PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISITA JACKSON
New officers elected for the Daughter of the King Central Florida Chapter are left to right: Sharon Murbarger, president; Karen Clark, 1st vice president; Nancy Kelly, second vice president; Sue McIlrath, treasurer; Barbara Bradley, secretary; and Terry Deer, corresponding secretary.
More than 200 women are expected to “Walk His Way” on Saturday, Sept. 15, when the annual Diocesan Assembly of the Central Florida Daughters of the King (DOK) is held at St. Barnabas Church in DeLand.
Daughters from throughout the Diocese of Central Florida will converge on the East Volusia County church for a day of worship and fellowship, according to Krisita Jackson, former president of the Central Florida of Daughters of the King (DOK). Bishop Greg Brewer will celebrate the Eucharist and preach at this year’s event, which has a “Walk His Way” theme.
The annual DOK Assembly is open to the public, including prospective Daughters. Clergy and Junior Daughters are invited to attend at no charge. Husbands of Daughters often accompany them to meetings, Jackson said.
The annual meeting will include the election of three delegates to represent the diocese at the upcoming Province IV Assembly, the awarding of The Bishop’s Cross, an Outreach project election, a special keynote speaker, and more.
Keynote speaker will be Helen Bhangwadin of the Province IV Junior Daughters Chair. Recently elected to serve a second team on the National Council, the Miami-Ascension Church member will speak about Junior Daughters, Jackson said.
The highlight of the event will be the discussion of the DOK’s latest outreach project: the Mali Medical Mission Outreach Project, which ran from September 2017 to the present date. The Mali Medical Mission Outreach Project consists of the work of Dr. Brett MacLean, and his wife, Sheri, a nurse practitioner, who live in the Bako region in Mali, West Africa.
The MacLeans, along with their four children, supply medical care for mothers and children, and teach medical skills to Malians so they can lead healthier and more fruitful lives. The MacLeans also help to raise funds for new water wells, health centers, and solar power for Mali, which is considered one of the poorest nations in the world. The country is sorely lacking funds for proper electricity, water, and health services, according to a DOK press release.
“I am proud of the Daughters’ support of missions of and ministry to women!” Jackson said. “Daughters of the King have supported a variety of outreach projects for decades, including Little Roses in Honduras, Anchor House for Boys and Daughters in Malawi to buy sewing machines.
“In the 2015-2018 Triennium, in addition to Mali Medical Mission, the CFL Daughters have supported Canines for Independence, Medical Mission to Jamaica – an outreach project of St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg – and Days for Girls,” Jackson said. “With this year’s project, the Daughters will have given sacrificially over $50,000 in support of these projects from 2015-2018.”
Jackson said CFL Daughters have contributed to the Mali Medical Mission and so far have raised more than $11,000 for Days for Girls. “Our outreach chair, Margaret Y. Roberts of Ascension-Orlando, has worked tirelessly for three years for each of our annual outreach projects,” Jackson said. “Barbara Bradley of St.James-Ormond Beach, who is a personal friend of Dr. Brett McLean and his wife, Sheri, also visited many chapters promoting this project.”
Additionally, the CFL Daughters annually support the national Self-Denial Fund, which has supported missionaries and mission trips worldwide since the late 1800s.
“This is one of four funds Daughters promise to support as a member of The Order,” Jackson said. “In 2017, CFL Daughters contributed over $3,500 to this fund. The CFL Daughters are leaders among the nationwide dioceses in fund support.”
Jackson said CFL Daughters also support women in ministry, with $2,878.25 in 2017 contributions going to the Master’s Fund, which supports higher education in leadership development and service for Episcopal Church-related careers for women.
On the political side of things, the CFL Daughters will elect three delegates to represent the diocese at the Province IV Assembly to be held Oct. 8-12 at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Additionally, the following officers for the 2018-2021 Triennium will be installed: Sharon Murbarger, St. Mary’s, Daytona, president; Karen Adderly Clark, St. John the Baptist, Orlando, 1st vice president; Nancy Kelly, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Fort Pierce; Terry Deer, St. Barnabas; and Sue McIrath, Grace, Port Orange, treasurer.
Another tradition continues with the presentation of The Bishop’s Cross. “This drawing was begun in 1937,” Jackson said. “Each chapter nominates a Daughter who is faithful in it and in carrying out the purpose of The Order, and whose life upholds the cross. A drawing will be held to determine who will wear the cross for a year.”
For more information, access the Daughters of the King website at: www.doknational.org on the internet.