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A Personal Reflection: with my love to you
Carole Novian ([email protected])
Dear Daughters,
It’s Lent as I write this newsletter to you. I am thinking of so many Lenten phases in
my life of things to do, things to take up, things to give up. Over the past years, God
has always been there to guide my thoughts and feet even when I did not realize He
was with me. What can I share with you this Lent and Easter? My thoughts went
back to last week when I cleaned out my night table drawer. This is where I keep
my journals of sporadic writings from over the years. Glancing through some of the
steno pads and marble notebook, I was really in awe of how God just entered my
heart and mind as I wrote some of my fears, joys, and loving moments.
On Thursday, February 4, 1988, I wrote: “My dear Lord, Father Almighty,
Unconditional love, again, it’s hard to really believe so simply it exists with us and all of us if we would only let it.” (I
had so many feelings then of guilt and unworthiness.) “…Today, I spoke with my spiritual director. She understood
my conflict with ‘worthy’ and ‘feeling worthy.’ She spoke with me about Jesus going to his Father and saying, ‘Hey
Dad, Carole Novian has done_____’ or Jesus would ask his Father for forgiveness for his friends who are in need of
forgiveness also. God would say simply, ‘OK.’ We talked about a mother’s love for her children and how she does
for them and loves them even when others think she shouldn’t. Another example we talked about is when a couple
falls in love and wants to marry and the parents aren’t pleased with their choice of mate their child has choosen. If
they are smart parents, after their child asks for acceptance of mate, they may sigh and say ok because they love
their child. So many examples she shared with me to help me understand that God, our Father, loves me and all of
us regardless of our sins. All we need to do is turn it over to God, and just let him take my burden and let Jesus
intercede for me to save me from my self-inflected guilt. I am a child of God. I love God. God loves me, regardless!
The more often I remember Jesus’ love and God’s unconditional love for me, the more faith and trust will take over
the guilt. This is so simple, why do I make it so hard? I question myself, am I worthy to wear my Nana’s Daughter’s
cross? I want to wear it and yet I have that feeling of unworthiness. I need to r eflect on my meeting with my
spiritual director. Yes, I need to give my guilt away to God and finally know I am worthy! I write it, ‘I am worthy.’
Joy is starting to return to my life, thanks be to God!”
This Easter, I can’t wait to sing “Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.” We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live for ever. Alleluia! OR my favorite Hymn #645 – look it up and see if it’s a favorite of yours, also.
SPRING 2017
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 2 of 8
Movie Recommendation: The Shack
Carole Novian ([email protected])
Mackenzie ("Mack") Phillips suffered horrific abuse as a child at the hands of his drunken father. As an adult he has
a bountiful life with his wife, Nan, and their three children, Kate, Josh and their youngest daughter Missy. Mack's
life is shattered, however, when Missy disappears during a camping trip while he is saving Kate and Josh from a
canoeing accident. The police determine Missy is the victim of a serial killer after finding her torn dress and blood in
a vacant cabin. The tragedy shatters Mack's faith and life until he receives a mysterious telegram signed by "Papa"
(which is Nan's name for God) inviting him to come to the cabin. Reluctantly accepting, Mack travels there and is
overcome with rage and suicidal thoughts, until he meets a mysterious trio of strangers who seek to help him
understand, heal and forgive. In the book, Missy's kidnapper is caught. In the movie, he is not. There also is a
opening scene showing the father's horrid abuse of the family when Mack is a boy, thus giving us an idea of how
the story started.
Book Sharing: Celtic Prayers from Iona
Carole Novian ([email protected])
J Philip Newell and his wife, Ali, were co-wardens of the lay religious community of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland. There, Philip developed this book as an aid to daily prayer. Here is a sample of the weekly cycle of morning and evening prayers in the Celtic tradition, with gospel and psalm readings taken from the liturgical year. Each “day” reflects a concern of the Iona Community:
1) justice and peace 2) healing 3) the goodness of creation and care for the earth 4) commitment to Christ 5) communion of heaven and earth 6) welcome and hospitality
Louise Donaldson’s beautiful calligraphy sets a welcoming mood and contemplative pace to the prayers. Whether you pray from this book communally or in private, you are sure to be captured by the Celtic sense that God is present in creation, in the events of our lives and in our hearts. Monday JUSTICE AND PEACE INTERCESSIONS
O Christ of the poor and the yearning Kindle in my heart within A flame of love for my neighbor, For my foe, for my friend, For my kindred all. From the humblest think that lives To the Name that is highest of all Kindle in my heart within A flame of love. Pray for the coming day and for justice and peace
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 3 of 8
Words from the Evangelism Chair
Jonell Jones ([email protected])
During this Lenten Season, let us take time to pray, reflect and meditate
on the lives we live. Throughout the day, moments of quiet time may be
used to visit, sit quietly, and listen for words from our Lord. Oftentimes,
we remember behaviors we wish to change or do something different to
make the lives of others better and even our own. We make vows to give
up things that have taken priority in our lives. We know our focus, intent
or desires should and must be centered around and concentrated on our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Daily our charge is to “Die unto thyself …”
and “put on the full armor of God.” We are to be lights to the world that
glorify our heavenly Father.
As Daughters, with God’s help, may we endeavor to continue to lift high the cross and proclaim the love of Christ.
Declare his love in our walk of faith and be examples of repenting believers, by affirming to others and ourselves:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength; In all our ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths; Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you; Repent, then, and turn to
God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,…; and For by the blood
of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God that he lavished on us.”
(Scriptures taken from NIV and GNT)
Dear Daughters, may we prayerfully forge ahead towards the glorious day of Easter, when Christians everywhere
will rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In humble submission, your Evangelism Chair, Jonell.
Chaplain’s Corner
Rev. Charles Mercer ([email protected])
At my home church, The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Walbrook,
we are spending this Lenten Season exploring what it means to live authentically
and passionately, with Jesus as our guide. Rather than the always cool, calm, and
collected spiritual teacher that Jesus is often portrayed as, we will experience
Jesus as a passionate, direct, expressive, and deeply authentic provocateur, and
seek to embrace our own capacity for passion. The discussion and prayer service
will be held on Saturdays at 1:00 PM.
You are invited to join us for a moving discussion with the author, The Reverend
Peter Wallace, at a luncheon on Friday, March 24, 2017, at 12 NOON in the Great
Hall. RSVP to me or directly to the church at [email protected].
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 4 of 8
Province III Annual Retreat & Business Meeting
June 2-4, 2017, at the Bishop Claggett Conference & Retreat Center, Buckeystown, MD
This year’s Retreat seeks to lead you in the four corners of heart, soul, strength, and mind. We are pleased to welcome Fr. Scott Stoner from Living Compass as our Retreat Leader, and look forward to his caring approach to the “whole child of God,” where wellness is grounded in theology. On Saturday we also welcome Anna Courie, the author of Christ Walk: A 40-Day Spiritual Fitness Program. This June you will receive experiential training and leave equipped with tools for service and evangelism. Fr. Scott will lead with wellness and wholeness; our faith formation is a part of that. REGISTRATION: By now, you should have received the registration packet. It is also posted under the President’s Blog on our website at www.DOKMaryland.org. Registrations must be postmarked by May 1, 2017, or include a $25 late registration fee. We will have a few extra copies of the Registration at the Spring Assembly on Saturday, April 29. OUTREACH PROJECT – visit their sites for donation requests and bring to Claggett:
Jackson-Feild Home for Boys & Girls, Jarratt, Virginia: www.jacksonfeild.org Boys Home of Virginia, Covington, Virginia: www.boyshomeofva.org
WHAT ELSE TO BRING:
Casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes (maybe something RED for Pentecost Sunday!) DOK CONFERENCE/SOUVENIR BAGS you’d like to donate or trade with other Daughters YOUR OWN TRAVEL CUP, as well as extras you’d like to donate or trade with other Daughters YOUR PRAYER BOOKS/HYMNALS, if at all convenient (Claggett does have a supply) Your open mind and willing heart to fill your cup!
Preparing for the Retreat: What Has The Lord Had YOU Do?
Every year each Diocesan President is tasked with providing a written report to the Province which describes what her Chapters and Diocese have been doing over the last year. These are often interesting, inspiring, and informative reports, and always much appreciated. The only drawback is that their presentations at the Retreat can be time consuming and hard to gauge when it comes to scheduling. This year Carole had an idea for something new. We ask that each Diocese present a tri-fold display board with pictures and narratives demonstrating the good work of the Daughters. Each Diocese can design and prepare her tri-fold individually – there is no prescribed manner. Typically, these display boards are 22” by 14”, made of corrugated cardboard, and can be purchased for under $5 at most office supply and discount stores. We’d recommend providing perhaps a half-page of space for each Chapter, more or less depending the size of your Diocese. Or you can do a collage. You can fill it with photographs or art or cards. Whatever your heart desires! This will be a fun and fascinating way to share with everyone what a vibrant and busy Province we are! After the Retreat we will post pictures of the results of this project, as well as the actual reports, on our website, www.dokproviii.org, so get your creative juices flowing! Our “staff photographer,” Nancy Delatush, has offered to help put this board together for the Maryland Diocese. We plan to get this project underway during the Spring Assembly being hosted by the St. Thomas Chapter in Hancock on Saturday, April 29. Please bring your pictures to the Assembly, or email them to Nancy directly ([email protected]).
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 5 of 8
Daughter Ordained to Ministry
Nancy Delatush ([email protected])
Nancy Hennessey, a member of the InSpired Daughters of the King Chapter at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in
Frederick, was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 by the Right Reverend Eugene
Taylor Sutton, Bishop of Maryland. The ceremony took place at Sherwood Episcopal Church, Cockeysville, MD,
where Rev. Nancy now serves as Rector.
Rev. Nancy is very thankful to the DOK for the Masters Fund scholarships she received during her three years in
seminary (her first year at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA and her last two years at General
Theological Seminary, New York, NY). She also expressed thanks for the financial support received from her local
chapter, InSpired Daughters. With these monies she said she was able to purchased needed books and additional
resources for her sermon writing. In her words of thanksgiving for the DOK: “The generosity of the National DOK
and my beloved local group, the InSpired Daughters Chapter, eased my financial burdens considerably. I will always
be grateful.” (Note from Editor: This article should have run in the Fall edition; my apologies for the late notice.)
Junior Daughters in Action
Karla Davis ([email protected])
The Mavis Stapleford Chapter’s home church, St. John’s in Hagerstown, takes turns staffing the Reach Shelter of Washington County. They prepare the food the night before, and serve it on a Wednesday night. Here’s a great picture of the DOK (plus three husbands) and JDOKS serving dinner at the Shelter on Ash Wednesday in February. As a bonus they served ice cream sundaes . Fr. Todd came over and offered ashes to everyone after the meal.
Thank you for your service!
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 6 of 8
Trip to the Holy Land this November
Lesle Baroness ([email protected])
This is an invitation for all Daughters, family members, and others to join us on a trip to the Holy Land. My priest,
Meg Ingalls of Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Silver Spring, will be leading this pilgrimage to Egypt, Jordan, and
Israel from November 24 to December 5, 2017. The cost is $3,899 from Dulles. Meg is an excellent director; her
pilgrimages are fantastic. Please email Elizabeth ([email protected]) or me for fliers with more details.
“A journey to the Holy Land! We want to invite you on an unforgettable journey into the Holy Land which is filled
with ancient biblical history, culture and spiritual blessings. Visit the places that witnessed the events of such
decisive and enduring importance in the history of humanity. This journey will provide you a deeper understanding
of scriptures travelling through the lands of the bible. You will get a closer look at the life of Jesus Christ and His
mission of redemption. When you make this journey in the company of friends and others of like mind, you can
look forward to an unforgettable experience. Picture yourself sailing in a boat like the disciples on the Sea of
Galilee (“And Jesus said to them, follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17); floating in the
Dead Sea, seeing our Lord Jesus’ birth place in Bethlehem, walking the streets of Jerusalem, and having communion
at the empty tomb where Jesus rose from the dead (“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the
place where he lay.” Matthew 26:6). At the end of this tour two things will most certainly be changed: you, and
your understanding of the Bible.”
ITINERARY
Day 1: Dulles / Istanbul
Day 2: Cairo
Day 3: Cairo / Memphis / Sakkara / Pyramids &
Sphinx
Day 4: Cairo / Museum / St. Sergius / Old Cairo /
Amman
Day 5: Amman / Petra / Amman
Day 6: Amman / Mt. Nebo / Jordan River /
Tiberias
Day 7: Tiberius / Sea of Galilee / Bet Shean /
Tiberias
Day 8: Cana / Nazareth / Ceasarea / Jerusalem
Day 9: Jerusalem / Masada / Jericho
Day 10: Mt. of Olives / Passion Walk / Southern
Wall / Herodium / Solomon’s Pool /
Bethlehem
Day 11: Old City / Temple Mount / Via Dolorosa /
Garden Tomb
Day 12: Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / USA
“Our feet shall stand within thy gates, o Jerusalem.” Psalms 122:2
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 7 of 8
DOK Haitian Triennial Assembly- Port-au-Prince, November 2016
Linda Miller ([email protected])
While reading a recent issue of The Royal Cross, I felt God
tugging at my heart. Joyce Pipkin, our DOK liaison between
the U.S. and Haitian Daughters, had written an article about
Haiti’s upcoming triennial and was extending an invitation to
U.S. Daughters to attend. And so it was that on November 11
I headed to Haiti with two suitcases full of donated items.
Due to devastation from October’s Hurricane Matthew, the needs of the Haitian
people became even greater. Many Daughters of the King live in areas where
homes, schools, and fields of produce had been destroyed. Somehow, these
women still found a way to come to triennial to share in fellowship and prayer.
Three women traveled six hours in the back of an open pickup truck to reach
triennial.
During one portion of the meeting, a Daughter from each chapter spoke about how
they were living out their vows. I was amazed and inspired to hear how many
chapters met together every week. I heard how they pray together, visit the sick,
and give assistance to children whose families are having trouble supporting them.
Over the course of the two days of triennial, sharing Eucharist and fellowship
together, I felt a deepening connection to my Haitian sisters. I thank God for
allowing me the opportunity to attend triennial in Haiti.
L-R: Joyce Pipkin, DOK P-IV & DOK
Country Liaison to Haiti, Kyle Evans
(DOK P-III PA), and Linda Miller
(DOK P-III MD)
MD DOK Crossfire SPRING 2017, Page 8 of 8
RSVP NOW to join us at the ANNUAL MD-DOK SPRING ASSEMBLY:
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Hosted by the St. Thomas Chapter
St. Thomas Church, 2 East High Street, Hancock, MD 21750
301- 678-6569, www.stthomashancock.org
ACCESSIBILITY: There are six steps into the Parish Hall
9:30 AM Registration & Refreshments
10:00 AM Holy Eucharist & Installation in the Chapel
11:15 AM Presentation
12:15 PM Lunch: Provided by St. Thomas’s Chapter
1:00 PM Business: Trifold Display for 2017 Annual Retreat
RSVP by MONDAY, April 24
to Elizabeth Grove ([email protected])
We look forward to seeing YOU there!
Elizabeth Grove, Editor/President, MD DOK
5528 Rusk Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215-4133
DIRECTIONS: From Route 70, take Exit 3 onto MD-144, W/E Main Street toward Hancock. Go about a mile and a half and turn right onto N. Church Street. This ends at E. High Street – the church will be straight ahead.
NOTE: This CrossFire was sent via email on 03/17/2017.
If you have an email address, please save the Diocese
time and money by updating your contact information
by logging in at www.DOKNational.org. Thank you!
