Prov. 7 Assembly Registration

The Registration forms for Prov. 7 DOK Assembly 2013 (April 5-7) are now available. Please do prayerfully consider whether this is something you might want to attend. We as a Diocesan Assembly haven't, in the recent past, had much of a presence at Prov. assemblies and now is the time to change that. I'll be driving (April 4, returning April 7) and willingly taking passengers. If we get enough-we can van-pool or even get a bus!

Group rates at hotels near the church are listed on the registration. Most of them have to have your reservation before March 15 (one by the 8th!), so it's time to get those reservations made!

Below is the tentative agenda. You'll note that business is a very small part of the whole time. Most of it is worship and workshops to enrich our journey as Daughters of the King and Sisters in Christ. The theme is prayer, something we can all use more of.

Tentative Agenda
Friday – April 5, 2013
1:00 Prov. 7 Board Meeting
3:00 – 5:00 PM Registration (materials with local activities)
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Holy Eucharist, Rite I – with The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, Bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma
Renewal of Vows
Commemoration of the Dead

Saturday – April 6, 2013
8:00 AM Registration/ Continental Breakfast (provided)
9:00 –10:00 Business Meeting (Province VII)
10:15 - 11:45 Session I
12:00- 12:45 PM Lunch (provided)
1:00 – 2:30 Session II
2:45 – 4:45 Session III
5:15 Taize Service (healing and meditation)
6:30 Dinner (provided)

Sunday – April 7, 2013
Breakfast    On Your Own (hotel or other local options)
9:15 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I – All Souls’ Episcopal Church

Provincial News and Assembly

The Diocese of the Rio Grande is part of Province VII of the Episcopal Church. The Daughters of the King is also organized by province. Our Provincial President is Brenda Amos. The website for Province VII is worth visiting. You will find photos of the board retreat last September, the Prov. VII newsletter, interesting information about Daughters, and a calendar of events across the Province.

Diocesan Presidents from across the Province recently gathered on a conference call to learn about plans for the Provincial Google site to help with communication, and hear about newly released guides for Presidents and Chaplains. Also the new 2012 Handbook is available from the National DOK office!

An important part of any organization is the fellowship that comes from getting together. Province VII is large-extending from NM to LA and north to the Diocese of W Missouri. Few of us will have a chance to visit all over the Province-but we CAN come together for Assembly on April 5-7 in Oklahoma City. The Theme is "Feed My Sheep" with the focus on our Rule of Prayer.  Registration will be $75 and there are special rates at nearby hotels. You can check out times and schedules in this Save the Date announcement.

The business portion of the Assembly is a very small part of the entire time. Most of the event will involve breakout sessions by various speakers (including Diocese of the Rio Grande President Cindy Davis). This is a model we hope to emulate in the diocesan assembly this year (August 2-3).

Attending Provincial Assembly is a rewarding experience, as those who have attended in the past can attest. The registration forms for the Province VII Assembly will be posted to the Provincial website in the near future. Also, if we have enough interest, we will investigate the idea of a bus or van-pool to Oklahoma. (It would probably be about $100/person to rent a full sized van.)

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.