GATHERING TOGETHER FHS

   Province VIII Spring Workshop 2023 

Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale AZ 

By Susan Bray Anderson

Overview: Successfully Inviting New Members to Join 

As Daughter’s of the King, we are called to prayer, service and evangelism. Some chapters are flourishing and others need a spiritual jolt for new members, new energy and a new place to start. The Phoebe Chapter in Prescott, AZ developed a plan more than three years ago that has been used successfully over and over again. Just prior to the pandemic, the chapter members were meeting one day and prayerfully looked for answers on how to create new interest in their chapter, to bring about growth, new activities, and new leaders. Their inspiration came from the Gospel story in John 20: 19-31 where Jesus visits His disciples after his resurrection. He said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Whether you think of it as “Come and See” or “Go and Tell,” Jesus has breathed on you with the Holy Spirit and it’s your place to share His message of good news with other women like yourself who may be called to be Daughter’s of the King. 

• STEP BY STEP: HOW TO PLAN YOUR INTRODUCTION EVENT

Pray first! Always. Pray as a group for guidance from the Holy Spirit about the direction your chapter should take regarding its future. 

Raise some awareness in your church about Daughter’s of the King. For example, in an email or a bulletin board poster say something like, "Are you interested in experiencing Daughters of the King?” 

Personally invite women. Don’t get up in front of your congregation and broadcast this invitation from the pulpit. For some reason, that generates poor results. Instead, make sure your announcement is simple yet appropriate for your church’s weekly email, pew bulletin, or announcement board. A flyer can serve as a mini poster and be sure it includes an engaging photo for the background and then add text boxes to highlight- who, what, when, where and your contact information. A sample flyer is included in this presentation. Your church administrator or local print shop may be helpful if you need computer design help. Personal emails and handwritten notes are also very thoughtful ways to reach out to potential daughters. 

Choose an appropriate date and time to have your ‘Come and See’ (or Go and Tell) event. It could be on Zoom. But even better would be an informal morning coffee, a luncheon or afternoon tea. Make it a celebration with simple but fun refreshments. The DOK website has a video called “A Closer Walk with God” from the DOK YouTube Channel. Plan to show the video not on a laptop but on a large screen that everyone can see. Get the technology in place before the event. 

Review materials available to you and have other speakers participating with you to do likewise. Practice the script on the following pages. Review the Frequently Asked Questions (found in the National Study Guide). 

Have a future date in mind to begin the discernment process. Meet together as a chapter to decide how to divide up the presentation parts (3-4 works well). Whether using the National Study Guide or discernment programs like the ones offered periodically by the Diocese of Los Angeles over Zoom. All chapter members can take part as a renewal of their vows to DOK and their presence gives the new candidates even more fellowship and guidance as they explore all that DOK is about. 

The beginning date (and subsequent dates) of your discernment study time should be announced at your event to further inspire commitments to participate. This will be a three-month, six session journey. See that everyone leaves your event with the dates on their calendars. 

A SUGGESTED SCRIPT FOR YOUR EVENT

Engage the officers in your chapter (if you have them) to each take part in speaking to your group of invited potential Daughters. Not only will the existing Daughters feel more a part of facilitating the event, but the potential Daughters will see, hear and enjoy the perspectives of other woman who have already chosen to become Daughters. 

Speaker One: Welcome everyone. Introduce the guests. Say—You don’t need to be Holy to join. You just need to be open to letting Jesus be a bigger part of your life. No special spiritual attributes are needed to become a Daughter of the King –only a sincere desire to draw nearer to God, and to help others do the same. 

We are a group of Christian women who adopt a Rule of Life based on the promises of our Baptismal Covenant: We are women who work to spread Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism or reaching out in love to others. Perhaps you are interested in experiencing more in your spiritual life. As a Daughter, “We” find The Order of the Daughters of the King®to be a safe place in a busy world where we can be together and support each other in Christ’s love as we impact the world through prayer and service. But you may ask how do we discern this deeper commitment and eventually become a daughter? So glad you asked! 

Speaker Two: …a three-month preparation and discernment period is required for membership in the Order. During this time, prospective members and any Daughter who might like to reinstate or rededicate themselves may participate in a period of concentrated study, prayer and service. 

At the conclusion, each one will know if God is calling you to make this commitment. As 

Prospective members you are encouraged to use this time for reflection and discernment. It should be an opportunity for growth and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and an awareness of how essential prayer and service are for the spread of His kingdom. (Refer to your pre-prepared flyer for “Discerning the Call” if you have one showing the dates you’ve chosen). 

Speaker Three: Through the three-month preparation period we hope prospective members prayerfully decide to become Daughters of the King and realize the importance of the commitment they are about to make. Most importantly, we hope it will develop and strengthen their relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As part of the preparation, each one develops her own flexible Rule of Life. Most Daughters find that the discipline of a Rule of Life fosters a deeper relationship with Christ. The commitment made through our vows often serves as a catalyst that draws us closer to the heart of God - transforming our lives and leading us into more dedicated prayer and service for the sake of the One whose cross we wear. 

FYI: a sterling silver cross available in Small or Large is one price $135 OR choose Rhodiumplated pewter is offered in one size only (Large) $67. After the first year our dues of $50 per year are paid in August 

Speaker Four: At the Service of Admission, a new Daughter receives the cross of The Order as a mark of her membership. Inscribed on it are these words, Magnanimiter Crucem Sustine,” meaning “With heart, mind and spirit uphold and bear the cross.” At your leisure, please visit our website www.doknational.org. - Invite everyone to sign in with their contact information on a sheet circulating through the group. 

Now would be a good time to share refreshments and show the video. But be sure to allow everyone to get their refreshment and be seated again to view the video. It’s inspiring and energetic. You don’t want anyone to miss seeing it! 

Keywords and phrases to put in your own vocabulary: 

*Being a member of DOK is just for you! 

*Encourage spiritual exploration with other Sisters in Christ 

*Relevant to today’s teachings in the Episcopal Church 

*Confidential and trusting. Is God calling you to a life prayer and service? 

*No fundraising allowed! 

*DOK is not a club but an order where we study and take vows 

*Did you know? Daughters are involved in all ministries—EFM, choir, education, stewardship, vestry, clergy, membership, worship, outreach, pastoral care, altar guild, ushers, security, LEM, readers, ushers etc. 

WHAT'S NEXT?  DOSCERNMENT PLANNING TIPS 

Pray, Pray, Pray, for the Candidates and presenters 

1.Follow up with everyone who attended the Come & See with correct contact information- name spelling, email, phone 

      2.Decide—Are we doing the Study sessions on Zoom or in person? Organize presenters for each study 1-12. 

3. Order Study Guide books from National, if using. The book “How to Live” by Judith Valente is on Benedictine Spirituality and serves as a study companion piece. 

4. Plan Service of Preparation for Membership with your Clergy. 

5. Do lesson plan For Parts 1-6 with all materials and all members sign up to take turns presenting Study’s 1-12.