Welcome to Our Bi-weekly Newsletter

Volume 118, "LEAD LIKE ANDREW"

Here's our latest edition with important meetings and other news you can use! Take a look ...

Please share news, tidbits, or notices of upcoming events in your area so we may include them. We also value your feedback on this newsletter and how we may better serve you. Don't hesitate to contact:

President Dr. Roy Benavides (email Roy)

Senior Vice President Jeff Butcher (email Jeff)

or Executive Director Tom Welch (email Tom).

Submission consideration deadline is

Monday at 8 a.m. for the week of publication.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Directly Speaking by Executive Director Tom Welch

(L-R) Brotherhood Province VII President Chris Matthews, Executive Director Tom Welch and Bishop Brian Seage

Last week I had the good fortune to attend the 177th Annual Council Meeting of the Diocese of Texas in Houston and meet with brothers and others there. Nearly 2,000 were attending.

Our National Chaplain, Bishop Jeff Fisher, offered the homily at the Opening Eucharist. "Believing in those things seen and unseen" was a theme. It was a remarkable homily and one I am sure would resonate with any of our members. Take a few minutes to hear his remarks:

https://youtu.be/dec9-SxZaY8

The next morning I traveled to a chapter meeting of Trinity/Galveston (#0537S, first chartered in 1896). Those brothers are pictured below. In both encounters, it is clear that we have a great resource for meeting the Great Commission in all corners of the communities there. Never underestimate the difference you can make in your community.

In both encounters, it became clear how vital mentoring is for those to whom we want to reach and sometimes wonder what the best track might be. If you would like to know more about mentoring, please check out this link and/or call me directly: 502-930-0658.

(L-R) Bill Pennington, Bill Noble, John Speich, Bob Hern, Bill Dannenmaier,    Ken Smith and Mike Malloy of Trinity/Galveston

FIRST WEDNESDAY WEBINAR

 is always on the first Wednesday at 8 pm/Eastern.

Join by clicking the link below:

Monthly BStA Webinar Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85138892685?pwd=G2pIQYTVN5TNhG2o81kznaPCRXJTVB.1

Meeting ID: 851 3889 2685

Passcode: 0723

TONIGHT!

March 4, 2026, 8pm (Eastern)

Bishop Jeff Fisher

"Messages from the Man Cave"

with key takeaways from Notes on a Being a Man by Professor Scott Galloway

Bishop Fisher's bio can be found at:

https://www.epicenter.org/about/the-diocese/bishops/the-rt-rev-jeff-fisher-suffragan-bishop/

Members-at-Large Meet Monthly

The Member-At-Large (MAL) Zoom meeting meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) and can be accessed via Zoom at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84365288022?pwd=Rms3cm1US0d6MWtXK214T2VYdHViZz09

Additionally, the National Service Center has begun assembling a complete list of chapters' Zoom and Hybrid meetings specifically targeted for a MAL's benefit. Listed below are chapter meetings available to engage in fellowship.  

The links to these meetings may be found on the Brotherhood calendar at https://www.brothersandrew.net/events4ab5b0cf

Becoming Beloved Community

THE BROTHERHOOD HAS AN INTEREST HERE

“In the Episcopal Church, we are guided by the vision of Becoming Beloved Community, our church’s long-term commitment to racial justice, healing, and reconciliation. We’re all on a lifelong journey toward God’s dream, taking intentional and faithful steps as if moving through a labyrinth.”

“Becoming Beloved Community” is driving our initial thoughts and efforts of the Brotherhood ministry in this area.   As we talked, we focused on the ongoing need to promote the Sacred Ground program and to support our brothers in this essential Christian formation.  Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles are a key element in our effort to Become a Beloved Community.

• “Truth-telling: Telling the Truth about Our Churches and Race
  • • • Baptismal Promise: Persevere in resisting evil, and whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
        Core Questions: What racial/cultural/ethnic groups are in our church? Who have we excluded or included?
• Proclamation: Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community
  • • • Baptismal Promise: Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
        Core Questions: How has our city/town/area participated in racial injustice or healing over time? What's happening today? What is our dream for Beloved Community? Whatbehaviors and practices foster it?
• Formation: Practicing Jesus’ Way of Healing Love 
  • • • Baptismal Promise: Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
        Core Questions: How will we grow as reconcilers, healers, and justice-bearers? What activities, practices, learning and experiences would (trans)form us? How will we share
        stories and grow relationship?
  • Justice: Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions”
    • • Baptismal Promise: Strive for justice and peace among all people & respect the dignity of every human being.
        Core Questions: What institutions and systems bear the signs of racial injustice? How will we participate in the repair, restoration and healing of people, institutions and systems?

As a men’s ministry in the Angelica communion, it is most appropriate that we use these elements as our basis for moving forward, keeping our Baptismal vows.

How will we encourage this?

By being a Community animated by a non-clinging, self-emptying, persistent love that drives the members to pursue wholeness and kindness. In it, the individual and the collective strive and sacrifice for the sake of the greater whole and for the end of all forms of domination and oppression that diminish the children of God.

Howard Thurman in his Book Jesus and The Disinherited wrote "'The first step toward love is a common sharing of a sense of mutual worth and value. This cannot be discovered in a vacuum or in a series of artificial or hypothetical relationships. It has to be in a real situation, natural, free."

JOIN US!

NEWLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITY

Brothers, in addition to our weekly Mid-Day Mid-Week Prayers, we are scheduling a weekly end-of-day Order for Compline each Sunday at 9 PM Eastern Time.  

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Weekly Compline Service

Sunday Evenings: 9 PM Eastern Time

A Brotherhood Member will lead the service

Click Here to Join the Zoom Session

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87561851713?pwd=UJ5ok56elbb5aZGcZaNQQztaaxaand.1

We begin with a few moments of silence or meditation

An Order for Compline

Book of Common Prayer Page 127

FYI A brief history:  "The Order of Compline service has its roots in the early centuries of Christianity, with its origins traced back to the 6th century. The term "Compline" is derived from the Latin word "completorium," meaning "completion." It was first used in the Rule of Saint Benedict, where it was described as the final hour for prayer after the day's activities. Compline has been a part of the daily liturgical cycle, marking the end of the working day and preparing for rest. The service has evolved over time, with various elements added to it, such as the inclusion of the Lord's Prayer and the Nunc Dimittis canticle. Compline continues to be a significant part of the Christian liturgical tradition, offering a time for quiet contemplation and reflection before sleep. "

SECOND TUESDAY TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

March 10, 2026, 8 p.m. (Eastern)

CHAPTER OFFICER TRAINING COURSE

Everyone is invited to attend 

Join by clicking the link below:

Second Tuesday BStA Seminar Link

us02web.zoom.us/j/81825278326?pwd=a6i0eKNQVPnpx4KuaDz4ctNPToCmCF.1

Zoom Meeting ID: 818 2527 8326
Passcode: 363506

The monthly seminar is always on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 pm/Eastern.

Hosted by: President Roy Benavides & Sr. VP Jeff Butcher

PLEASE WELCOME NEW CHAPTERS AND NEW MEMBERS 

New or Renewed Chapters since February 18, 2026

Members Joining since February 18, 2026:

Senior Members

Junior Members

Associate Members

2026 Membership Updates (through 3/4/2026)

1,060 Senior Members

including 124 New Members!

9 Junior Members

28 Associate Members

393 Life Members

That's 1,490 total!

YEAR OF THE VETERAN GRANT APPLICATION

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew has been actively involved in promoting and supporting Ministry to Veterans and their families since World War 1. Sixty-six Brotherhood-member Episcopal congregations have signed up to be a part of the Veteran Military Friendly Congregations (VMFC), a program coordinated by the Military Chaplains Association (MCA). There are currently 234 VMFC in the United States. One of our goals is to increase the total number of VMFC congregations by at least 10%. The mission of VMFC is to bring all service men and women closer to God and highlight the healing power of God.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew “Year of the Veteran” grant giveaway in 2025,  raised enough funds to award three (3) $500 mini grants and one (1) $2500 Year of the Veteran Matching grant. These funds may be used to expand or develop a ministry designed to assist or support active-duty military, national guard, reservists and military veterans. Additionally, these grants may be used to support Gold Star and Blue Star family members and veterans or service members with disabilities.

Any faith-based congregation can apply for the grants to be awarded on April 30, 2026. The application form is now available ONLINE HERE.

https://irp.cdn-website.com/b8d0ee94/files/uploaded/Veteran+Ministry+Application-c25a7ad8.pdf

DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2026

LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEBSITE

'MEMBERS ONLY' PAGES

can be found at

 https://irp.cdn-website.com/b8d0ee94/files/uploaded/BStA+Portal+Login+Instructions+12092025.pdf

BIBLE STUDY TIPS ...

Project 12: Men’s Group Lifeline Lessons

LIFELINE SERIES

THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW HAS BEEN PART OF THE MEN’S STUDY SERIES KNOWN AS PROJECT 12 FOR SEVERAL YEARS. 

Please consider the series as a potential opportunity for your chapter or group of men to study and interact on one of the topics in the Lifeline Series.

“It started on a patio. Two men sat there talking about what God was doing in their lives and ministries. Diverse in more than just age and geography, these two men discussed how building men was not a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all approach There was a desire expressed to gather a group of effective men’s leaders from all over the country to share what God was doing. This was the beginning of the A-Team.

Fast forward to 2014, and over 25 men gathered in the Midwest at a retreat center to learn from each other and celebrate how God was working in their lives to change their communities. One of the outcomes of these conversations was to gather a list of great faithful resources to point men towards to help, teach, and grow.

The Project Twelve concept emerged. Twelve guys following Jesus. Twelve months in a year. Perhaps this group could help men follow Jesus year-round like the original twelve guys did. Welcome to Project Twelve.”

The programs can be found at www.projecttwelve.net. They are called Lifelines. They were just recently released. They are faith-based roadmaps for every generation.  According to the outline, each of the six segments has six blocks.  If you did one per week, it would last at least 36 weeks. Each is based on the Serendipity Bible. 

We are part of the original group that established Project Twelve five years ago.  There are seven different denominations/ministries, and 13 individuals who contributed to the writings.  There is no charge for tapping into the various programs. 

JOIN US IN PRAYER EACH WEEK

Mid-Week, Mid-Day, "12:00 Central Time"

What better way to level set during the middle of the week? We will hold a weekly Wednesday noon (Central) prayer time over ZOOM that is open to all brothers and guests. Let's pray for the Brotherhood, for our Brothers, and even share some stories of how Prayer has impacted you or someone you know!

We can all spare 20 minutes in prayer. It's like stopping at the faith service station to fill your prayer tank!

Please join us every week when you can to recharge your prayer batteries!

The Zoom link for Mid-Day Prayers can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Copy and paste this Zoom link into your calendar so you can join us for 20 minutes every Wednesday at 1 pm EST/noon CST/11 am MST/10 am PST!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85663208398?pwd=UG0vTkJ2OXAwKzBEdGpYcTBCanZEZz09

If you'd like to help lead, pick an empty date from the Prayer Leaders Schedule (below) and contact roy.benavides@brothersandrew.net

It's simple ... we already have the script made out (in our devotional handbook or the Book of Common Prayer)!

Prayer Leaders Schedule: Click Here

Thursday Night Bible Study Via Zoom

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, The Brooklyn and Queens Assemblies, and The Diocese of Chicago wish to remind you to join the weekly Bible Study on Thursdays, 8 p.m. EDT/ 7 p.m. CDT/ 6 p.m. MDT/ 5 p.m. PDT.  Joining this group will allow you to continue to gain deeper knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the Bible. 

 If you have questions, please email nychibiblestudy@gmail.com.

LOGIN INFORMATION

1. By COMPUTER DEVICE:

Click HERE to join the Bible Study Lesson on ZOOM

Sacred Ground

BIBLE STUDY ID: 448 502 7479 (no password necessary) 

2. By PHONE:

646-876-9923

ENTER ID#: 448 502 7479, THEN PRESS #

Are you a "Singing Chapter?"

Share your favorites here......

Below are some Suggested Hymns with Link

It Is Well With My Soul

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Jesus Calls Us, o'er the Tumult

When Christ Our Lord to Andrew Cried

When Christ Our Lord To Andrew Cried Lyrics

Eternal Father

Throw Out a Life Line

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP HERE

or mail a check to the National Service Center at

BStA, P.O. Box 1382, Louisville, KY 40201

Annual Ministry Dues are:

Senior Member (men age 21 & older) -- $50

Junior Member (young men under age 21) -- $10

Associate Member (women) -- $25

or

become a Life Member for one-time ministry dues of at least $1,000

Good Books and Articles

Some Current Reading by Brothers

Church Tomorrow?

by Stephanie Spellers

The Loneliness Epidemic: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone - and How Leaders Can Respond

by Susan Mettes, David Kinnaman - foreword, et al.

Celebration of Discipline:

The Path to Spiritual Growth

by Richard J. Foster

What are you currently reading?

Do you have any book recommendations?

Does your chapter have a book study?

Email us the title and author so we can share it with your Brothers!

Ministry News!

Keep up with Brotherhood news via the monthly St. Andrew's Cross newsletter found on the website at

St. Andrew's Cross Archives

and or via FACEBOOK at

https://www.facebook.com/brothersandrew.net

Discipleship & Mentoring

Becoming Beloved Community (Racial Rec)

Recovery

Prison Ministry

Scouting & Youth

Social Justice

Veterans

We need stories from Chapters and Ministries

Kathy Copas, our editor, would like to include more news of chapter events and ministry meetings or events. If you have something to share, please send it to

editor@brothersandrew.net