"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"

Membership Newsletter

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter

Volume 60, "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 Executive Director Tom Welch

As you may recall, November 30th marked our 140th year of our ministry in the Episcopal Church. The largest in-person gathering we have had anywhere in the country this year was on Saturday, December 2. It was held none other than in our cradle, our birthplace, St. James Cathedral in Chicago. They were pleased to "bring the brothers home." My thanks to the Chicago Assembly brothers for making it an exceptional experience for all. Efforts from Brs. Bill Powell, Waring Webb, Thom Sutton and Kurt Wiesner helped to pull it off. THANKS! Special thanks also to Interim Province V President Jeff Butcher and Field Operations VP Tom Martin for their presence and presentations having traveled from their homes in Kentucky and Georgia, respectively to be there. Even brothers from outside Province V were there!

Chicago Assembly President Thom Sutton and Diocesan Coordinator Kurt Wiesner presented Provost Lisa with a plaque to mark the historical milestone. Participants were treated to a 45-minute Cathedral tour, lunch, and business session. Br. Tom Martin, Atlanta, led a 30-minute Evangelism and Discipleship discussion.

Look for more details on this event in the January edition of The Saint Andrew's Cross. The Chicago meeting is part of an on-going 140th anniversary celebration. More celebrating will follow at our in-person National Convention in Baltimore this February. Look for more information on that in this newsletter.

Pictured below (l to r) is Br. Thom Sutton, Br. Kurt Wiesner and Cathedral Provost Rev. Lisa Hackney-James.

Next two monthly webinar speakers announced:

January 3

Rev. Can. Scott Gunn, Executive Director

Forward Movement

February 7

Rev. Matthew S.C. Oliver

Executive Director and Publisher

The Living Church

Our monthly webinars are always on the first Wednesday of each month at 8pm/Eastern.

Here's the link:

Monthly Webinar Link

ALERT:

MINISTRY DUES Renewal time is here!

As the holidays season is upon us and we prepare to celebrate with loved ones, let's also take a moment for introspection and gratitude. This year has seen The Brotherhood flourish, thanks to the unwavering support of our generous fellowship of Brothers grounded in faith. We invite you to join us in expressing gratitude to God through a charitable contribution to our Foundation Trust before the year's end.

Here's a link to our Planned Giving web page or as Br. John Blossom calls it "Smart Giving"

Click here

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew Foundation Fund, managed by State Street Global Advisors in the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) program grew by $60,618 during the month of October (6.7%) to help move us closer to the $1 million level ($971,52) which will lower our costs for admin and management and build larger distributions for operating our BOSA ministries.

We understand that each person's capacity to give is unique, and we encourage you to consider the form of giving that aligns best with your individual circumstances. Here, we outline various avenues to explore:

· Gifts of Cash For those who itemize deductions, it's worth noting that you can deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash gifts made in 2023. To illustrate, a couple with a $100,000 income could contribute and deduct up to $60,000 this year. While this limit is generous, some individuals choose to contribute more. Should your gift exceed this deduction limit, the IRS allows you to carry forward excess amounts for up to five years.

· IRA Charitable Rollover The IRS recognizes an IRA charitable rollover, also known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). If you're aged 70½ or older, you have the option to make a direct transfer from your IRA custodian to a qualified charity, without it being included in your taxable income. For those over 73, this distribution can fulfill part or all of your required minimum distribution (RMD).

It's essential to be aware of certain parameters for the IRA charitable rollover. You must be at least 70½ years old, and the maximum annual transfer is $100,000. The transfer must be directed to a qualified exempt charity and may be designated for a specific purpose or field of interest fund, excluding donor-advised funds (DAFs) or supporting organizations (SOs). Furthermore, it cannot be directed towards events, such as charity dinners, that offer partial benefits to the donor. The entire QCD must be dedicated to a qualified charitable purpose.

· Appreciated Securities Donating long-term appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, can provide additional tax advantages compared to cash gifts for many individuals. When you contribute appreciated securities to a charitable organization, you may deduct their fair market value at the time of the gift (subject to certain limits), while avoiding taxes on any capital gains.

We strongly recommend consulting with your financial advisor before year-end to craft a strategy that best fulfills your giving intentions. Please consider a legacy donation to our Foundation which will benefit the Brotherhood for generations to come!

Registration is open at

https://tinyurl.com/2024Triennial

or download hard copy here to mail with check

Make your hotel reservations at

https://tinyurl.com/2024TriennialHotel

Registration & Reservation Deadline is January 15, 2024

GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRIENNIAL AT

St. Andrew's Cross November 2023

2023 ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE DECEMBER 31st

Make sure your chapter's 2023 Annual Chapter Report (ACR) is sent to the national office BEFORE Dec. 31.

In order for your chapter or Assembly to vote in the national elections in February 2024,

the ACR must be received in the national office by Dec 31 AND

the majority of your chapter's rostered members (as well as the delegate) must have their dues paid for 2024.

Once those conditions are met, the ballots will be sent out to the delegates for return or for voting in person at convention.

Click here for ONLINE 2023 Annual Chapter Report

Click here for PRINTABLE/MAILABLE 2023

Annual Chapter Report

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!

The Brotherhood of St Andrew at Good Shepherd in Friendswood, TX smoked 11 turkeys (average 13.71 lbs), 17 roasts (3 lbs) and 16 turkey legs (2 lbs; new for this year) this year. That’s 233.81 pounds of turkey we shopped for, thawed out, prepped, smoked/cooked, bagged and delivered to customers. This was about 1/3^rd less than we did last year, but we still had a successful fundraiser. We thank all who participated and/or donated.

And huge thanks to the following Brothers who contributed about 37 hours of labor to make this all possible: Ronnie Vinson, Chris Mays, Peter Gilmour, Alan McArthur, Robert Walker, Wiley Murrell, and Tom Chastant. In addition to making money, there was great fellowship during our preparing and cooking sessions.

The Brotherhood promotes the spread of Christ's Kingdom among men and youth through the disciplines of daily prayer, regular study and continuous service. All men and youth are welcome to attend our meetings which are regularly held at 10:00am in Shepherd's Hall on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. We also host a BrotherTGIF event on Friday between our two meetings. Come join the fun.

Brotherhood Director, Peter Gilmour 480-206-9242 ptrglmr7@gmail.com

Brother Penley to step down as Interim Province IV President at the end of the year

FINAL WORDS-NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT ANDREW:

" I only wish that I had more time to commit to this mission started by St. Andrew through the dedicated men that cold night in Chicago 140 years ago."

First, I want to personally thank Conrad Jones for his support, guidance and leadership during this 7-month interim period. I have learned so much from him and all the executive committee at the national level. In fact, my faith has been deepened due to the magnificent work that all of you do for the Brotherhood.

As my interim position ends, I will not forget the dedication to a HIGHER CAUSE that each of you bring to the table and will always remember St. Andrew for his unwavering love for Jesus. He was a leader of men to Jesus starting with his brother Simon Peter and growing from there. This is the same calling I feel for all of us to follow in the mission of the brotherhood, “to be leaders of men & youth to Christ”.

God bless each of you during this holiday season and for remembering the real reason for the season, to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.

May you Go in Peace!

Br. David Penley

Resurging Interest and chapter growth at Caroline Church

Setauket, NY

Hello Brothers Nick Cox and Leonid Chance,

We wanted to thank you again for joining and leading us during our St. Andrew's celebration and induction of 4 new members. It was a very uplifting celebration.

I'd like to share some comments from the parish after the service and during the week. When all the brothers joined at the altar, many newer parishioners commented that is appeared to be half the congregation present (which it was not but we will take it!). Comments continued all week about how many folks did not realize the number of men working the ministry of St. Andrew or even what the ministry was about. Question and curiosity are a great thing.

Comments continued around the support from National representatives taking the time to travel and be involved in the service to our chapter. Truly a blessing and opening up more question about how far reaching the Brotherhood mission is - it's International??. Again Questions and curiosity are a great thing.

How did Nick and Leonid know a number of folks from the Caroline family? Cursillo. Most of the Brothers present on the alter including Nick and Leonid had made their Cursillo weekend, participated in supporting weekends in all capacities, directed the movement and attended weekend closings and Ultreya's. Bringing together people from Brooklyn to Hampton Bays together in service of our Lord. More questions and curiosity about Cursillo and all good,

I have attached a photo from Sunday -a few Brothers missing but most were able to join. Thank you again Conrad, Nick and Leonid it was a wonderful start to Advent.

Blessings and Merry Christmas

Br. Mark LaSorsa

Membership Updates

(Through 12/12/23)

1,493 Sr. Members paid

including 242 New Members!

401 Life Members

10 Junior Members

34 Associate Members

That's 1948 total!

Recognizing Our

Sustaining Members

Sustaining Members refers to 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, Br. David Penley,

Br. John Fitzgerald, Br. Billy Harrison.

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

sent to you!

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 a.m. (Central Time). Bro. Lyn can be reached at lyn.reavis@brothersandrew.net.

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

Dec 13 - Br. Chris Mathews

Dec 20 - Br. Tom Welch

Dec 27 - Br. Tom Welch

Jan 3 - Need volunteer

Jan 10 - Need volunteer

Jan 17 - Need volunteer

Ministry News!

Scouting and Youth

Racial Reconciliation

Social Justice

Veterans

Recovery

Restorative Justice

Discipleship and Mentoring

Scouting

We are excited to announce that the very special Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award Reception, at which Brother Reginald Scantlebury will be among the honorees, will take place on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Margaritaville Hotel and Resort in Times Square, New York City! Please mark your calendar!

We hope that you will join us as we celebrate and highlight Reginald's illustrious career, and please consider supporting at one of the Sponsorship Levels detailed on the attached invite. Register online at www.nycscouting.org/whitney

Each year, the proceeds from the reception are used to support the NYC Boy Scouts ScoutReach Program, which delivers traditional Scouting programs to NYC’s most economically challenged and underserved neighborhoods. The ScoutReach after-school program has a proven track record in over 20 public schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, and is designed to help foster new interests and skills through fitness and citizenship training in a fun, interactive environment. Additionally, a portion of the monies raised will also help to provide camping scholarships for disadvantaged children throughout New York City.

Information Resources!

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 submit your requests.

Learn to Pray the Anglican Rosary

PRAY THE ANGLICAN ROSARY

Hymns with Link

When Christ Our Lord to Andrew Cried

When Christ Our Lord To Andrew Cried Lyrics

Jesus Calls Us, o'er the Tumult

Eternal Father

Please Give Us Your Feedback

We have two SurveyMonkey surveys for you to provide your opinions and thoughts. The surveys end on midnight December 2nd.

Click here for the link for a SurveyMonkey on the Cross:

The Saint Andrew Cross Magazine

The St. Andrew Cross (TSAC) is one of the Brotherhood's most enduring communications mediums to its members. Yet, TSAC, as a monthly magazine, has undergone several publication changes over the years. We want to continue this quality publication with additional insights into the type, frequency, and effectiveness of this publication.

Click here for the link for a Survey Monkey if you are a Member-at-Large

Member-At-Large

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this Survey. Standing alone, Members-at-Large is the Largest single Chapter in the Brotherhood. And we want to Hear from you about how we can better SERVE you, the member.

Brotherhood of St. Andrew Asset Map

Check it out!

Click below

Brotherhood of St. Andrew Asset Map