Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that leadership has been the subject of choice throughout the past two decades. Leadership is taught in business schools, in universities and colleges, in the military, and in seminary. There have been more books, more inspirational speakers, and more time spent talking about it than ever before. And yet, in…
For some reason, T.V. commercials get my attention with their creativity. Take, for instance, the UPS store commercial telling about all the “ING” they do: copyING, boxING, packagING, deliverING…you get the picture. Well, it got me thinkING about IOKDS and all the “ING” members are doING: ministerING within their communities through Circle and individual work;…
“Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than doing something for others.” M.L.K. From it’s founding, The King’s Daughters and Sons has been open to and welcoming to ALL Christians regardless of race, creed, or political persuasion. The focus of this amazing organization was that of following Christ’s teachings that…
By Dianne Foglesong, Communications Director In 1976, during the commemoration of the United States bicentennial of the country’s founding, Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, called and celebrated January as Black History Month. Born to previously enslaved parents, Woodson grew up amidst poverty and oppression…
The birth of Christ shatters fear and infuses hope for all Christian believers. As the Christmas Carol lyrics suggest, we need to “repeat the sounding joy” throughout January days. With the power of intention for joy and hope, we are entering a phase in the pandemic that calls for continued responsible decisions and behavior by…
For all of us Christmas is a special time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. One of my favourite Christmas ornaments says Jesus is the reason for the season. It’s hard to remember that with the relentless retail pressures to buy, the constant news cycles and COVID worries. If Jesus walked among us today, what…
How many Christian nonprofit organizations are there in the USA? GuideStar.org offers a comprehensive list of nonprofit organizations and charities and lists 84,706 charities within the Christian religion category. One finds 135 listings for IOKDS Circles and Branches interspersed with listings for the International Order of Rainbow Girls and Watching Over Our Daughters & Sons…
Recently in an online church service, my minister gave a reflection based on the Parable of Bags of Gold. In the story a master (Jesus) goes on a journey and entrusts his possessions with three servants (we who follow Him). Two were good stewards doubling the value of gold they were given. One servant buried…
In this day of constant digital connectivity, I still enjoy receiving Christmas cards by snail mail. Every year I receive cards from a group of repeating friends, and every year I receive some unexpected cards as well. This year, I already received a card from a mystery “Sarah.” As I re-read the note in the…
The Covid pandemic has caused all of us to change our habits. With our Circle meetings, it is no different. In order to meet while keeping the required social distance rule, the Adanac Circle of Ottawa, Ontario held several outdoor meetings. But with the Canadian winter on its way, it was time for technology. First,…
In today’s mail, I received a wonderful and timely gift along with a letter, parts of which I will share excerpts with you now. A majority decision disbanded our Ministering Circle. This was prayerfully and sadly decided. We hope the New York Branch will send our remaining Circle balance of $200 for the Native American…
Lessons Learned from the September Virtual Leadership Retreat With the COVID pandemic, Boards and groups of all kinds began replacing in-person meetings with virtual Zoom meetings. Even a fledgling, bare-bones group can use it. All that is needed is an internet connection, audio from a computer speaker or smartphone, and a webcam integrated into your…
In March, the 2020 US Census Bureau released educational attainment data showing that 36.3% of American adults 25 years and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher. This fall nationwide in America, freshmen enrollment plummeted 16% for four-year colleges and 23% for community colleges. (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center) In October 2020, the Canadian government…
Mental Health America (MHA) is proud to recognize November as National Family Caregivers Month – a time to celebrate caregivers’ contributions, provide them with tools that they need, and continue to advocate for individuals with mental illness. There are over 60 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family, friends and neighbors, according to a…
For many of us, COVID will split our lives into two segments: before and after the pandemic. If we think about our lives before the pandemic, we feel a loss of varying magnitude from the heartbreaking loss of life to everyday normal routine loss. Fifteen years ago, I was a volunteer nurse at two different…