Service/Outreach | King David Priory

SERVICE AND OUTREACH

A goal of the King David Priory is for members who are located regionally, to gather together for fellowship when possible. This strengthens the bonds of sister and brotherhood among Priory members and also provides an opportunity to plan service or outreach projects. Our priority for these projects, aside from benefiting the local community, is to share our faith and our love for Christ. Our works are done in service to God with our sincere intentions of glorifying Him. Cordis Ad Deum.

September 2024

Grand Prior Derek Nordio's annual service project was to help his local church, where he, and wife Renee', attend. He reports, "It was in great need of grounds work. I started with a sprinkler system to water grass and plants and set up a sprinkler control.

I had to work the ground to prepare for new flowers and running more water lines so I could use soaker hoses. I slowly worked my way down the main side of the building around to the front area of the church. Clean-up also included trimming overgrown bushes and a lot of weeding."

BEFORE

SPRINKLER SYSTEM SET UP

SPRINKLER SYSTEM SET UP

FLOWER PLANTINGS

BARK ADDED

AFTER

"Due to the water system, the grass is now green and growing. I finished up the side areas of the entrance with fresh bark and flowers. Although the pictures show improvement, I had intended to do a lot more, but my bicep injury and surgery in August has now moved all those plans forward until Spring 2025. I had to work the ground to prepare for new flowers and running more water lines so I could use soaker hoses. I slowly worked my way down the main side of the building around to the front area of the church. Clean-up also included trimming overgrown bushes and a lot of weeding."

September 2024

Prior Renee Nordio's service project was limited. She reported, “Due to a back condition, I am unable to stand longer than thirty minutes at a time, which greatly limits my physical strength and abilities, so I pace myself and accept that I’m unable to do all that Iused to be able to do and am happy for what I can do.

I live in a small town (800 pop.) and we have a community Facebook group that serves to share resident and city events and happenings. Along with three others, I serve as an admin for the group. Having lived here for over 40 years, I feel confident in my knowledge of our town and the area to offer varying levels of guidance or info to newcomers to town and assist in the dissemination of city news.

Being self-employed and working from home, I’m able to be active on Facebook and that has helped me to help my community. I’d like to share two examples. First, during the third week of September, our water system had a failure that required a boil water advisory. Our city clerk posted the info in the town’s Facebook group. I personally know many people, including elderly folks, who aren’t on Facebook, so I spent an afternoon calling those folks to let them know of the situation. Every person was thankful I called. Once the issue was resolved, I called them all back to let them know.

Secondly, right after Labor Day, a young mother had created a post saying that, due to a hard frost we had, their garden hadn’t produced any zucchini they had planted and she was wondering if anyone had any excess zucchini they would share. Although I didn’t know her, I contacted her and was excited to share some of the abundance that our garden produced. She was so thankful, explaining her three young daughters love zucchini bread. Along with zucchini, I shared green beans and cherry tomatoes.”

September 2023

Grand Prior Derek Nordio spent several hours repairing an alleyway behind his home. Although Derek and Reneé don’t use the alleyway for access to their home, it is the only parking access for the homes that back up to it. Sadly, the city doesn’t maintain the alley that is very steep, or make repairs to the alley, nor does the city even plow the snow from the alley in winter. So, in addition to making repairs to the alley, Derek also plows the snow from that alley each winter so the residents can access their homes.

Every year, the alley ends up with ruts and in bad shape, so with the purchase of 1500# of gravel and a lot of shoveling and raking, the alley is now in good repair and ready for winter.

Derek met one of the homeowners, Jake, who had just bought his home a month ago, and he asked him about the Templars when he saw me working in the alley and seeing my truck’s personalized license plate, “TEMPLAR”. I was able to enjoy a nice conversation with him and share with him a brochure and business card about OMSDT.

July 2022

Unfortunately, COVID restricted many opportunities for outreach and service for a few years. But, the King David Priory realized something many people don't; that food pantries frequently have empty shelves during the summer months and struggle with providing food to needy families and senior citizens. Donations to local food pantries are generally made around religious holidays; Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are some organizations that have food drives only in the Fall season.

Christians love helping people and doing what they can regarding charitable works. This is a two-fold act for them, in that it helps those in need and brings glory to God when we act in His name. Therefore, in July 2022, the members of the King David Priory, residing in (north) Idaho, of the Knights Templar Order of OMSDT, were happy to create a donation basket of food items to give to their local food pantry.

Pictured are Prior Derek Nordio, along with his wife, Commander Reneé Nordio. Several bags of food were created from the basket display and given to the Troy Food Bank.

September 17-20, 2019

Priory members residing in (north) Idaho, Prior Derek Nordio, along with his wife, Commander Reneé Nordio, held an outreach event at the Latah County Fair, in Moscow, Idaho.

A booth space was rented and was set up with a display table and decorated with items from Prior Nordio's personal collection of shields, swords, helms, clothing and tapestries. Photos were printed and framed that featured miscellaneous member photos from Investitures, Templar Code graphics, along with a variety of literature. Illustrated handouts of the Armor of God scripture, and stickers were a big hit with the kids.

Kids Stickers

Brochures, pens, and cards

↑Kids Handout

Over the course of the three days, hundreds of visitors stopped at the table, with many brochures, calling cards and ink pens being shared. It was a wonderful time of sharing the Order and our love for Christ with the community.