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"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"
Membership Newsletter Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Welcome to Our Bi-weekly Newsletter
Volume 110, "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:
Directly Speaking by Tom Welch, Executive Director
“O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.”
-BCP page 839
Yesterday, Veterans Day, we remembered our veterans on the first-ever, live-streamed Veterans Day Eucharist from the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Presiding Bishop’s office, 815 2nd Avenue, New York City (pictured above). I was honored to represent the Brotherhood for this service. Hours before, I met with Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church, in the office of a friend and supporter of the Brotherhood, Rev. Can. Chuck Robertson, Sr. Advisor to Presiding Bishop Rowe.
Bishop Ann Ritonia & Tom Welch
Like many of us, Fr. Robertson has had military service in his family for generations. This overnight trip (privately funded) is important to our ministry for several reasons. Stay tuned for further announcements on an expanding partnership with her office/staff and our efforts with veterans. There was an overwhelming sense of gratitude of everyone at the Eucharist, especially as some new military chaplains were commissioned.
Another source of gratitude is the work our VP for Veterans, Everette Price, has been involved with for years. Both with the Military Chaplains Association (MCA) and our efforts with Veteran Friendly Congregations. Sixty or so of those parishes have Brotherhood Chapters. The other 200+ in the Episcopal Church don’t, just yet. Veteran Friendly Congregations was a concept birthed at the Brotherhood Chapter of St. Peter & St. Paul in Marietta, Georgia, more than 20 years ago.
To those veterans, Gold Star families, and all who have family and friends serving, we join you in the Prayer for Heroic Service.
INVITATION BY NATIONAL COUNCIL CHAIR BILLY HARRISON
Brothers,
I, greet you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and as a friend and brother in our Brotherhood of St. Andrew.
I invite you to the 2025 National Council (NC) Meeting on December 6, 2025 beginning at 11 a.m. EST, by virtual means.A Zoom invitation will be sent to all registered delegates a few days before the meeting.
Pursuant to the Bylaws, each active chapter is entitled to one vote by a qualified delegate.A qualified delegate is an active member selected to attend the NC meeting by an active chapter.An active member has fully paid his 2025 membership dues no later than November 30, 2025.An active chapter has submitted its 2024 annual chapter report to National Office no later than November 30, 2025, and at least 50% of its members are current on their dues as of that same date.Also, the Bylaws require an officer of each active chapter to notify National Service Center of the identity of the attending qualified active member delegate.Please register your delegate HERE no later than December 1, 2025, to provide us with an accurate list of qualified voters before the meeting begins.
The updated Agenda for the meeting is included below.I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
Blessings to all,
Billy Harrison, National Council Chair
_______________________
2025 National Council Virtual Meeting Agenda
11 a.m. (Eastern), Saturday, December 6, 2025
Billy Harrison, National Council Chair, Presiding
Brotherhood President Roy Benavides
A.Welcome by Billy Harrison
B.Meeting Protocol by Executive Director Tom Welch
1.Open mic
2.Mute
3.Voice / vote privilege
4.Balloting
C.Enter any prayer requests in the chat box for use at the Closing Service (Libby Craven to list them)
I.Order of Worship & Opening Service (by the National Chaplain/designee)
Bible study on the gospel for St. Andrew’s Day or other appropriate reading (by the National Chaplain/designee)
II.General Business
Consideration and vote on approval of the proposed 2026 Budget (by National Treasurer Darron Kendrick)
Consideration and vote on proposed Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws relating to voting procedures and qualifications, as published in the July issue of the St. Andrew’s Cross
III.Report from the National President to include discussion of ministry to men who are lost and lonely
IV.“God Moments” to share from all participants
V.Closing from Billy Harrison
A.Next NC Meeting – Fall 2026
B.In-person/virtual Triennial National Convention in 2027
C.Closing remarks
VI.Closing Service by National Chaplain/designee Devotional Guide - Intercessory Prayers (read by Libby Craven)
Adjournment
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SWEEPSTAKES 2025 IN PROGRESS
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Sweepstakes end at the end of the month. ONLY 9 PERCENT of the 2500 ticket goal has been raised.
The number of Veteran Grants awarded will, of course, depend on the number of sweepstakes tickets sold.
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 December 6 during the National Council Meeting. 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 30, 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.
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Province VIII Workshop November 22
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Olympia, Washington
All interested in knowing more about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew are invited to this free, in-person gathering. Brotherhood Executive Director Tom Welch will be facilitating a morning of discussion about:
*Ideas on how to connect with others as we grow in Christ.
*Expanding efforts within our ministries.
*News about new focus on veterans.
*A 2nd look at reconciliation among faith communities.
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.
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 2025 annual chapter report including names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of members and an officer roster 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.
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:
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. 29:
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
