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"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"

Membership Newsletter Brotherhood of St. Andrew

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Above: The Brotherhood Chapel Altar, St. James Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois

Welcome to Our Bi-weekly Newsletter

Volume 128, "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.

The Dog Days of Summer

Directly Speaking

By Tom Welch, Executive Director

Most of us are experiencing some rather profound weather impacts across the country from flooding to smoke to hot, hot days. Yet, there is still work to do in "tending the vineyard." What story would you like to share with us?

This week we will provid the latest edition of The St. Andrew's Cross under the leadership of our Editor Kathy Copas. Join me in prayers of thanksgiving for her ministry among us. Send her a note of appreciation to: editor@brothersandrew.net. Better yet, send her stories about what is going on at your parish to crow about. This applies to our Members-at-Large (MAL) as well. Just because MAL's don't have a chapter, they do have a story to tell about the life of the parish.

Halfway through the fiscal year (Jan.-Dec.) we are in a good position, thanks largely to being under budget on a few key line items and another brisk year of NEW MEMBERS (see below). Other line items such as the $1,000/mo. for our website and digital communications find us right on budget. Yet, we still have a significant number of brothers who pledged dues in 2025 have not renewed in 2026. A snail-mail letter is in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service to all members whose dues are lapsed as of the first of July. In fact, it is the largest number of brothers with lapsed dues we've had in three years (at the end of June). If you are one of those members, please help us meet our mission and ministry efforts with your renewal. Thanks!

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

 

August 5, 2026, 8pm (Eastern)

Webinar will feature a speaker from

 K9s for Warriors

an organization that provides trained service dogs for military veterans experiencing PTSD, traumatic brain injury or military trauma.

 

Upcoming speakers:

September: Rev. Can. Stephanie Spellers

October: Sam Black addressing Human Trafficking and Pornography

November: TBA

December: Most Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop

PLEASE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 

Members Joining Since July 8, 2026:

Senior Members

Ricky Joe Cook Tigard OR Member-at-Large
Tim Hager Tulsa OK St Johns Episc - OK  3816S
Ian Smith Los Angeles CA All Saints Episc - CA 1569S

 

Life Members

Jeffrey Grohne Downers Grove IL St Andrews Episc - IL  4827S

 

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2026 Membership Updates (through 7/20/2026)

1,472 Senior Members

including 244 New Members!

15 Junior Members

39 Associate Members

394 Life Members

That's 1,920 total!

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New or Renewing Chapters for 2026

Calvary Episcopal #0935S, Americus, GA

St. Mary's Episcopal #5470S, Andalusia, AL

St. James Episcopal #5093S, Dallas, TX

St. Mary's Episcopal #4619S, Palmetto, FL

St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral #1692S, Oklahoma City, OK

Good Shepherd Episcopal #5022S, Centennial, CO

St. Christopher's Community #5471S, Olympia, WA

St. Paul's Episcopal #2407S, Leavenworth, KS

St. Andrew's Episcopal #3242S, Amarillo, TX

Immanuel on the Green Episcopal #1293S, New Castle, DE

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON?

TRANSPARENCY EFFORTS

In the spirit of “one-member one-vote,” we are making efforts to share Executive Board activities like meeting agendas, approved Executive Board minutes, approved financial reports, board summaries, and Ministry activities with our membership. Your active membership will allow you to enter the “members-only” pages on our brothersandrew.net website to view these documents.

MEMBERS-ONLY PAGES LOGIN ON WEBSITE

To login to the "members-only" pages on the brothersandrew.net website, you will use your membership email address (the email address that this email was sent to) and your password set by you. If you don't remember your password, you can reset it (or set it up) by clicking the "Having trouble logging in?" question or this link:

https://thebrotherhoodofstandrew.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/thebrotherhoodofstandrew/requestPassword.jsp

By supplying your email address at the above link, you will be sent an email where you can set up (or reset) your password. 

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING SUMMARY

Once you have opened the Brotherhood website brothersandrew.net and login to your Brotherhood account via the red Members button on the first screen (https://www.brothersandrew.net/signin), you need to go the "Resources" tab at the top of the page.  Choose "Minutes/Summaries" to read the most recent Executive Board activity from July 21, 2026.

BStA to Recognize Dedication & Good Works with Annual Awards

By Jeff Butcher, Sr. VP/Administration

The Brotherhood of St Andrew is seeking nominations for several annual awards for achievement by Chapters and individuals. Here is a listing of the annual awards for 2026.

Chapter Awards Nominations may be made by Chapters, who may self- nominate for the award.

Golden Compass Award – For membership growth, sponsoring new and rechartered chapters, service in the community and participation in the missions of the Brotherhood.

Silver Anniversary Award – For continuous chapter service over a 25-year period.

Individual Awards Nominations may be made for an individual by an individual, Chapter or Assembly. A person cannot self-nominate.

Kingdom Bulder Award – For an individual who has given outstanding service and dedication to men’s ministry. Eligibility for this award includes brothers and non-brothers who have demonstrated these qualities.

Presidential Citation Award – For a Brother recognized for a special project beyond the normal routines.

Associate Recognition Award – For a person who, through their efforts has supported the Brotherhood. This may be a male or female Clergy or church member who is not a Chapter member.

St. Georges AwardFor an individual who has given exemplary volunteer service to the Boy Scouts, DOK, or other community organizations supported by the Brotherhood.

A Nomination Committee is being formed. To date the volunteers of this committee are:

      • Don Candy
      • Larry Maxwell
      • Bill Powell
      • John Curtis, Chair

We are searching for additional volunteers to fill out the nomination committee. The plan is to complete the committee with Brothers from all the several geographic areas of the Brotherhood.

We ask for your worthy nominations. They should be sent by email to johncurtisdg2324@gmail.com and sent to be received by November 1, 2026.

Awards will be made on St. Andrew's Sunday, November 29, 2026.

TEXAS ASSEMBLY AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

For over 20 years, the Texas Assembly of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew has offered scholarships to promising graduating seniors to help defray the costs of their freshman year of college. The Assembly accepts applicants from all parishes in the Diocese and selects three recipients. This year the Texas Assembly distributed $7500 to three winners: Tessa Soard from Holy Comforter, Spring; Reagan Davenport of Trinity, The Woodlands; and Jason Perry from St. Julian of Norwich, Cedar Park.

The scholarships are funded through an annual charity golf tournament that supports these scholarship awards as well as activities for at-risk youth, veterans, and homeless ministries.

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(YOUR) Help Wanted!!

WE NEED YOUR HELP! And we know that you're out there just waiting to be asked.  So, we need to say, join us as a volunteer and help us.

We have a number of volunteer position vacancies that we need your help. Please consider that we need volunteers to fill key positions at the Province, Diocesan, and national ministry levels.  It is critical to have local leaders to assist us in these support positions.

The following positions at the Province Level are vacant:

Province I; Province IV: (Western IV and Eastern IV); and Province V. All Provinces need Diocesan Coordinators who work with Province Presidents.

We need leaders for several ministry positions. 

If you are curious, interested, or know of someone who is "ideal" for a position, call Jeff Butcher or Roy Benavides.  Let's filler-up!! (ugh).  

JOIN US VIA ZOOM!

WEEKLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS

open to everyone

SUNDAYS, Compline Service

9pm Eastern / 8pm Central / 7pm Mountain / 6pm Pacific

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

We begin with a few moments of silence or meditation followed by the service from The Book of Common Prayer Page 127.

 

WEDNESDAYS, Mid-Week, Mid-Day Prayer

1pm Eastern / Noon Central / 11am Mountain /10am Pacific

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

Let's spend 20 minutes to pray for the Brotherhood, for our Brothers, and even share some stories of how Prayer has impacted you or someone you know! It's like stopping at the faith service station to fill your prayer tank! It's simple ... we already have the script made out (in our devotional handbook or The Book of Common Prayer)! If you'd like to help lead one of the prayer sessions, contact roy.benavides@brothersandrew.net

 

THURSDAYS, Bible Study

8pm Eastern / 7pm Central / 6pm Mountain / 5pm Pacific

https://us02web.zoom.us/s/4485027479

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. 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.

SECOND TUESDAY TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

August 11, 2026, 8 p.m. (Eastern)

Training & Development for All

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

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.  

Chapter  Church Name City State Meeting Day Time Contact
5259S Good Shepherd Episcopal Friendswood TX 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10 am Central Peter Gilmour, ptrglmr7@gmail.com
5345S St. Andrews Anglican Lewis Center OH 2nd & 4th Mondays 7 pm Eastern Jim Menke, jam01@mac.com
5454S Advent Episcopal Sun City AZ 2nd Mondays 8:30 am Mountain Jack.Hanstein@brothersandrew.net

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

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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. 

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

IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP PAID FOR 2026?

Renew by clicking here

or mail a check to the National Service Center at

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

 

Annual Ministry Dues renewal period is

December 1 through January 31 (regardless of your join date)

and 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

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Good Books and Articles

Some Current Reading by Brothers

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Signs of Life: 

Nurturing Spiritual Growth in Your Church

by Jay Sidebotham

 

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

 

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