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An Easter Message from Bishop Skilton
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It was very early on Easter morning; the place was Epiphany Church (now the Cathedral of the Dominican Episcopal Church), Santo Domingo. My ministry there was a full and exciting one as I was Vicar of the Dominican congregation, Vicar of the English congregation, and pastor of the Union Church of Santo Domingo, which is the English speaking non-Roman Catholic worshipping community in most of Latin America. With the approval of the Bishop, we alternated services and Easter had fallen to The Union Church, which meant Rite II with some less formal adaptations to the Liturgy. Our combined "worship Committee" had worked on the service.
We were vesting and who would appear, but the Rt. Rev. Telesforo Isaac, our Bishop. As he peered in the door he said, "Bill, I found of all things that my calendar was clear, so I thought I would join you, would that be ok?" Well, what Priest, even today, would not invite the Diocesan Bishop to join, so my answer was, of course, "yes" and he began to vest.
Well, as he was vesting he peeked in the church and it was dark. He said, "Bill, the lights need to be turned on". I said "Don't worry." Well, a few minutes later, he peered in again and with a voice of real concern walked over and said, "Bill, it is dark and there is nothing on the altar....and no flowers!" I replied, "Bishop, do not worry. They will get here."
Well, we processed out the Sacristy, up the length of the church, and as we went into the vestibule, we could tell that he was a bit upset/uneasy as it was dark and you could see that there were no decorations.
Eight a.m. arrived and as there was a tolling of a bell, the assembled choir "belted out" that powerful hymn (definitely not EPISCOPALIAN!)..."Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o'er his foes..." and members of the congregation appeared from the other side of the vestibule with the fair linen, candles, vessels...and, oh yes, the flowers and lilies....WOW! There was a deep smile and look of relief on the Bishop's face.
Holy week and Easter together provide the most dramatic point in the Christian year. Here is the most exciting transition from penitence to rejoicing, from fasting to feasting, from sorrow to triumph. As we prepared for that Easter, there was a feeling that we needed to present a dramatic contrast, a visible contrast! We are Easter people, we are Resurrection people, a people called to live out our lives differently than those around us. I speak of this as living "con Gusto" Spanish for "with flavor", "with taste".
Years ago, Robert Webber wrote a wonderful book on transforming worship titled "Worship is a Verb." I would like to suggest that we need to take the word "EASTER" and make it a verb. I am told I can't do that...for worship is both a noun and a verb and well Easter just isn't. Oh yes, I can! I must! We must! We must go forth into the world EASTERING. Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
+Bill
International and Province IV Chaplain
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New Wineskins Mission Conference
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Bishop Bill Skilton with some of the Daughters
of the King who attended the new Wineskins Missions
Conference in Asheville, NC, April 4 -7.
L-R: Lana Valenta, International Cross Chair; April Dobbs,
DOK Missionary to Uganda; Emily Thrasher, International Chair;
Bishop Skilton, International and Province IV Chaplain;
Pam Runyon, National President; Grace Sears, Advisor and past National President. |
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Daughters Helping Daughters
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We all know well how to serve each other within our parish and community. Now our Order needs your help. The computer equipment in the National Office is beginning to show signs of age, and the software we are using is definitely not 21st Century. We have begun an analysis of need and are now looking for consultants who can assist us in identifying software that will meet that need. This is a call for Daughters (or husbands of Daughters) who are familiar with the software available for a mid-sized non-profit business that can integrate membership, finances, and online interaction. If you think you might be able to assist the Order or know of some company that you would recommend, please contact either Susan Keith or Jen Mariano.
Susan Keith
National Junior Directress
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 Because the Royal Cross comes out 4 times a year, you might want to join our Mailing List to receive Cross+Links news monthly via e-mail. |
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Please be sure to use the most recent version of these forms:
for ordering brochures, crosses and all supplies from the National Office
use one for each prospective new member and submit with the Order Form above
use when transitioning from Chapter to Chapter to Daughter-at-Large or to report a member's Reinstatement, Resignation or Death
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| Make a Faith Statement |
Beginning with the upcoming dues cycle, annual dues for senior Daughters are $40 while annual dues for Junior Daughters remain $15. As such, the National Council has approved an increase in lifetime dues to $800 effective June 1, 2013. However, if paid prior to June 1st, lifetime dues are $700. As one council member said "In a way, it's a faith statement on one's longevity."
Although payment of dues through the Chapter is the primary way dues are received at the National Office, any Daughter may pay her annual or lifetime dues directly to the National Office through online payment by credit card. The online payment form can be found at the following link: http://www.doknational.com/dues_submission.html. If you would like to pay your lifetime dues with a check, please use the Dues Payment Form at the same link.
Annemarie Delgado
National Treasurer
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An Ounce of Prevention . . . How to avoid the Reinstatement Process
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At the 2012 Triennial a new Reinstatement bylaw was passed. This new bylaw provides a way for a Daughter who is not in good standing to get back in good standing. But what does "not in good standing" mean? When a Daughter has not paid her dues for two fiscal years (the fiscal year runs from Sept 1-Aug 31) she is dropped from the records at the National Office. For the purposes of the reinstatement bylaws, "not in good standing" means "dropped from the membership records." Yet keep in mind that a Daughter must be current in her dues in order to continue receiving The Royal Cross, serve as a delegate, or hold or stand for office.
The Reinstatement Bylaw (Article III Section 5A and B) states that "A Daughter who is not in good standing may be reinstated at a Service of Rededication following a period of renewal and study with the approval of her clergy and upon payment of dues for the current year and a nominal reinstatement fee, set by the National Council." Further, "A Daughter-at-Large may be reinstated in a similar manner with the approval of her diocesan assembly chaplain."
This new Reinstatement bylaw goes into effect September 1, 2013, the beginning of the new fiscal year. So after September 1st a Daughter who is not in good standing, which means she has not paid her dues in two fiscal years, must be reinstated according to the process outlined in the bylaw. The nominal reinstatement fee was approved at $5. The important thing is that all Daughters have an obligation to be current in their dues and if you need help paying them please ask. It is much better to prevent becoming "not in good standing" than to go through the cure of the reinstatement process. It just makes good cents.
Jen Mariano
Literature Chair
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Keeping Connected
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Cross Links is a great tool to keep every member of the Order who subscribes inspired and informed on a monthly basis. The National Office uses Constant Contact, a respected and trusted email newsletter service, to make sure Cross Links gets to those who want to receive it.
To make sure you never miss an issue of Cross Links, there are two important things to remember:
- Always keep your email address current. The National Office cannot do this for you. If you change your email address, open a past issue of Cross Links and click on the blue link at the bottom of the page to update your account. You will find options to change your email address, and once you do so a confirming message will be sent to your new address to activate the new address. It's helpful if you delete your old address too. That way we won't be wondering why your old address is undeliverable.
- We love it when you share Cross+Links with others in your Chapter or Diocese, but please make sure to use the "forward" link at the bottom of the newsletter and type in the names you are forwarding to individually. This takes a little more time on your part, but it protects you from being accidentally unsubscribed if the person you send your copy to decides to click on the 'unsubscribe' link.
Lastly, if you miss an issue of Cross Links and want to check on your subscription, visit www.doknational.com and subscribe to Cross Links. If you already have a subscription with your current email address you will not receive duplicate mailings. You can also add a second or new email address subscription here, but keep in mind you will need to respond to the confirmation email that will be sent to your email address to activate the new subscription.
Christine Budzowski
Online Media
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| Thank you for Subscribing! |
Greetings! Thank you for subscribing to receive communications and information about The Order of the Daughters of the KingŪ from the National Office. The email newsletter has been named Cross+Link.
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