On October 26, 2024, more than 60 members of the Order of the Daughters of the King® (DOK) in the Diocese of West Tennessee gathered at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown for their fall assembly. The event, co-hosted by the St. George Chapter of St. George’s and the St. Mary of Magdala Chapter of St. Andrew’s, Collierville, was a day filled with worship, learning, and shared fellowship.
The Order of the Daughters of the King is an international community of women in The Episcopal Church, as well as other Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic traditions, who have taken vows of prayer, service, and evangelism. Members, known as Daughters, commit to strengthening their faith lives through intercessory prayer, spiritual formation, and active ministry within their parishes and communities.
The Rev. Dr. Dorothy White, Interim Rector at St. George’s, joined chapter presidents Erika Ewen (St. George’s) and Lisa Bailey (St. Andrew’s) in welcoming attendees. The keynote speaker for the gathering was Nadine Craig, Diocesan President of Central Florida DOK and a newly-elected member of the Order’s National Council.
A Call to Growth and Connection
In her presentation, Craig spoke about ways to grow the Order, using demographic data to highlight trends in membership. She also discussed how communication preferences vary across generations, underscoring the importance of adapting outreach methods to connect with potential new members.
The talk was well received, sparking meaningful discussions among attendees. Reflecting on the event, Lynda Deacon, President of the Joy Chapter at Calvary Episcopal Church (Memphis) remarked, “It was a beautiful fall day for gathering in the welcoming spaces. The guest speaker offered a well-thought-out, professionally delivered, and useful presentation.”
For some, Craig’s words were a catalyst for new ideas. Debbie Nelson, President of the St. Faith Chapter at Church of the Holy Communion (Memphis), shared, “We left the Fall Assembly motivated and ready to refresh our approach to DOK meetings—moving beyond business discussions to focus more on prayer, deepening our spirituality, and faith-based dialogue. We’ve even revised our chapter’s description on our church website to emphasize inclusivity for women of all ages. Inspired by the speaker, we plan to explore forming a Junior Daughters of the King chapter at St. Mary’s Episcopal School.”
For newer members, the event was an opportunity to feel connected. A recently admitted Daughter from the St. Mary-St. Martha Chapter at St. Philip’s (Bartlett) told Betty Albert, her chapter president, that she “was thrilled to make new friends and experience the diversity of our assembly. The connections she made were her favorite part of the day.”
Workshops: Postulant Training & Kindness in Action
The assembly included two workshops designed to strengthen both the formation process and the spirit of service within the Order.
Postulant Training Workshop
Led by Ann Andrews of the St. Faith Chapter, this session explored different approaches to training postulants—the women preparing for admission into the Order. Participants from various chapters shared their methods, highlighting best practices such as one-on-one mentorship, group study sessions, and structured sponsorship programs. Across the board, attendees agreed that in-person training remains the most effective approach.
Kindness Workshop
The second workshop, led by Beth Pharr, Lisa Carter, and Sarah Walne of St. Andrew’s, focused on the power of kindness in daily life. Through moving stories and interactive discussions, participants reflected on how small acts of kindness can make a profound impact.
Attendees received a list of over 30 kindness opportunities, a “Kindness Log”, and a seashell pocket reminder to carry forward the message of the workshop. Inspired by the discussion, some created bookmarks and cards with encouraging Bible verses to send to friends and loved ones.
Sarah Walne closed the session with a prayer, reminding all that “there is no better time than the present to be God’s light in the world through kindness.”
Worship & Recognition
Following a time of fellowship over lunch, the Rev. Paul McLain, DOK Diocesan Chaplain, led the assembly in worship. During the service, several leaders were recognized for their contributions to the Order, including Dana Sue Percer, former Diocesan President; Anne Boykin, former Province IV Membership Chair; and Rebecca Chappelle, former Diocesan Secretary. Each received a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Bishop Phoebe Roaf and Rev. McLain, in recognition of their service. The day concluded with a contemplative meditation led by the Rev. Mimsy Jones, guiding the assembly in reflection on the question, “Lord, who would You have us be as members of our West Tennessee Assembly?”
Looking Ahead
The Fall Assembly left attendees motivated to carry forward the Order’s mission of prayer, service, and evangelism. As the Daughters of the King in West Tennessee continue their work, they do so with renewed purpose—strengthening bonds of sisterhood, deepening their faith, and embracing the call to serve. The Fall 2025 Assembly will take place on October 18, 2025 at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown.
