Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

  • Welcome
    • News & Upcoming Events
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    • Welcome to SsAM Booklet
    • Worship at SsAM
    • Sunday Documents: Leaflet, Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • The use of Expansive (inclusive) Language at SsAM
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  • Who We Are
    • Diversity
    • Clergy
      • Rev. David Andrews
      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
      • Rev. Emily Gibson
      • Rev. Peter Huiner
      • Rabbi in Residence Douglas E. Krantz
      • Sermons
    • Father David’s Blog
    • Vestry
      • Vestry Statements, Photos
      • Bernard Fisher, Treasurer, CPA
    • Vestry View
    • Staff
      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
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    • Choirs at SsAM
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    • Music Staff
      • David Christopher, Director of Music
      • The SsAM Staff Singers
      • Jonathan Whitney, Director of Drumming Circle and Artist in Residence
      • Tina Betz, Director of Children’s Chapel Music
      • Berna Holcomb, Music Librarian
    • Artists in Residence
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
    • Our Approach to Music and Liturgical Design at SsAM
  • Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Organ Events 2019-2020
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The Church and the Bible are not to be used as a Photo Op

The Church and the Bible are not to be used as a Photo Op

FR. DAVID’S BLOG OF 06/05/2020 — Last Saturday night, downtown Wilmington erupted in chaos. Earlier in the day at Rodney Square, a peaceful demonstration was held to decry the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day. Mr. Floyd died as a result of being pinned to the ground while handcuffed by a Minneapolis police officer for over nine minutes. The national outrage was swift as cities all over the country mobilized and began peaceful marches and protests demanding justice for the death of Mr. Floyd.

Black Lives Matter finished banner at Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, DelawareThe protest and march that began in the late morning in Wilmington turned into something very different by Saturday evening as businesses located on Market, Shipley, and Orange Streets were vandalized and robbed. Thankfully SsAM was spared any damage and the church was secure. The rage and the anger are understandable as people of color are tired and weary of having to once again mourn the loss of another black man to police violence.

As a result of the events of Saturday evening I decided to go to church on Sunday morning to say Morning Prayer from the sanctuary. It was a holy time.

Sunday afternoon, our young adults and couples began to organize to come together on Monday, June 1, 2020, to paint a Black Lives Matter banner to be placed on the parking lot wall. In the midst of a pandemic this was a wonderful example of community coming together to voice our solidarity and our commitment for our African American brothers and sisters.
 
Click here to see the photos of the banner painting.
 
As this group was painting the banner, another story was playing out in Washington, DC. At about the time the banner was completed, President Trump made a brief statement from the Rose Garden announcing that he would be a law and order President and would end the peaceful demonstrations by force. As he spoke you could hear the crowd being disbursed near the White House and nearby Lafayette Square where St. John’s Episcopal Church is located.  

What happened next was quite simply disgusting. The President and others from his administration left the White House and walked to the church along the same route where minutes before protesters were peaceably assembled. The clergy of St. John’s and other denominations were outside giving relief and support to the protesters. They were not spared as they were pushed away in the chaos. All of this occurred so the President could stand outside a church with a Bible in hand. No prayer, no statement of solidarity and no words of compassion for George Floyd and others who have died as a result of police brutality. It was shocking and it was widely condemned by Episcopal Church leaders as well as other denominations.

The Church and the Bible are not to be used to appeal to anyone’s political base. At this time when the churches around the country have struggled to stay connected with their members and to learn to worship remotely during COVID-19 this cynical act did nothing to calm the feelings of so many who are hurting in this country. The Church is to be a sanctuary and the scriptures tell the story of our faith. Neither is a prop for any agenda.

Early this week I reached out to Canon Casson and Rabbi Douglas Krantz to begin a conversation as to how we might talk about racism in the midst of a pandemic. In the next couple of weeks, the congregation will be invited to join Canon Casson, Rabbi Krantz and me for a conversation. More details will be forthcoming in the next week. Continue to keep one another in prayer as well as this community and the country.

Peace,
Fr. David

Click here to learn about our video worship services.

All of Fr. David’s posts.


Prayer for People Critically Ill or Facing Great Uncertainty

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.

-Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765

Worship Services Via Video

We are worshiping together via video on Facebook and YouTube. Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services!

25th anniversary logo for the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, Delaware

NEWS

Worship With Us Via Video

Use Facebook or YouTube to worship with us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.! Coffee Hour follows using Zoom (but not on Palm Sunday or Easter … [Read More...]

Sunday Coffee Hour at 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Hour resumes Sunday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS on Sundays immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom … [Read More...]

Prayer Services at SsAM

Prayer Services at SsAM on Facebook Live and Zoom Click here to see our Facebook Live page. You can watch  these services (and our … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew

Upcoming Events: Our building is closed but we are busier than ever! Our next 25th Anniversary Event is Sunday, April 18, at 3:00 … [Read More...]

Thomas answered him — My Lord and My God! (John 20:28)

FATHER DAVID’S POST OF 4/9/2021 — Thomas’ confession of faith in the Risen Christ comes at the conclusion of the Gospel that we will hear … [Read More...]

Mother’s Day Bake Sale

Saturday, May 8, 11–3, Curbside, 719 N. Shipley Street. Drive up to the curb in front of our church between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on … [Read More...]

SsAM Men’s Fellowship Begins

In the first months of 2021, SsAM formed a Men’s Fellowship Ministry for the purposes of promoting fellowship among the men of the church … [Read More...]

Feed The Hungry

Please make a donation to a local food pantry! Children and families in our community are going hungry. You can help! As the … [Read More...]

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next walk is May 7. Since June 19, 2020, members from SsAM and other churches have been showing up for silent … [Read More...]

Get The Vaccine!

COVID-19 VACCINE SCHEDULING Requests for appointments for Delaware Division of Public Health vaccination events are now being taken … [Read More...]

Racial Justice: Continuing the Conversation with Three Wilmington Churches

The members of three Wilmington Churches continue their collaboration on issues of racial justice on Sunday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m. Please … [Read More...]

Volunteer To Serve On The Vestry

Our church is looking for four new Vestry members to serve three-year terms beginning in June, 2021. Is that you? Someone you know? The … [Read More...]

Please Make A Donation

You can make a one-time donation or set up a donation that repeats weekly or monthly. A click on the button will bring you to a secure … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Sunday Services

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. Click here to learn more!

Sunday worship services are at 10:00 a.m. Morning and Evening Prayer are also offered, on other days.

Visit Us

Our church is closed at the moment, but when we can open, even partially, our address is

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You don’t need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Vestry View
  • Invite Welcome Connect
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
  • Episcopal Church USA
  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Digital Network
  • Forward Day By Day
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
  • Order of the Ascension
  • Congregational Development
  • Father David’s Spiritual Journey
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up
  • Vestry View

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity

Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn more about making a pledge, texting a donation, special gifts and memorials, remembering SsAM in your will, setting up debit payments from your bank, and using United Way.

Make An On-Line Donation
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