International Daughters

The International Order | Membership | Daughters Traveling Abroad   | How to form an International Chapter | Brazil | Haiti | Honduras | India | Israel | Malawi |Trinidad and Tobago| Members of International Committee | Country Coordinators |

The International Order of the Daughters of the King®

Currently, there are over 3,000 members outside of the U.S. Chapters. They are in Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Kenya, Malawi, Panama, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda and the Virgin Islands.

International Membership

In countries other than the United States, International chapters may be formed in autonomous churches of the Anglican Communion, t he Roman Catholic Church, or churches in communion with the Episcopal Church. International chapters may initially adapt the current English handbook for their use, but when enough chapters have been organized to form a diocesan or national assembly, they may develop their own handbook and bylaws patterned after those of The Order of the Daughters of the King®, and adapted to the discipline and forms of their own church.  Annual membership dues and contributions to the Funds are not required but the chapter and/or its members are encouraged to subscribe to The Royal Cross. The National Office maintains a separate list of International chapters and national assemblies.

International chapters are required to submit an annual report to the National Office of the Order (including a list of the officers and members of the chapters) until they are able to form a diocesan or national organization. Then annual reports will be submitted directly to the International chapter's diocesan or national organization and a summary report sent to the U.S. office at least every three years.

International Assemblies are strongly encouraged to maintain a close relationship with The Order of the Daughters of the King®, to send representatives to the national meetings of the Order, and invite DOK representatives from other countries to their national assemblies. They are welcome to participate in all activities and will have voice but no vote (Art. IV, Sec. 1, Para. D, Subpara. 5). They may also participate in International Sisterhood discussions where they can share their ideas, joys and challenges with one another.

Daughters Traveling Abroad

Daughters traveling to another country from the U.S. as short-term missionaries or for other reasons are requested to contact the National Office well ahead of departure. It often happens that the Office or International Chair is looking for someone to hand carry crosses, handbooks or other materials to a responsible person in that country.

If a Daughter expects to visit churches in an area where the Order is not established, she may also obtain brochures, or even an International charter kit, 2 study guides and 2 handbooks to give to anyone who has a serious interest in the Order. Again, allow plenty of lead time. Please let the National Office and International Chair know to whom the charter kits have been given upon your return.

The National Office staff should be notified of changes within an overseas chapter or assembly. Please keep the office informed.

How to form an International Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King®

• Obtain the approval of the Bishop and clergy in charge of the church or parish.
• Bring together three or more baptized women communicants interested in becoming a Daughter of the King.
• If not assembled, contact the National Office of The Order of the Daughters of the King® to request an International Charter Kit. The Kit contains the necessary forms and publications. (The National Office will notify the National President, the Regional/ Country Coordinator and the International Chair, who will assist as needed). If assembled, contact the Diocesan Assembly President or National President to request the Charter Kit used in your country.
• If necessary, ask the National Office for guidance in translation of materials.
• Identify a local leader to coordinate the study sessions. The clergy in charge or his/her designee may need to assist with facilitating these sessions.
• Hold the “Service for Beginning Preparation for Membership” found in the National Handbook and National Study Guide.
• If possible, provide a copy of the National Handbook and the National Study Guide for each woman. If this is not possible, a copy of the National Study Guide and National Handbook should be available for review by the study participants and maintained by the local leader. The National Handbook is available from the National Office and the National Study Guide can be downloaded from the National website.
• The new chapter may request a Prayer Partner. The International Prayer Partner Chair can match the new chapter with a U.S. Chapter that will pray for them and may donate the cost of the crosses through the International Cross Fund. Ask the National Office or Regional/Country Coordinator for help in contacting the International Prayer Partner Chair.
• Meet regularly to complete the National Study Guide in order to learn about the Order and prepare for admission. A three-month period of discernment, discovery, and preparation is required for membership in the Order.
• Determine a date for the Institution of the Chapter and the Admission of New Members, after consultation with the clergy and the Regional/Country Coordinator or the International Chair. If this is the first chapter formed in the country, the International Chair, or her designated representative, will present the new members, the officers to be installed, and the Charter to the presiding clergy. (Usually members of the first chapter can be trainers and/or presenters when the next chapter forms)
• Choose a name for the chapter and select chapter officers. Prepare a list of participants who have completed the study and obtain written verification of this list from the clergy in charge.
• Submit the completed "Application for an International Charter" to the National Office (if not assembled) or to the Diocesan Assembly President  at least two months prior to the scheduled institution date. There is an International Cross Fund maintained by the National Office that may be available to assist with the cost of crosses; contact the National Office or Regional/Country Coordinator for information on this fund. NOTE: Some countries have arranged for local vendors to produce their crosses; this should be approved by the National President.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Brazil

The National Triennial Assembly for The Order of the Daughters of the King® in Brazil took place Oct. 21-24, 2010 in Pelotas, estate of Rio Grande do Sul, in the very south of Brazil... During the four days of the Assembly, the women participated in devotions, Bible studies, environment studies, and administrative activities. They chose 2 mission programs to receive their Self-Negation (or Self-Denial) Fund money: St. Luke Chapter in Canoas for their work with poor children, and Christ the King chapter in Porto Alegre to help with the publication of a service book for funerals to be used by both Episcopalians and non-Episcopalians.

Daughters in a moment of prayer

Altar of the Cathedral of the Redeemer, Pelotas

The new National Coordenadory (National Council) is pictured with names below

The new National Coordenadory = Suely Leite Cocchiararo, Helena Gastal Ramos (the new president), Olga Cecília

Glória, Maria Helena Gastal and Vanda Dutra Fernandes.

Closing Eucharist

  Click here for List of chapters in Brazil®

Haiti

The 1st Assembly of L'Ordre des Filles du Roi (The Order of the Daughters of the King®) in the Diocese of Haiti was held on November 13-14, 2010 at the Paroisse Ascension (Church of the Ascension) in Carrefour, Haiti (just outside of Port-au-Prince).

Many thanks go out to all those who contributed in many ways to make this dream a reality for the women of Haiti. Judith Joseph, now Diocesan President, and Kebnire Bernard, now Diocesan Vice President, applied their strong leadership skills even before they were elected, independently organizing the food preparation and hospitality for the large group of visiting ladies in the welcoming Haitian tradition. Over 200 ladies from all over Haiti were in attendance over that weekend, together with a team of 8 ladies from the U.S. Diocesan officers were elected and there are now 6 adult chapters and 2 junior chapters throughout Haiti with 186 members and over 10 study groups in formation. Mdme. Duracin (wife of Bishop Duracin of Haiti) attended the very special Eucharist Service on Sunday, November 14th where over 400 were in attendance - she addressed the congregation giving thanks for the Filles du Roi and assisted us with the Admission of 64 new daughters. God has richly blessed Haiti with these inspiring women, and in the midst of their many losses, hardships and sorrow, the true joy of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit was clearly present throughout our special time together with them during this memorable event. "Kenbe Fem" (Stand Firm!)..."Bondye Bon" (God is good!)

Ladies in attendance from the U.S. and pictured in above Photo:
Elaine Chen - Martha and Mary Chapter - Hendersonville, NC Julia Sherman - Nativity Daughters - Brooklyn, NY Kathy Peironnet - Daughter in Preparation - Gladstone, MO Mdme Duracin, wife of Bishop Duracin of Haiti Joyce Pipkin, Daughters of Mary Chapter - Columbia, SC Jan Lewis, St. Monnica Chapter - Pueblo, CO Kyle Laws, St. Monnica Chapter - Pueblo, CO Linda Robinson, Christ Church Chapter - Lexington, KY, and Gail Moulton from the St. Clare Chapter - St. Francis EC in Macon, GA

Honduras

While in Siguatepeque, Honduras, Sr and Jr DOK's from Province IX, VII, and III shared a meal, DOK information and God's joy. L-R front row: The Rev'da Maria Consuelo de Cartegena, Andrea Sanchez, The Rev'da Connie Sanchez, Celia Cartegena, Lana Valenta, and Chesley Vohden. L-R back row: Susan McLendon, Karan Candy and Vicki Nix.

Members of the Church of St. John's-Pottsboro TX made stuffed dolls and caterpillars which were taken by a recent mission team to Siguatepeque, Honduras, and given to DOK chapters in Tegucigalpa and Villanueva. Presenting the hand-made items was Lowry Perry, missioner from San John's, and given to the Rev'da's Maria Consuelo de Cartegena and Connie Sanchez.

The Rev. Connie Sanchez and her mother, The Rev. Maria Consuelo, are doing a mighty work in the Tegucigalpa by sharing God's call to prayer, service and evangelism in Honduras!

Honduras Juniors and Seniors

Revdas Maria & Connie, new Jr chapter

Revda Connie Sanchez installing a new Daughter

Senior chapter in Tegucigalpa at Revda Connie Sanchez' Church Christo Redentor

India

The first DOK chapter in India has been instituted (see ladies below)! A Daughter from Western NC, Shawnee Irwin, traveled to Durgapur, India at the end of January. 2010 to begin the study with ten women there. The Rev. Janet Echols, a DOK and teacher in Pune, India, also traveled across the country to assist with the formation of the new chapter.

We praise God that this chapter was instituted on November 25, 2010!

Women of Faith Chapter with Bishop Dutta at St. Michaels Church in Durgapur, India

(L to R) The Rev. Swagata Das, Archana Dey, Rita Dutta, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta, Lorraine Kobiraj, Supra Sirha, Nita Pyne, Sangita Lippirt

Please keep this new chapter in your prayers.

Durgapur Daughters in Training: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 Shawnee Irwin is in the back on the left, next to the priest, and Rev. Janet Echols is on the right.

Rev. Swagata Das

Rickshaw

Daughters in Preparation at the Altar - February. 2010

Israel

 

 

The Rev. David Pileggi, Rector of Christ Church, Jerusalem, instituted the first chapter of the Order of the Daughters of King® in Israel on September 11, 2011. Representatives from the USA and Italy were in attendance to present the charter and admit the new Daughters of the King. Daughters take a vow to pray and serve daily and witness to others of Jesus, the Messiah, in such a way that others are drawn to follow Him. The Order dates back to 1885 in America, and now are in 14 other countries, with a world-wide membership of more than 25,000 women and girls.

The Order is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion. Christ Church is the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East, dating to 1843, and this is the first Daughters of the King chapter to be instituted in any church in the Middle East.

Malawi

The Triennial Assembly in Malawi celebrated their 12th anniversary in July 2012 with 350 ladies attending their retreat! The picture is of Alice Mtenje, who served as President for 6 years, passing on the cross plaque which symbolizes the Presidency, to the new President, Irene Chirwa.

Trinidad and Tobago

DOK Homework Center which was started by the St. Matthias Chapter in Trinidad and Tobago in order to provide a place for unsupervised children to do their homework. The Homework Center is open Mon. - Thurs. during the school year, and the Daughters provide a snack for the children as well as help with their homework. Great ministry!

Members of the International Committee

• International Chair - Emily Thrasher emilythrasher@doknational.org
• Prayer Partner Chair - Marge Rogers marjorierogers@doknational.org
• Prayer Partner Co-Chair (Spanish speaking countries) - Vivian Young vivianyoung@doknational.org
• Translations Coordinator - Vivian Young vivianyoung@doknational.org
• International Cross Chair - Lana Valenta lvalenta@me.com

Please contact Vivian Young if you are a native speaker of another language and would be willing to help translate some of our materials. We need French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Kiswahili, & Bengali translators at the moment!

Regional and Country Coordinators

Please contact these members of our International Committee for information regarding chapter formation in different parts of the world.

 

Canada	Carolyn Booker
Dominican Republic	Virginia Norman
Europe	Rosemarie Valentine
Haiti	Joyce Pipkin
Honduras	The Rev Connie Sanchez
India	Shawnee Irwin
Israel	Catherine Howanstine
Kenya	Rev Lyda Kamau
Malawi	Ireen Chirwa
Trinidad & Tobago	Stella Thomas
Uganda	April Dobbs
United Kingdom	Joan Dalrymple

 

Thank you to those who have agreed to serve as Coordinators!

Supporting the International Ministry

Many, many thanks to all of you who have recently contacted us about becoming prayer partners, or providing financial support for the international program. Your prayers and gifts are vital to our growing international ministry. As mentioned above, you can now contact Marge Rogers to become a prayer partner, and you can continue to contact the National Office if you would like to make a gift of any amount. God bless you for blessing our Order internationally and for reflecting Christ’s light to the world.

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that He may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for Epiphany, The Book of Common Prayer