As you may recall, I (Tom Welch) am now working part-time time and primarily remotely. During the holiday season I spend a good deal of time at the Service Center in Louisville and return to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria later this week to continue the 2nd half of MDiv studies.
Over 70 new members have patiently been waiting for back-orders of lapel pins supply to arrive. They are here at last, praise the Lord! We are stuffing those new member packets with lapel pins, devotional guides, membership cards and letters of welcome. Packets are being assembled over the next several days for 1st Class Mail. THANKS so much for your patience as the Service Center has only one full-time staff member and no in-office part-time staff.
These efforts are in addition to fielding calls from the field, service requests, loading chapter and member data updates into NEON-CRM (our membership management software), etc. Activity at the Service Center is heaviest from December through March. We covet your prayers and patience as we respond.
"Planes, Trains & Automobiles"
Directly Speaking
By: Tom Welch, Executive Director
Many sections of the USA have experienced from winter storms to wildfires in recent days. Just last weekend I spent four consecutive days at ATL/Hartsfield trying to make a quick trip to Florida that never happened. In fact, my luggage made it back to the Service Center in Louisville, Kentucky, before I did! About two days into this fiasco the movie "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" came to mind. The first night I spent at the airport, as in literally "in" the airport. The second night I was still at the airport but was determined to get a room.
In the movie, the actor John Candy kept a great spirit about him in the midst of one snafu after the other. I can't say that I was as much a walking disaster as he was, but I did try to make some joy for others out of those four days. By the time I finally got a hotel, the front desk clerk (Jennifer) was at her wits end after being bulldozed by two grumpy, stranded travelers. Housekeeping was slow getting rooms ready. I was determined to change her spirit if God would but help with the right encouraging words. Here's how things unfolded.
First, I said to Jennifer, "I know you and the housekeeping staff are doing as much as you can, as fast as you can, as efficiently as possible. Just hang in there. The shift will be over soon. Now, maybe you can help me. Let's see." Moments later I had a room. Moments after that I left in my rental car for the nearest grocery store for the absolute basics. (The hotel was slammed with guests and out of inventory for such items.) As I walked in, I saw a sign touting buy one dozen roses get another for free. Immediately I grabbed two dozen roses of assorted colors.
Upon return to the hotel, Jennifer, still struggling at the front desk, had another grumpy couple trying to get in. I dropped the flowers on the counter in front of Jennifer, sharing with her that they were for her and the GREAT housekeeping staff to share. The grumpy customer changed her expression completely. Jennifer nearly cried and could only muster a timid "thanks so much." Moments later I had to return to the car.
On the way back in a housekeeper was holding three roses looking stunned. Jennifer said, "There he is, the guest in 108." The housekeeper said she'd worked there for 12 years and never had a guest give flowers to her staff. She asked could she give me a hug. I said I came from a family of huggers, but I hadn't had a bath or changed clothes in two days. Hug at your own risk! It was the best hug I'd had all year.
The next morning as I checked out, as always, I asked for a hard copy of my bill. The balance due was zero. I told the new desk clerk there was about a $150 error to my bill. She said, "Oh no. The night manager told me about you and your kindness. He asked that the next time you're in the area, please come back. You're welcome here anytime!"
Dear reader, kindness can be so simple, even amidst one calamity after the other in life. The choice is always ours. As we walk through this Epiphany season my prayer is that we live into the spirit of kindness our God gave us with and through Jesus.
A special welcome to these new members joining since January 1:
Senior Members:
Louis Baylog, St. George (#5136S) Lady Lake, FL
David White, St. John (#4851S) Naperville, IL
Robert Rushing, St. George (#5136S) Lady Lake, FL
Grant Foulsham, Trinity (#4986S) The Woodlands, TX
David Yee, Holy Comforter (#4706S) Spring, TX
Tom Pointer, Holy Comforter (#4706S) Spring, TX
Wayne Roundtree, Trinity (#0284S) Fredericksburg, VA
William Wanza, Transfiguration (#5392S) Opa Locka, FL
Robert Travis, St. Marys (#2187S) High Point, NC
Douglas Lee, St. Andrews (#3675S) Fullerton, CA
Adam Murillo, St. Andrews (#3675S) Fullerton, CA
Chuck Webb, St. Lukes (#4947S) Louisville, CA
Richard Messer, St. Richards (#4842S) Round Rock, TX
David Moore, St. Marys (#2187) High Point, NC
Lee Stockdale, Member at Large, Fairview, NC
Brian Ratzer, Holy Trinity by the Lake (#4699S) Rockwall, TX
Matthew Kim, Member at Large, Hardwick, MA
Tim Yates, St. Marys (#2187S) High Point, NC
Thomas Miressi, St. Marys (#2187S) High Point, NC
Matthew Grout, St. Marys (5394S) West Columbia, TX
Associate Members:
Betty Kaechler, Good Shepherd (#5120S) Tumball, TX
Samantha Wylie, St. Andrews (#3675S) Fullerton, CA
FIRST WEDNESDAY WEBINARS
Our monthly webinars are always on the first Wednesday of each month at 8 pm/Eastern.
What better way to level set during the middle of the week? We will hold a weekly Wednesday noon (CDT) 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.
Due to Christmas and New Year's Day, this ever-expanding network of Christian family communities resumes on Thursday, January 9. We thank you for your patience and understanding with this important change. If you have questions, please email nychibiblestudy@gmail.com.
Your 2024 Annual Chapter Report (ACR) including names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of members and an officer roster are due soon. You may file this report either onlineor printed, completed and mailed no later than January 31, 2025. Chapters filing a 2024 ACR by the deadline and have over 75 percent of its membership with 2025 paid dues will qualify as a Houghteling chapter.
The 2024 Houghteling Chapters were:
Advent Sun City West AZ
All Saints Baldwin NY
Christ Clinton MD
Christ Covington LA
Christ Pensacola FL
Christ Cathedral Lexington KY
Church of Ascension Knoxville TN
Church of Ascension Miami FL
Church of Good Shepherd Friendswood TX
Church of Our Savior Palm Bay FL
Church of Resurrection East Elmhurst NY
Church of Transfiguration Opa Locka FL
Emmanuel Athens GA
Emmanuel Virginia Beach VA
Holy Comfort Spring TX
Holy Trinity Decatur GA
Holy Trinity Hot Springs Village AR
Pohick Lorton VA
St Agnes Miami FL
St Andrews Fullerton CA
St Andrews Downers Grove IL
St Barnabas Tullahoma TN
St Benedicts Plantation FL
St Davids Cambria Heights NY
St Edwards Lawrenceville GA
St Francis in the Fields, Harrods Creek, KY
St James Apostle Conroe TX
St Johns Naperville IL
St Josephs Boynton Beach FL
St Kevins Opa Locka FL
St Lukes Louisville KY
St Marks Islip NY
St Marks Brooklyn NY
St Pauls by the Sea Jacksonville Beach FL
St Peter and St Paul Marietta GA
St Peters Kerrville, TX
St Peters Rialto CA
St Philips Brooklyn NY
St Stephen/St Martin Brooklyn NY
St Stephens Culpeper VA
St Timothys Centennial CO
St Uriel Sea Girt NJ
St Lukes San Antonia TX
Trinity Fredericksburg VA
Trinity Elkton MD
Trinity Mattoon IL
Houghteling Chapters for 2025 will be announced in the next Lead Like Andrew on February 5.
REMINDER: It is never too late to remain a member in good standing!
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
