|
"LEAD LIKE ANDREW"
Membership Newsletter
Brotherhood of St. Andrew
| |
|
|
Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter
Volume 61, "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
Brothers and friends, here we are at the close of another year. If you're like me, playing Christmas music will continue into Epiphany. It's been quite a year of transitions for many of us in our mutual ministry. For the 2nd year in a row, we are closing out the year with over 200+ new members. Yes, we are losing some brothers to the Kingdom Triumphant. Yet the trend is that we are holding our own.
Our webinar last month featuring Rev. Ian Markham, Dean of Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) was quite well received and the first time I can recall having bishops, other clergy, seminary staff and students attend one of our live webinars. I will be sharing both of the last two webinars with VTS's communications office as the New Year arrives. As you can see below, we have another stellar speaker I am looking forward to introducing.
We are fast approaching our National Convention. An actual Annual Chapter Report, not just a roster, qualifies a chapter to vote in our national elections. As previously announced, these must be received at the National Office by 12/31/23. Here is the list as of today, 12/27, of the ACR's received. As you can tell, your chapter is likely not on the list. PLEASE call your chapter director and other officers as you finish reading this so that you may have a vote in our elections. Here's the list of ACR's in good order with the majority of members on the rolls current with dues:
Chapter/City, State
Holy Trinity Episcopal, Gainesville, FL
St. Stephen/St. Martin, Brooklyn, NY
St. Joseph, Fayetteville, NC
St. Marks, Islip, NY
St. Augustine, Brooklyn, NY
St. Mary, High Point, NC
Church of the Resurrection, East Elmhurst, NY
St. Johns Episcopal, Tulsa, OK
St. Stephens, Culpeper, VA
St. Johns, Naperville, IL
St. Peter & St. Paul, Marietta, GA
St. Davids, Chambria Heights, NY
Trinity, The Woodlands, TX
Church of the Good Shepherd, Silver City, NM
St. Timothy, Centennial, CO
St. Joseph, Boynton Beach, FL
St. Matthews, Austin, TX
Christ Church, Beachwood, OH
St. Mary, West Columbia, TX
Advent Episcopal, Sun City West, AZ
Emmanuel, Virginia Beach, VA
Partial Reports (not eligible)
St. Barnabas, Tullahoma, TN
Christ Church, Bowling Green, KY
Grace Episcopal, Jamacia, NY
St. Marks, Brooklyn, NY
St. Pauls, Doylestown, PA
Caroline Church, Setauket, NY
St. Andrews, Downers Grove, IL
St. Andrews by the Sea, Nags Head, NC
This means over 200 chapters have not submitted their ACR. Only two business days to go. If yours was snail-mailed, please scan/email a copy to admin@brothersandrew.net. The links for the ACR are listed later in this edition of LLA..........
| |
|
Next two monthly webinar speakers announced:
January 3
Rev. Can. Scott Gunn, Executive Director
Forward Movement
"Discipleship in the Church Today"
In our January webinar Rev. Gunn will share the state of spiritual life in the church based on data from over 26,000 Episcopalians that have participated in the "Renewal Works" program of 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
| |
'Teddy Roosevelt' Keynote Speaker at Triennial | |
|
Joe Wiegand is the world's premiere Theodore Roosevelt re-enactor. As an actor and historian, his portrayals of Theodore Roosevelt have been enjoyed by audiences in all 50 states and internationally.
Joe is a political science graduate of The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. After a stint in graduate school, he launched his own business as a political campaign consultant and public policy expert. Joe served six years as a member of the DeKalb County, Illinois Board of Commissioners and was working in public policy and running election campaigns when he began performing as Theodore Roosevelt in 2002.
In 2008, Joe, his wife Jenny, daughter Sam, and golden retriever Faith, traveled across America in celebration of Theodore Roosevelt's 150th birthday and the centennial year of Roosevelt's historic presidency. Performances at the White House and Roosevelt’s New York City birthplace highlighted the 50-state adventure. Joe has been featured as President Roosevelt in “The Men Who Built America” on the History Channel, served as the model for the newest Roosevelt sculpture at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and has a feature role in “National Parks Adventure,” an IMAX film about our national parks.
Today, the Wiegands live in Medora, North Dakota, gateway to the Roosevelt National Park, where Joe works for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Joe is a 31-year member of Rotary International and a member of the National Association for Interpretation. See www.teddyrooseveltshow.com and www.medora.com
| | |
|
|
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!
| |
|
2023 ANNUAL REPORTS 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
| |
|
Membership Updates
(Through 12/27/23)
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
Sign up today and have your appreciation gift
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
Prayers
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 for Mid-Day Prayers 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: Click Here
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
| |
|
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
| |
|
Some Recommended
Books to Read
Signs of Life: Nurturing Spiritual Growth in Your Church
by Jay Sidebotham
by Susan Mettes, David Kinnaman - foreword, et al.
*Helpful Book Reminder*
The Work of Prayer
A Manual for Those Who Would Pray Well
by
James O. S. Hunington, OHC
Do you have any book recommendations? Write to us and give us the title and author so we can share it with your Brothers!
| |
|
Financial Dollars and Cents
| |
|
TREASURER’S REPORT
Cash Flow Statement for YTD November 2023
| |
|
This newsletter was made possible thanks to your generous financial support.
Thanks so much!
| | | | |
