"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"
Membership Newsletter
Brotherhood of St. Andrew
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Welcome back to the current edition (Volume 14) of our bi-weekly newsletter "LEAD LIKE ANDREW." It's a quick read, multi-topic news channel for members to see what is going on, what is planned and successes from the previous weeks.
We urge you to contact us with news, tidbits, or notices of upcoming events in your area, so we can include them! We also want your feedback on this newsletter or how you are being served by the national office.
Please share this format with other men in your parish or community.
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YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!!!
National Webinar Program
March 2nd, 8 pm EST
(Ash Wednesday)
"Embracing Evangelism"
Canon Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism at The Episcopal Church in the Office of the Presiding Bishop
Canon Greer will introduce a new video series on the topic of Evangelism available to individuals and chapters/parishes. The intro video lasts about 20 minutes and she will share with us some of the ways we as the Brotherhood can be an active partner in this program.
This is an exciting program and PLEASE mark your calendar to attend at 8 pm EST. A great way for us to start our Lenten journey of prayer on the night of Ash Wednesday.
Meeting ID: 818 5431 9259
Passcode: 775882
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Here’s the invitation:
TryTank Experimental Lab and the Department of Evangelism in the Office of the Presiding Bishop want to train 20 Episcopal evangelism catalysts as Evangelism Mentors. Once trained, the Evangelism Mentors would commit to mentoring an evangelism team, made up of leaders from smaller congregations who have completed the  Evangelism 101 or  Embracing Evangelism courses and have a desire to take their ministry of evangelism further.
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Brotherhood WORDLE!!!
Your chance to improve your word skills and possibly win a $200 Amazon Gift Card!
Here’s how it works….
Create as many words as you can using the letters in
BROTHERHOOD
(B R O T H E R D)
Use letters multiple times in the same word if you want!
(examples: HOT, BOOT, RED, BETTER, etc)
Then just click here or scan the QR code below to make a $25 donation to support all our ministries or a specific ministry!
Then send your list of words to Br. Conrad Jones
(use “WORDLE” as the subject line)
at
The entry with the most words wins a $200 Amazon Gift Card!
In case of a tie the entry with the MOST letters in one word wins.
Support our ministries and take a chance at winning $200!
The winner will be announced in the NEXT newsletter.
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Did You Miss it???
What a fantastic webinar we had in February! Our guest speaker was Dr. Rebecca Farrell, staff program and outreach director for NAMI, a member of the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This was a very timely topic dealing with issues that arise daily in the national conversation about mental health and the impacts of pandemic isolation. especially among families and men.
YOU MUST USE THIS PASSCODE TO LAUNCH THE VIDEO
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A very special message from
The Rt. Rev. Mark D. W. Edington
Bishop in Charge
The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
The Episcopal Church has been in Europe for more than two hundred years. Our churches have seen Europe’s wars unfold. They’ve lived and endured in the midst of the destruction and depravity that war brings.
Our parish here in Paris set up a field hospital during France’s war with Prussia in 1870 that treated wounded soldiers. Our parish in Munich created a clinic during World War I that treated wounded German soldiers and fed families who had no income.
And our churches here have been casualties of war. A church of the Convocation worshipped in Dresden, Germany, until it was destroyed by bombing. Our parish in Munich was closed by the Gestapo in 1942, and its library of eight thousand books was burned.
Most of our churches here were closed during the Second World War. And our cathedral in Paris was used as a military chapel by the occupying German forces.
Perhaps more than any other part of the Episcopal Church, our churches in Europe have lived through the horrors of war—and the pointlessness of war, too. The cathedral's cloister, a memorial to the dead of the twentieth century’s wars in Europe, is our silent testimony to that truth.
And for a long time—almost eighty years—we have believed that the futility of war was enough to deter it. Today, with war unleashed in Ukraine, we have been proven wrong.
Our faith teaches us that we must stand with the vulnerable and the oppressed. And at the same time, our faith teaches us that we are meant to be followers of the prince of peace, of the one who taught us that violence is always a compromise with evil.
It is hard for us to reconcile those two teachings today, when innocent people are dying at the hands of a military onslaught. Our prayers feel insufficient to defend those cowering in fear and exposed to bullets and bombs.
But we know that the place where war lives is in the human heart. As the prophet Jeremiah teaches us, the heart is devious above all else; and it is in the devices and desires of hearts resisting God’s call to live in love that the first seeds of war take root.
We often begin our prayers with the words “Almighty God.” But the deeper truth of our Christian faith is that we believe humanity has been redeemed, and the world forever changed, by an all-vulnerable God—a god whose love is finally victorious through the vulnerability of a naked man nailed to a cross. It is from that seeming defeat that the victory over death and sin is won forever—even the sin that lies at the heart of war.
And so as we begin our season of Lent, we are called to give up our easy complacency about the durability of peace. We are called to consider again the reminders in our midst of war’s relentless cost to human life and God’s hope. And we are called to pray, and speak, and to labor for the truth that Christ has called us to transform this broken world through the hard work of love.
God of timelessness,
From chaos and disorder
you brought forth the beauty of creation;
From the chaos of war and violence
Bring forth the beauty of peace.
God of compassion
You saw the humanity of the outcast and the stranger;
Help us to see the evils of our hatreds and suspicions
and to turn them into the embrace of your Beloved Community.
God of peace,
Through your love on the cross
You overcame the power of violence and death;
Turn us away from the love of power
That we may transform a warring world
through the power of your love. Amen.
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Save these Zoom Meeting Dates
National Webinar March 2nd, 8 Eastern: Program "Evangelism"
National Leadership Team March 15th, 8 pm. Eastern
At-Large Brothers Zoom Meeting March 16th, 8 p.m Eastern
At-Large Brothers Zoom Meeting March 19th, 10:30 a.m. Eastern
Executive Board Meeting March 29th, 8 p.m. Eastern
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Brothers and Lent
Centering on the theme “Things done and left undone,” Lenten prayers, video reflections, and penitential meditations have been assembled by the program staff of The Episcopal Church for use throughout the 40-day Lenten season.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, this year March 2nd. Lent is a time of reflection, prayer, penance, and meditation. The Lenten season concludes with the celebration of Easter on Sunday, April 17th.
“Lent is a time to reflect and pray, and we have compiled resources that will appeal to the depth and breadth of worship and prayer in The Episcopal Church,” explained Anne Rudig, Director of Communication.
The Lenten Resources will be available throughout Lent and Easter.
Among the Lenten Resources are:
– Stations of the Cross designed by young adults
– Lectionary-based lesson plans
– Hospitality, immigration and refugee reflections from Episcopal Public Policy Network
– Lenten reflections from Episcopal Relief & Development
Additional resources will be added throughout Lent.
The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
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The Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Devotional Handbook
Excerpts from Personal Devotion#6
St. Francis of Assisi was a man who learned to flow in grace, his prayer, eloquent in its simplicity, asks to be an instrument in the almighty hand of God, to be emptied of selfishness so that the grace of God may be born in us.
The Lord calls each of us to be an instrument in his masterful hands... His grace, which began our journey, is sufficient to see us through to its end.
A Prayer of St. Francis
...Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much see to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
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Brotherhood Hymns We Shared
"We have all felt it. Few things in the world are as powerful as music. It is a driving force behind culture & community. It motivates us, empowers us, accepts us & changes us. Being impacted by music is an incredible experience!"
- Music Mentors Online
Lenten Hymns, Disciplines, and Practices
"As a parish priest, I often had our church musicians pick all of the music unless I wanted specifically to sing something that I planned to mention in a sermon. So, as I was skimming the Lenten hymns, I found one that I’ve never sung or even remember reading: Hymn 145. The words are amazing. This hymn was written by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936), an English liturgist and priest, who advocated for leadership roles for women in the Church (not ordination, mind you), wrote volumes on vestments and compiled hymnals. This hymn stuck with me because, as a former Roman Catholic, I have often struggled with the place and meaning of Lent. Every Ash Wednesday, I find myself reflecting on the admonition not to be like those in sackcloth and ashes, and yet we put an ashen cross on our forehead before heading out into the world. I’m sure that theologians and scholars have quick answers to this conundrum, but each year I struggle with the outward ways we engage with Lent and repentance and wonder about them. I’ve advocated taking something on instead of giving something up; I’ve explained how giving something up gets in the way of our relationship with God; and I’ve benefited from all sorts of Lenten disciplines, practices, and educational programs. And yet, as Lent approaches each year, I think about the ways it sets us apart publicly (like eating fish on Fridays at school growing up) and wonder. This year, I’m sitting in that same familiar place but equipped with Hymn 145. Now quit your care and anxious fear and worry; for schemes are vain and fretting brings no gain. Lent calls to prayer, to trust, and dedication; God brings new beauty nigh; reply, reply, reply with love to love most high; reply, reply, reply to love most high.
To bow the head in sackcloth and in ashes, or rend the soul, such grief is not Lent’s goal; but to be led to where God’s glory flashes, his beauty to come near. Make clear, make clear, make clear where truth and light appear; make clear, make clear, make clear where truth and light appear. –Hymn 145, verses 1-2
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/?s=lenten
Tell us how you use the music in your chapter activities.
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Embracing Evangelism: A six-part digital course exploring our call to seek, name, and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people – and then invite everyone to more. Each session features teachings on Episcopal evangelism, group discussion, and exercises to help Episcopalians understand the ministry and call to evangelism. Be sure to join our webinar on March 2 (see above) or you can find out more at:
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Evangelism
The Brotherhood Collect
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew, that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now nd forever. Amen
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Did you know, the more you "share" or "like" one of our daily Facebook or Instagram posts, the more it will be visible to other people on the platforms. Make it a habit to check out our daily posts each day and like and share them!!
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Does your Assembly or Diocese have A Brotherhood website?
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Share your chapter or Diocesan Brotherhood website with us and well will share the link here!
Check out these two!
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From the National Cathedral:
February 14, 2022
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Brotherhood of St. Andrew Asset Map
Check it out!
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Members Bible Study Suggestions
Lectio Divina - What is it?
"Lectio Divina is a monastic practice used for Scripture reading and prayer that is gaining popularity among many Christians today. The term roughly translates to "divine reading." Lectio Divina is not meant as an intellectual study of the Bible, but as a means of communion with God. The practice consists of four parts:
Lectio: First, a person reads a passage of Scripture. This reading is meant to be intentional and slow. Most people will read the focus passage several times through.
Meditatio: Next, the person doing Lectio Divina meditates on the Scripture. This means he or she ponders over the passage, seeking to hear from the Holy Spirit. He or she does not analyze the passage but does attempt to view it from various perspectives.
Oratio: This step consists of prayer. After having read and meditated on the passage, the practitioner of Lectio Divina brings it to God in prayer.
Contemplatio: The Lectio Divina process concludes with contemplation. This is a type of listening or restful prayer. The practitioner seeks to simply sit in God's presence with His Word still fresh on the mind." Christian Life
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Prayer Requests
If you have a prayer request please contact (502) 450-5809 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.
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Brotherhood Membership Updates
New Members of the Brotherhood: Rev Joshua Samuels, Ken Kikuchi
New Brotherhood Chapter: Trinity Episcopal North Scituate, RI;
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As a
The Youth Theology Network is your resource for helping high school students answer the question, “Is God calling me to ministry?”
Like you, YTN is dedicated to seeing students live out their purpose, passion, and calling.
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Social Justice Ministry
Thank you to all members who sent in stories of how you or your chapter are supporting many of the Social Justice Ministry focus issues. They are wanting to hear more any Brotherhood projects in your areas on the issues of Health, Housing, and Homeless.
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Recovery Ministry
Recurring Zoom Recovery Meetings for addicts, family, and friends.
For all addictions such as alcohol, narcotics, sex, pornography, gambling, codependency, and overeating. Anonymity is maintained - first names only:
- Every Wednesday at 7 PM (Central) 12-step recovery meeting for all addictions. Sponsored by the Recovery Ministry of the Episcopal Church (RMEC). Zoom ID 923 8806 4304.
- 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8 PM (Central) 12-Step Recovery Eucharist for all addictions. Sponsored by All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, Ca. Zoom ID 875 5107 8462.
Helpful Websites
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Calling all Members
- Do you know who your Diocesan Coordinator is?
- Do you know if you have a Cathedral Chapter?
- Do you know whom to call if you need to find a chapter if relocating?
- Does your diocesan website have a Brotherhood information message?
- What do we offer "At Large Brothers?"
- Are you searching for a program topic for your chapter meeting? Do you need to update the status or contact information for you or your chapter members?
Well, we can help--Text, call or email our national office for this assistance. They will answer your call/question and/or put you in touch with another Brother to assist. We want to be a source of service and assistance to our members. Let us know how we can help.
Administrative Office: (724) 266-5810
National Office: (502) 450-5640
Prayer Line: (502) 450-5809
SMS: (502) 305-5498
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A Reminder: brothersandrew.net Website Notes
We now have a Member's Only tab that is password-driven for members. The password for access to Brotherhood documents is "1883BSTA0122". This area is still under construction for the next few weeks.
SMS Text Messaging is now available
SMS messaging from the Brotherhood is now available. You can easily subscribe by texting (502) 305-5498. You will receive text events, meetings, and articles from the Brotherhood.
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Suggested Books
The Time is Now:
A Call to Uncommon Courage
by
Joan Chittister
Transforming Evangelism
by
David Gortner
Grounded
by
Diana Butler Bass
Do you have any book recommendations? Write to us and give us the title and author, so we can share it with your Brothers!
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We Always Need Cross Articles and Ideas!
Send any stories you have about Brotherhood activity in your area to
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