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"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"
Membership Newsletter Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Welcome to Our Bi-weekly Newsletter
Volume 108, "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:
Proposed Changes to be Considered at BStA National Council Meeting, Dec. 6
Make sure you read the July 2025 issue of the St. Andrew'sCross to learn more about the proposed changes to be considered at the BStA National Council Meeting on December 6, 2025. Constitution Amendments and Bylaw changes are to be considered.
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SWEEPSTAKES 2025 IN PROGRESS
OCTOBER 10-NOVEMBER 10
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How much can you spare for the Year of the Veteran Giveaway?
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 goal is to raise not less than $25,000 -- $2500 of the funds raised will go to the five $500 winners and the balance of the funds will go to the “Year of the Veteran Grant Fund” to fund competitive grants for congregations that have applied to expand or develop a ministry designed to 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.
The tickets for the sweepstakes giveaway sell for $10 per ticket or 10 tickets for $100. Five (5) winners will be computer-selected and announced on November 30. The remainder of the funds raised will go into the “Year of the Veteran Grant Fund” managed by the Brotherhood of St Andrew.
Ticket sales are open to any individual or faith-based congregation regardless of denomination via ONLINE (see link below) or by USPS mail with a check. Checks must be written to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, P.O. Box 1382, Louisville, KY 40201 with "2025 Sweepstakes Tickets" in the memo line. Also your email address and phone number must be written LEGIBLY on your check. All checks must be postmarked by November 10, 2025.
Any faith-based congregation can apply for one of the nine $2500 competitive grants to be awarded by March 2026. Applications will be available after January 1, 2026 on the website BrothersAndrew.Net.
The number of grants awarded will, of course, depend on the number of sweepstakes tickets sold.
Rev. Doug Halversen, Episcopal Priest and retired Director of a nursing home facility with an extensive background on end of life issues, will speak on "Preparing for God's Waiting Room."
First-ever Veterans Service Live-stream
November 11 @ 7p/eastern
Directly Speaking by Ex. Dir. Tom Welch
One of the many relationships we've been able to foster and nourish through the National Service Center since 2017 has been quite a network of ministry partners who align with our seven ministries in one way or the other. That has been one of my greatest joys as your Executive Director. One of the growing friendships is with Rev. Can. Chuck Robertson on the Presiding Bishop's staff. Like many in our ranks, he has veteran family history in his bloodline. We hope you are able to join the link below on Veterans Day, November 11, at 7 p.m./Eastern for this live-stream service.
October 4 brought four chapters, members-at-large and a special guest to St. Andrew's Church in Downers Grove. Over 30 members attended Morning Prayer, chapter meetings held concurrently, reflections from Fr. Jonathan Totty and remarks and brainstorming from Executive Director Tom Welch. Br. Tom also preached at both services the next morning.
SECOND TUESDAY DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
The monthly seminar is always on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 pm/Eastern.
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 Oct. 1:
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
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