My Dear California Daughters:
For two years, we have been living under the scriptures:
Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. 1 Peter 4:10 and
Let us think of ways to encourage one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24
Never at any moment had your State Regent even entertained the idea that both would have been called into play as they have been these past weeks… our weeks in living with COVID-19. Several days into our State Conference in March, we were called upon to distance ourselves from each other. We put space between our chairs, avoided hugs, and implemented the “California bump.” Then, within a week of Conference, we were instructed to “shelter in place,” avoid all meetings that had people in physical social contact. Schools and businesses were closed. Some employees were able to shift work to home, many were furloughed, and too many were laid off. We confined our travel to necessary errands. And, California Daughters got to work!
Many of you were already in the business of “serving others” and continued your work on the front-lines and in the essential positions to sustain life and fight the coronavirus. Others, though, began asking, “What can we do? How can we help?” In other words, “How can we use our God-given gifts to support, to serve others?” “What can we do to encourage each other to love one another and support good works?”
The first need was for protective face masks for the essential and front-line workers… then for the vulnerable… then for the rest of us. Daughters began sewing and continue to do so and have added theirs to the thousands made by Daughters country-wide. Other acts of kindness emerged. Groceries were delivered to neighbors; letters were written, phone calls made to encourage others. Humor has been shared to lift spirits. You are using your gifts, you are encouraging others. You are living out the demand of the scriptures… and making a tremendous difference through your service to God, Home, and Country.
All of this has been encouraging, but not being able to move forward with the expectations, the plans for the last two months of this administration and a smooth transition into the next has had an impact, too. Chapters and districts have had to learn to use technology in ways not common before to conduct business. But, new boards are being elected, meetings held, awards presented, and “social” events held, all done remotely. However, many of the traditions and ceremonies are being postponed or minimized.
Susan Broderick, State Regent-elect, is preparing a webinar presentation to share her plans, projects, theme, and symbol. Her new executive officers-elect are sharing their ideas and expectations through a blog format. Watch for an Announcement within the next several days from Mrs. Broderick with details for both the webinar and the informational blogs.
We still wait to hear from our President General regarding Continental Congress 2020, which will also determine the fate of our CA Congressional Tea. We wait to hear from the San Diego Mission de Alcalá and Debbie Duay. And, though guidelines from our state and county elected officials could halt everything, we are still planning for the Backyard Barbecue at our Headquarters in Glendora, June 6th.
In these days of uncertainty, when so little is within my control, to maintain a positive attitude, focused on what is right and good, I have had to turn my attention to another scripture. Please join me in Philippians 4:6: Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Much love and appreciation,
Adele Lancaster
State Regent
