Data privacy is a topic of concern for our members, our donors, and those we serve. Data privacy is a growing issue, not a vanishing one. You may have done the “I am not a robot” quiz boxes many times by now. Security questions are a way we protect our username. You may have signed…
Submitted by Mary Jane Mackenzie, sister of Carol and Aunt to Kylie Pictures attached include Carol Badger, aka Oma, her granddaughter Kylie, Kelly, chef at the Home and various residents. Kylie, the eight-year-old granddaughter of Carol Badger, a PA IOKDS member of the Lend A Hand Circle, Bethlehem, PA, approached Oma asking about volunteering at…
On February 12, 2021, as I watched the on-going Senate Impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump, our 45th President, play out, I could only think of contrast in leadership styles from Abraham Lincoln, 16th President, who was born on this day. Today, April 14, is the perfect day to reflect on the life…
For Whom the Bell Tolls by John Donne No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of…
Next to my house stands a large oak tree. Its branches spread out as they reach for the sky, as if in prayer to God. Many months ago, the leaves fell and winter blew in. Looking out of my bedroom skylight windows first thing each morning, I recently noticed three leaves clinging to a high…
An IOKDS core value is collaboration. Perhaps never before has collaboration been required more than it is now as we turn the calendar pages one full year on the coronavirus pandemic. We are all worn out from it and by it. But our other foundational values of compassionate caring and faith tug at our heartstrings…
Professor Ferdinand Porsche had a hypothetical choice: 1) Keep all of the products and facilities that Porsche had, and replace all of the Porsche staff; or 2) Keep all of the Porsche people, but replace all of the equipment. “Of course, I would choose people,” he replied. Our organization is fortunate to have two long-term…
I belong to the Lend A Hand Circle in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and I love to knit. The best way to combine my love for knitting and service for others resulted in me participating with my Circle in two projects where I donate items I knit. At the end of each year, the Circle collects knit…
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…
By Dianne Foglesong, Communications Director We call Middle School children “tweens” until they become High School teenagers. During this past pandemic year, many of us may feel like “in-betweeners.” Time has us waiting between what happened and what happens next. As an adult, you know your time and days are not a renewable resource, and…
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…