Triennial 2027 Theme

The theme for this triennium, Be Thou My Vision, speaks to our ministry of BEING. The theme grew from a simple, personal moment: looking out my window at the dogwood tree in my yard. Season after season, that tree has reminded me of God’s faithfulness. In spring, its blossoms speak of renewal. In winter, its bare branches stand as a quiet testimony to endurance. As I watched the tree one morning, I felt a sense that just as the dogwood lifts its branches toward the light of the sun, I, too, am called to lift my vision toward God. That image stayed with me, grounding this theme in something both spiritual and deeply personal.

When I began thinking about a theme for 2024-2027, I found myself humming the tune of the beloved hymn Be Thou My Vision. The words of the song denote a prayerful longing for God’s guidance. It resonated deeply with the direction I hoped our work on the National Council would take. The hymn is, at its heart, a request: “Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.” That simple plea captured the feeling I wanted to carry into our ministry—one of humility, attentiveness, and a willingness to let God shape not only our decisions but also the spirit in which we serve Him and His creation. We needed to be servant leaders. We needed a shared vision.

As Daughters of the King, we are called to do God’s will and to share His love. We are reminded to BE who we are and whose we are, For His Sake. We take vows to pray, serve, and evangelize. We are one vision of Christ to the world.

Prayer is the foundation of that vision. Choosing this theme serves as my reminder that leadership begins not with strategy but with stillness. It begins with listening. As I look toward the years ahead, I want prayer to be the lens through which we see challenges, opportunities, and each other. Prayer clears away distractions and centers us on what matters most. It invites God to be the One who aligns our hearts with His purpose.

From the roots of prayer comes the call to service. Be Thou My Vision is not a passive hymn. It is a commitment to live in a way that reflects God’s priorities. When God becomes our vision, we begin to see the needs around us more clearly. We notice the quiet burdens people carry. We recognize the places where compassion is needed. My hope for this term is that our service will not be something we simply do, but something we embody—an overflow of our hearts filled with God’s presence.

Evangelism, too, finds its place within this theme – not as pressure or performance, but as the natural sharing of life illuminated by God’s love. When God is our vision, our words and actions point others toward hope without us even realizing it. Evangelism becomes less about programs and more about presence—being attentive, being available, and being willing to speak of the One who guides us. I want this term to be marked by that kind of gentle, authentic witness.

Ultimately, I chose Be Thou My Vision because it expresses the kind of leadership and community I hope we will cultivate together - a leadership shaped by prayer, a community committed to service, a witness that reflects God’s love and peace with clarity and grace. And like the dogwood outside my window, I pray we stand rooted, reaching upward, and ready for whatever new growth God brings in the years ahead.

I hope you will join us at Triennial to BE a part of this vision of God’s Love and Faithfulness!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV)

Jane Searcy

National President