October 14, 2020

Dear Sisters-in-Christ,

Ever have a function or meeting that seemed to stretch your endurance and mess with your schedule and life?  Last week for four days the Province IV Fall Assembly was conducted from 10:00 – 1:00 and reconvened at 2:00 – sometimes after 5:00.  Thankfully we were able to get up as we needed, to move around, simply shutting down the camera on the computer without leaving the proceedings.  At one time there were as many as 149 of us linked together via the Zoom meeting on our computers.  Province IV represents 46% of the members of The Daughters of the King in the U.S.   I say this just to let you know it was no picnic or easy commitment, YET when we had completed and adjourned, I was sad and felt like crying because I have missed being with this dedicated group of Daughters.  It was just as sad saying goodbye to everyone as if we had been together in person with family.  It was a taste of the joy of fellowship we experience when we gather with other Daughters of the King committed to our mission of prayer, service and evangelism.  There were other Daughters from our Assembly that registered and participated and I thank each of you for being there, I’ve missed your smiling faces!  Thank all of you for allowing me to represent our Assembly as your president.

All that being said, let me tell you it was worth it!!  From the call to order by Jane Searcy, Province IV President, to the meditations and worship with Bishop Skilton, and the keynote speaker Rev. Michael Sullivan, President of the Board of Directors at Kanuga, it was worth it.  Since we were unable to gather together at Kanuga as usual, many people had scenes around Kanuga as the backdrops to their camera picture. It was the next best thing to being there…

 The entire proceedings were recorded so check it out on the Province IV website.  The three talks by Rev. Michael would make great viewing at any of your chapter meetings. One of the workshops on mandalas was presented by Nancy Rodriguez, St. Thomas Episcopal Church.   

During the final business meeting, our own Kathy House from St. John’s, Florence was elected incoming President for Province IV and Rev. Janet Echols, St. Matthew’s, Ft. Mott was elected DAL Representative to the next Triennial.

On September 19 our own Assembly held our annual Fall Assembly meeting via Zoom.  I was pleased to see there were more registered to attend via Zoom than have been to our Fall Assembly in the last years in person, in as much there was no travel involved and you could attend in your PJ’s if you so choose.  Our thanks to our speaker, Rev. Sandi Kerner, Chaplain, St. Christopher prayer Center for inspiring us following morning prayer worship with Rev. Janet Echols.  Officers for the next triennium elected during the business meeting were:  Kester Heaton, President, Sparkie Sparks, 1st Vice President, Dawn Lee Schaeperkoetter, 2nd Vice President and Bonnie Knight, Treasurer.  These officers will be installed at the Fall Assembly 2021 following the Triennial next summer in Baltimore.  At the present time it is not decided if the Triennial will be held in person or virtual, information to follow ASAP.

It was my joy several weeks ago to present their crosses to five precious, new Jr. Daughters at Old St. Andrew’s Church in Charleston. The Sr. chapter at Old St. Andrew’s had earlier during COVID-19 isolation installed five new senior Daughters.  It is such a pleasure to share in the health and growth of The Daughters of the King in our S.C. Assembly.  If your chapter is planning an installation please let us know so that we may celebrate with you! 

I pray that all of you and your families, and church families are staying safe and practicing good safety measures during this time of uncertainty.  Updated information for our calendar of events will be made available as soon as locations and dates for our Regional meetings has been confirmed.

Lord, bless the precious sister that is reading this.  Guide, protect and bless her so that she may continue to serve you and become all you would have her to be in Christ.

Blessings and FHS,

Mary

Mary Rife-Boynton, President

SC Assembly of The Daughters of the King