On Sunday, December 11, 2022, The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (StJB, Sanbornville, NH.www.stjohntb.org) honored and celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Fr. Douglas MacDonald chapter of The Daughters of the King (DoK). Thirty years ago, five visionary women of St John -- Marjorie Walkden, Emily Pearce, Stella Leydon, Terry Kennington and Bridget Daniels -- signed St John’s charter DoK application on December 13, 1992.
“DoK is a very important and typically behind-the-scenes ministry to St John’s,” shared StJB’s Reverend Johanna (Jo) Barrett, “The Daughter’s have a deeper relationship to Christ through their life-long discipline of prayer, service and evangelism.” Pastor Jo emphasized, “By their example, The Daughters of the King help us all to meet a higher calling and to be the people we are called to be.”
Originally founded in NY as a bible study in 1885, The Order of the Daughters of the King is the sister organization of the Episcopal men’s group, The Brothers of Saint Andrews. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the DoK vision is “to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.” Globally, DoK has grown to more than 22,000 members today.
Since this chapter’s inception in 1992, DoK has remained a vibrant ministry to St John’s. The Daughters currently maintain the prayer list for the parish, do the bread ministry to welcome newcomers, send out Birthday and Anniversary cards to the congregation, and support StJB in many ways. One special project DoK spearheaded are the spectacular needle point alter kneelers at St John’s. On the fourth Sunday of the month, DoK Sunday, the Daughters gather for corporate communion at the Communion rail before the rest of the congregation.
“We are also really proud to be the ONLY DoK chapter active in the entire state of NH,” noted Jules Stackpole, StJB’s DoK President. The chapter’s current roster includes: Sue Andrews (DoK, at large), Joanne Bond, Carole Connors, Mary Cullinan, Melissa Cunliffe (newest initiate, 11/21), Kathryn Saunders, Jules Stackpole, Pam Tyler, and Sandy Thomas. “I know I can go to anyone of these women for just about anything and they would open their door to help,” concluded Stackpole.
StJB DoK long-term member, Mary Cullinan, enthusiastically added, “I love DoK because it’s a discipline of prayer and strong sisterhood of fellowship, compassion and understanding.”
We honor and thank YOU, St John’s Daughters of the King and wish you a Happy 30th Anniversary. Our church and greater community are far better off because of the DoK.
By Maureen Gillum, 12/12/22