The Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross is composed of women who have committed our lives to the work and service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray daily for our church, its clergy, the Order and others in need. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we reach out to those who do not know Jesus and share His message of salvation through word and deed. We equip ourselves with the powerful sword of truth as contained in the Holy Bible. We wear our cross (pictured below) as a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice and our need for Him to be in our daily lives and we become encouraged and strengthened in community with our sisters.

We welcome all Anglican women.  The Order provides a lay community in which you can fulfill a lifetime vow to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Order's four-fold vow consists of Prayer, Service, Study and Evangelism. We expect and assist each member to earnestly develop and practice each of these areas.

We invite the Holy Spirit to guide us and welcome you to be guided by that same Spirit as you determine if you are called to be part of the Order.

Our chapter at Bishop Seabury Anglican Church prayerfully selected the name, Seabury Sisters of the Great Shepherd (Heb 13:20) because during our three month discernment period in the fall of 2023, we realized God was forming us into a deeply committed group of loving sisters, led by the our Good and Great Shepherd.  

Bishop David Bena conducted our joyful Chapter Installation, November 10, 2023, assisted by our Rector and Chaplain Fr. Jay Cayangyang and our discernment mentor, Deacon Dawn Skramstad (pictured above).  From left to right, all wearing the the red, gold and white colors of our Order, are: Lauren Maxam, Sharon Primett, Rachael Finlayson, Jennifer Finlayson, Anna Finlayson, Jessie Primett, Bernadette Erie, Linda Rapson, Jerri MacMillian, Mary Beth Lee, Michelle Boyden, Natalie Gemaly, Jackie Bacon, April Head, Valerie Workman, and Nikki L’Hommedieu (attending via video).

Under the direction of our Chaplain, Daughters are committed to prayerfully discerning ministries to which God is calling us as a parish.  Some examples of ministries the Lord has laid on our hearts:

Spreading the Word

Bathing neighborhoods in prayer on Monthly Prayer Walks through our local Gales Ferry/Ledyard community.

Supporting life

Baby Shower for Anchor of Hope/CareNet Momma and child with continuing outreach to her and her family.

Serving

At parish events & community events.

Renewing ancient Prayer practices in our modern age

Handcrafting and sharing Anglican Prayer Beads (rosaries) and prayer aids.  

Promoting prayer & deeper involvement in Scripture and Christian life

Sponsoring studies open to all parishioners, Lenten Taizé Noonday prayer services, all night Maundy Thursday Prayer Vigil.

Shut-in ministry

Visiting, singing and praying with parishioners homebound or in nursing homes.

Outreach

Community Easter Egg Hunt spreading the good news of God’s love and of Jesus our resurrected Easter Lamb.  Over 200 attended this event in 2024!

Daughters’ Freewill Offerings support local & far flung ministries

Soup Kitchen, Food Bank, Anchor of Hope/CareNet and Safe Futures as well as international missions.