JUNIOR BROTHERHOOD CHAPTER SPONSORSHIP

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

To sponsor and support a Junior Brotherhood Of St. Andrew Chapter.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

One of the best ways to assure the continuation of the spread of Christ’s Kingdom is for a Brotherhood Chapter to sponsor and support a Junior Brotherhood Chapter in the parish. A Junior Brotherhood Chapter can be the vehicle to help young men ( age 12 and up ). who frequently lose interest in church, to continue growing in Christian commitment through prayer, study and service.

HOW IT WORKS

After the Chapter has agreed to sponsor a Junior Chapter and has obtained the Rector’s approval, Brotherhood member(s) should contact the young men of the Parish to ascertain interest. If 7 to 12 young males have expressed an interest, they should be invited to attend and observe a regular Brotherhood Chapter meeting with the Rector present and discuss the possibility of forming a Junior Chapter of the Brotherhood Of St. Andrew. The Brotherhood purpose and disciplines should be made clear to these youth at this meeting and thereby clarify that a Junior Brotherhood Chapter would not compete with a parish youth group. With this clarified, information on Junior Brotherhood Chapters should be distributed and a date set for an organizational meeting again in conjunction with a regular Brotherhood Chapter meeting with the Rector present. Once the youth chapter is a reality, a member from the adult chapter should be assigned as a liaison between the two chapters.

Suggestions on activities for Junior Chapters to be discussed at the organizational meeting are as follows:

  1. Meeting times for prayer and study determined by the youth. Initially youth may wish to meet with the Men’s Chapter. Weekly meetings are recommended but not less than twice per month are essential.
  2. Possible service projects to start with are:
  • Acolyte training and participation.
  • Assisting in Men’s Brotherhood Chapter projects such as men and boys corporate communions; conducting services at nursing homes; prayer vigils; welcoming and visiting newcomers; etc..
  • One or more service projects outside the parish as determined by the youth with assistance from the Ken’s Chapter if required.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Talk about it and pray about it preferably with the Rector present and proceed as the Holy Spirit leads.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Resource material on Junior Brotherhood Chapters should be obtained from the Brotherhood of St. Andrew National Office.

Last Update 03-31-2007