Outreach group remains loyal to church, Biblical calling
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Stand
Arliss Peer discusses her involvement with the Loyal Daughters, a ladies outreach group that has served the community and members of the First Christian Church of New Salem for 75 years.
Connie Collins looks over a scrapbook of the many memories of the Loyal Daughters, a ladies outreach group that has served the community and members of the First Christian Church of New Salem for 75 years.
Pam Howarth, current president of the Loyal Daughters, discusses the many outreach programs the 75-year-old organization are involved in.
On Oct. 2, 1940, the Loyal Daughters outreach group met for their first meeting at the First Christian Church of New Salem not only for fellowship, but to better the community around them.
Now, as the group has transcended through multiple generations and changing times, they are celebrating their 75th anniversary.
Former group president Judy Zeigler described the Loyal Daughters as “a group of Christian women supporting each other through Christian acts, prayer and praise.” She added that they apply those principles to those in need through financial contributions, prayers, dinners and donations.
“This group is built on loyalty to one another, loyalty to the Lord, and just being there to provide help when needed,” said current president, Pam Howarth.
“Though this location (on New Salem Road) is new, this church has been around for 110 years — 75 of which were supported with this group. We are the backbone of the church in many ways,” said Howarth.
The ladies involved in the group are of all ages and walks of life, many of whom are multi generational members. Several of the elders recall their mothers being involved, leading to their inevitable joining.
“I joined the group in 1976 when I would drive my mom, who didn’t have a driver’s license. It was only a matter of time before I joined the group,” Zeigler said. Several other ladies echoed her sentiments, adding that some of their own daughters are involved now. “I remember attending with some of the grandmothers of the ladies involved now.”
“Many of our mothers or grandmothers started this group, and their daughters followed the theme. We do it all with love,” said group member and former president, Arlis Peer.
Through their 75 years, change was inevitable and the group evolved, according to Zeigler.
“When we started, most of the women didn’t work outside of the home. This group was a very important event; we didn’t have a lot of other social activities outside the church,” Zeigler said, noting that the attendance would range anywhere from 50 to 60 members; it’s since dropped a bit to around 40 members. “Now, almost all of the women work outside the group while balancing families and homes.”
“We used to dress up in heels and hats. Now we’re in shorts and sun shoes,” Zeigler added with a laugh. “We’re still committed to God, our church and our sisters; we’ve just evolved over the years.”
Among their endeavors are financial and spiritual contributions to a number of outlets within, and outside, of the church. Peer said they help raise funds for a woman in the church who travels to Haiti every year for a mission trip. They also donate time and funds to an orphan mission group in Grundy, Virginia. The group has also financially supported students in Bible college. Howarth also noted that the group recently paid for the supplies and made new curtains for all of the dorm rooms at a local Christian camp.
“We also pack care packages for troops overseas, make homemade presents to take to folks in nursing homes and support mourning families with funeral dinners and prayers,” said Peer.
“There’s so much history in the group. I was exposed to a lot of culture that I otherwise wouldn’t have experienced,” Zeigler said, adding that one of the members is from Scotland, while another is from New York City. “There are so many wonderful stories and lessons there.”
As for the secret to the group’s longevity, Zeigler attributed it to the unique fellowship they offer to one another.
Peer also said it was their namesake as Loyal Daughters: loyalty to Jesus Christ, to the Bible, to the church and to each other.