Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Membership Newsletter
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Welcome back to our current edition (Volume 8) of our bi-weekly newsletter. 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 email us news, tidbits, or notices of upcoming events in your area, so we can include them!
We hope you enjoy and share this format with other men.
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CALLING ALL BROTHERS
Many Brothers have attended a religious event called Cursillo. Many have been active in Fourth Day Activities of Ultreyas and Reunion Groups for years. We have had some brothers as if we would facilitate folks to continue in Reunion Groups or to develop a new group. Zoom is a good place to begin to seek and hold reunions. We're in the developing and thinking stage of how to do this. With your help, we might be able to help in a virtual Ultreya monthly that would enhance the opportunities for reunion groups to develop. Let us know what your needs are, and we'll do our best to help.
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THE STATE OF THE BROTHERHOOD
On St. Andrew's Day, November 30, our national president Br. Conrad Jones provides all members an update on this past year in The Brotherhood and where we are going in 2022. It will be presented again during our monthly webinar on Dec. 1, but why not start off your St. Andrew's Day celebration and prayers by hearing all we've accomplished this past year and our plans for the future?
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CHAPTER "HOT" TOPICS AND TIPS
A topic for discussion for a chapter is the E-word or "Evangelism." It is a vital part of our Mission. How do we as brothers engage in this concept.? Is it an action? Process? Sharing of Good News? Does this topic intimidate you and/or others? Something else? What successes have you experienced with Evangelism?
Plus, have you ever had a dialogue regarding our "Brothers Andrew" role as a chapter?
Lastly, what value(s) have you added/contributed to the mission and vision of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew? Historically, why was the Brotherhood initially formed in Chicago in 1883?
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MEMBERS BIBLE STUDY SUGGESTIONS
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Some chapters have used the Serendipity Bible as a guide for facilitating a Bible study for chapters and other study groups. It can be for personal use and small groups. This Bible has a specially prepared insert for 60 Felt-Need Courses around the following topics: Men, Women, Singles, Marriage, Parenting, Youth, Marketplace, Spirituality, Special Needs, and Recovery. Each topic/theme has Beginner and Advanced Options with the discussion techniques using Margin Questions. In addition to the Felt-Needs study, there are Topical Study, Book Study, and Lectionary-Based sections for a robust Bible Study program.
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ADVENT WORD EACH DAY
Were you aware that the start of Advent is actually tied to St. Andrew's Day? The first Sunday of Advent is always the Sunday closest to St. Andrew's Day, November 30!
Advent Word, has offered 28 daily meditations and images during this holy season beginning Sunday, November 28. Gathering a worldwide community, AdventWord provides a daily meditation, visual image, and invites your personal reflections via social media to share your own Advent journey. Thousands have participated each year, responding to the day’s prompt words with photos, written responses, crafts, drawings, poems, found art, and Holy Spirit-filled posts. Sign up for daily emails by clicking here..
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Monthly Brotherhood National Webinar
Our next National Brotherhood Webinar is scheduled for December 1st, 8 PM Eastern.
All National Webinars are a special and serious-minded meeting for all Chapter Directors, Diocesan Coordinators, Assembly Presidents, and of course, members. First, we will have a video presentation on the state of the Brotherhood by President Conrad.
Second, we will have an update from our Communications VP on our future communications and marketing planning. Finally, we will have an update on our Annual Chapter Report (ACR) format and revisions updates.
Meeting ID: 824 8146 9157
Passcode: 357473
Reminder, if you have thoughts and ideas around the "value of the Brotherhood," and how do we share this message, please forward ideas to Sr. VP for Administration Roy Benavides at roy.benavides@brothersandrew.net. If you have a suggested topic for a National Webinar, please forward this as well.
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Race and Reconciliation Ministry
The Race and Reconciliation Ministry Committee is actively meeting monthly to study and promote activities related to this ministry.
Related activities are also focused on the Church's Sacred Ground Curriculum. Several Discussion Circles are being formed for the new year. A Sacred Ground Discussion Circle is a Zoom-based hosted and facilitated program for a max of ten participants each. One such circle is currently open to begin on January 17th. Interested brothers should contact roy.benavides@brothersandrew.net or jthompsonq@gmail.com for more information.
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:
1. 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.
2. 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:
1. Recovery Ministry of the Episcopal Church (RMEC) -
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Brothers At Large!
If you are a Brother who is not currently associated with a specific parish chapter, then you are a Brother At Large (BAL)!
We have good news for all our BALs, we have monthly Zoom calls just for you!
The next call will be December 15, at 8 p.m. EDT hosted and led by Br. Lyn Reavis.
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Participating in Advent!
The Stillness We Seek by Cathy H. George has daily devotions for advent. The Preface begins with the following: "Cast away the way of darkness and put on the armor of light." A very good guide for our preparations during Advent.
Journeying the Way of Love Advent Curriculum Is the Episcopal guide for this Advent Season. Click here to view.
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END OF YEAR DONATIONS AND GIFTS
Many of our Brothers are considering end-of-year donations and gifts as a tax consideration. Please consider the Brotherhood, its Men's Ministries, Regional Men's Retreats, and Special Projects when you plan out your giving program. http://brothersandrew.plannedgiving.org or contact The Rev Canon John Blossom at plannedgiving@brothersandrew.net (800)974-2183
Also, remember, Life Memberships will increase from $600 to $1000 beginning January 1, 2022.
In addition, Annual 2022 Membership Renewals will be starting November 1-December 31, as well as Annual Chapter Reports for all chapters.
Membership pledges will increase from $40 to $50 for 2022.
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Current Dates and Events of Interest for All Members
BSTA National Webinar December 1st, at 8 p.m. EDT.
December 15th, 8 p.m. EDT
Member At Large Zoom Call
December 18th, 9:30 a.m. CST
Member At Large Zoom Breakfast
*Bring your own coffee and donuts
December 7th, 8 p.m. EDT
Executive Board
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We need Volunteers in all of our Ministries and especially the Communications Committee-- Help is needed !!
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Practicing the Discipline of Prayer...
With a devotion for each day of the year based on the Daily Office Lectionary in The Book of Common Prayer, and now the Revised Common Lectionary on Sundays, Forward Day by Day has been a resource for Christian disciples, Episcopalians, and others, for eight decades.
And you can get it in your email every day for free!
Click on the link below to sign up for your free daily email.
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An Important Thought for all Brothers.......
We have a bond! A bond that is stronger than just a men's group or a Bible Study group, or a service group. We know that MEN need MEN. We offer critical Brothers needing Brothers. Our bonds cross social, economic, racial, geographical, political, and occupational boundaries. The Brotherhood Mission is to bring men and youth to Christ. Our model is St Andrew, who responded to Jesus’ call to follow at the first invitation. Our method at its core is “Community” and “Fellowship” guided by Prayer, Study, and Service. The Brotherhood provides this relationship through Member participation in groups of those who want to grow and those who enjoy support and friendship with other men.
Ask not what value you get for your membership renewal, but rather the value WE OFFER through bringing more men and youth to Christ. Help us to continue this mission and ministry. Please offer your 2022 membership renewals during November.
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Reach out and talk to someone
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When's the last time you called up a Brother just to say "Hello" and thank him for his dedication to our Brotherhood over the years? Maybe even offer to pray with him, because we never know what may be going on in someone's life that they need that bond in prayer.
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Recommended Books and Articles
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Want to know more about Slack and why we (Brotherhood of St. Andrew) are a Slack as a non-profit?
https://betanews.com/2019/05/09/how-the-smartest-companies-use-slack-today/?utm_source=pocket_mylist
Read any new books or articles that really made an impact on you (or that you simply enjoyed)?
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Recommending Books
Mere Christianity
by C. S. Lewis
The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember
by Fred Rogers
The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World
by Desmond and Mpho Tutu.
Write us back and give us the title and author, so we can share with your Brothers!
What are you reading or mediating for Advent? Share with us.
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Let us know what you or your chapter is doing! Pictures of events, upcoming retreats, fundraisers, service projects ... anything you'd like to share with your Brothers! Send it by email to:
editor@brothersandrew.net
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Second Request
St. Andrew's Day Celebrations
As chapters and members plan for St. Andrew Day on November 30th please share your programs, prayers, and service with us.
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