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"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"

Membership Newsletter

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Tom Welch, Editor

Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter's current edition (Volume 53), "LEAD LIKE ANDREW." It's a quick-read, multi-topic news channel for members to see what is going on, what is planned, and what successes from the previous weeks.

We urge you to contact us with news, tidbits, or notices of upcoming events in your area so that we can include them! We also value your feedback on this newsletter or how your national office is serving you.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with Conrad Jones (email Conrad) ,

Dr. Roy Benavides (email Roy) or Tom Welch (email Tom) feedback or for sharing newsletter information!

Please share this newsletter with other men in your parish or community.

From the Director's Chair, by Tom Welch

As announced in our last edition we have received our 5th new or re-chartered chapter in early August. Thanks to the generosity of Fr. Ellis Clifton, Rector to St. Mary the Virgin in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), on 8/20 I was able to represent the Brotherhood at his church, offer a homily and induct our very first chapter in the BVI. This was a culmination from over a year of conversation and prayer between the two of us. "Fr. C" was also able to arrange interviews at a local television station to discuss the importance of men being active in their church and community, meet with another church (St. Paul's on Tortola) to hear their interest in forming a chapter there, and to meet with the Chairman of the Standing Committee for the Diocese to explore further growth and relationship building.

Pictured L to R: Br. Ellis Clifton, Rector, Br. Vincent Wheatley (elected BVI Minister of Public Health & Human Development), Br. Tom Welch and Sr. Warden/Br. Trevor Bridgewater.

UPCOMING IN-PERSON EVENTS:

Provine III workshop at Virginia Theological Seminary

9/16 *

Men's Spiritual Fall Retreat, Silver City, NM

10/18-20*

Province II workshop at Mercer School of Theology, Long Island

10/26

*Further details below

Chapter and Brother News!

Send us pictures and short writeups of what great things are going on in your Brotherhood world! We'd love to share!

Our 5th new (or re-chartered) chapter this year is here! On 8/20 Executive Director Tom Welch installed the first BStA chapter in the British Virgin Islands. St. Mary the Virgin on the small island of Virgin Gorda hosted Tom in their rectory. His homily was well received. He also met on Tortola with members of St. Paul's Church. The rector there is interested in the men of the parish taking an interest in chapter formation. Pictured here are three of the new members from St. Mary the Virgin. L to R: Fr. Ellis Clifton, Rector, Vincent Wheatley (elected Minister of Public Health & Human Development for BVI), Tom Welch and Trevor Bridgewater (who is also Sr. Warden to the vestry).

Seminarians, faculty and staff at VTS are invited to an "information session" on their campus an hour before the Province III workshop (also on campus). Here's their invitation below. All members of Province III received an invitation through Constant Contact. This is a first in a series of outreach events on seminary campuses throughout the church.

Christ Episcopal Church - Stroudsburg, PA

(Never heard of this chapter? That's because they are looking to START a new chapter!)

From James Anthony

Men of Christ Church, who are interested in founding a new chapter of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, attended the Celtic Eucharist and hosted hors d’oeuvres and refreshments afterwards for parishioners. A good time was had by all on the Eve of the Transfiguration of Jesus.

(Reaching out in the community to grow our Brotherhood!)

TRINITY BROTHERS ANDREW

VISIT ST. GEORGE’S

At the invitation of their Rector, The Reverend Joe Hensley, some members of the Trinity Chapter in Fredericksburg, VA. Brotherhood of St. Andrew and spouses, visited St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg for the 10AM service on Sunday, August 6th. Jim and Maizel Carlock, Raleigh and Carol Jimenez,

Geoff Pomroy, and Jim Ripley attended. Rev. Hensley wanted to see if any of the men of St. George’s are interested in joining the Brotherhood since

they have no active chapter. He said he is hopeful this will be another step in Trinity and St. George’s having greater fellowship.

Jim Carlock also made an announcement during the service about the purpose of the Brotherhood and how the Trinity Chapter has made a difference to their members, congregation, and community. The

St. Georgians were attentive and gave Jim a round of applause after he concluded. The Brothers Andrew remained after the service to provide written information and to sign up any who wanted a follow up.

Reverend Hensley agreed to attend the August 12th chapter meeting and an “open house” afterwards. At least four men from St. George’s mentioned they plan to attend.

Membership Updates

(Through 9/5/23)

1,418 Sr. Members paid

including 211 New Members!

555 Life Members

11 Junior Members

35 Associate Members

That's 2,019 Total!

SPEAKING OF NEW MEMBERS.....

Here's a link to the

New Member Orientation from last week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pML0KvAqd7Y

"Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints," the Psalmist writes. We learned from St. Joseph's Chapter in Boynton Beach, Florida, the passing earlier this month of two of their long-standing members. Please keep the families of Br. Herb Collins and Br. Ralph "Tad" Knutsen in your prayers. May the light of Christ shine upon these beloved brothers.

Congratulations and THANK YOU to all our chapters achieving designation as a Houghteling Chapter with over 80% of their rosters being current in 2023 annual pledges!

St Stephen/ St Martin Brooklyn NY

St Georges Episcopal Hempstead NY

Grace Jamaica NY

St Davids Episcopal Cambria Heights NY

St Uriel Episcopal Sea Girt NJ

St Lukes Episcopal Bronx NY

Trinity Episcopal Fredericksburg VA

Pohick Episcopal Church Lorton VA

Trinity Episcopal Elkton MD

St Pauls Episcopal Doylestown PA

Emmanuel Episcopal Virginia Beach VA

St Josephs Episcopal Fayetteville NC

St Barnabas Episcopal Tullahoma TN

Holy Comforter Episcopal Gadsden AL

Christ Church Cathedral Lexington KY

St Pauls By The Sea Jacksonville Beach FL

St Marys Episcopal High Point NC

Christ Church Elizabeth City NC

Holy Trinity Episcopal Decatur GA

St Johns Episcopal Pascagoula MS

Christ Church Covington LA

St James House of Prayer Tampa FL

St James Episc Houston TX

St Peter & St Paul Marietta GA

Church of Atonement Lauderdale Lakes FL

St Timothys Centennial CO

St Joseph Boynton Beach FL

St Andrew by the Sea Nags Head NC

Trinity Florence AL

Advent Sun City West AZ

Grace Galveston TX

Trinity Mattoon IL

St Luke San Antonio TX

St Peter Kerrville TX

Church of Resurrection East Elmhurst NY

Church of Resurrection Longwood FL

Church of Good Shepherd Friendswood TX

St Timothys Lake Jackson TX

Emmanuel Athens GA

St Kevin Opa Locka FL

St Paul Delray Beach FL

St Andrew Downers Grove IL

Church of the Ascension Knoxville TN

St Francis Rio Rancho NM

St Francis in the Fields Harrods Creek KY

St Peters Rialto CA

Christ Church Pensacola FL

St Agnes Miami FL

Recognizing Our

Sustaining Members

Sustaining Members refers Brothers who have made a commitment to offer a monthly (or quarterly) donation to the Brotherhood over and above their regular Sr. Membership dues or a Life membership.

Many of us do make additional donations throughout the year (Ex: special appeals, purchase of the Sweepstakes tickets, etc.), but this a pledged commitment of recurring donations in a regular, consistent recurring donation throughout the year. It represents a commitment to financially support our ministry on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Thanks be to these Brothers for their commitment to financially supporting our ministry throughout the year.

Br. James Miller, Br. John Streeter, Br. David Adams,

Br. Evans Clements, Rev. Br. Ellis Clifton, Br. Nick Cox, Br. Cecil Buxo, Br. Walt Joyce, Br. Leland Metheney,

Br. Louis Surles, Br. John Blossom, Br. Eric Fisher,

Rev. Br. John Thompson-Quartey, Br. Arthur Simpson, Br. Oliver Evans, Br. Peter Gilmour, Br. Ken Holloway, Br. Roy Benavides, Br. Conrad Jones, Br. Ed Milbrada, Br. Ray Talbird, Br. George Shumard, Br. Jeff Butcher, Br. Tom Simpson, Br. Dick Hooper, Br. Eric Haralson, Br. Tom Welch, Rev. Br. Ed Bartle

Can you commit to a $5 or $10/month (or more) donation to this ministry and community of men that you belong to? That's less than a lunch at McDonald's! It is important, if not critical, to the ongoing vitality of our ministry to men and youth. If you'd like to discuss more, email me by clicking here: conrad.jones@brothersandrew.net

Members At Large

MAL News!

Bro. Lyn Reavis hosts a monthly zoom "breakfast" meeting for Members At Large (MAL). Using the Brothers Andrew Devotional Handbook, the meeting ritual begins with our Chapter Devotional. His Life Line format focus on Study, Prayer, and a Commitment to Service in each members local parish or community. The Study usually considers a Saint from the church's liturgical calendar. Members At Large or anyone interested in the Brotherhood is invited. Check our Members Newsletter "Lead Like Andrew" for more information about the zoom link and schedule. Otherwise, the session usually falls on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 Central Time. Bro. Lyn can be reached at lyn.reavis@brothersandrew.net.

Mark Your Calendars For

These Upcoming Events!

BROTHERHOOD MONTHLY MEMBER WEBINAR

Tune in to our

next webinar

Wednesday, September 6 at 8 p.m. (EDT)

Major General Kurt Ryan

Major General (Retired) Kurt Ryan had dreamed of riding his bicycle across the United States when he retired from 35 years of service in the U.S. Army. In 2021 his dream came true, and he stepped off on a 3,200-mile journey to see America's beauty, meet its diverse people, and reunite with a group of Army buddies who he served with through the years. He likes to tell his story to anyone who will listen. His 51 day journey is captured in an on-line journal at Vets Across America, by K. Ryan (crazyguyonabike.com)

Do you know when your diocese is having their next diocesan convention? If so, please let us know so we can post it here! AND if you or your chapter can man a table or booth at the convention, The Brotherhood has the materials and banners for a booth and we can pay the booth registration fee!

Show the rest of your diocese what The Brotherhood is all about and see if there are parishes that may be interested!

**229th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia will be held in Fredericksburg, VA Nov. 2-4 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center

** Diocese of East Carolina's Revival and Ministry Fair at Newton Grove on October 21st

** Diocese of North Carolina will be held November 17-18 at the Benton Convention Center in High Point, NC

**Diocese of Rio Grande November 9-11 at St. Alban's, El Paso,TX

JOIN US IN PRAYER EACH WEEK

Mid-Week

Mid-Day

Pray Day

Join us...

What better way to level set during the middle of the week? We will hold a weekly Wednesday noon (CDT) prayer time over ZOOM 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 up your prayer tank!

Please join us every week when you can to recharge your prayer batteries!

The Zoom link can be accessed by clicking here.

Copy and paste this Zoom link into your calendar so you can join us for 20 minutes

every Wednesday at 1 pm EST/noon CST/11 am MST/10 am PST!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89341488609?pwd=RStUSjJKbVF2eVY2c2cxMHpRTm9Pdz09

If you'd like to help lead, pick an empty date and contact conrad.jones@brothersandrew.net or roy.benavides@brothersandrew.net

It's simple...we already have the script made out (in our devotional handbook or the Book of Common Prayer)!

Prayer Leaders Schedule

September 13 - Roy Benavides

September 20 - Chris Matthews

September 27 - Peter Gilmour

(We need additional leaders for October)

Our National Council Meeting will be held on October 7. We hope to approve a tentative 2024 budget as well as approve a change in wording of our current bylaws , changing the word "pledge" to "Ministry Dues" per a proposal from our membership committee and approval by the Executive Board.

To view our ByLaws, click here

***AND***

Elections for national office will be held during our National Council meeting in February 2024. Please begin to think of Brothers you might nominate for any one of multiple offices! Use the form below to make those nominations BEFORE September 29, 2023

Ministry News!

Scouting and Youth

Racial Reconciliation

Social Justice

Veterans

Recovery

Restorative Justice

Discipleship and Mentoring

Veterans Ministry

Br. Everett Price, VP of Veterans Ministry

I wanted to make sure you knew, Right Reverend Ann Ritonia will be ordained at 11 AM on September 30. The service will take place at St John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, in Washington, DC. I am working on an invitation to that service through our good friend, Rev William (Razz) Waff, who was on the selection committee for this very important office.

Hope all is well with you all. Please pray for our annual meeting next week in Columbia, SC. It will be the first time since COVID that all 4 partners will be in the same room. We are doing a joint presentation on the Veteran Friendly Congregation network – it’s current status and plans for future growth. I am told there will be a link provided for anyone to join us on-line for this hour-long session. Anyone on this note that is interested, just reply back and I’ll make sure to get it to you.

It’s also the first time that the future Canon for Veteran Ministries in the Episcopal Church, Rev Michele Causton, will be with us live and in person. I met her yesterday on a Zoom call. Very sharp, very committed and excited about getting the word out to dioceses about why our network is best suited for parish service for veterans and their families. She is also very well educated on the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Daughters of the King. I noted that she never spoke of one without the other in a sentence.

I’m excited.

Peace be with you all.

Racial Reconciliation News

Breaking Out of My White Bubble

By Bob Baker

After going through the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground Study Program, I like some of you found myself in a dilemma: How could I move beyond the white world that was my life. I’ve always appreciated diversity of cultures, and I’ve enjoyed membership and leadership positions in several organizations that celebrated international ties: Rotary International, Sister Cities, The International Club of Tulsa, Tulsa International Folk Dancers, Irish and German-American Folk Dancers, but my life experience seemed to be devoid of more than occasional contact with people of color. I had to really think about how I might change this. I asked myself, “Where can I remember encountering someone of color in my past experiences?”

I had many satisfying years in Rotary mostly in Broken Arrow, a Tulsa suburb where I had my medical office. Our 75-member club had one black Rotarian for several of those years. A number of Tulsa area clubs around 25 years ago helped to re-establish the Rotary Club of North Tulsa and I remembered a couple of black men from that time. So during the Covid pandemic, I contacted Wallace Williams who was a Past District Governor to ask about that club. I starting meeting with them on Zoom in 2020 when his wife Anne was president. I decided to move my membership from Broken Arrow to the North Tulsa club to become their 14th member at that time. Anne was very appreciative of my becoming a new member and I continue to enjoy my membership there. Now that we are beyond the worst of the pandemic I can appreciate the multitudinous hugs we get at the club that I hadn’t experienced so much at all white clubs.

So if you find yourself having trouble breaking out of your white bubble to connect with people of color, my advice is to search your memory to find any past experience where you have a mutual interest that you can build on to expand your diversity horizons.

Information Resources!

We have initiated a new Direct Line or "Hot Line" for Province Presidents, Diocesan Coordinators, and Chapter Officers who have an urgent need to contact our national leadership at any time. Our Executive Director will have this cell phone at all times. In addition, the executive leadership of the Brotherhood will also be available for return calls by simply leaving a voice mail message on this phone. We have committed to responding ASAP.

The Hot Line Number will be sent to the field leaders under a direct message.

We need stories from Chapters and Ministries

Our editor Kathy Copas really would like to include news of chapter events and ministry meetings or events. If you have something to share, please send to

editor@brothersandrew.net

Prayer Requests

If you have a personal prayer request, please contact (502) 450-5640 to access the list and/or submit your requests. Accessing the list to join in "the power of praying" for those in need.

Many chapters have used various methods of keeping track of their prayer request. One such form has been used that organizes the requests and corporate prayers.

Click Here to submit your request.

Learn to Pray the Anglican Rosary

PRAY THE ANGLICAN ROSARY