The Mary Magdalene chapter of the Daughters of the King, which normally meets at St. Paul Lake James (Morganton) has barely skipped a beat, even with the Coronavirus. This small group of women who have a heart for prayer, their community and each other have jumped right into moving their weekly Friday morning meetings to the Zoom format. Yes, their hearts beat fast in fear of having to learn online meetings strategies, and sometimes skip a beat when the internet connection is unstable, but their heartfelt prayers continue.
Women from three different congregations (St. Paul’s, Grace Episcopal Church, Linville United Methodist Church) contribute to the prayer list which covers concerns for health and wellbeing of individuals, families, congregations and community agencies, as well as far-flung institutions and worldwide historical and current events. Members commit to daily personal prayer. As a group, they share updates about concerns on the group’s prayer list, discuss readings that have informed their faith life, consider Saints from history, and pray together from the National Handbook of the Order of the Daughters of the King, the BCP, or a collection of “Celtic and Other Prayers” from the St. Helena Chapter of the Daughters of the King at Valle Crucis, NC. They also serve in their community through a local food pantry, and sustaining social connections by phone, email, and cards while maintaining social distancing.
The Mary Magdalene Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King chartered June 9, 2019. Newly installed members were Phyllis Kombol, Susan McAninch and Mary Phillips. The new chapter formed with the guidance of members JoAnne Stewart and LaVonne Mackey. Anita Quinley, Diocesan Assembly President of District IV Daughters of the King, and Judi Gustafson, Vice President, were on hand for the chartering and installation. Reverend Margaret Ashby, Rector at St Paul’s officiated.
For additional information about Daughters of the King https://www.doknational.org, or https://www.facebook.com/The-Order-of-the-Daughters-of-the-King-Inc232790893407744/ or about the Mary Magdalene chapter contact JoAnne Stewart joroses12@gmail.com.