the Church. Altogether, it was one of those days in ministry that you hold onto – a reminder of the power of community, worship and the way the Spirit moves when people gather with genuine purpose.”

Strenth remains grateful for the opportunity to serve as chaplain for the Daughters. He said, “I continue to be in awe of their faith and commitment to prayer and service. It is an honor to serve them.”