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"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"
Membership Newsletter Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Welcome to Our Bi-weekly Newsletter
Volume 112, "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:
Over 140 years ago, our founding Brothers and early peers in the Chicago area saw and recognized human and spiritual concerns among men in their immediate surroundings. These early Brothers quickly mobilized, formed, and initiated action plans to assist men who were in need physically and spiritually. Today’s environment has put us in the middle of Episcopal Men’s Ministry, which has the format to address two significant areas of need: spiritual direction and those who are alone and lonely. These efforts, (read more HERE)
What a Year!
Directly SpeakingBy Executive Director Tom Welch
In our next to last edition of this newsletter for 2025 I continue to be amazed at what happened this year thanks to our leadership team. SIXTEEN new chapters and over 300 new members. New memberships are up 40%+ over last year.
We held our virtual National Council Meeting last week. While there, we heard the President's National Address. Br. Roy had many thought-provoking comments. I hope you will read it in this issue. You may share the YouTube file with your chapter from our website.
One of the things Br. Roy addressed was that 80%+ of the income received for our ministry in some form or another goes directly back to supporting the field in their efforts. Much of the work our Office Manager Libby Craven and I do for our membership, and the larger church is a direct result of your faithful membership and gifts. Just like with a local parish, it takes a staff to make the operations function. The same is the case with Brothers Andrew, except our reach is global and achieved on a very modest budget. Thank you so much!
Some of these examples in membership support are outlined in every Lead Like Andrew and/or the St. Andrew's Cross. The latter is the longest running lay publication in the Episcopal Church, USA, with the first edition in 1886. In addition to website management and various publications, another result of your dues produces our webinars. Each of them is a possibility for use in your chapters, a Sunday school class or civic meeting. Below you will see an invitation to another one our webinars. Bishop Ann Ritonia, Suffragan Bishop for the Armed Forces & Federal Ministries and I met recently for an hour at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City on Veteran's Day. One of the results of that meeting is our upcoming January webinar. Share this invitation link with friends, family, your rector, and the parish. All are welcome and "all" means all.
Our final 2025 edition of Lead Like Andrew will release on Christmas Eve. We look forward to sharing more news with you then.
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
A CALL FOR VOLUNTEER HELP!
Join Our Communications Ministry Team
Brothers, as we continue our mission of bringing men and youth closer to Christ through prayer, study, and service, we are seeking volunteers to help strengthen our communications efforts—especially in social media outreach. You will be working as a team, supporting one another and assisting other Brotherhood ministries and national committees in sharing their stories and engaging more men in our mission.
No professional experience is required—just a willing heart and steady collaboration. If you feel called to serve in this ministry, please reach out and let us know of your interest. Your voice and your gifts are needed.
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.
*** NEW FORMS *** NEW FORMS ***
ALERT: 2025 ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT AND 2026 MINISTRY DUES BEGINS NOV. 30
by Dick Hooper, Membership Chairman
November is the time when we are asked to pay $50 for ministry dues so that our Brotherhood can continue its goal of spreading the Good News of the Kingdom through our disciplines of prayer, study, and service in 2026. Our dollars support our seven ministries and provide educational opportunities focusing on how each member can use their talent to lead like Jesus. It is he who directs each one of us how to be a servant leader, and how our brotherhood is an instrument in achieving his goal.
There are several ways to pay dues. Some chapters use a November meeting to collect the next year's dues, update their rosters, and send in their 2025 annual report to our national service center in Louisville, Kentucky. The same meeting is also an ideal time to rededicate the chapter to the purposes of the Brotherhood. The membership committee commends this method to all chapters because it strengthens our sense of common resolve as a community. We call it the “show up chapter meeting.”
Individual Brothers may also make a payment using our website with debit card, credit card or Pay Pal. You can also set your renewal as an automatic yearly recurring donation by checking the "Make this a yearly donation" box. Another way to renew your annual ministry dues is to mail a $50 check directly to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at P.O. Box 1382, Louisville, KY 40201.
As we did last year, the membership committee and the National Council wish to recognize chapters who strongly support our ministry by presenting them with the Houghteling Award, named after our founder. The award criteria requires:
making sure 75% of the chapter membership pay dues for 2026 in a timely manner by January 31, 2026, AND
providing a *NEW*2025 annual chapter report*NEW* including names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of members and an officer roster available either ONLINEor printed, completed and postmarked no later than January 31, 2026.
For 2025, 26 chapters met the criteria and were so recognized.
This report is critical to maintaining necessary records for the smooth operation of the national organization. Your chapter’s support of the larger ministry will be recognized by an emblem honoring your commitment to be placed on your banner. Why not have a celebration to emphasize the milestone?
Want to do a bit more? Please consider adding some extra dollars (lagniappe, as we say on the Gulf Coast) as a further pledge to our ministry. Remember The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is designated as THE men’s ministry of the Episcopal Church. Be proud and support this honor to the Brotherhood.
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.
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 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.
BIBLE STUDY ID: 448 502 7479 (no password necessary)
2. By PHONE:
646-876-9923
ENTER ID#: 448 502 7479, THEN PRESS #
'Wow! That was nice to get a call!'
New members to receive "welcome call" from
their Province President and/or Diocesan Leaders
New members are starting to receive email notification from the Service Center when their complete and funded applications are processed. Packets are also sent via USPS. Often, our Executive Director Tom Welch, makes a welcome call. Our senior leadership wants to take it a step closer to the ground. Each member of the Brotherhood has a Province President, and many have a Diocesan Coordinator contact. These Brotherhood leaders are tasked with reaching out to new members. They actually have fun building connections. It's something a text can't do nearly as effectively. "What province am I in?" A map is below.
Every month province presidents receive a list of the new members in his province. You should have already received a welcome call from him by now or will in the near future. It's all about building connections so we may build community and leadership. One or more of our leaders will be calling new members by phone, so you may see an odd phone number show on your phone. Take a chance and see if it is a new Brotherhood friend on the other end. They would like to get to know you.
Likewise, every month for those new members who have indicated an interest in one or more of our seven ministries, that Ministry VP will also receive your name and plug new members into that ministry silo.
If new members aren't able to answer the call, our leaders will leave a message for a call back opportunity from our new members. What makes a new member join? What does their parish look like? What would they share to others about the Brotherhood? These are the type of questions we want to learn so we may grow in the Lord together.
A special welcome to these new members joining since Nov. 26:
The membership committee and the National Council wish to recognize chapters who strongly support our ministry by presenting them with the Houghteling Award, named after our founder. The award criteria required:
making sure 75% of the chapter membership had paid dues for 2025 in a timely manner, AND
providing a 2024 annual chapter report including names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of members and an officer roster no later than January 31, 2025.
This year 26 chapters met the criteria and are so recognized:
Advent #5454S, Sun City West, Arizona
Christ #5068S, Pensacola, Florida
Christ #2219S Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Church of Ascension #5206S, Knoxville, Tennessee
Church of the Good Shepherd #5041S, Silver City, New Mexico
Church of the Good Shepherd #5259S, Friendswood, Texas
Church of Our Savior #5121S, Palm Bay, Florida
Church of Transfiguration #5392S, Opa Locka, Florida
Holy Comforter #4706S, Spring, Texas
Holy Trinity #5461S, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Holy Trinity #0079S, Gainesville, Florida
Holy Trinity #2225S, Decatur, Georgia
Holy Trinity by the Lake #4699S, Rockwall, Texas
St. Georges #5136S, The Villages, Florida
St. Johns #4854S, Naperville, Illinois
St. Johns #3816S, Tulsa, Oklahoma
St. Joseph #5173S, Boynton Beach, Florida
St. Marks #1552S, Islip, New York
St. Marys #2187S, High Point, North Carolina
St. Pauls by the Sea #1770S, Jacksonville Beach, Florida
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
