Getting to Know-Frederick B. Howden Chapter, Santa Fe

The Frederick B. Howden Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King at Holy Faith, dedicated to prayer, service and evangelism, enters its 71st year with a more inward, contemplative focus, using as a guide the acclaimed book Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. 
Father Semon is Chaplain to the chapter, which is named for Bishop Howden, who was Missionary Bishop of New Mexico and Southwest Texas in 1913. The Chapter was organized at The Church of the Holy Faith in June of 1942 with seven members.  Now at 40 members, we meet monthly, September through May, beginning with Evening Prayer in the Chapel, followed by a brief business meeting and a study related to our assigned reading.  Afterwards, we have light refreshments provided by volunteer hostesses, and a special time for fellowship – an integral part of our Order! In the photo below, chapter members celebrate their 70 year anniversary!

This past December we dispensed with our usual meeting format and held a joyous Christmas Tea after Evening Prayer and Service of Admission with the taking of vows by our three new members, Cha Foxhall, Janice McAninch and Carolyn Gentry.  We celebrated the season welcoming these new Daughters and also honoring our Daughter Lynsey Bernard with a few gifts for her baby due to join us in January!
Last June DOK hosted an exciting retreat entitled “Joy Inspired by the Holy Spirit - Realizing and Using Our Gifts.”  Held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat & Conference Center near St. John’s College, the goal of the retreat was to help participants refresh their Christian spirituality by focusing on the gifts and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Holy Faith clergy were present and participated in this highly successful event.
Planning for a late summer 2013 retreat is underway, and details will be forthcoming.  Meanwhile, the Frederick B. Howden DOK Chapter continues with the following activities and programs in its 71st year:
Prayers without ceasing for those in need – We use the Parish Prayer List and our own Rule of Prayer to intercede for those in need, and issue emergency prayer requests to our membership as they are received by our Order. 
Layette program – Essential items needed for newborns continue to be purchased, packaged and distributed to young mothers in need.
Custom pillow cases for the sick - Beautiful pillow cases are embroidered, and are offered to members and other parishioners for people who are ill. They are embroidered with the words “The Daughters of the King are praying for you.”

Holy Faith is hosting a retreat titled: "Pray, Love, Remember"  led by Deborah Smith Douglas on Feb. 9. More info and registration forms can be found on the DRG Women's Blog.

Getting to Know-St. Agnes Chapter, Albuquerque

We start our overview of chapters across the Diocese of the Rio Grande with a look at the St. Agnes Chapter at the Cathedral.

The St. Agnes Chapter, Cathedral of St. John has been in existence since 1896. Back then most of the women at St. John's (Parish then, not Cathedral) were members both of the chapter and of the altar guild, which was their main ministry. Over the years, changes have taken place and there have been times when only 1 or 2 women remained active Daughters. Each time, a resurrgence has taken place and the chapter comes back to serve in new and different ways.
St. Agnes Chapter welcomed five new members in January 2012. The St. Brigid Jr. Chapter practiced prayer and service this year by making scarves, creating a prayer cross, and folding Pentecost doves. One girl was admitted as a new Jr. Daughter bringing the total to 6.
The chapter led interested Cathedral ladies in a series Exploring Prayer that looked at various types of prayer. We also coordinated the Lent 2012 Diocesan Women’s Retreat with Dean Mark Goodman as the speaker about the Spirituality of the Eucharist.  

Members are active in many diverse ministries at St. John’s, including as lectors, ushers, and members of the altar guild. The St. Agnes chapter served breakfast for the First Sunday Breakfast at St. John’s. We also welcomed members from various Albuquerque chapters to the third Annual Christmas Tea. The chapter sponsored a Fall Quiet Day for women of the Cathedral that focused on being women of prayer, led by Cynthia Davis. Both events were well received and had good attendance.

New officers were elected in May and will take office in August.
The Cathedral welcomed all Daughters of the DRG to the DOK Assembly in August of 2012. We meet the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10AM. If you are in Albuquerque, stop by the Cathedral and say 'hi'.

Be sure to check out the calendar page of the blog to see what's happening in the DOK world of the Diocese and Province, too.